A premier goal when completing any design is to turn over a system that is safe, reliable and efficient. The use of LED lights and circuits has become an important contribution to the success of this mission. Unlike other lighting types that utilize gas or vacuum filled tubes, LEDs are able to generate light simply and solely by the movement of electrons through a semi-conductor material. Compared to these traditional sources, LEDs draw less power and generate less heat. They are safer and more environmentally friendly as they do not include gases that contribute to global warming concerns. Lighting, machine, vision, signaling and signage can all experience an increase in efficacy by the implementation of LEDs in the design.

LED circuit themselves can be further enhanced with the use of drivers and controllers. A driver regulates the current to the LED circuit for maximum output while also functioning to protect the LED(s) from fluctuations in the power source to prevent damage to the circuitry or premature failure of the LED. The drivers are then interfaced with a control solution. The controller can serve to further increase efficacy by a number of means including strobing, dimming and timed activation.

The ability to control lighting for buildings, production lines and signage allows a decrease in required energy at times when buildings and equipment are not in use or to adjust to changes in external illumination. This ability to lower power consumption can assist in building and production design meeting new building infrastructure power reduction requirements.

LED Control Types

A variety of control types can be implemented into an energy efficient LED Design:

Switching Control: This is the simplest control type and simply provides an On/Off switching function.

DMX Digital Control: DMX (digital Multi-plexing) is rapidly becoming the most used control type for room lighting, sign and backlighting. This control type only requires a channel level communication and provides a fast and consistent control solution.

DC Voltage Control – DC voltage circuitry design can control LED circuitry through either sourcing circuits that vary source voltage or sinking circuits that absorb different amounts of voltage.

AC Voltage Control – AC circuitry can be used to control your LED system and provide varying output levels by truncating either the forward (Forward Phase Control) or back (Reverse Phase Control) portion of the sine wave.

Design Considerations

There are several LED specific design factors that should be considered when selecting your LED control type:

Don’t Overload the Driver – Before selecting a driver and controller, the LED circuitry requirements must be in place and ratings checked to ensure that enough power is present to drive the circuit efficiently.

Heat Consumption – While LEDs produce less heat; a successful design must implement enough heat sink devices to permit operation without failure.

Environmental Ratings – Choose an LED and controller that are appropriate for your environment. LEDs are available in indoor and outdoor ratings as well as moisture and dust resistant offerings; however, the controllers are usually required to be enclosed and both factors must be addressed in design.

Available voltages -The voltage ratings of the LED, LED Driver and controller must be considered during design for optimal circuit performance. While a number of control voltages can be used, the result must be a solid, quality DC signal to the LED circuit.

VCC Sales Representatives are available to provide design data for our LED devices, cabling and PCB components to implement your control solution and achieve the desired efficiency for your signaling, signage and backlighting needs. Our LEDs and pre-assembled cables will meet environmental and circuitry requirements for your application. From moisture and dust proof to high-powered LEDs and more, contact VCC Optoelectronics today for a quick application design response and even quicker supply of products to meet your design, testing and production needs.