tanon017 Driving LEDs How to Choose the Right Power Supoly | Digkey Driving LEDs: How to Choose the Right Power Supply By Excelsys Technologies, Ltd. Contributed By Convergence Promotions LLC. 2011-05-27 LEDs are fast replacing fluorescent light bulbs and incandescent light bulbs in many lighting applications, In the past th: could be driven directly from the main voltage, but this is not possible with LEDs. This article looks at what an LED is, he and how to choose the right power supply for this requirement, What is an LED? Like regular diodes, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are constructed using a semiconducting material which has been “doped” with i to create a P-N (posive-negatve) junction, Current flows easily from the P-side (anode) tothe N-side (cathode), but not inthe ot (see Figure 1) When placed in a circuit supplied by an external power source, current flows, and charge carriers (electrons and holes) flow into the electrodes, which are at cfferent voltages. The electrons and holes are separated by an energy diference known as a "band « N-type P-type + + + Figure 1: N- and P-type doping of an LED. When an electron meets a hole, it falls across the band gap from the higher to the lower energy level, releasing the band gap ene of ight with a frequency, and hence a color that corresponds to the band gap energy. This relationship can be expressed using the ‘equation: Ey =he/h Where sand gap energy lanck's constant peed of light = Wavelength &y h © » Table 1 shows the wavelengths and band gap energies of a number of colored lights. psa. digkoy convendartctestechzone/201/1hmayldrvng lods-how-to-choose-the-ight power-supply wrtanon017 Driving LEDS How to Choose the Right Power Supply | Digkey Color Wavelength (nm) Band Gap Energy, E(eV) Infrared 4>760 E<1.63 Red 610< A <760 1.63 Orange 590< A<610 2.03 Yellow 570< A<590 2.40 Green 500< A<570 2.18 Blue 450< Ac500 2.48 Violet 400< A<450 276 Uttraviolet e400 34 LED manufacturers can “tune” the band gap energy and hence the wavelength of the light emitted. This is achieved by increasing the level of impurities, e.g. controling the composition of the semiconductor. Adding mare impurities will lower the band gap enere wavelength of the emitted light. ‘The band gap of an LED changes with varying temperature, and the extent ofthis change can be predicted using Varshni's pararr (empirically measured values that are used in order to calculate temperature dependent band gap energies). This relationship is ¢ following equation: ar? Fyr=0) FER Where Ey jand gap energy T femperature (K) «8 farsi parameters Since both a and 8 are constants for a specified LED, as the temperature increases, the band gap energy of the LED slightly decr previously, decreasing the band gap energy will increase the wavelength of emitted light and slightly change the color of the light « referred to as temperature dependent spectral shift. Performance characteristics of LEDs ‘The voltage-current relationship of LEDs is given by Shockley's diode equation: (exp Ge) -) Vp = kT /q Where | ode forward current foverse bias saturation current Vp lode forward voltage n = Diode ideality factor Vy hermal voltage k joltzman's constant q harge on an electron T femperature Since n, k, q and Is are constant for a given LED at a fixed temperature T, the V- curve of an LED can be plotted using this equati Figure 2: psa. digkoy convendartctestechzone/201/1hmayldrvng lods-how-to-choose-the-ight power-supply atanon017 Driving LEDs How to Choose the Right Power Supoly | Digkey 20 28 26 { 24 20 18 16 08 08 { 04 00 Forward Current (A) 20.22 24 26 28 30 82k Forward Voltage (V) Figure 2: LED current versus voltage (25°C) Shockley’s equation also tells us that the forward voltage of the LED is temperature dependent. For a fixed forward current, as the increases, the forward voltage of the LED decreases. This is because the saturation current |, is also dependent on temperature z ‘estimated using the following equation 1s(T2) = Ig(Tiexplks(T, —T1)] Next, if we look at the empirical data of the characteristic luminous flux vs. current curve (see Figure 3), and luminous flux vs. tem {see Figure 4) of an LED, we can draw two important conclusions: 1. LEDs operate much more efficiently (they possess a much higher lum/W value) at lower current levels. ‘As an example, we can use the figures for Cree's XM-L high flux LEDs (I, When driving the LED at 3 A (and at 25°C), it will emit power required to do so is 3 A 3.34 V, or 10.02 W, resulting in an efficiency of 87.4 Im/W. 1100 1000 900 200 70 600 500 400 200 200 ° 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 20 Forward Current (A) Luminous Flux (Im) Figure 3: LED luminous flux versus current (25°C). psa. digkoy convendartctestechzone/201/1hmayldrvng lods-how-to-choose-the-ight power-supply a7tanon017 Driving LEDS How to Choose the Right Power Supply | Digkey 1000 200 700 500 400 300 Luminous Flux (im) 200 ° 25 0 78 100 15 150 Junction Temperature (°C) Figure 4: LED luminous flux versus temperature (3 A). However, when the LED is driven at 1.5 A, it will emit 590 lumens. The power required is 1.5 A * 3.14 V, or 4.71 W, resulting in an 125.3 ImMW, a significant improvement. This higher efficiency means that there is less waste heat generated by the LED (self-heat currents that can alter bath the wavelength and intensity of the emitted light, as well as altering the forward voltage by raising the | temperature. 