A new addition to Littelfuse’s PLED open LED protection devices lineup is the PLEDxSW Series LED protector which, unlike earlier PLED devices from Littelfuse that had black moulded bodies, is moulded from a white material, which makes it less noticeable in LED fixtures, particularly for indoor applications. It also reflects more light to improve overall light engine efficiency.
This device provides an electronic shunt path when an LED in a string fails as an open circuit, and is connected in parallel with each LED in a series string. If one LED fails as an open circuit, the PLED connected to it turns on and carries the current that would have gone through the failed LED. This keeps the rest of the string operating, so only a single LED goes dark rather than the whole string.
PLEDxSW Series parts are compatible with 1, 2 and 3 Watt LEDs. Their low-profile, small-footprint package dissipates heat efficiently, so they’re ideal for use in dense board applications. In contrast with earlier open LED protection solutions such as silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) and zener diodes, they offer higher reliability and lower maintenance requirements.
For example, SCRs are usually large and require additional components like resistors to set the trigger or turn-on voltage, and their trigger voltage will vary widely over temperature. Zener diodes create additional power dissipation once the LEDs they’re protecting fail open. They are also not rated for large DC currents, which can shorten life or lead to catastrophic failure.
Typical applications of these LED protectors include protection of lighting products that incorporate strings of high-brightness LEDs, including indoor lighting, aircraft/runway lights and advertising signage.
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