Q: Do MEAN WELL power supplies comply with the EPA-TSCA conformity?

The declaration of Five PBT TSCA Conformity can be found on the last page of Installation Manual e.g. below:

Question 1

Where can I find EAN or GTIN numbers for MEAN WELL power supplies?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

The GTIN number can be found directly on the www.meanwell.com:

Question 2

Is MEAN WELL registered in SCIP database?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

Yes, MEAN WELL products are registered in SCIP. To get such information for specific power supply, please follow the steps below:

Go to https://echa.europa.eu/en/scip-database
Under SEARCH option, choose „Article Identity” and write down model name e.g. RSP-1600.
As “Identifier type (optional)”, please chose “Other”
Click “Search” button

Question 3

Do MEAN WELL power supplies comply with the EPA-TSCA conformity?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

The declaration of Five PBT TSCA Conformity can be found on the last page of Installation Manual e.g. below:

Question 4

How to select a Surge Protection Device (SPD) for my application?

admin · Accepted Answer

A Surge Protection Device is optimized for a single voltage. Therefore, SPD should be chosen according to the actual operating voltage of the part that need to be protected.Secondly, the voltage protection level shows what is the maximum voltage appeared at output side when a specified surge is coming to the SPD. In general, the lower the voltage protection level, and the higher the discharge or surge current from SPD, means the better protection that the SPD provides.

Question 5

How long can I extend DC cable of the driver?

admin · Accepted Answer

Owing to line (voltage)-drop, we suggest the extension made from AC cable. In case DC cable extension is necessary, please consider Line-Drop leading to insufficient Vf so that the LED model or lamp may fail to switch ON. Moreover, EMC performance and characteristic may also be affected by DC cable extension.

Question 6

There are so many MEAN WELL dimming products. How can I make a choice? What are the pros and cons?

admin · Accepted Answer

First, you have to know your Led lamp specification in order to screen out a suitable Led driver range (Wattage, Voltage, Max Current CC or CV). From those ranges, further check a compatible dimming function. Hereunder is a table to show you the pros and cons of Dimming Function you can find in MW's catalogue.

Question 7

Can we use LED CC (Constant Current) model as a charger?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL has several charger products, and we suggest choosing them first. Chargers would be more suitable since they are designed for charging applications. Safety and approvals should be taken into account based on the final application. If you are unable to find a proper model in our charger series, our LED CC models can be used as charger. Please choose suitable products after confirming the current and voltage specification on the datasheet of the battery.

Question 8

How can we learn how many units of the model with 3 in 1 dimming can be controlled by one dimming device?

admin · Accepted Answer

3 in 1 dimming circuit would drain 0.1mA per model. Dividing the rated current of the dimmer by the 0.1mA, and we could know how many units can be controlled by one dimming device. For resistance dimming applications, resistance for 100% dimming output would be 100K ohm divided number of models.

Question 9

Which model should we select when attempting to dim a LED strip?

admin · Accepted Answer

A LED strip is normally a Constant Voltage application (CV). For this type of CV application MEAN WELL has design the PWM, IDLV and ODLV series which will allow CV applications to dim.

Question 10

Can MEAN WELL recommend the dimmers compatible to the 3 in 1 dimming circuit?

admin · Accepted Answer

3 in 1 dimming is the most common application used in LED dimming with the feature that it does not have to work with any specific dimmer. The only thing that has to be verified is that whether the dimmer (1~10V/10V PWM/resistance) is compatible with the definition advised in our specs.

Question 11

How am I supposed to read the LED V-I dotted line & tolerance definition in the specification?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s LED product specification normally exhibits V-I characteristics. Per the characteristics, there are generally two types of drivers, the “CC” type and the “CC+CV” type. “CC” type of driver is suitable only for LED applications whereas “CC+CV” is for either LED applications or general switching power supply applications. The section that is not suitable for LED applications are represented by dotted line, and based on the protection procedures it can be categorized into hiccup mode and constant current mode; in this section, the tolerance of current is not defined but only the characteristic of current is displayed. If customers attempt not to see a very high current under short circuit conditions, those models with hiccup mode for this section can be selected; if there are applications with motors or capacitive load, those with constant current can be chosen.

Question 12

What is the difference between Single Stage and Two Stage Power Supply?

admin · Accepted Answer

There are 2 types of Power Factor Correction circuits; one is Single Stage; the other is Two Stage.

Single Stage power supply combines functions of power factor correction and converter in one circuit but Two Stage use two separate circuits. Compared to Single Stage, Two Stage design is more complex and costly, but the immunity performance of Two Stage power supply against AC mains is much better than that of Single Stage power supply. In addition, Two Stage power supplies manifest better ripple noises performance on output. Owing to that Single Stage is only suitable for fields with quality AC mains but Two Stage can be used in serious circumstances for LED drivers or as industrial switching power supplies.

Question 13

What is the general suggestion for PSU used in wet or water environment?

admin · Accepted Answer

Depending on the installation environment, you may need IP certified power supplies (IP65/IP67).

