LED Dimmable Driver Enquiry Checklist: Six Parameters to Confirm
Confirm six items: output voltage, power and headroom, IP rating, dimming protocol, input voltage and project region, and the approvals and documents required for the destination market. Confusing constant voltage with constant current, mismatched dimming protocols and assuming a 12V version of a high-wattage model are the most common causes of rework. Providing all six lets an engineer match the exact catalogue model and send its datasheet immediately.
Why all six matter
A model number is built as SERIES-WATTAGE-OUTPUT, while the series itself is defined by dimming method, ingress protection and regional approvals. Quoting only a wattage leaves constant voltage versus constant current, indoor versus outdoor and TRIAC versus DALI unresolved, usually costing several rounds of follow-up.
The six parameters and their evidence
| Item | What to provide | Reference and common risk |
|---|---|---|
| Output voltage | 12V / 24V / 48V CV, or 30-42V CC | Catalogue model table; CV/CC mismatch trips protection |
| Power and headroom | Total load, <=80% recommended loading, ambient temperature | Datasheet derating curve; sustained full load affects service life |
| IP rating | Dry indoor / outdoor / damp / wash-down | IP rating guide; IP20 outdoors leads to water ingress |
| Dimming protocol | TRIAC / 0-10V / DALI DT6 / DT8 / on-off | Protocol guide; controller and driver mismatch means no dimming |
| Input and region | Local mains (100-130 / 170-264VAC or 120-277VAC) | Datasheet input range; wide-input and fixed-input series differ |
| Approvals and documents | Market, required marks, certificate numbers, datasheet revision | Certification guide; missing evidence affects sign-off and export |
Constant voltage and constant current are not interchangeable
Constant-voltage supplies (12V / 24V / 48V) feed CV strips or luminaires with built-in current regulation; constant-current drivers (such as the HRC series at 30-42V) drive bare LED strings directly. Their load characteristics differ, and a mismatch causes abnormal brightness or protection trips.
Do not derive models by multiplying wattages and voltages
The catalogue lists models individually rather than every combination. For example, the HRS 350W and 400W versions are listed in 24V only, giving 14 models rather than 16. Use the complete model table on each series page, then request the matching datasheet.
Enquiry template you can copy
Location / mains range: ___; total luminaire load ___W, target loading <=80%; output ___V (CV / CC); controller protocol ___; environment ___, IP___ required; destination market ___, ___ approvals needed; estimated quantity ___, samples required ___.
Frequently asked questions
Can you quote from total wattage alone?
Not reliably. Without output voltage, IP rating and protocol, the same wattage maps to several series at different price points, so the quote and the delivered goods may not match.
Why are there no 12V versions at high wattages?
At high power, 12V output requires far more current, raising cable loss, terminal and thermal demands. The catalogue therefore lists only 24V versions; check the complete model table for each series.
Can we request samples before confirming parameters?
Yes, but samples still need output voltage, protocol and IP rating to be selected correctly. Providing all six avoids wrong samples and repeated waiting.
Further reading
- How to Choose Five-in-One Dimming: TRIAC, 0-10V, DALI DT6 and DT8 Compared
- LED Driver IP20 / IP44 / IP50 / IP67: Protection Ratings and Selection Advice
- LED Driver Certifications Explained: CCC, CE, ETL, CB, UKCA and FCC
- How Much Headroom Does an LED Driver Need? Power, Voltage Drop and Derating
- All product series