Our Guide to LED Drivers
Choosing the right lighting shouldn't feel like a science experiment. One of the most common questions our team receives is: 'Do I need a driver for this light?'. In this guide, we demystify LED drivers, explaining what they are, why they matter, and how to choose the right one for your lights.
Voltage: Getting the pressure right
Imagine a garden hose: the Electrical Current is the water flowing through it, while Voltage is the water pressure.
Most Australian homes run on high-pressure "Mains" power (240V). However, modern LED chips are like small misting nozzles; they can’t handle that high pressure and need a steady, low-pressure flow (12V or 24V) to work correctly. An LED Driver acts as the "regulator" on your tap, ensuring the pressure is exactly right so your LED lights shine brightly and last for years.
Do I need to buy a driver?
When you don't need to buy a driver
The majority of the time, you won't need to buy a separate driver:
- 240V fittings that take a bulb: Modern LED light bulbs are mostly designed for 240V and already include an integrated driver. Simply wire the fixtures up to the mains and then pop in the bulb. Explore LED Light Bulbs
- Lights with an integrated driver: Many fixtures that have an integrated LED light source also include an integrated driver, so you can wire these directly to your 240V mains.
When you may need to buy a driver
There are a couple of specific circumstances when you do need a separate driver:
- Low-voltage fittings that take a bulb: Some fittings are specifically designed to run on a lower voltage (generally 12v or 24v), such as outdoor lights, bathroom lights and garden lighting. Specialist low-voltage LED bulbs should be paired with a remote LED driver.
- Lights that require a "remote" driver: Fixtures with an integrated LED light source, but use a remote driver installed separately to the fitting (such as in a wall cavity).
The next step is to double-check the product specifications for these telltale signs:
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Voltage Check: Check if a fitting is labelled 12V or 24V (DC), then it requires a driver to step down your home’s 240V power.
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"Driver Required": Look for this specific phrase in the product description and the specifications. Lights that need a remote driver can be sold "bare," in which case you will need to buy the driver that matches your needs.
- "Driver Included": Some suppliers will already include a remote driver with the fixture, although sometimes this may not match your individual needs.
How to select the right driver
Step 1 - How many lights will run on the same switch?
The first question when determining what driver you need is how many lights will be on the same switch/run, taking into account that:
- LED Drivers should run between a minimum 20% and a maximum 80% of their wattage capacity.
- There can be up to a 30% inrush current to start up a circuit, especially for garden lighting (due to the longer runs).
- You should only run a maximum of 25m of low-voltage cable from each driver.
Step 2 - How much wattage is needed?
Follow our "Rule of Thumb" formula:
- Calculate the total wattage of all lights (e.g. x6 1.5W step lights = 9W)
- Double it for a safety buffer (e.g. 18W)
- Select the next available driver size (e.g. 20W is the most likely next increment).
Overall, it is always better to go with a higher capacity driver. You can then always add on more lights as/if you need to!
Step 3 - What type of LED driver is required?
This will be stated in our product specification. For example, "12v Fittings Must Be Used With Suitable 12v DC LED Driver".
Step 4 - Is dimming required?
Check the specifications of the fittings, light sources and drivers for dimming compatibility. Commonly used systems include:
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Phase/Triac: "Standard Home Dimming" (The most common choice for most homes).
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0-10V: "Commercial/Smart Dimming" (Best for larger systems or automated homes).
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DALI: "Professional Digital Control" (The gold standard for precision and large-scale projects).
Step 5 - Get the right IP Rating
LED Drivers are available with different levels of IP rating. A higher IP rating will be needed for any Outdoor usage and for Bathroom lighting.
Our Guide to Exterior Lighting | Our Guide to Bathroom Lights
Need more help with LED drivers?
While this guide provides a foundation, every project is unique. To ensure your lighting is safe and stunning, we always recommend consulting your electrician before making a purchase.
Still unsure? We’re here to help you get the technical details right.
p.s. Explore our Instagram for the latest Lighting inspiration