Also, waterproof connectors and junction boxes are useful accessories to ensure a reliable operation in damp environments (please refer to the LED power supply installation manual).

Waterproof connector solution

Junction box option

Note that the MEAN WELL product IP level, including IP67, is tested according to IEC 60529. The protection does not guarantee for permanently immersing in the water. Please check the device installation manual for proper suggestions on installation.

Question 14

Why is that during LED power supply operation the LED sometimes varies in brightness or flickers?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL developed many power supplies series specifically for LED application. Single stage PFC was used in such developments due to low cost. This topology has the following restrictions:

AC fluctuation

This topology does not use input bulk capacitor. For this reason, in areas with low AC quality, output voltage and current may become unstable causing variation in LED brightness. If the input AC voltage is stable, then this problem will not occur.
Output ripple

This is also caused by lack of input bulk capacitor. As compared to power supplies using two-stage PFC, the ripple will be significantly larger (see Figure 4). There could be instances where the low end of the ripple may be too low for the driver IC to operate properly, and the LEDs will start to flicker. To solve this type of problem, the output voltage can be adjusted higher, so the low end is higher than the driver’s minimum working voltage. Or simply select a PSU with higher rated voltage.

Current harmonics

Single stage PFC power supplies are optimized for constant current drive. Using these supplies as constant voltage sources (such as application including cascading a constant current driver IC), the harmonics might be worsening in this case. When operating in areas with unstable utility voltage or with driver IC, we highly recommend using general application types as found in table 1. Avoid using single stage PFC if possible and use a two-stage PFC power supply instead, or contact MEANWELL for more information.

Question 15

Can LED power supplies be connected in parallel?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL LED power supply does not have a parallel “current sharing” function, so it is not suitable for parallel connection. For high power requirements, please select higher wattage power supply or divide LED load into smaller subsections to be powered by individual power supplies. Example of such LED configuration can be found in figure 5. As shown in fig. 5, the connection between -V of the LPC-35 units should be severed and not connected in common. On the contrary, small wattage LED loads can be connected in parallel and be powered by a single high wattage power supply. But the ability to divide current evenly must be taken into consideration.

Question 16

Does MEAN WELL LED power supply allow adjustment of output voltage and current levels?

admin · Accepted Answer

LED power supply comparison table to see which MW LED power supply allows for V/I adjustments. A suitable unit can be picked based on the type of adjustment required. For the allowed adjustment range, please refer to the spec sheet. Tuning of the voltage and current levels can be done through the built-in VRs/potentiometers. PLN/ELN requires removal of the top cover in order to access the internal SVR1 and SVR2, see figure 9 for VR locations. For other series, the VRs can be accessed through IoADJ and VoADJ holes after rubber stopper removal. After adjustments have been made, please make sure rate power is not exceeded and the rubber stoppers are properly reassembled.

Question 17

What is the main difference between 1~10V dimming and 0~10V dimming regarding applications?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

With 1~10V dimming, the lighting unit can be dimmed down to 10%; with 0~10V dimming, it can be dim down to 0%, or say, dim-to-off.

Question 18

Why is that LED lamp designed with LED driver IC may sometimes cause power supply startup failure? (Output voltage gets clamped by LEDs and cannot rise to rated level)

admin · Accepted Answer

Depending on the circuit design, there could be different operational problems. See below:

Boost mode driver IC:

The startup voltage of such driver IC is significantly lower than the total LED forward voltage. For this reason, the IC will start up at very low voltage level usually about 1/2 of the power supply’s rated voltage and to meet rated power requirement, the startup current will reach 2 times the power supply’s rated current. When the power supply is unable to provide this current, the LED CC driver will not activate.

Buck mode driver IC:

If the selected power supply voltage is significantly higher than the LED forward voltage. For example, power supply provides 48V and the LED lamp only needs 24V and the power ratings are equivalent. When power supply voltage reached the LED conduction voltage, the power supply will immediately go into constant current mode. At this moment, the required power to start up the LED + driver is larger than what the power supply can provide causing malfunction of the driver circuit and the power supply to be clamped at LED forward voltage. For boost mode design, we recommend raising the startup voltage of the driver IC to be as close to the power supply voltage as possible or incorporate soft start function (see fig. 3). Wait until the power supply voltage is established before starting the driver. When selecting power supply for buck mode, the output voltage of the power supply should be as close to the LED total voltage as possible with excess power available (LED power/0.85).

DIM PIN is the startup pin for most PWM based driver. It can also be designated as EN (Enable). DIM (or Enable) is at 0V the internal connection to SW pin will be open. When the DIM voltage reaches 1.5V (Typ), the IC will Turn ON. To set the Vstart for the DRIVER IC: Vstart = (VDIM/RB) x (RA+RB). The general rule is to set the Vstart at 5~10% higher than the total LED forward voltage.

Question 19

Can I wire LDD or LDH in parallel or series?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

LDD/LDH series comprises switching components; series or parallel connection will damage these switching components.

