Better, faster, more compact: Optimal power supplies for LED products

Getting the lighting quality, light yield, and operational lifetime right means making the best possible choice of components and their installation in the lighting system. Schukat offers a wide range of MEAN WELL power supplies specially designed for LED products: their HVGC-1000 LED power supply series, for example, demonstrates very high performance, with an IP67-protected aluminium case and up to 1000 watts of power. High efficiency and the latest circuit topologies also allow for more compact design.

New LED installations require certain basic conditions for the planning and integration of an apparently suitable power supply. In addition to the installed LEDs, the power supply plays a significant role in the overall performance of the final application. Only coordinated components will deliver the desired quality, light output, and operational lifetime of the lighting equipment.

• Efficiency as the most important criterion for a high-quality power supply:
If the efficiency over a wide load range remains consistently high, this allows for compact construction and low self-heating. In conjunction with a long service life and warranty period and a high-quality housing appropriate to the application, these features, together with the other application-specific factors that need to be considered, promise a high-quality product.

• Expected service lifetime of the lighting installation as an indicator of a suitable power supply:
Based on the overall application, a suitable value for the operational lifetime can be derived. From that, a suitable power supply for the particular installation can be determined. In making these decisions, the installer has to ask: How long is the equipment in operation each day? In the worst-case scenario, what load and heat generation can be expected for the power supply to be used in the application? What is the minimum operational lifetime that the overall application should ultimately achieve? The operating temperature has the greatest effect on the possible operational lifetime of a power supply and should be taken into account during planning.

• In this regard, data comparison always makes sense. A prerequisite for this is a correct understanding of the data. The basis of the data to be compared should also be identical. For example, the expected operating time of power supply units is often based on different temperatures, which makes direct comparison difficult. Also, different standards (MIL-HDBK-217 and Telcordia SR332) are used for evaluation by manufacturers, which also leads to misunderstandings. This is the case with the MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) value usually shown on the data sheets of LED power supplies. This value expresses the reliability or, conversely, the probability of failure.

• In addition to selecting the LED module and matching power supply, the following should also be noted:
Power supplies experience overload or stress from transient voltage spikes caused by various factors. These reach the power supply unit through the AC mains network and can lead to premature failures and ageing. Additional surge protection devices (SPDs), such as Citel’s MLPX1-230L-W, prevent failures caused by acute, high overvoltages. They also help to maximise the uptime of the power supply and the overall installation and minimise maintenance costs. SPDs are particularly recommended for outdoor and industrial applications.
In applications with a high number of LED power supply units on a single fuse circuit, an additional inrush current limiter (for example, Camtec’s ESB001.LED.230VAC) is also recommended to prevent unintentional tripping of the circuit breaker and to minimise installation work.

To keep the number of LED power supplies as low as possible when a large number of different CC-LED modules are used, constant-power LED drivers such as the XLG-150 series from MEAN WELL are ideal. The output current is user adjustable and the output voltage range adjusts automatically according to the set current. In this way, full power can always be drawn from the power supply unit – even with different output currents. The series also impresses with a high input voltage range between 100 and 305 volts, an IP67-protected metal case, and a 3-in-1 dimming function. The manufacturer specifies operation at a case temperature of -40 to +90°C, making the units suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The series is additionally equipped with the usual protective functions: OVP, SCP, OCP and OTP.

Schukat electronic offers LED power supplies from a wide range of manufacturers, including MEAN WELL, Self Electronics, and Recom Power. Schukat maintains production-level quantities of around 2000 different kinds of LED power supplies and DC/DC LED drivers at it automated central warehouse in Monheim am Rhein.
As a distributor, we also provide fast, competent support with direct contact persons and have an expert field service team for on-site problem solving. Customers benefit from rapid processing of enquiries, provision of data sheets and samples, and variable delivery quantities – from samples to series production.

Our technical sales team is at your service for any questions you may have about choosing the right power supply product, as well as for customer-specific enquiries concerning power supplies for LED modules.