LED / Driver question

2com

Well-Known Member
Simply put; powering the same "fixture" (or set of leds, boards, strips, whatever) with, for example, a 480 watt cc driver, versus the same model 480 watt cv driver, is one of them actually "degrading" the leds faster than the other? Ie: the driver that's pushing a higher drive current (the cv driver, right) is going to degrade the actual leds faster than the cc driver, which pushes a higher voltage. Is that correct?

Sorry this is a bit lazy, and I should be able to 'figure / remember' my way through it.
The cc will drive all leds at the same, rated current, and give the 'boards' (for example) the voltage they require (within the driver's range, or limits). The cv driver will drive all leds at the same, rated voltage, and give the 'boards' an equal amount (divided) of current (within the driver's range, or limits). Is one driving the leds harder... it sound like the answer is no.

Thanks.
 

MidnightSun72

Well-Known Member
The answer is no. One does not degrade the LEDs anymore than the other. At the end of the say if the LEDs are getting the same volts and amps then they will live the same life.
 

2com

Well-Known Member
The answer is no. One does not degrade the LEDs anymore than the other. At the end of the say if the LEDs are getting the same volts and amps then they will live the same life.
That's what I was thinking after writing the question out. Hah. The way it was mentioned where I heard about the drive current being one of a few main factors that determine led life span had me thinking for a minute.
Thanks.
 

CWF

Well-Known Member
The choice of driver type depends primarily on the LED array circuit topology of the lamp or strip. It isn't really an arbitrary choice, even though sometimes both types will "work".
 

Drasik

Active Member
e, rated current, and give the 'boards' (for example) the voltage they require (within the driver's range, or limits). The cv driver will drive all leds at the same, rated voltage, and give the 'boards' an equal amount (divided) of current (within the driver's range, or limits). Is o
The choice of driver type depends primarily on the LED array circuit topology of the lamp or strip. It isn't really an arbitrary choice, even though sometimes both types will "work".
Pretty much this, What is the application of the LEDS in the circuit. but CV drivers have to delver the same voltage for the LEDs to operate. Its the drivers regulation of current that would affect if your the lifespan of the circuit/chip
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
The answer is no. One does not degrade the LEDs anymore than the other. At the end of the say if the LEDs are getting the same volts and amps then they will live the same life.
Exactly, cc or cv driver makes no difference. If wattage is the same, voltage, amperage and diode life are all the same.
 
Perhaps the issue you're thinking of is related to thermal runaway in a CV parallel system?

I was going to type a bunch out here, but it seems more difficult, as a layman, to explain to other layman the CC vs CV systems when I could just post this nice piece by LED gardener.


This post applies to LEDs in general; strips or otherwise. Hope this helps!
 
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