Question 20

Why I cannot dim with MEAN WELL LED drivers?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

First of all. Determine the driving method of LED lamp. If the lamp is driven by constant current, forward current shall be within specification. On the contract, if it's driven by constant voltage, then user must check if they are using the right product to dim the LED lamp, such as PWM/IDLV/ODLV series.

Question 21

MEAN WELL specification shows a higher working temperature than MEAN WELL’s label and safety report. What is the reason for this?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s specification shows the absolute values which were verified during design quality verification tests. Those condition are guaranteed by manufacture from quality and warranty perspectives.

When certifying a power supply according to a certain norm, there is normally a requirement described in this standard a certain tolerance which must be considered. (See also FAQ: Why Is The Input Voltage On The Label Different From The Input Voltage In The Spec? For Example, The Specification Shows Is 88~264 VAC While The Label On The Power Supply Says That It Is 100~240VAC?)

The specification shows what is possible, the report and label of the power supply shows what is approved by the certifying body according to the standards.

Besides the difference due to tolerance there might also be another reason why the specification and label/test report show a different temperature. For example, if the power supply needs to be derated at a low voltage input such as 100VAC, the label and test report might show the max temperature at full load based on this low input.

Different standards might have different tolerance requirements and different ranges this could mean that the most conservative value, or multiple values will show up on the label of the power supply.

Question 22

What is the definition of IP (Ingress Protection) ratings? And what is MEAN WELL’s IP68 definition?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL has incorporated dust proofing and waterproofing into the majority of its LED power supply design. Mainly based on the international standard IEC60529, detailed descriptions can be found in the following table:
(Note: PSUs with IP64 rating or above are suitable for indoor or outdoor applications in sheltered locations)

IP xy protection level

Degree of protection, foreign bodies (x)

Degree of protection, moisture(y)

0. Not protected
1. Solid foreign object (>50mm)
2. Solid foreign object (>12mm)
3. Solid foreign object (>2.5mm)
4. Solid foreign objects of 1,0mm diameter and greater
5. Amount of dust that would interfere with normal operation
Dust tight

0. Not protected
1. Vertically falling water drop
2. Vertically falling water drop when enclosure is tilted up to 15 degrees
3. Water sprayed at an angle up to 60^o on either side of the vertical
4. Water splashed against the component from any direction
5. Water projected in jets from any direction (12.5 liter/minute)
6. Water projected in powerfil jets from any direction (100 liter/minute)
7. Temporary immersion in water ( 1 meeter from the surface of the water for 30 minutes)
8. Continuous immersion in water, or as specified by the user / manufacture

*IP64-IP66 level products are suitable for damp indoor or sheltered outdoor environment. For actual installation limitations, please refer to the corresponding IP level tests.
*All products cannot be continuously submerged in water.
*The definition of IP68 by MEAN WELL: Immerse a unit under test in 1 meter below the surface of the water, tested with a dynamic condition where 12-hour AC on; 12-hour AC off.
Test duration: 1 month.

Question 23

Where to find DMTBF?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s DMTBF can be found on www.meanwell.com

Please note that the DMTBF is not for every model available. Mostly this information is available for the LED drivers and our latest product releases.

1. Use the search function on the website to find the right product
2. Fill in the series number in the search field (do not include the last extensions such as -12 in XLG-150-12)
3. Click the search button
4. Click on the PDF icon to open the specification

5. Click on report

6. Click on the model and scroll down:

7. The DMTBF is shown on the last page of the report in the chapter Reliability test

Question 24

Can I use MEAN WELL LED drivers at full load continuously? Most of the AC/DC power supply are suggested to use at 70% load.

admin · Accepted Answer

LED Drivers are recommended operate at full load as long as it observes the working temperature specified in the datasheet, which means Tc measurement results should be equal to or less than the stated Tc in the datasheet. 5 years warranty complies as long as drivers operate within working Temperature and Tc. Limit as well.

Question 25

There is a definition of SELV in IEC61347. Is it the same with IEC62368?

Tom · Accepted Answer

No, they are different. SELV means the LED driver will use a safety isolating transformer with double or reinforced insulation and the output voltage shall not exceed 120Vdc.
This is good for the end product safety certified if the LED driver with SELV output.

Question 26

Are MEAN WELL's power supplies SELV and how can I see this?

admin · Accepted Answer

The definition of SELV was defined in the IEC 60950 standard but it is not defined in the IEC 62368 standard. This has been replaced with the ES1 Energy sources definition.

The definition of SELV is still applicable to the 61347-2-13 standard. In this standard it is that a LED driver will use a safety isolating transformer with double or reinforced insulation and the output voltage shall not exceed 120Vdc.

