The source of tube complexity is largely related to heat dissipation. "Heat" is the enemy of LEDs and power supplies (usually called drivers). Both the driver and the LED generate heat. In addition, the specific implementation of the LED lamp driver is likely to be the main differentiating factor between the products of different manufacturers. In this article, the editor will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of six LED tube drivers to provide customers with correct lighting solutions in application scenarios.
Install the driver in parallel
It is the most commonly used structure to install the built-in driver parallel to the length of the lamp. Its advantages include high market awareness and significant price drops.
But this scheme also has many shortcomings. The parallel assembly with the LED printed circuit board (PCB) makes the heat generated by the driver damage the LED device in some cases. The result is a reduction in performance indicators such as color, efficiency, and/or service life. In fact, the product may not fail completely, but it is also unacceptable. In the area overlapped with the driver, the parallel driver will adversely affect the phosphor coating of the LED. The change of the luminous color will cause the inconsistency between the lamps and the inconsistency in the overall ceiling lighting aesthetics. So far, this has made many buyers dismiss the idea of buying.
In addition, there are some other shortcomings. When the integrated parallel driver fails, the lamp itself is also scrapped. As a result, the entire product has to be discarded and replaced. Moreover, this design does not always support the dimming function. In addition, electricians are required to bypass the original ballast during installation. The problem of poor light output quality often occurs. With the emergence of the latest developments in tube heat insulation technology, these first-generation lamp designs are basically out of date.
The end heat insulation drive
One way to achieve thermal isolation is to place the driver on the cover at one end of the lamp tube away from the LED device. This design has significantly better thermal performance than lamps with parallel drivers, and its price has also been reduced.
Although the heat generated by the drive is isolated, since the integrated drive is not removable, the actual effect of the drive will still lead to catastrophic failure of the entire product. In addition, like parallel products, the dimming function is not always available, and the electrician is still required to bypass the ballast when the product is installed.
Heat-insulated replaceable drive
Compared with the previous two solutions, the advantage of this driver is that the user can repair the failed lamp without replacing the entire lamp. In fact, when the driver fails, it can be easily replaced—sometimes, for some products, there is no need to cut the wire, instead of the entire tube including the LED. The disadvantages are the same as the previous two schemes.
Drivers compatible with ballasts
So far, the most frequently mentioned shortcoming of LED lamps is the need to bypass the original ballast. Ballast compatible drivers, also known as "plug and play" drivers, solve this problem. This kind of tube just clicks into the "stone" type connector of the fluorescent lamp, and no electrician is required to install it.
However, in the same way, the shortcomings still exist. If the original fluorescent lamp ballast is broken, the user has to buy a new one to replace it, which generally requires an electrician to install it. The wattage of the lamp is usually higher than other types of LED lamps because of the load borne by the ballast.
Heat insulation and the driver directly supplies power to the pin
The advantages include the best heat dissipation of the driver, the driver is not limited by space, and manufacturers can add dimming and other control-only functions in a variety of ways. If the driver is broken, it can be replaced; the user does not need to discard the entire tube containing the LED device.
The disadvantage is that an electrician needs to replace the ballast with an LED driver. In addition, lamps with external drivers are usually more expensive than built-in lamps. If the lamp socket connector is damaged, it needs to be replaced, the same as the built-in lamp tubes of various drivers.
Heat insulation and the driver directly supplies power to the lamp
Similarly, the advantage is the best heat dissipation advantage, as well as possible dimming and other controllable functions. The driver can still be replaced, and the user does not need to discard the entire tube containing the LED device.
Since the power supply is directly connected to the lamp tube without passing through the lamp holder connector 20, the installation position of the lamp tube in the lamp is very flexible when disassembling and assembling. In addition, if the connector is damaged, it does not need to be replaced. In order to obtain subsidies, some public utilities also like this way of connecting the driver to the LED tube or module, and are unwilling to use the built-in driver that requires the voltage to be introduced into the existing lamp socket connector, and colleagues are not compatible with the ballast. Light tube.
Its shortcomings are mainly reflected in the cost, which requires an electrician to replace the ballast with a driver. Usually, the installer is required to assemble some kind of bracket in the lamp to fix the lamp tube. At the same time, this kind of product is generally more expensive than the lamp built into the driver.
With the improvement of all these technologies and the decline in prices, 2015 has become a flashpoint for LED tubes. However, the use of LED tubes in the US market is not as good as in Europe and Asia, partly due to the confusion of the driver scheme.
