Application Watch: Makers of power supplies keep up with robust outdoor LED display market

Constant-current power supplies with enhanced efficiency constitute China makers' bid for the strong outdoor LED display sector.

Steady growth of the outdoor LED display industry continues to draw the attention of China manufacturers of power supplies. Adoption in advertising will keep expanding the application market by 10 percent annually in the next one or two years. Locally, sales will remain on the rise although will taper to 15 percent from the 25 percent yearly boost in 2008-15, according to web portal OFweek. In 2015, the total value hit $415 million.

From this, the power supply sector expects global and domestic demand to broaden by 10 to 15 percent in 2016. Wenzhou Chuhan Technology Co. Ltd is confident of a 15 percent uptick in requirement. Its selection of power supplies includes variants for indoor and outdoor LED displays. The latter type forms 30 percent of the maker's shipments.

Companies are emphasizing improved product features to maximize opportunities in the market. They offer units that provide constant-current output to ensure low luminous decay and long operating life of LED displays. In terms of performance, the focus is on high efficiency and reliability to be on a par with the trends in the rugged application.

Most makers can realize efficiency of up to 88 percent. G-Energy, one of the major local suppliers in the line, have models with 90 to about 92 percent. Releases have built-in safety features against overload, -current, -voltage, -heating and short circuits based on EN 60950, 55015 and GB 4943 standards. They are IP67 or IP68-rated to withstand installation conditions.

In addition, makers highlight slim designs for space-saving consideration. They can turn out models that are as thin as 17mm. For lighter weight and better heat dissipation, companies are looking to use magnesium alloy instead of aluminum alloy for the housings.

Suppliers align R&D work with specific buyers' requirements as well. OEM and ODM orders represent more than half of their shipments.

Key global hub

A major production center for power supplies used in outdoor LED displays, China accounts for about 30 percent of global deliveries. It gathers between 400 and 500 companies, mainly in the coastal provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu.

More than 80 percent of the pool consists of locally owned businesses and the rest foreign-invested. Chuanglian, Meanwell and G-Energy are some of the domestic leaders. The number of manufacturers is expected to grow in the years to come as the marketstays upbeat.

The line represents 20 to 50 percent of shipments for most makers, and those for other applications such as communication products and military equipment the remainder.

China's mainstream power supplies for outdoor LED displays have 100 to 240VAC and 47 to 63Hz input, 100 to 350W power output and over 85 percent efficiency. The majority of releases are compliant with CE, FCC, KC, SAA and RoHS requirements.

Wenzhou Chuhan implements 100 percent full-load burn-in testing with load stability of ±0.5 percent in its CHCB-200-5 model. The 280x60x30m unit has 5V and 40A output, less than 50mVp-p ripple noise and -20 to 60 C operating temperature. It carries CB, CE, EN 61000 and 60950, KC and SAA approval.

Shenzhen G-Energy's J150V5 power supplies have MTBF exceeding 40,000 hours. The IP67-rated units have 4.9 to 5.2VDC, 0 to 30A and 150W output, more than 85 percent efficiency and 0.95 power factor at 230VAC. These follow the GB 4943 and EN 60950 safety guidelines.

Makers adopt ICs from Taiwan and the US, and usually turn to local providers for the inputs, including MOSFETs, passive components and PCBs, unless otherwise requested.

The supply and cost of materials and components are stable, and will keep prices of power supplies flat in coming months. To win more orders, some manufacturers may lower their quotes by less than 5 percent.

Companies export 20 to 80 percent of yield, mainly to Europe, the US and the Asia-Pacific region.

See a comparison table of waterproof LED driver suppliers on GlobalSources.com