In the specification MEAN WELL’s 61347-2-13 certified LED drivers are marked with the SELV symbol in the case that the SELV requirements are fulfilled:

Question 27

Where can I find EAN or GTIN numbers for MEAN WELL power supplies?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

The GTIN number can be found directly on the www.meanwell.com:

Question 28

Is MEAN WELL registered in SCIP database?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

Yes, MEAN WELL products are registered in SCIP. To get such information for specific power supply, please follow the steps below:

Go to https://echa.europa.eu/en/scip-database
Under SEARCH option, choose „Article Identity” and write down model name e.g. RSP-1600.
As “Identifier type (optional)”, please chose “Other”
Click “Search” button

Question 29

Do MEAN WELL power supplies comply with the EPA-TSCA conformity?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

The declaration of Five PBT TSCA Conformity can be found on the last page of Installation Manual e.g. below:

Question 30

How to select a Surge Protection Device (SPD) for my application?

admin · Accepted Answer

A Surge Protection Device is optimized for a single voltage. Therefore, SPD should be chosen according to the actual operating voltage of the part that need to be protected.Secondly, the voltage protection level shows what is the maximum voltage appeared at output side when a specified surge is coming to the SPD. In general, the lower the voltage protection level, and the higher the discharge or surge current from SPD, means the better protection that the SPD provides.

Question 31

How long can I extend DC cable of the driver?

admin · Accepted Answer

Owing to line (voltage)-drop, we suggest the extension made from AC cable. In case DC cable extension is necessary, please consider Line-Drop leading to insufficient Vf so that the LED model or lamp may fail to switch ON. Moreover, EMC performance and characteristic may also be affected by DC cable extension.

Question 32

There are so many MEAN WELL dimming products. How can I make a choice? What are the pros and cons?

admin · Accepted Answer

First, you have to know your Led lamp specification in order to screen out a suitable Led driver range (Wattage, Voltage, Max Current CC or CV). From those ranges, further check a compatible dimming function. Hereunder is a table to show you the pros and cons of Dimming Function you can find in MW's catalogue.

Question 33

Can we use LED CC (Constant Current) model as a charger?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL has several charger products, and we suggest choosing them first. Chargers would be more suitable since they are designed for charging applications. Safety and approvals should be taken into account based on the final application. If you are unable to find a proper model in our charger series, our LED CC models can be used as charger. Please choose suitable products after confirming the current and voltage specification on the datasheet of the battery.

Question 34

How can we learn how many units of the model with 3 in 1 dimming can be controlled by one dimming device?

admin · Accepted Answer

3 in 1 dimming circuit would drain 0.1mA per model. Dividing the rated current of the dimmer by the 0.1mA, and we could know how many units can be controlled by one dimming device. For resistance dimming applications, resistance for 100% dimming output would be 100K ohm divided number of models.

Question 35

Which model should we select when attempting to dim a LED strip?

admin · Accepted Answer

A LED strip is normally a Constant Voltage application (CV). For this type of CV application MEAN WELL has design the PWM, IDLV and ODLV series which will allow CV applications to dim.

Question 36

Can MEAN WELL recommend the dimmers compatible to the 3 in 1 dimming circuit?

admin · Accepted Answer

3 in 1 dimming is the most common application used in LED dimming with the feature that it does not have to work with any specific dimmer. The only thing that has to be verified is that whether the dimmer (1~10V/10V PWM/resistance) is compatible with the definition advised in our specs.

Question 37

How am I supposed to read the LED V-I dotted line & tolerance definition in the specification?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s LED product specification normally exhibits V-I characteristics. Per the characteristics, there are generally two types of drivers, the “CC” type and the “CC+CV” type. “CC” type of driver is suitable only for LED applications whereas “CC+CV” is for either LED applications or general switching power supply applications. The section that is not suitable for LED applications are represented by dotted line, and based on the protection procedures it can be categorized into hiccup mode and constant current mode; in this section, the tolerance of current is not defined but only the characteristic of current is displayed. If customers attempt not to see a very high current under short circuit conditions, those models with hiccup mode for this section can be selected; if there are applications with motors or capacitive load, those with constant current can be chosen.

Question 38

What is the difference between Single Stage and Two Stage Power Supply?

admin · Accepted Answer

There are 2 types of Power Factor Correction circuits; one is Single Stage; the other is Two Stage.

Single Stage power supply combines functions of power factor correction and converter in one circuit but Two Stage use two separate circuits. Compared to Single Stage, Two Stage design is more complex and costly, but the immunity performance of Two Stage power supply against AC mains is much better than that of Single Stage power supply. In addition, Two Stage power supplies manifest better ripple noises performance on output. Owing to that Single Stage is only suitable for fields with quality AC mains but Two Stage can be used in serious circumstances for LED drivers or as industrial switching power supplies.

Question 39

What is the general suggestion for PSU used in wet or water environment?

admin · Accepted Answer

Depending on the installation environment, you may need IP certified power supplies (IP65/IP67).

Also, waterproof connectors and junction boxes are useful accessories to ensure a reliable operation in damp environments (please refer to the LED power supply installation manual).

