Constant Current Vs Constant Voltage Power Supply

Accurate constant current constant voltage 20a power supply ensures safe charging of supercaps and li ion batteries.

Constant current vs constant voltage power supply.

The term constant is relative. In order for that light strip to be installed in a home with a 120 volt alternating current ac wiring system the voltage would need to be reduced and converted from ac to dc with a power supply. The important thing to keep in mind is whether the output of the power device provides a constant voltage or a constant current they are required by the led device that is receiving the power. Similar to ballasts for fluorescent lamps or transformers for low voltage bulbs led drivers provide and regulate the necessary voltage in order to maintain a safe and consistent operation.

In order to ensure the leds function perfectly the self contained led driver needs to provide a constant power supply for the led. In some cases constant voltage power supplies might be best. In some cases constant current drivers matching the voltage and current requirements of both the product and the power source home vehicle etc. Although the voltage stays constant the current required from the driver goes up with the number of lights.

Luminaires require a steady voltage to be supplied from the driver eg 12 or 24 volts. Both constant current and constant voltage drivers act as a power supply for an led light source but the delivery methods differ. The power source is monitoring the arc and making millisecond changes in order to maintain a stable arc condition. A cc power source will maintain current at a relatively constant level regardless of fairly large changes in voltage while a cv power source will maintain voltage at a relatively constant.

This is the type of power that is typically output from your wall outlets around the home. Constant voltage lights are always wired in parallel. For these lights the voltage is fixed by the driver but the current may vary. We compare constant current led drivers and constant voltage led drivers to help you pick the perfect led power supply for your application.

A constant voltage power supply receives standard line voltage 120 277vac.