Guide

Magnetic vs Electronic LED Transformers

EMCOD sells both magnetic power supplies and electronic LED drivers. The distinction is operating technology, not a shortcut for voltage, topology, or dimming.

Written by Projekt Supply Lighting Team. Last reviewed September 17, 2026. First published September 17, 2026. Part of the EMCOD LED driver and transformer guide.

Transformer vs LED-driver terminology

In the EMCOD catalog, magnetic products appear as lighting transformers (EM, EGP), landscape transformers (ESL, Simple, EMT, SMT), and the magnetic ML driver family. Electronic constant-voltage and constant-current products are LED drivers (MLE-P, MLE-UD, ECC-UD, EDR, EDD). Trade language sometimes calls electronic drivers “transformers.” Match the catalog class and the electrical sheet, not the nickname.

Magnetic families

Magnetic units typically use a laminated core, a larger enclosure, and AC or listed DC/AC outputs on the MPN. Example lighting-transformer MPN: EM150S12DC. Example landscape transformer: ESL100W. EGP output is not reliably encoded in the structured catalog MPN. Source: EMCOD catalog record

Representative EMCOD magnetic families. Confirm enclosure, output, and listing on the selected MPN.
FamilyCatalog classWhat to confirm
EMLighting transformerIndoor/outdoor magnetic power supply. Not a luminaire. Select the published 12 V or 24 V output on the MPN.
EGPLighting transformerGeneral-purpose magnetic AC transformer. Output is not reliably encoded in the structured catalog MPN.
MLMagnetic LED driverMagnetic topology in the LED-driver class. Not one of the electronic UD families.
ESLLandscape transformerStainless magnetic landscape transformer. Taps are on the spec sheet.
SimpleLandscape transformerCompact magnetic landscape cabinet. Confirm the selected MPN tap set.
EMTLandscape transformer304 stainless multi-tap landscape transformer. Confirm the selected MPN tap set.
SMTLandscape transformerSmart magnetic landscape transformer. Confirm zone and tap details on the install sheet.

Electronic families

Electronic drivers are typically smaller, listed for LED loads, and family-specific in dimming. Example current catalog model: MLE60-24DC-P. Example constant-current model: ECC-010-UD. Source: EMCOD catalog record

Representative EMCOD electronic driver families. Topology still has to match the load.
FamilyCatalog classWhat to confirm
MLE-PElectronic CV driverJ-box constant-voltage driver. Example current catalog MPN: MLE60-24DC-P.
MLE-UDElectronic CV driverUniversal-dimming CV series. Confirm methods on the MPN sheet.
ECC-UDElectronic CC driverConstant-current. Magnetic vs electronic does not make this a 12/24 V tape driver.
EDRElectronic CV driverDIN-rail constant-voltage architecture.
EDDIntegrated dimmer + driverElectronic CV with the dimmer in the same catalogued product.

Magnetic vs electronic is not CV vs CC

Constant-voltage versus constant-current is a separate decision. An electronic ECC-UD unit is still constant-current. An electronic MLE-P unit is constant-voltage. A magnetic ESL transformer is a landscape multi-tap source, not a 24 V DC tape driver. Continue in Constant Voltage vs Constant Current and LED Driver Dimming Explained.

How to choose from here

For LED drivers, use How to Choose an EMCOD LED Driver. For landscape transformers, use How to Choose and Size a Landscape Lighting Transformer. This page does not rank substitutes or treat a magnetic unit as interchangeable with an electronic driver.

Common questions

Is a magnetic transformer the same thing as a constant-voltage driver?

No. Magnetic versus electronic is operating technology. Constant-voltage versus constant-current is output topology. ECC-UD is electronic and constant-current. MLE-P is electronic and constant-voltage. ESL is a magnetic landscape transformer.

Can I replace an electronic MLE-P driver with an EM magnetic transformer?

Not from technology labels. The load still has to match output type, voltage or current, capacity, dimming, enclosure, and listing. Use the replacement lookup to identify the exact current MPN. This page does not rank substitutes.

Where does ML fit?

ML is catalogued as a magnetic LED driver family, not as an electronic UD family and not as a landscape transformer. Confirm DC versus AC output on the selected MPN.

Related EMCOD products

Families and exact models this published guide actually covers. Family links are canonical product records. Exact models use machine-addressable ?variant= URLs.

Exact models referenced

  • EMCOD EM150S12DC

    Lighting transformer in EM. Magnetic lighting-transformer MPN used as a technology example.

  • EMCOD ESL100W

    Landscape transformer in ESL. Magnetic landscape transformer example.

  • EMCOD ECC-010-UD

    LED driver in ECC-UD. Electronic constant-current contrast.

Technical Sources & References

  1. Projekt Supply catalog / EMCOD Lighting Group — EM Series lighting transformer familyManufacturer catalog / Projekt catalog record
  2. Projekt Supply catalog / EMCOD Lighting Group — EGP Series lighting transformer familyManufacturer catalog / Projekt catalog record
  3. Projekt Supply catalog / EMCOD Lighting Group — ML Series magnetic LED driver familyManufacturer catalog / Projekt catalog record
  4. Projekt Supply catalog / EMCOD Lighting Group — MLE-P Series familyManufacturer catalog / Projekt catalog record
  5. EMCOD Lighting Group — ESL100W specification sheetManufacturer specification sheet

Projekt Supply technical guides are based on manufacturer-published specifications, installation documentation and independent technical references. Product specifications can change. Always verify the current specification sheet and installation instructions for the exact product before purchase or installation. This guide is not a substitute for electrical code, manufacturer instructions, or licensed electrical work.