Outdoor LED Drivers | Guide for Protecting LED Drivers from UV, Water & Dust
There is one important thing to know about Outdoor LED drivers. They must not be exposed to direct sunlight.
Send any questions to our PSA team here or Call Today on 1800 632 693.
Sun Exposure and Thermal Management of LED Drivers (Why Shade is Important)
Exposing an outdoor LED driver to direct sunlight can cause the temperature inside the LED driver to soar way above its rated maximum temperature rating. This has the potential to cause a failure, which would not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
When installing an outdoor LED driver, make sure it is in a shaded area. If you are struggling to find a suitable shaded area, consider making use of an IP-rated electrical enclosure.
Explore our range of Weatherproof Electrical Enclosures.
Check the IP Rating of your LED Driver
The other thing you want to check when choosing an outdoor LED driver, is its IP rating. This is the ‘Ingress Protection’ rating.
The IP rating is shown as the letters ‘IP’ followed by two numbers. For example, IP67.
The first number indicates the LED driver’s resistance to ingress by solids (dust), the second number indicates the resistance to ingress by liquids (water).
Most outdoor LED drivers will have an IP rating of IP65, IP66, or IP67. Any of these three ratings should be suitable for a LED driver that is being installed outdoors.
The number 6 indicates that the unit is dust tight. Zero ingress of dust was permitted during testing.
The testing requirements for the liquid ingress protection numbers 5, 6 and 7 are defined as below:
| Liquid IP Number | Definition |
|---|---|
| 5 | Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Protected against strong jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | Protected against the effects of immersion between 15cm and 1m. (Test duration: 30 mins). |
As an outdoor LED driver is only expected to be splashed by rain, all three of these ratings should be adequate.
It is important to note that an IP67 LED driver should not be submerged in water, even though the test requirement is that should withstand submersion for up to 30 minutes.
Some installers prefer to only use IP67-rated outdoor LED drivers to be on the safe side.
For more information on IP ratings please read our blog post “Power Supply IP Ratings Explained”.
LED Driver Housing: Plastic Body vs Metal Body
Many LED drivers that are IP67 LED drivers have a plastic body. Even though they have an IP67 rating, they may not be suitable for outdoor use. This is because the plastic used to manufacture the LED driver’s housing may not be UV stabilised.
This means the plastic could become brittle over time. If the LED driver gets knocked the brittle plastic breaks away, exposing live components.
Plastic bodied IP67 LED drivers are better suited for indoor applications, where they may get splashed with water.
Metal bodied LED drivers are better for outdoor use as they offer high resistance to knocks and bumps and do not degrade due to UV instability.
If you're looking for suitable metal body LED Drivers, try the IP67-rated MEAN WELL HLG, ELG or XLG LED Driver series. Other options to consider may be the Power Source DDV, PDV or the slim-line linear type, LMVP series.
Buying an Outdoor LED Driver: Constant Voltage, Constant Current & Dimming Control Options
Power Supplies Australia offers a wide range of LED drivers, that are suitable for mounting outdoors.
Our range includes both constant voltage and constant current type LED drivers in dimmable and non-dimmable versions.
We have a wide range of dimming technologies available including:
- AC TRIAC Dimmable
- 1-10V Dimmable
- PWM Dimmable
- Dimmable via Resistance
- DALI Dimmable
Explore our range of Non-Dimming Outdoor LED Drivers or our range of Dimmable Outdoor LED Drivers.
Weatherproof Outdoor LED Driver Accessories
Outdoor LED Drivers may have suitable Ingress Protection ratings (IP65, IP66, IP67, IP68 & IP69K) however what about the connections themselves? We have a range of ingress protection weatherproof connectors to ensure moisture and dust doesn't leak in.
Explore our range of Weatherproof Connectors here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can An IP67 LED Driver Be Submerged?
No. As mentioned above, although an IP67-rated LED Driver is tested in submerged conditions, it is generally best practice to minimise risk of submersion. Additionally, if submersion is a risk for your lighting power installation, consider weatherproof connectors and suitable enclosure.
What Happens If An Outdoor LED Driver Is Exposed To Rain Without Shade?
Do Outdoor LED Drivers Need RCM Compliance Australia?
Yes. All LED Outdoor LED Drivers (and all LED Drivers) from Power Supplies Australia feature the Regulatory Compliance Mark, or RCM mark on their housing or label. There are plenty of offshore suppliers with IP-rated LED Drivers, but may not have the right compliance testing to meet Australian Standards. This can often mean they may have the same brands or models we carry, however, are not necessarily built and designed to comply with Australian Electrical Safety Standards.
Have comfort of mind that Power Supplies Australia team ensures our products are compliant and safe for Australian installations and feature the RCM mark of compliance.
Need Some Help? Get In Touch!
If you would like assistance in selecting a suitable LED driver then give us a contact Power Supplies Australia or call the team directly on 1800 632 693. A member of our expert team will gladly answer any questions that you may have!