2. As has already been mentioned, an increase in temperature will decrease the forward voltage (and power) needed to maintain ‘current, However, the lumen output will also fall, and by a greater scale. This means that that even though less power is required | ‘constant current level, the lower lumen output will mean that the overal efficiency of the LED wil fall. Why do | need to use a driver for my LEDs? Choosing the right supply is key to ensuring that you get the best performance from your LED. The long lifetimes of LEDs foster tt that the weakest link is now the power supply. Excelsys has chosen design techniques, market leading components, and thermal techniques in order to provide solutions for customers with lifetime matching figures. We also have incorporated a number of desi fit in nicely with LED market requirements: ‘+ IP67 rated, waterproof metal casing and will probably be potted ‘+ LEDs are non-linear devices (if vs. Vf) with a forward voltage that is temperature dependent — that is it needs to be contr regulating current ‘+ LEDs are low voltage DC devices with forward voltage requirements, LEDs also require protection against damage Incandescent light Bulbs are purely resistive loads, LEDs are not. Drivers are required to provide a power factor close to o and load conditions High efficiency (driven by lumens per watt demanded by luminaire designers) High reliability Long lifetime (power supplies now perceived as the weakest link in the chain), needs to be in the tens of thousands of how UL8750 approved Fulure designs will have the capability to communicate with the power supplies Now I know why In d an LED driver, should | use a constant current driver or a constant voltage driver? We have stated that LEDs are current driven devices, so why do companies offer both Constant Current (CC) and Constant Volta solutions for LED drivers? ‘The reason for ths is to give the light fixture designers a number of options in optimizing their system. If many strings of LEDs are the most efficient way to drive them is to use a constant current power supply and connect the LEDs directly across the terminals ‘supply. However, if strings of LEDs are connected in parallel, there may be an issue in trying to match the current in all the strings alternative to this would be to place an external component or active circuit to control the current. This may result in a slightly less number of lumens per walt, but allows the user to have full flexibility in ensuring that an identical current flows though many LEC parallel What is the difference between CC mode and CV mode? Figures 5, 6, and 7 show the characteristics of three distinct modes of operation of a power supply. On each plot the axes are the psa. digkoy convendartctestechzone/201/1hmayldrvng lods-how-to-choose-the-ight power-supply antanon017 Driving LEDS How to Choose the Right Power Supply | Digkey ‘The X axis shows the load increasing, and the Y axis shows the output voltage of the module. The biue line is the voltage and the ‘output current. ‘You will note the performance of the Constant Voltage power supply shown in Figure 6. it shows, as the terminology suggests, at ‘a constant voltage as the load increases. The load current rises as demanded by the system, and will continue to increase to a pc ower supply will go into current limit mode in order to prevent damage to the power train. Inthe Excelsys catalog, this is represer and LXV product ranges. A lot of common voltage requirements, and some not so common voltages, are covered by these range: Figure 5: Constant voltage: Excelsys LDV and LXV ranges. Load Figure 6: Constant current: Excelsys LDC, LXC, and LXD ranges, psa. digkoy convendartctestechzone/201/1hmayldrvng lods-how-to-choose-the-ight power-supply sitanon017 Figure 6 shows how a constant current driver will behave. As the load increases the outp Driving LEDS How to Choose the Right Power Supply | Digkey Load Figure 7: CC and CV mode: Excelsys LBD product range. { current will remain fixed, with the volta accordingly, This is covered by the Excelsys LDC, LXC, and LXD product ranges. ‘The latest design from Excalsys takes the two mades of operation and combines them onto one design. From Figure 7, you can s will initially behave as a constant voltage unit. Once the load current max is reached, the control loop will then hold the supply cur constant value and reduce the output voltage accordingly. This type of approach has many benefits to the end designer in that if ¢ both CC and CV mode designs can be achievable with one supply. We can see how each of these design modes can be used to implement a solution for different lighting applications Case Study 1: Application: advertising signage Three diodes in series per strip, with reverse bias protaction diode and series limit resistor Current is controlled by Wee ~ DA)/R — Where Vee = supply voltage — EVf= sum of forward voltages of LEDs —R= series resistor Each strip consumes approx 300 mA Customer required fixed 12 V output Solution provided with LDV100 series Or alternatively use the LDB60-12 V models. When used below a five ampere load, the unit operates in a constant voltage Case Study 2: ‘Application: high bay lighting LED configuration of nine LEDs in series \Vfof each LED will vary from 8 V to 10 Customer drives the LEDs with 700 mA Pout = 700 mA (Forward current) * 90 (VF max of nine diodes in series) = Minimum of 63 watts Voltage range of 72 to 90 volts Solution provided by LXC75 700 mA part Alternatively, an LDB product can be used to limit the current to 700 mA psa. digkoy convendartctestechzone/201/1hmayldrvng lods-how-to-choose-the-ight power-supply etanon017 Driving LEDS How to Choose the Right Power Supply | Digkey ‘The Excelsys portfolio has a range of products available to the user to provide a solution for whatever the application requirement have constant current, constant voltage, and dimmable constant current models available in an extensive power range. These sta and continue up to 300 watts. A full catalog of our LED drivers is available on request from sales@excelsys.com or salesusa@ex: References. ‘Cree XLamp XM-L LEDs Data Sheet," Cree. ConWergence Disclaimer: The opinions, bellofs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and/or forum participants on this website do not necossan opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Digi Key Eloctronics or official polices of Digi Key Electronics. Copyright © 1995-2017, Digi-Key Electronics. All Rights Reserved 701 Brooks Avenue South, ‘Thief Rver Falls, MN 55701 USA psa. digkoy convendartctestechzone/201/1hmayldrvng lods-how-to-choose-the-ight power-supply uw