Hi,

I'm a little confused on how a constant current supply is adequately rated for an LED panel? The LED panel seems to consist of a number of LEDs wired in series. The output current from the power supply is fixed and the output voltage is quoted between a certain range with a maximum output voltage.

I was wondering whether the same constant current power supply would work if I reduced the number of LEDs?

 

It should, as long as the voltage drop across the LED string is enough to meet the minimum output voltage spec, which is probably pretty low.

 

I tried removing one side of the LED strips and the single LED strip began to flash on and off. I tried a shorter single LED strip with fewer LEDs and some of the LEDs at the end of the shortened strip began to overheat and burn out

Each strip seems to consist of a combination of series and parallel connected LEDs. Each panel has two strips.

Does a constant current driver need a certain number of LEDs to operate correctly without burning LEDs out?

 

If the LEDs are in anything other than a series connection, then if you alter the circuit you may be creating a situation in which parallel LEDs are able to go into thermal runaway and hog all of the current available in their part of the circuit.

We really need to know more about the specifics of these LED strings you are working with.

 

The constant current psu provides the same current through all series leds, irrespective of how many are connected ( 1, 10, 20)etc.. the only thing that alters as the leds are added or removed the Total output voltage increases( with more leds) or decreases (less leds) to maintain the same current. This is how constant current works, the downside is if one led fails they All go out,,

the other method is Parallel Leds, where each led has it's own series resistor.

http://www.quickar.com/ledbasics.htm

 

The constant current psu provides the same current through all series leds, irrespective of how many are connected ( 1, 10, 20)etc.. the only thing that alters as the leds are added or removed the Total output voltage increases( with more leds) or decreases (less leds) to maintain the same current. This is how constant current works, tge downside is if one led fails they All go out,,

the other method is Parallel Leds, where each led has it's own series resistor.

http://www.quickar.com/ledbasics.htm

BUT... Many off the shelf constant current drivers have a min/max DC output voltage range and the sum of the Vf's of the LEDs must fall in that range or it can't regulate the current properly.. (typically it will blink or not even turn on at all)

So yes.. too few LEDs or too many LEDs and it won't work properly..