Waterproof connector solution

Junction box option

Note that the MEAN WELL product IP level, including IP67, is tested according to IEC 60529. The protection does not guarantee for permanently immersing in the water. Please check the device installation manual for proper suggestions on installation.

Question 40

Why is that during LED power supply operation the LED sometimes varies in brightness or flickers?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL developed many power supplies series specifically for LED application. Single stage PFC was used in such developments due to low cost. This topology has the following restrictions:

AC fluctuation

This topology does not use input bulk capacitor. For this reason, in areas with low AC quality, output voltage and current may become unstable causing variation in LED brightness. If the input AC voltage is stable, then this problem will not occur.
Output ripple

This is also caused by lack of input bulk capacitor. As compared to power supplies using two-stage PFC, the ripple will be significantly larger (see Figure 4). There could be instances where the low end of the ripple may be too low for the driver IC to operate properly, and the LEDs will start to flicker. To solve this type of problem, the output voltage can be adjusted higher, so the low end is higher than the driver’s minimum working voltage. Or simply select a PSU with higher rated voltage.

Current harmonics

Single stage PFC power supplies are optimized for constant current drive. Using these supplies as constant voltage sources (such as application including cascading a constant current driver IC), the harmonics might be worsening in this case. When operating in areas with unstable utility voltage or with driver IC, we highly recommend using general application types as found in table 1. Avoid using single stage PFC if possible and use a two-stage PFC power supply instead, or contact MEANWELL for more information.

Question 41

Can LED power supplies be connected in parallel?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL LED power supply does not have a parallel “current sharing” function, so it is not suitable for parallel connection. For high power requirements, please select higher wattage power supply or divide LED load into smaller subsections to be powered by individual power supplies. Example of such LED configuration can be found in figure 5. As shown in fig. 5, the connection between -V of the LPC-35 units should be severed and not connected in common. On the contrary, small wattage LED loads can be connected in parallel and be powered by a single high wattage power supply. But the ability to divide current evenly must be taken into consideration.

Question 42

Does MEAN WELL LED power supply allow adjustment of output voltage and current levels?

admin · Accepted Answer

LED power supply comparison table to see which MW LED power supply allows for V/I adjustments. A suitable unit can be picked based on the type of adjustment required. For the allowed adjustment range, please refer to the spec sheet. Tuning of the voltage and current levels can be done through the built-in VRs/potentiometers. PLN/ELN requires removal of the top cover in order to access the internal SVR1 and SVR2, see figure 9 for VR locations. For other series, the VRs can be accessed through IoADJ and VoADJ holes after rubber stopper removal. After adjustments have been made, please make sure rate power is not exceeded and the rubber stoppers are properly reassembled.

Question 43

What is the main difference between 1~10V dimming and 0~10V dimming regarding applications?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

With 1~10V dimming, the lighting unit can be dimmed down to 10%; with 0~10V dimming, it can be dim down to 0%, or say, dim-to-off.

Question 44

Why is that LED lamp designed with LED driver IC may sometimes cause power supply startup failure? (Output voltage gets clamped by LEDs and cannot rise to rated level)

admin · Accepted Answer

Depending on the circuit design, there could be different operational problems. See below:

Boost mode driver IC:

The startup voltage of such driver IC is significantly lower than the total LED forward voltage. For this reason, the IC will start up at very low voltage level usually about 1/2 of the power supply’s rated voltage and to meet rated power requirement, the startup current will reach 2 times the power supply’s rated current. When the power supply is unable to provide this current, the LED CC driver will not activate.

Buck mode driver IC:

If the selected power supply voltage is significantly higher than the LED forward voltage. For example, power supply provides 48V and the LED lamp only needs 24V and the power ratings are equivalent. When power supply voltage reached the LED conduction voltage, the power supply will immediately go into constant current mode. At this moment, the required power to start up the LED + driver is larger than what the power supply can provide causing malfunction of the driver circuit and the power supply to be clamped at LED forward voltage. For boost mode design, we recommend raising the startup voltage of the driver IC to be as close to the power supply voltage as possible or incorporate soft start function (see fig. 3). Wait until the power supply voltage is established before starting the driver. When selecting power supply for buck mode, the output voltage of the power supply should be as close to the LED total voltage as possible with excess power available (LED power/0.85).

DIM PIN is the startup pin for most PWM based driver. It can also be designated as EN (Enable). DIM (or Enable) is at 0V the internal connection to SW pin will be open. When the DIM voltage reaches 1.5V (Typ), the IC will Turn ON. To set the Vstart for the DRIVER IC: Vstart = (VDIM/RB) x (RA+RB). The general rule is to set the Vstart at 5~10% higher than the total LED forward voltage.

Question 45

Can I wire LDD or LDH in parallel or series?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

LDD/LDH series comprises switching components; series or parallel connection will damage these switching components.

Question 46

Why I cannot dim with MEAN WELL LED drivers?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

First of all. Determine the driving method of LED lamp. If the lamp is driven by constant current, forward current shall be within specification. On the contract, if it's driven by constant voltage, then user must check if they are using the right product to dim the LED lamp, such as PWM/IDLV/ODLV series.

