constantestroomconstantevoltage
constantestroomconstantevoltage refers to a method of electrical power delivery where either the current or the voltage is maintained at a fixed level, while the other parameter is allowed to vary as needed to meet the load requirements. This approach is distinct from constant power delivery, where the product of voltage and current remains unchanged. In constant current (CC) mode, the source supplies a predetermined amount of electrical current to the load. This is particularly useful for applications where the load's resistance may change, such as LEDs, where consistent brightness is desired regardless of temperature fluctuations or minor variations in the individual LED characteristics. Conversely, constant voltage (CV) mode provides a stable voltage to the load. This is common in many electronic devices that require a specific operating voltage to function correctly, such as power supplies for computers or mobile phones. Many power supply units and battery chargers are designed to operate in both CC and CV modes, often referred to as CC/CV operation. They will initially supply a constant current until a preset voltage is reached, after which they switch to a constant voltage output, maintaining that voltage while the current drawn by the load decreases. This dual-mode operation ensures efficient charging and protection of the connected devices.