Typical LED Configurations

Many decisions need to be made prior to selecting the right power supply for your application. Below are the 3 common methods for powering LEDs and their Advantages versus Disadvantages. Once you have defined what topology and power level you will require, then you must define which IP protection level you will require for your environment (protection from dust and humidity). Lastly, you should verify the required safety standards.

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Topology	Circuit Diagram	Description	Advantages / Disadvantages
Use CC or CC/CV Mode Power supply within specified Constant Current Operation Range. No ballast or LED Driver circuit are required		Using CC or CC with CV power supplies within specified Constant Current Operation Range directly connect to LED Strings.	Advantage: Easiest to implement at the lowest cost Disadvantage: Driving current to multiple LED branches may be unbalanced and vary brightness
Use CC / CV Mode Power Supply with a ballast resistor to each branch		R{=V-(VF1 + VF2 + ... +VFn)}/IF V = LED Power Supply Rated Voltage VF = LED's forward Voltage IF = LED's Forward Current In this example, we are using the LPV-60 Model to drive4 branches of 6 LEDs. R={24-(6x3)}/(2.5/4)=10 Ohm	Advantage: Low Cost & Simple Disadvantage: LED Brightness can be uneven with poor efficiencies due to the ballast resistors on each string.
Use CC / CV Mode Power Supply with LED Driver Circuit to create balanced constant current source		PWM constant Current source will regulate forward current to achieve even current at each branch.	Advantage: Highest efficiencies with perfectly even LED Brightness and Longer Life for the LEDs Disadvantage: Higher Costs and Complexity. EMC generated through LED Driver Circuit.