Question 47

MEAN WELL specification shows a higher working temperature than MEAN WELL’s label and safety report. What is the reason for this?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s specification shows the absolute values which were verified during design quality verification tests. Those condition are guaranteed by manufacture from quality and warranty perspectives.

When certifying a power supply according to a certain norm, there is normally a requirement described in this standard a certain tolerance which must be considered. (See also FAQ: Why Is The Input Voltage On The Label Different From The Input Voltage In The Spec? For Example, The Specification Shows Is 88~264 VAC While The Label On The Power Supply Says That It Is 100~240VAC?)

The specification shows what is possible, the report and label of the power supply shows what is approved by the certifying body according to the standards.

Besides the difference due to tolerance there might also be another reason why the specification and label/test report show a different temperature. For example, if the power supply needs to be derated at a low voltage input such as 100VAC, the label and test report might show the max temperature at full load based on this low input.

Different standards might have different tolerance requirements and different ranges this could mean that the most conservative value, or multiple values will show up on the label of the power supply.

Question 48

What is the definition of IP (Ingress Protection) ratings? And what is MEAN WELL’s IP68 definition?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL has incorporated dust proofing and waterproofing into the majority of its LED power supply design. Mainly based on the international standard IEC60529, detailed descriptions can be found in the following table:
(Note: PSUs with IP64 rating or above are suitable for indoor or outdoor applications in sheltered locations)

IP xy protection level

Degree of protection, foreign bodies (x)

Degree of protection, moisture(y)

0. Not protected
1. Solid foreign object (>50mm)
2. Solid foreign object (>12mm)
3. Solid foreign object (>2.5mm)
4. Solid foreign objects of 1,0mm diameter and greater
5. Amount of dust that would interfere with normal operation
Dust tight

0. Not protected
1. Vertically falling water drop
2. Vertically falling water drop when enclosure is tilted up to 15 degrees
3. Water sprayed at an angle up to 60^o on either side of the vertical
4. Water splashed against the component from any direction
5. Water projected in jets from any direction (12.5 liter/minute)
6. Water projected in powerfil jets from any direction (100 liter/minute)
7. Temporary immersion in water ( 1 meeter from the surface of the water for 30 minutes)
8. Continuous immersion in water, or as specified by the user / manufacture

*IP64-IP66 level products are suitable for damp indoor or sheltered outdoor environment. For actual installation limitations, please refer to the corresponding IP level tests.
*All products cannot be continuously submerged in water.
*The definition of IP68 by MEAN WELL: Immerse a unit under test in 1 meter below the surface of the water, tested with a dynamic condition where 12-hour AC on; 12-hour AC off.
Test duration: 1 month.

Question 49

Where to find DMTBF?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s DMTBF can be found on www.meanwell.com

Please note that the DMTBF is not for every model available. Mostly this information is available for the LED drivers and our latest product releases.

1. Use the search function on the website to find the right product
2. Fill in the series number in the search field (do not include the last extensions such as -12 in XLG-150-12)
3. Click the search button
4. Click on the PDF icon to open the specification

5. Click on report

6. Click on the model and scroll down:

7. The DMTBF is shown on the last page of the report in the chapter Reliability test

Question 50

Can I use MEAN WELL LED drivers at full load continuously? Most of the AC/DC power supply are suggested to use at 70% load.

admin · Accepted Answer

LED Drivers are recommended operate at full load as long as it observes the working temperature specified in the datasheet, which means Tc measurement results should be equal to or less than the stated Tc in the datasheet. 5 years warranty complies as long as drivers operate within working Temperature and Tc. Limit as well.

Question 51

There is a definition of SELV in IEC61347. Is it the same with IEC62368?

Tom · Accepted Answer

No, they are different. SELV means the LED driver will use a safety isolating transformer with double or reinforced insulation and the output voltage shall not exceed 120Vdc.
This is good for the end product safety certified if the LED driver with SELV output.

Question 52

Are MEAN WELL's power supplies SELV and how can I see this?

admin · Accepted Answer

The definition of SELV was defined in the IEC 60950 standard but it is not defined in the IEC 62368 standard. This has been replaced with the ES1 Energy sources definition.

The definition of SELV is still applicable to the 61347-2-13 standard. In this standard it is that a LED driver will use a safety isolating transformer with double or reinforced insulation and the output voltage shall not exceed 120Vdc.

