how to choose the right power supply for led strip?
author: Ivan Huang
2022-11-17
When you choose to decorate your house or project with LED strips, you need an LED power supply to drive the LED strips.
In this article, we will tell you how to choose the right LED power supply for led strip lights and show you how to connect the LED strip to the power supply.
1. Basic knowledge of choosing a power supply for led strip
1.1 Why choose LED power supply?
High-end LED strips are all low-voltage, such as 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, etc. These LED strips cannot be directly connected to high-voltage lines such as 110V or 220V. Therefore, we need an LED power supply to convert the voltage from 110V or 220V to 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, etc., and then we can connect the LED strip.
Some customers do not understand this knowledge, and directly connect the 220V high-voltage power to the low-voltage LED light strip. As a result, the LED light strip is directly blown up.
1.2 What types of power supplies are in the market?
On the market, the main power supplies used with LED strips are: LED wall-mounted power supply, LED desktop power supply, LED switching power supply and LED waterproof power supply. Different power supplies have different application scenarios.
1.3 How to choose the correct voltage?
1.3.1 Ensure that the input voltage can meet the customer's needs
The voltage in different countries is different, for example, the voltage in the United States is 120V, and the voltage in China is 220V. We need to ensure that the input voltage of the LED power supply can meet the voltage requirements.
1.3.2 Make sure the output voltage of LED power supply and LED strip is the same
We know that the voltage of the LED strip is 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, etc. We need to ensure that the output voltage of the LED power supply is the same as the voltage of the LED strip, otherwise there will be trouble. For example, if the voltage of the LED light strip is 12V and the LED power supply is 5V, connect the LED light strip and the power supply together, and the LED light strip will not light up; if the output voltage of the LED power supply is 24V, and the LED light strip voltage is only 12V, then When the two are connected together, the LED strip will be very hot until it burns out, which is very dangerous.
1.3.3 How to know the voltage of the LED strip？
A. Generally, LED strips have stickers, please check the voltage information from the stickers
B. If the package has been torn open, please check the LED strip solder pads. The light strips will note the voltage of the LED light strips.
1.4 How much power does the LED power supply need?
First of all, let's talk about the conclusion:
the power of the LED power supply = the total power of the LED light strip/0.8.
For example, the total power of the LED light strip is 80W, then we need the power of the LED power supply = 80/0.8=100W
Next, we divide by 0.8, that is, we need to reserve 20% margin for the LED power supply. Because the power of some LED power supply is not standard, such as 100W power supply, the actual power may only be 90W, so reserve 20% margin to avoid the situation of insufficient LED power supply power.
Finally, even if the power of the LED power supply is full, reserving 20% of the power will ensure that it can run longer.
1.5 How many LED power supplies are required?
1. 5.1 The number of LED power sources is equal to the synthesis of LED strips in different areas. For example, if you have 3 areas a,b,c, the number of LED power sources = a+b+c
1.5.2 How to calculate the number of power supplies in different regions?
Number of power supplies in area a=LED strip power*LED strip quantity/0.8/LED power supply power
For example, if the area a needs 50 meters of LED strips, the power of the strip is 14.4W/m, and the power of the LED power supply is 100W, then the number of power supplies in that area = 14.4*50/0.8/100=9 (pieces). So, this area needs 9 power supplies
1.5.3 How to determine the power of LED strips
The power of the LED light strip needs to be selected according to the actual needs of the project, such as whether it is waterproof, how many meters of light strips to be driven at the same time, whether it needs to be dimmed, and whether the installation location is large enough.
2. Which power supply to choose?
2.1 Waterproof or non-waterproof?
At present, the conventional LED power supply includes non-waterproof power supply and IP67 waterproof power supply.
If the LED strip is used in a dry indoor place, it is good to choose a non-waterproof power supply;
If the LED strip is installed in a bare place outdoors, you need to choose an IP65 waterproof power supply;
If the LED adapter is installed in a relatively humid place such as a toilet, kitchen, etc., it is necessary to consider whether the location where the LED power supply is installed will be exposed to water vapor or water droplets. If so, it is recommended to choose an IP67 waterproof power supply.
2.2 Constant current or constant voltage?
2.2.1 What is a constant current power supply?
Constant current power supply refers to the power supply through the internal circuit to adjust the output current to a constant current, such as 200mA, 300mA, 800mA and so on. This kind of power supply is mainly used in finished lamps, such as LED street lights, LED flood lights, LED panel lights, etc.
