Boke's BK-SF-200W24V0-B01 model with 200W and IP67 ratings boasts 94 percent efficiency.

Companies continue to stress enhanced water resistance and electromagnetic compatibility, smart control and longer life span.

Intense competition in low- and medium-power LED drivers for indoor applications is pushing China makers to direct efforts toward advanced kinds for outdoor use. Midsize and large players have initiated the switch, eyeing demand rise for the last category. At present, more than 90 percent of the 300-strong manufacturing pool targets the indoor lighting market, leveraging government preferential policies and –initiated projects, and comparatively low technology involved.

Companies emphasize greater water resistance and electromagnetic compatibility or EMC, smart control and enhanced operating life. They offer IP65 to IP68-rated units, adopting metallic cases and a special thermal silica to ensure a tightly sealed construction.

Suppliers aim to release more IP67 and IP68 models in coming months. Shenzhen LVSUN has introduced the LS-PAB75-12, a 75W model with an IP68 rating. The unit has 90 to 250V input voltage, 92 percent typical efficiency and 0.99 power factor. It operates in -40 to 65 C and can last 50,000 hours.

To meet high EMC requirements, makers comply with EN 55015 and 61547 guidelines and secure GB 19510.1 approval.

For intelligent control, they employ pulse width modulation, especially in LED drivers for street and channel illumination. This enables automatic lighting adjustment based on traffic flow. Meanwell has the ELN Series, which supports dimming function. The unit also permits output voltage and current regulation. Rated at IP64 or greater, it suits billboards.

In terms of lengthening product life span to 50,000 hours, manufacturers eliminate the use of electrolytic capacitors, which can compromise LED driver performance. The component deteriorates under high temperatures, which are typical in outdoor setups. Foshan I-Top has released such units, which can last more than 50,000 hours. Moso, meanwhile, adjusts the operating temperature range to suit various requirements. For its Russia market, the company designed products, which can support as low as -60 C.

Suppliers such as Boke LED Drivers Co. Ltd continue to turn out both indoor and outdoor variants but will raise the production share of the latter kind in coming months. The maker targets a 50 percent share for outdoor units from 20 percent at present.

Local makers are boosting output as well, banking on increasing demand globally and the projected 15 percent sales growth this year. Boke achieved $7.31 million in 2013 and expects total revenue to surge by 60 percent. It anticipates a 30 percent rise in export value by year-end. Moso is investing $44 million in a project to raise its annual production capacity by 2 million units. The company has a 50 percent local market share in LED drivers used in street and channel lights.

Of the 300 suppliers of LED drivers in mainland China, 70 percent are homegrown operations.

Typical outdoor units

The mainstream outdoor-use LED drivers have rated power of 36, 52, 75, 100, 120, 150, 200 and 300W, 80 to 90 percent efficiency, and power factor correction exceeding 0.9. The common life span is 50,000 hours. Street, traffic, channel and garden lights are the key applications.

The majority of releases come with built-in overcurrent, -voltage, -heating and short-circuit protection. They conform to RoHS guidelines.

To cater to various requirements, makers accept custom orders and will keep improving their capability to turn out such products.

Mainland suppliers continue to source power management ICs from foreign providers, including TI, On Semiconductor, Fairchild, National Semiconductor and STMicroelectronics. For passive components and discrete devices, they rely on Japan and the US. The rest of the manufacturing inputs are obtained locally.

Prices are projected to remain in a downturn as the cost of materials and components continues to slide and competition heats up.

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Product gallery

Boke LED Drivers Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: BK-SF-200W24V0-B01
MOQ: 1,000 units
Delivery: 7 days
Description: 90 to 305VAC, 127 to 430VDC input voltage; 200W rated power; 94% efficiency; overload, -voltage, short-circuit protection; -35 to 60 C operating temperature; maximum 50,000hr life span; IP67 rating; CE, CQC, UL

Horntec Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: DLF-70
MOQ: 500 units
Delivery: 15 days
Description: 100 to 305VAC input, 12 to 54VDC output voltage; 70W power output; ≥90% efficiency; 30,000 to 50,000hr life span; CE

Merryking Enterprises Co. Ltd
(China)
Model: 150W 12V/24V LED Driver
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 10 days
Description: 12/24V output voltage; 150W power output; overload, -heating, short-circuit protection; IP67 rating; CE, RoHS

Zhuhai Tauras Technologies Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: VAS-12200D023(004)
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 3 days
Description: 170 to 264VAC input voltage; 12±0.5VDC, 16.66A output; 200W power output; IP66 rating; CE, C-Tick, SAA, RoHS