In the specification MEAN WELL’s 61347-2-13 certified LED drivers are marked with the SELV symbol in the case that the SELV requirements are fulfilled:

Question 53

Where can I find EAN or GTIN numbers for MEAN WELL power supplies?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

The GTIN number can be found directly on the www.meanwell.com:

Question 54

Is MEAN WELL registered in SCIP database?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

Yes, MEAN WELL products are registered in SCIP. To get such information for specific power supply, please follow the steps below:

Go to https://echa.europa.eu/en/scip-database
Under SEARCH option, choose „Article Identity” and write down model name e.g. RSP-1600.
As “Identifier type (optional)”, please chose “Other”
Click “Search” button

Question 55

Do MEAN WELL power supplies comply with the EPA-TSCA conformity?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

The declaration of Five PBT TSCA Conformity can be found on the last page of Installation Manual e.g. below:

Question 56

How to select a Surge Protection Device (SPD) for my application?

admin · Accepted Answer

A Surge Protection Device is optimized for a single voltage. Therefore, SPD should be chosen according to the actual operating voltage of the part that need to be protected.Secondly, the voltage protection level shows what is the maximum voltage appeared at output side when a specified surge is coming to the SPD. In general, the lower the voltage protection level, and the higher the discharge or surge current from SPD, means the better protection that the SPD provides.

Question 57

How long can I extend DC cable of the driver?

admin · Accepted Answer

Owing to line (voltage)-drop, we suggest the extension made from AC cable. In case DC cable extension is necessary, please consider Line-Drop leading to insufficient Vf so that the LED model or lamp may fail to switch ON. Moreover, EMC performance and characteristic may also be affected by DC cable extension.

Question 58

There are so many MEAN WELL dimming products. How can I make a choice? What are the pros and cons?

admin · Accepted Answer

First, you have to know your Led lamp specification in order to screen out a suitable Led driver range (Wattage, Voltage, Max Current CC or CV). From those ranges, further check a compatible dimming function. Hereunder is a table to show you the pros and cons of Dimming Function you can find in MW's catalogue.

Question 59

Can we use LED CC (Constant Current) model as a charger?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL has several charger products, and we suggest choosing them first. Chargers would be more suitable since they are designed for charging applications. Safety and approvals should be taken into account based on the final application. If you are unable to find a proper model in our charger series, our LED CC models can be used as charger. Please choose suitable products after confirming the current and voltage specification on the datasheet of the battery.

Question 60

How can we learn how many units of the model with 3 in 1 dimming can be controlled by one dimming device?

admin · Accepted Answer

3 in 1 dimming circuit would drain 0.1mA per model. Dividing the rated current of the dimmer by the 0.1mA, and we could know how many units can be controlled by one dimming device. For resistance dimming applications, resistance for 100% dimming output would be 100K ohm divided number of models.

Question 61

Which model should we select when attempting to dim a LED strip?

admin · Accepted Answer

A LED strip is normally a Constant Voltage application (CV). For this type of CV application MEAN WELL has design the PWM, IDLV and ODLV series which will allow CV applications to dim.

Question 62

Can MEAN WELL recommend the dimmers compatible to the 3 in 1 dimming circuit?

admin · Accepted Answer

3 in 1 dimming is the most common application used in LED dimming with the feature that it does not have to work with any specific dimmer. The only thing that has to be verified is that whether the dimmer (1~10V/10V PWM/resistance) is compatible with the definition advised in our specs.

Question 63

How am I supposed to read the LED V-I dotted line & tolerance definition in the specification?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s LED product specification normally exhibits V-I characteristics. Per the characteristics, there are generally two types of drivers, the “CC” type and the “CC+CV” type. “CC” type of driver is suitable only for LED applications whereas “CC+CV” is for either LED applications or general switching power supply applications. The section that is not suitable for LED applications are represented by dotted line, and based on the protection procedures it can be categorized into hiccup mode and constant current mode; in this section, the tolerance of current is not defined but only the characteristic of current is displayed. If customers attempt not to see a very high current under short circuit conditions, those models with hiccup mode for this section can be selected; if there are applications with motors or capacitive load, those with constant current can be chosen.

Question 64

What is the difference between Single Stage and Two Stage Power Supply?

admin · Accepted Answer

There are 2 types of Power Factor Correction circuits; one is Single Stage; the other is Two Stage.

Single Stage power supply combines functions of power factor correction and converter in one circuit but Two Stage use two separate circuits. Compared to Single Stage, Two Stage design is more complex and costly, but the immunity performance of Two Stage power supply against AC mains is much better than that of Single Stage power supply. In addition, Two Stage power supplies manifest better ripple noises performance on output. Owing to that Single Stage is only suitable for fields with quality AC mains but Two Stage can be used in serious circumstances for LED drivers or as industrial switching power supplies.

Operation

Where can I find EAN or GTIN numbers for MEAN WELL power supplies?

Is MEAN WELL registered in SCIP database?

Do MEAN WELL power supplies comply with the EPA-TSCA conformity?

How to select a Surge Protection Device (SPD) for my application?

How long can I extend DC cable of the driver?

There are so many MEAN WELL dimming products. How can I make a choice? What are the pros and cons?

Can we use LED CC (Constant Current) model as a charger?

How can we learn how many units of the model with 3 in 1 dimming can be controlled by one dimming device?

Which model should we select when attempting to dim a LED strip?

Can MEAN WELL recommend the dimmers compatible to the 3 in 1 dimming circuit?

