What is the difference between line regulation and load regulation in interpreting the datasheet of an LED driver?

2020-05-12 01:43:09

 

 

 

Line regulation is the ability to maintain specified output voltage over changes in the input line voltage. It could be expressed in % or actual (voltage) change in the output voltage relative to allowable input line voltage range.

 

 

If the input is specified for some range of voltage (say 7–12 Volts for a 5 V regulator), and the line regulation is 1% then if you stay within the input range of 7–12 volts, the output voltage effect is less than +/- 1% i.e. 5 V+/- 1% or 4.95 to 5.05 Volts.

 

 

Load regulation is the ability to maintain specified output voltage over changes in the value of the load. It could be expressed in % or actual (voltage) change in output voltage relative to permissible load range. Load regulation can also explained as a percentage change in output voltage from no load(NL) to full load(FL).

If the output is specified for say 0–10A with a load regulation of 1% then changing the load from 0 to 10A should not change the voltage by more than 1%. i.e. the output remains within 11.88 to 12.12 volts.