Backlight unit and a display apparatus having the same

A display apparatus, comprising:

• a display panel which includes a plurality of pixels;
• a driving circuit which controls the display panel to display an image;
• and
• a backlight unit which provides light to the display panel, the backlight unit comprising:
• a power converter which generates a light driving voltage in response to a voltage control signal with a first level;
• a plurality of light emitting strings, wherein each of the light emitting strings receives the light driving voltage through a first end thereof;
• and
• a controller connected to a second end of only one of the light emitting strings and wherein the controller compares a voltage of a signal at the connected second end with a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage, and generates the voltage control signal,
• wherein the controller comprises a detection circuit that activates a detection signal when the voltage of the signal at the connected second end is higher than the first reference voltage, or lower than the second reference voltage to detect an abnormal state of all of the light emitting strings,
• wherein the first reference voltage is higher than the second reference voltage,
• wherein the controller generates the voltage control signal with a second level to stop the power converter from generating the light driving voltage when the detection signal is activated.

A backlight unit, comprising:

• a power converter configured to generate a light driving voltage;
• a plurality of light emitting strings, the light emitting strings configured to receive the light driving voltage at a first end thereof;
• and
• a controller connected to a second end of only one of the light emitting strings and wherein the controller compares a level of a signal at the connected second end with a first reference level and a second reference level to identify an overcurrent in the light emitting strings and, in response thereto, provide a control signal to the power converter to disable the light driving voltage,
• wherein the controller comprises a detection circuit that activates a detection signal for detecting an abnormal state of all of the light emitting strings when the level of the signal at the connected second end is higher than the first reference level or lower than the second reference level, and the controller generates the control signal to stop the power converter from generating the light driving voltage when the detection signal is activated,
• wherein the first reference level is higher than the second reference level.