constant-current LED driver or constant-current driver is used to regulate the amount of current that is supplied to an LED or LED array to maximize LED lifetime. If current is not regulated, LED brightness can fluctuate and life span can be shortened. The constant-current driver is used for LEDs or light fixtures that require a stable output current and operate within a range of voltages. Most finished LED products already have a constant-current driver or resistors to regulate current. If you’re building an LED fixture or replacing a constant-current driver, it’s important to verify that the output current and voltage of the driver is compatible with the LEDs’ current and voltage. If your LED product already has a constant-current driver or uses resistors in the LED array, you might need a constant-voltage power supply.

If your LEDs are dimmable and you want to change their brightness, choose a Magnitude Dimmable Power Supplies. These dimmable power supplies work by varying the power on the AC input side of the power supply by means of a TRIAC dimmer. This change in power on the AC input side will vary the voltage on the DC output side and control the intensity of the LEDs. TRIAC dimmers are common hardware store and household dimmers, which include brand names such as Lutron and Leviton.

Pulse-Width Modulation Dimming: Pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming can be used to control dimmable power supplies such as Mean Well LPF Series. This type of dimming control adjusts the output current based on the duty cycle. As the duty cycle increases, current will increase and the LEDs will be brighter. Conversely, if the duty cycle decreases, the current will decrease and the LEDs will be dimmer. Pulse-width modulation for these drivers is based on a 10-volt signal level with a frequency between 100Hz-3KHz. The MLD-5A are compatible for this application.

Resistive Dimming: Resistive dimming can be used to control dimmable power supplies such as 12-Volt Mean Well HLG-40-240 Series or 12-Volt Mean Well HLG-600 Series or here.

The efficiency of a power supply or driver indicates the percentage of power that goes toward making your LED product function. An efficiency of 80 percent or higher is recommended for operating LEDs. 

When choosing a driver or power supply, the size of an LED product’s housing or area of installation is important. If you wish to put a constant-current LED driver inside of a product, the driver must be small enough to fit in the product’s housing. Similarly, if the driver or power supply is used outside of the product’s housing, it should fit the area of installation. Drivers and power supplies are available in a variety of sizes to suit your needs.

A Class 2 driver or power supply is in accordance with limited power levels defined by the National Electric Code (NEC) and fulfills the requirements of Standard UL 1310. Output is limited to 60 volts DC and 100 watts. Because power sources with this rating have limited output, it might not be possible to power as many LEDs or lights as those that don’t have a Class 2 rating. However, these power supplies and drivers provide protection from fire and electric shock.

A Class II rating refers to a double insulation layer between AC input and DC output wires. These drivers and power supplies do not require a ground connection.

Storm damage electrical repair is a common issue we help customers with in the Des Moines Metro areas.  Storms can cause major damage not only to your homes roof, siding, and windows but also the wiring in and out of your home.  We are not just talking about the major storms such as tornadoes and hurricanes, but storms such as thunderstorms, hail storms, heavy rain and snow storms, and freezing rain or ice storms.  Thunderstorms can cause massive power surges damaging your homes electronics, appliances, and wiring.  Heavy snow and ice storms can damage overhead wiring ripping service mast off the side of your home and cause major physical damage.  Heavy winds can blow down trees hitting overhead service lines.  Even a tree coming in contact with the power grid can cause massive surges and still damage your home even miles away from the incident.

We have electricians available 24 hours for emergency electrical repair.  We realize that with overnight storms you can not always wait for the next day in order to have your home or businesses wiring repaired.  Our emergency team consist of experienced and licensed electricians, 24 hour live answered phones, and a warehouse stocking a full line of parts to repair most major problems.

Not only do we carry our own inventory but we also have 24 hour access to all major electrical supplies stores in the Des Moines metro area.  With our licensed electricians we can make that emergency electrical repair no matter what the time of day or night is.

With no electricity in your home you can often experience more damage than the initial storm presented.  Sump pumps protect your homes basement from incoming water.  Heavy rains and ground water may continue to flow for hours or even days from the time your home or business lost electricity.  Flooded basements depending on the level of finish can cost thousands of dollars or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair.  Even winter time power outages can cause damage.  Your furnace runs on electricity and without it you may not have any heat in your home.  Without heat pipes can freeze and burst flooding your property.

We have equipment that can be used to get to areas not normally accessible or areas not safely reached from a ladder.  Our equipment is designed to safely get your power restored so you can rest comfortably.

Categories: 24 Hour Electrician, Bucket Truck, Uncategorized« Power Surges and Whole House Surge Protection  |  Hot Tub and Pool Wiring Don’t Risk Your Safety! »

This week, I participated in a weekly twitter chat calledTweetChat, with whom I have no affiliation but do use) Wednesdays at 2 p.m. EST and use the hashtag #KBTribeChat. Information about the interesting conversation. One of the questions was about using lighting to personal kitchens and baths. Of course, this got me very excited. I inadvertently learned that Twitter is great if you have a little that you kind of want to say. It’s terrible when you have a LOT that you REALLY want to say. That 140 character limit becomes a cruel, tyrannical constraint. So I thought to myself: You’ll just have to wait until you get back home to the blog, where you can write actual paragraphs, to answer this question. Ahhh. It feels good now to have a little room to stretch out.

So, how can you use lighting to personalize a space? Here are 4 things to keep in mind.

1) Fixture and Light Source