Here’s Why Your LED Lights Need Drivers

When our customers come to us looking for LED lighting solutions, one of the most common questions that arise is what an LED driver does, and why it’s so useful. There are many reasons why you need LED drivers, including LED light lifespan maximisation, improved energy efficiency, power surge protection, and more. 

To answer all your questions regarding LED drivers and why you need them, we’ll dive into each of their advantages to leave no room for doubts. Keep reading if you want to learn more about LED drivers and how they can make your LED lights perform better. 

The Advantages of an LED Driver

LED drivers are one of the most important components when it comes to using an LED light. In fact, it would be safe to say that without one, your LED lights will not work as well and will almost certainly not last as long. 

Naturally, it’s cheaper to run your LED lights without a driver, and the initial price tag of one can be a deterrent, but in the long run, you’ll be saving more money with one than without. To better illustrate that point and help you make an informed decision when using LED lights, here are a few advantages of LED drivers. 

Power Surge Protection

Power surges are one of the most dangerous and harmful things that can happen to any electronic device. LED drivers help regulate the voltage entering your LED lights while ensuring it stays within a safe range for operation. 

This can not only save your LED lights from short-circuiting during times of irregular voltage but also help maximize their lifespan significantly. 

AC/DC Conversion

Most LEDs require a specific voltage to work correctly and stay within their safe range of operation; however, wall outlets often have electrical outputs that might not match what the LED lights need. Products like our Mean Well 12V 100W LED driver ensure constant voltage and help convert high-voltage AC to low-voltage DC. 

Our Mean Well driver works great with our other products, such as: 

• 5m 3528 Single Colour LED Strip (4.8W/m)
• 5m 5050 Single Colour LED Strip (9.6W/m)
• 5m 5050 RGB+W LED Strip (9.6W/m)

Improved Energy Efficiency

LED drivers are also great at helping you save power, as they regulate how much electricity your LED lights draw from your wall outlet. This helps you maximize your LED lights’ Lumen per watt performance, thus resulting in lower bills. 

Safety

As mentioned earlier, LED drivers help regulate the voltage entering your LED lights. Voltage variation is often linked to short circuits, fires, and other electrical issues that, in the best-case scenario, will only affect your LED lights and their lifespan. 

Flickering Prevention

One of the most important aspects of LED lights is ensuring that the light source is steady. Especially if you bought them to help you illuminate a really dark space, such as a basement. 

Flickering lights are inconvenient and undesirable, but luckily, using a product like our 30W 24V DC TRIAC Dimmable LED driver, which goes for £40.20 including VAT, can help ensure that your LED light source is steady at all times. 

Smart Home System Integration

LED drivers also allow for Smart Home system integration, where multiple LED lights need to be managed at the same time across different circuits. LED drivers are also great for situations where there’s a need for outdoor LED light placement where the weather can affect them. 

Products like our 150W 12V LED Transformer Driver are great for installing both indoors and outdoors, even in wet locations. 

So, Do You Need an LED Driver?

While it’s possible to use LED lights without a driver, it can not only be unsafe and inefficient, but also reduce your LED lights’ lifespan considerably. At the end of the day, most LED drivers aren’t too expensive, and while the initial investment is greater than if you were to only buy an LED light, it will save you more money in the long run. 

There are plenty of options available for almost any need and application, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. 

If you have any questions regarding our products, please do not hesitate to email us at enquiries@ledsave.co.uk, or give us a ring at 01652 638840. We’re open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Please check out our contact page for more information.