Can LED Lights Share Drivers?

Let’s be honest it’s a bit of a boring question until you need that answer one day…

Save this for that day – proven by many reading this from us on Linkedin recently.

❓ The quick reply is no – downlighters these days usually cannot share drivers. So why…

📍 Have you ever seen the acronym SELV stated on a power supply or data sheet? SELV stands for Safety Extra Low Voltage. It’s a crucial safety standard in electrical systems, particularly relevant for LED lighting. It’s particularly important in wet areas or where direct human contact is possible, as it significantly reduces shock risk.

Key characteristics of SELV:

• Maximum voltage is 50V AC or 120V DC
• Must be electrically separated from earth and higher voltage systems
• Requires double or reinforced insulation from mains voltage

Safety features:

• Provides protection against electric shock
• Isolated from mains voltage through safety isolating transformer
• Cannot be directly connected to earth

SELV has Restrictions:

Sharing a driver with multiple fixtures is restrictive as their combined in series wattage cannot exceed the 50V max voltage.

👏 Conclusion:

Typically a 600+ lumen dedicated LED fixture is around 35V, meaning 2 qty would take it too high at 70V – restricting the use of sharing a driver. So the answer in this case and in most is NO.

If a light is made to SELV standards, then as long as the combined voltage is not higher than stipulated 50V threshold, it can be wired in series and share a common power supply. This is commonly seen done with lower output marker lighting.

Andrew Orange, the owner of Orange Lighting qualified and worked as an interior designer in 1993 before specialising in lighting working on high profile projects based in London. Since starting Orange Lighting Ltd in 2003 he has been sharing his knowledge and unique teaching style mostly to his designer clients, offering practical real life advice born from running a busy consultancy and lighting supply business. Launching in 2020, his blog has evolved into Quick & Easy Lighting, curating some 25 years design experience into making the lighting choice and design process achievable and easy to understand for all.