If you have questions on MEAN WELL’s products, please read the FAQ first. If the listed answers still cannot solve your problems, please contract our local distributors , they should reply to you as soon as received your request.

As a dedicated manufacturer of standard power supplies, MEAN WELL provides a wide variety of  power supplies to meet different demands from the markets. However, selecting the right products relies heavily on the correct electrical characteristics and specification, we listed the frequently asked questions for your reference.
 

기능 분야

Q1

How do you select suitable MW LED power supply?

Ans

  1. Select suitable wattage based on customer’s system requirements and application methods. Must also take excess power and driving method into consideration.
    1. For selection key points when using MW power supply to “directly” drive LED lamp refer to questions (A2) and (A3).
    2. For selection key points when using MW power supply in combination with LED driver IC to achieve high precision current control refer to questions (A2) and (A3).
  2. Based on LED power supply’s operating environment select suitable IP level and mechanical type (metal enclosure, plastic enclosure, and open frame PCB) for that environment.
  3. Is PFC function required or not? Single stage PFC is only suitable for LED load. Dual stage PFC is suitable for general applications.
  4. If LED system is based on direct drive, units with adjustable voltage and current should be considered for flexibility in changing voltage/current levels. Dimming function may also come in handy when LED brightness control is preferred.
    1. *Comparison Chart http://www.meanwell.com/product/images/led/LED_comparison_chart_en.pdf
      *For those who chose to use single stage PFC products. Refer to Question D1for more instructions.

Q2

What are the most common LED driving methods? What are its advantages and disadvantages?

Ans

Q3

What to consider when selecting LED power supply?

Ans

  1. Lighting system designed to work in direct drive mode
    1. The combined LED forward voltage range (upper and lower) must fall within LED power supply’s constant current voltage range. For example, the LED Vf spec is 3.4~3.6V, when 6 are connected in series the combined Vf will be 20.4~21.6V. In this case, a 24V unit must be selected with constant current region of 18~24V.Ø
    2. For models with active PFC and system PF requirement is >0.9, load usage must be higher than as specified in the PFC spec. Relationship between PF and output load can be found in figure 1. The typical requirement is 75% load or above. Double check the spec for the model you are using to confirm actual requirement.
    3. In areas with unstable AC voltage such as heavy industrial zone or generator supply utility, please select general usage LED series from table 1.
  2. Lighting system designed to work with driver IC
    1. The start up voltage of driver IC should be as close to the power supply rated voltage as possible.
    2. Driver IC needs stable voltage to function properly. So, it is highly recommended to use general usage series from table 1.
    3. For models with active PFC and system PF requirement is >0.9, load usage must be higher than as specified in the PFC spec. Relationship between PF and output load can be found in figure 1. The typical requirement is 75% load or above.
    4. Double check the spec for the model you are using to confirm actual requirement. When using driver IC, possible system EMI issue could arise. After completing lighting system design, EMI must be double checked. For suggestion on system EMI problem solving, refer to question 11.

 

Q4

What are CV, CC, and CV+CC which are often mentioned in LED power supply specification?

Ans

Q5

How to use ELN-30/60-XXD(P) Dimming function in applications?

Ans

As shown in fig 11&12, an external signal can be applied to “DIM+” and “DIM-.” The signal can be either DC voltage (D Type) or PWM (P Type). By changing the signal levels as shown below, the output current limit can be controlled by the user. Please note, the relationship between external signal and output current level is non-linear. It cannot be used for high precision dimming control.

Q6

Does MW LED power supply allow adjustment of output voltage and current levels?

Ans

LED power supply comparison table to see which MW LED power supply allows for V/I adjustments. A suitable unit can be picked based on the type of adjustment required. For the allowed adjustment range, please refer to the spec sheet. Tuning of the voltage and current levels can be done through the built-in VRs/potentiometers. PLN/ELN requires removal of the top cover in order to access the internal SVR1 and SVR2, see figure 9 for VR locations. For other series, the VRs can be accessed through IoADJ and VoADJ holes after rubber stopper removal. After adjustments have been made, please make sure rate power is not exceeded and the rubber stoppers are properly reassembled.

Q7

What does the IP level found on MW LED power supply mean (i.e. CLG-100 = IP67)?

Ans

MW LED power has dust/water proof design, primarily based on international standard IEC60529. Description of IP levels can be found in the table below:

Q8

To design a LED street lamp, what solution can MEAN WELL offer?

Ans

Q9

What is the main difference between 1~10V dimming and 0~10V dimming regarding applications?

Ans

With 1~10V dimming, the lighting unit can be dimmed down to 10%; with 0~10V dimming, it can be dim down to 0%, or say, dim to “off”.

Q10

What is the current accuracy of LED SPS?

Ans

For LED SPS output current accuracy, please refer to product specification. For CC model, “CURRENT ACCURACY” is listed in SPECIFICATION section. For CC+CV model, please reference the OVER CURRENT range in PROTECTION of the SPECIFICATION section.

Q11

What is the difference between Single Stage and Two Stage Power Supply?

Ans

There are 2 types of Power Factor Correction circuits; one is Single Stage and the other is Two Stage. Single stage power supply combines functions of power factor correction and converter in one circuit but two stage use two separate circuits. Compared to Single Stage, Two Stage design is more complex and costly but the immunity performance of Two Stage PSU against AC mains is much better than that of Single Stage PSU; in addition, Two Stage manifests better ripple noises performance on output. Owing to that Single Stage is only suitable for fields with quality AC mains but Two Stage can be used in serious circumstance for LED drivers or as industrial switching power supplies.

    Q12

    How am I supposed to read the LED V-I dotted line & tolerance definition in the specification?

    Ans

    Mean Well’s LED product specification normally exhibits V-I characteristics. Per the characteristics, there are generally two types of drivers, “CC” type and “CC+CV” type. “CC” type of driver is suitable only for LED applications whereas “CC+CV” for either LED applications or general switching power supply applications. The section that is not suitable for LED applications are represented by dotted line, and based on the protection procedures it can be categorized into hiccup mode and constant current mode; in this section, the tolerance of current is not defined but only the characteristic of current is displayed. If customers attempt not to see a very high current under short circuit condition, those models with hiccup mode for this section can be selected; if there are applications with motors or capacitive load, those with constant current can be chosen.