In electronics, a constant current system is a system that can vary the voltage across an electronic circuit to maintain a constant electric current. When a component is indicated to be driven by a constant current, the driver circuit is, in essence, a current regulator and must appear to the component as a current source of suitable reliability.
An important usage of constant current power supplies is with LEDs. While a high series resistance is sufficient to light an LED, sometimes the design needs to guard against high current (or risk burning out the LEDs). Another use is in fluorescent lamps which have very dynamic electrical resistance and are optimally operated within a short range of currents. Other uses include shielded metal arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding.
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Famous quotes containing the words constant and/or current:
“We must have more money, that’s all there is to it. There must be more money.”
—Anthony Pélissier. The constant complaint of the spendthrift Mrs. Grahame (1949)
“Absolutely speaking, Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you is by no means a golden rule, but the best of current silver. An honest man would have but little occasion for it. It is golden not to have any rule at all in such a case.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)