LED drivers are usually tested in one of the following ways:

• Using LEDs
• Using resistors for loading
• Using Electronic Loads in Constant Resistance (CR) mode, or Constant Voltage (CV) mode

However, all the above loading methods each have distinct disadvantages. First, those manufacturers who use LED’s as a load run into problems with the aging of the LEDs. Different LED drivers may require different types of LED’s or a number of LED’s. This makes it inconvenient for mass production testing. Second, resistive or linear loads can not simulate the Vf and Rd coefficient of an LED.

When using a Typical Electronic Load to test LED drivers, the CR (Constant Resistance) and CV (Constant Voltage) mode settings are used. These settings only can test stable operation and therefore, are unable to simulate turn on or PWM Dimming / intensity control.