------Question for BXEB-L1120Z-40E8000-C-D3 Please Put your question below------
What would be the appropriate driver to use if I needed to run 15 of these LED strips in parallel?
Hello hnt,
Welcome to the DigiKey TechForum.
Each of these LED modules are rated for 38.4V @ 1.4A.
To power 15 of these, wired in Parallel, the power supply would have to output 38.4V @ 210A.
We just don’t have a power supply that matches those requirements.
If you want to wire these in series, for a 1.4A constant current output, you can power up to 8 units with 1866-2556-ND.
8 would require 1.4A @ 307.2V.
This one is rated for 1.4A @ 171-343V output, so it can handle from 5 to 8 LED units.
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David,
Thank you for the Email.
I may have gotten the wrong drivers.
I have purchased two different drivers HLG-240H-42B (output 5.72A @(21-42V) and HLG-480H-42B (output 20A @ 20.4-25.2).
Can I use the drivers I bought and if so how many LED modules are rated for 38.4V @ 1.4A (BXEB-L1120Z-40E8000-C-D3) could I hook up to each these drivers?
I am trying to replace my old florescent lighting in some plant growth chambers.
Thank you
Harold
This email originated from outside of K-State.
Hello hnt,
Welcome to the DigiKey TechForum.
Each of these LED modules are rated for 38.4V @ 1.4A.
To power 15 of these, wired in Parallel, the power supply would have to output 38.4V @ 210A.
We just don’t have a power supply that matches those requirements.
If you want to wire these in series, for a 1.4A constant current output, you can power up to 8 units with 1866-2556-ND.
8 would require 1.4A @ 307.2V.
This one is rated for 1.4A @ 171-343V output, so it can handle from 5 to 8 LED units.
Hi hnt,
Neither of the supplies you have are optimal, as it is highly preferable to connect LED strips in series rather than parallel, for several reasons.
First, LEDs connected in parallel are known for “current hogging”, where due to variance in forward voltage between parallel LED devices, one tends to draw more current than another. At best, this creates uneven brightness between strips, and at worst, it might cause failure of the entire system. See this Bridgelux video for further explanation.
Another reason not to wire the LED strips in parallel is that if the wiring of one or more of the LED strips gets disconnected for some reason, the current that would have gone through that (those) strip(s) will get diverted to the remaining strips in the circuit. This could cause them to overheat and fail.
If you do decide to connect them in parallel, it is imperative that each strip comes from the same lot, so that their forward voltages are close to the same, to minimize current hogging. Additionally, it is strongly recommended that all parallel strips be connected to the same heat-sink because this will help keep the temperature differential between strips to a minimum. This is important because the forward voltage (Vf) drop of an LED strip is strongly dependent upon the temperature of the LEDs on the strip. Higher temperature lowers the Vf of the strip, and this will exacerbate the current hogging problem. This can create a positive feedback loop where lower Vf causes it to draw more current, which causes the temperature to rise, resulting in an even lower Vf, which further increases current, etc. If bad enough, it can cause failure of the lower Vf part, or, at a minimum, can reduce its life relative to the strips not hogging current.
I would recommend you read the Bridgelux Module Application Note for more implementation information.
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