Constant Current vs Constant Voltage Drivers Comparison
The choice that decides whether your LED retrofit works on day one.
Strips want a fixed voltage and set their own current; COB modules want a fixed current and float their voltage. Pairing them the wrong way round is one of the most common causes of failed LED retrofits.
| Comparison | Option A | Option B | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Output | Fixed current, voltage floats in a range | Fixed voltage, current set by the load | Different load |
| Typical load | COB and high-power modules | LED strips and low-voltage systems | Different load |
| Dimming | Often built in on higher-end drivers | Usually needs a separate dimmer | Constant current |
| Voltage drop | Not a concern over short runs | Critical on long strip runs | Constant voltage |
| Failure mode if mismatched | Under-driven light or thermal stress | Hot spots, colour shift, short life | Both |
| Rule of thumb | One driver, one module family | Size the driver at least 20% above load | Both |
Conclusion
Match the driver family to the load: constant current for modules, constant voltage for strips, and always leave at least 20% headroom on the voltage driver so voltage drop on long runs does not dim the far end.
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Post a sourcing brief → Compare more products📋 Authoritative Standards Reference
IEC 60529 · CIE 13.3 · ANSI C78.377 · IES LM-79 / LM-80 · UL 1598 / UL 8750 — data verified by the CompareDeals team.