{"id":302,"date":"2014-09-05T17:52:49","date_gmt":"2014-09-05T17:52:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ledsupply.com\/blog\/?p=302"},"modified":"2019-12-04T14:31:39","modified_gmt":"2019-12-04T14:31:39","slug":"flexblock-led-driver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ledsupply.com\/blog\/flexblock-led-driver\/","title":{"rendered":"The Buck-Boosting FlexBlock LED Driver"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n
\"FlexBlock

FlexBlock LED Driver<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/center>What makes the LUXdrive A011 FlexBlock<\/a> LED driver so powerful…<\/p>\n

The extremely compact dual-mode FlexBlock is a true current regulated LED driver for powering high-power or high-brightness (HB) LEDs or LED arrays; because the forward voltage of LEDs can change based on several environmental factors as well as the age of the LED, it is important to use this type of driver in an LED system to help avoid thermal runaway<\/a>. The FlexBlock includes a fast response current-sensing circuit for applications where flashing or strobe of LEDs is required and its dimming input is also compatible with 0-10V wall mount dimmers like the A019 low voltage dimming control.<\/p>\n

BUT…Here is what sets the FlexBlock apart from other constant current LED drivers.<\/p>\n

The A011 FlexBlock is capable of two different modes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Buck-Boost Mode<\/strong>
\nThe versatility engineered into the FlexBlock allows it to handle LED loads that are ABOVE, BELOW or the SAME voltage as the power supply. This standard mode, called Buck-Boost mode<\/strong>, is recommend for loads up to 6 LEDs, but has the ability to output: 48Vdc minus the input Voltage. For example, if your input voltage is 12Vdc, the FlexBlock technically has the capability to output 36Vdc; at the same time and in the same mode, the FlexBlock could also run only 1-4 LEDs from 12Vdc.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\"Wiring

Figure 11 – Boost-Only<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/center>Boost-Only Mode<\/strong>
\nThe FlexBlocks most efficient mode is Boost-Only. In this mode the FlexBlock LED+ output is not used, and the positive end of the LED load is instead connected to Vin+ (shown in figure 11). In Boost-Only mode the output voltage can reach 48Vdc, but it is extremely important that the Vin be less than the Vout.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\"Figure

Figure 14 – Potentiometer<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/center>Dimming & Controlling Features<\/strong>
\nDimming with potentiometer:<\/span> The simplest method for dimming the FlexBlock is with a 20K Ohm potentiometer. This gives a 0%, 5-100% range of dimming. Figure 14 shows an example connection. Multiple FlexBlock can be dimmed together, however the value of the potentiometer should approximately be (20K Ohm \/ # of FlexBlocks).<\/p>\n

Dimming with 0-10V wall dimmer:<\/span> The preferred choice of dimming a FlexBlock is with the A019 Low Voltage Dimming Control<\/a> module or another commercial wall dimming 0-10V control; the A019 can easily handle several drivers. The 0-10V control can also be supplied by a commercial lighting controller that has current sinking 0-10V outputs.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\"Figure

Figure 18 – PWM<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/center>Advanced Control with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM):<\/span> The 0-10V input can be Pulse Width Modulated (PWM). Figure 18 shows how interfacing a micro-controller can easily be accomplished with a 2N2904 or equivalent transistor. A PWM frequency of 200Hz is recommended. The same configuration could also be used to pulse or strobe the LEDs with a TTL or CMOS logic signal.<\/p>\n

On\/Off Control<\/strong>
\nThe potentiometer in Figure 14 may be replaced by apush-button or toggle switch for on\/off control. The output current will be zero and the input current will drop to the quiescent level when the switch is closed. Figures 16 and 17 show external dimming control combined with on\/off control.<\/p>\n

\"Figure

Figure 16<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Figure

Figure 17<\/p><\/div>\n

Thermal Management<\/strong>
\nThe FlexBlock can run many LED load configurations with no heat sinking in an ambient of 25\u00b0C. In applications with elevated ambient temperatures, such as those that might be experienced inside an enclosed fixture, additional heat sinking may be required. If the temperature of the FlexBlock (measured at the T marking on the label) exceeds 60\u00b0C, additional heat sinking is recommended. If the temperature of the FlexBlock exceeds 80\u00b0C, additional heat sinking is required. The best surface for removing heat form the FlexBlock is the back side (opposite the label). If the FlexBlock becomes too hot during use, it will reduce the output current to limit the power dissipation. If the temperature continues to rise, the driver will turn off until the temperature drops to a safe level.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\"Figure

Figure 20<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/center>Connections<\/strong>
\nThe LEDs being driven should be located as close to the FlexBlock LED output as possible. 18AWG wire should be adequate for most wiring, but a heavier gauge should be considered when long leads are necessary. The power input wires should also be kept short. Where the power source is located several feet from the unit, a 100\u03bcF or larger, 50V capacitor may be required across the input terminals as shown in Figure 20.<\/p>\n

FlexBlock Features:<\/strong>
\nDC input voltage up to 32V
\n350mA or 700mA constant current output
\nExtremely small form factor (2.0\u201dx1.2\u201dx0.38\u201d)
\n18 AWG wires for easy electrical connections
\nExternal analog\/digital intensity control
\nExternal potentiometer intensity control (0%, 5-100%)
\nContinuous output short circuit protection
\nContinuous output open circuit protection
\nInput reverse polarity protection with Polarifet\u2122 Technology
\nPulse and strobe capable (dim input)<\/p>\n

FlexBlock Applications:<\/strong>
\nSolar & Landscape Lighting
\nArchitectural Lighting
\nTrack Lighting
\nAutomotive & Marine Lighting
\nPortable Lighting & Flashlights
\nPoint of Purchase Lighting
\nDesk & Reading Lamps
\nSignal & marker Lighting
\nFlashing & Strobe Lighting
\nCabinet & Display Case Lighting
\nSign & Channel Letters<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What makes the LUXdrive A011 FlexBlock LED driver so powerful… The extremely compact dual-mode FlexBlock is a true current regulated LED driver for powering high-power or high-brightness (HB) LEDs or LED arrays; because the forward voltage of LEDs can change based on several environmental factors as well as the age of the LED, it is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-drivers","category-led-product-reviews"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Buck-Boosting FlexBlock LED Driver - LEDSupply Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Examine and learn more about the power of the Buck-Boosting FlexBlock LED driver available from LEDSupply. Click or Call (802) 728 6031\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ledsupply.com\/blog\/flexblock-led-driver\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Brooke Sault\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/flexblock-led-driver\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/flexblock-led-driver\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Brooke Sault\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1854d00957f078337ff0ce3d633dd105\"},\"headline\":\"The Buck-Boosting FlexBlock LED Driver\",\"datePublished\":\"2014-09-05T17:52:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2019-12-04T14:31:39+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/flexblock-led-driver\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":869,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/flexblock-led-driver\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2014\\\/09\\\/0a011-d-v-700-150x150.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Drivers\",\"Product Reviews\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/flexblock-led-driver\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/flexblock-led-driver\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Buck-Boosting FlexBlock LED Driver - LEDSupply Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/flexblock-led-driver\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/flexblock-led-driver\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.ledsupply.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2014\\\/09\\\/0a011-d-v-700-150x150.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2014-09-05T17:52:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2019-12-04T14:31:39+00:00\",\"description\":\"Examine and learn more about the power of the Buck-Boosting FlexBlock LED driver available from LEDSupply. 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