How am I supposed to read the LED V-I dotted line & tolerance definition in the specification?

What is the difference between Single Stage and Two Stage Power Supply?

What is the general suggestion for PSU used in wet or water environment?

Why is that during LED power supply operation the LED sometimes varies in brightness or flickers?

Can LED power supplies be connected in parallel?

Does MEAN WELL LED power supply allow adjustment of output voltage and current levels?

What is the main difference between 1~10V dimming and 0~10V dimming regarding applications?

Why is that LED lamp designed with LED driver IC may sometimes cause power supply startup failure? (Output voltage gets clamped by LEDs and cannot rise to rated level)

Can I wire LDD or LDH in parallel or series?

Why I cannot dim with MEAN WELL LED drivers?

MEAN WELL specification shows a higher working temperature than MEAN WELL’s label and safety report. What is the reason for this?

What is the definition of IP (Ingress Protection) ratings? And what is MEAN WELL’s IP68 definition?

Where to find DMTBF?

Can I use MEAN WELL LED drivers at full load continuously? Most of the AC/DC power supply are suggested to use at 70% load.

There is a definition of SELV in IEC61347. Is it the same with IEC62368?

Are MEAN WELL’s power supplies SELV and how can I see this?

Reliability

Where can I find EAN or GTIN numbers for MEAN WELL power supplies?

Is MEAN WELL registered in SCIP database?

Do MEAN WELL power supplies comply with the EPA-TSCA conformity?

How to select a Surge Protection Device (SPD) for my application?

How long can I extend DC cable of the driver?

There are so many MEAN WELL dimming products. How can I make a choice? What are the pros and cons?

Can we use LED CC (Constant Current) model as a charger?

How can we learn how many units of the model with 3 in 1 dimming can be controlled by one dimming device?

Which model should we select when attempting to dim a LED strip?

Can MEAN WELL recommend the dimmers compatible to the 3 in 1 dimming circuit?

How am I supposed to read the LED V-I dotted line & tolerance definition in the specification?

What is the difference between Single Stage and Two Stage Power Supply?

What is the general suggestion for PSU used in wet or water environment?

Why is that during LED power supply operation the LED sometimes varies in brightness or flickers?

Can LED power supplies be connected in parallel?

Does MEAN WELL LED power supply allow adjustment of output voltage and current levels?

What is the main difference between 1~10V dimming and 0~10V dimming regarding applications?

Why is that LED lamp designed with LED driver IC may sometimes cause power supply startup failure? (Output voltage gets clamped by LEDs and cannot rise to rated level)

Can I wire LDD or LDH in parallel or series?

Why I cannot dim with MEAN WELL LED drivers?

MEAN WELL specification shows a higher working temperature than MEAN WELL’s label and safety report. What is the reason for this?

What is the definition of IP (Ingress Protection) ratings? And what is MEAN WELL’s IP68 definition?

Where to find DMTBF?

Can I use MEAN WELL LED drivers at full load continuously? Most of the AC/DC power supply are suggested to use at 70% load.

There is a definition of SELV in IEC61347. Is it the same with IEC62368?

Are MEAN WELL’s power supplies SELV and how can I see this?

Compliance

Where can I find EAN or GTIN numbers for MEAN WELL power supplies?

Is MEAN WELL registered in SCIP database?

Do MEAN WELL power supplies comply with the EPA-TSCA conformity?

How to select a Surge Protection Device (SPD) for my application?

How long can I extend DC cable of the driver?

There are so many MEAN WELL dimming products. How can I make a choice? What are the pros and cons?

Can we use LED CC (Constant Current) model as a charger?

How can we learn how many units of the model with 3 in 1 dimming can be controlled by one dimming device?

Which model should we select when attempting to dim a LED strip?

Can MEAN WELL recommend the dimmers compatible to the 3 in 1 dimming circuit?

How am I supposed to read the LED V-I dotted line & tolerance definition in the specification?

What is the difference between Single Stage and Two Stage Power Supply?

What is the general suggestion for PSU used in wet or water environment?

Why is that during LED power supply operation the LED sometimes varies in brightness or flickers?

Can LED power supplies be connected in parallel?

Does MEAN WELL LED power supply allow adjustment of output voltage and current levels?

What is the main difference between 1~10V dimming and 0~10V dimming regarding applications?

Why is that LED lamp designed with LED driver IC may sometimes cause power supply startup failure? (Output voltage gets clamped by LEDs and cannot rise to rated level)

Can I wire LDD or LDH in parallel or series?

Why I cannot dim with MEAN WELL LED drivers?

MEAN WELL specification shows a higher working temperature than MEAN WELL’s label and safety report. What is the reason for this?

What is the definition of IP (Ingress Protection) ratings? And what is MEAN WELL’s IP68 definition?

Where to find DMTBF?

Can I use MEAN WELL LED drivers at full load continuously? Most of the AC/DC power supply are suggested to use at 70% load.

There is a definition of SELV in IEC61347. Is it the same with IEC62368?