Due to the flexibility of UL's component certification program, the structural design of LED drivers is variable, resulting in various testing methods. This flexibility also means that in most cases any two LED drivers cannot be interchanged without additional safety evaluation. Against this background, UL has successively proposed the "Temperature Limiting LED Driver Certification Program (Type TL LED Driver Program)" and the "Overheat Protection LED Driver Certification Program (Class P LED Driver Program)".

What is the difference between Type TL and Class P LED Driver? If manufacturer cannot apply together, which one is better to apply for?

1. What is Type TL LED driver?

Type TL LED driver is a driver evaluated Thermally limited (thermal limit);

2. What is Class P LED driver?

The Class P driver means that the driver has a self-protection function when working normally and will not overheat when working abnormally, thus avoiding fire hazards caused by overheating of end products;

3. Differences between Type TL and Class P drivers:

Generally speaking, the two can exist at the same time and are not contradictory. The Type TL concept was proposed for the purpose of reporting driver for terminal lamp products. It only needs to compare the driver's electrical parameters and Tref (maximum Tc point). Under appropriate circumstances, You can submit a report to UL, but the emergence of Class P has retroverted the concept of Class P Ballast of UL 935. The most important thing is that it cancels the Tref restriction, allowing lamp manufacturers to replace LED drivers by themselves without re-certifying lamp products. This will provide luminaire manufacturers with greater flexibility and security in the interchangeability of LED drivers, and more importantly, manufacturers will no longer need to waste valuable time and expense on re-certification.