PRODUCT CODE GENERATOR - FURTHER INFORMATION

DRIVER

A driver is needed to operate and control every LED luminaire. They are self-contained units but are wired to the luminaire and have outputs matched to the characteristic of the LED. Its specification depends on whether dimming is required or not. There is also ADDRESSABLE, which is only relevant to DALI addressable fixtures requiring emergency and should be specified with emergency fixtures for that protocol.

Fixed Output - when no dimming is required

If dimming is required there are several protocols

1-10V Dimming - Analogue Voltage Control (1-10v) protocol which utilises an analogue voltage input to control the intensity of a light source using a DC voltage.

DALI - Digital Addressable Lighting Interface. Each ballast is individually addressable. With individual addressability and status feedback two-way communication is possible, enabling the end user to query ballasts for energy usage. It also enables the operator to query ballasts for lamp and ballast failure which can improve the efficiency of lighting maintenance.

Leading Edge or Trailing Edge Dimming - Mains Dimmable utilises the AC mains cabling.

Leading Edge - This dimming protocol is commonly used to dim incandescent lamps.

Trailing edge - This dimming protocol is used to dim low voltage lamps.

It is possible to operate LEDs using these protocols but extremely difficult to get a satisfactory outcome, particularly with a retrofit situation. This is due to the possible incompatibility of each system's components.

Addressable - an Addressable Driver has to be specified if the luminaires are to be Emergency types and the installation is DSI or DALI

The specifier must be aware that not all drivers and control systems are compatible and care must be taken to determine the correct specification of each. For example it will be important to check the minimum dimming range of the driver. (Please contact us if you are unsure.)