Modular Driver Powers Large-Scale Industrial Lighting Operations

Advanced Energy Industries is introducing LumaDrive Pre-wired Systems, a modular platform with high-efficiency and remotely operated LED driver supplies designed to power large-scale industrial, horticultural, and parking LED lighting applications.

LumaDrive is constructed from individual 4 kW modular AC-DC supplies and can be configured for LED drive power levels of 144 kW, 72 kW, 36 kW, or 24 kW. A high level of programmability allows the system to be used with a broad range of LED light fixture models and types.

Using a centralized three-phase power source contributes to better overall system efficiency, while the ground-level installation simplifies maintenance. Centralized dimming control allows for precise lighting control without running dimming control wires to individual lights.     

LumaDrive was developed in close collaboration with LED light fixture manufacturers to help optimize its design, configuration, and feature set.   

LumaDrive ground-level cabinet configuration. Image used courtesy of Advanced Energy

Large-Scale LED Lighting Applications

LED technologies are widely used in large-scale lighting systems for industrial, horticultural, and similar applications due to their efficiency and light quality, which more closely approximates natural light.

To power large-scale LED systems, line AC power must be converted to DC and distributed precisely to each LED light source.

Large industrial LED lighting applications face challenges, including energy inefficiency, maintenance challenges, and limited dimming control options. These challenges impact operational costs and cause difficult trade-offs between expensive customizations and suboptimal system performance.        

LED lighting systems for horticulture. Image used courtesy of Advanced Energy

Modular and Scalable LED Driver Solution

LumaDrive is available in 36 kW, 72 kW, and 144 kW configurations, housed in a ground-level, 19” rack system cabinet composed of individual LCM12K shelf units rated to 12 kW each. The highest power variant of the series (144 kW) contains twelve LCM12K shelves.

Within each LCM12K mounting shelf are four LCM4000HV, 4000 W AC-DC supplies that can convert single and three-phase AC line input voltages (up to 660 VAC) to a DC output up to 300 VDC (16 A as a current source), sufficiently regulated for LED lighting. In aggregate, the 144 kW variant of LumaDrive can deliver up to 579 A of LED drive current. 

LCM4000HV AC-DC modular supply used in LumaDrive. Image used courtesy of Advanced Energy

By removing the need to deploy individual power modules, LumaDrive significantly reduces the installation time for large-scale LED lighting deployments.

According to Joe Voyles, Vice President of Industrial Power Conversion Products at Advanced Energy, the highly modular and scalable architecture of LumaDrive is the key to faster installation, more cost-efficient operation, and adaptability of LED lighting implementations.     

Accommodating Greenhouse Environments

The 24 kW variant of the LumaDrive family (Artesyn LCM24K) is available in a NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturer Association) 3R-rated enclosure designed for damp environments and protects against moisture ingress. This allows it to integrate seamlessly into greenhouse environments without needing a separate room to house lighting power, a significant cost savings for horticulture lighting system operators. 

Each LCM24K contains six 4000 W LCM4000HV AC-DC supplies.