2.2.2 What's constant voltage power supply?
Constant voltage power supply, also known as regulated power supply, requires a fixed output voltage value that does not change with external working conditions such as load and input voltage. The output voltage is generally 5V, 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V and so on.
2.2.3 LED strips need constant voltage power supply
As long as it is an LED strip that can be cut arbitrarily, it is driven by a constant voltage power supply. Because of safety considerations, the circuit board with constant current design does not have pads. So, please use a constant voltage power supply to drive the LED strip.
2.2.4 The Mistake that 90% of people make
Picture (contrast picture of constant voltage and constant current LED strips)
There are 2 kinds of LED strips in the market, constant voltage LED strips and constant current LED strips. More than 90% of people think (even some salesmen who have sold LED strips for several years) that constant voltage LED strips need to be driven by a constant voltage power supply, while constant current LED strips need to be driven by a constant current power supply.
this is actually wrong. Regardless of the constant voltage LED strip or the constant current LED strip, it needs to be driven by a constant voltage power supply.
2.3 Dimmable or non-dimmable?
More than 80% of lighting projects use non-dimmable LED power supply.
Therefore, if there is no special requirement, it is good to choose a non-dimmable power supply. It covers most of your needs and costs less.
Dimming power supply includes DALI dimming, 0-10V dimming, Triac dimming, PWM dimming
At present, the dimming power supply mainly includes the above 4 dimming methods. In practical applications, customers prefer to use DALI dimming power supply because it is compatible with DALI dimming system and can realize intelligent control. The probability of using 0-10V dimming, Triac dimming, and PWM dimming is relatively small.
Therefore, if you need dimming function, you can focus on understanding DALI dimming power supply.
2.4 Which brand of LED power supply to choose?
It is not easy to choose a LED power supply with stable quality. By choosing a well-known brand LED power supply, quality problems can be avoided. Regarding this issue, I specially wrote an article "Best LED Driver & Power Supply Brands List", if necessary, you can click to view it.
Here are a few of them for reference:
//www.meanwell.com/
//www.tridonic.com
//www.inventronics-co.com/
//www.lifud.com/
//www.mosopower.com
3. How to connect the LED strip and LED power supply?
We have written an article on how to connect LED strips and LED power supplies. If you want to know more, you can click to view:
4. Can one LED power supply connect many LED strips?
4.1 If it is in series, connect up to 10 meters
Many LED strips are 5 meters long, because if the connection is too long, the voltage drop will be very obvious. So, if you go in series, connect up to 10 meters.
Of course, we also have super-long LED strips, the longest we can do is 50 meters in a roll, single-ended connection. If this kind of light strip is used, a large power supply can be connected to 50 meters at one time. It can greatly save labor costs.
4.2 If it is connected in parallel, one power supply can be connected to many meters of light strips
If it is connected in parallel, one power supply can be connected to many meters of light strips. How many meters of LED strips are connected depends mainly on the power of the LED power supply. As mentioned above, the length of the LED strip = LED power supply*0.8/LED strip power. Therefore, if the power of the power supply is 400W and the power of the LED strip is 5W, one power supply can be connected = 400*0.8/5=64 meters.
The specific wiring diagram is as follows:
5. Summary
Choosing a suitable LED power supply for your LED strip is not easy. This article introduces you to the basics and precautions of LED power supplies. I believe that through the above introduction, you have been able to choose a suitable LED power supply for your project.
A good power supply can make your LED strips brighter, more stable, and last longer.
If you still don't know how to choose LED power supply, please feel free to contact us Hanron Lighting, we will give you advice as soon as possible. We are a 12-year LED lighting manufacturer, in addition to providing customers with high-quality LED strips, LED neon lights, cabinet lights, we also provide customers with LED controllers, LED aluminum and LED power solutions.
In this article, we will tell you how to choose the right LED power supply for led strip lights and show you how to connect the LED strip to the power supply.
1. Basic knowledge of choosing a power supply for led strip
1.1 Why choose LED power supply?
High-end LED strips are all low-voltage, such as 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, etc. These LED strips cannot be directly connected to high-voltage lines such as 110V or 220V. Therefore, we need an LED power supply to convert the voltage from 110V or 220V to 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, etc., and then we can connect the LED strip.
Some customers do not understand this knowledge, and directly connect the 220V high-voltage power to the low-voltage LED light strip. As a result, the LED light strip is directly blown up.
1.2 What types of power supplies are in the market?
On the market, the main power supplies used with LED strips are: LED wall-mounted power supply, LED desktop power supply, LED switching power supply and LED waterproof power supply. Different power supplies have different application scenarios.
1.3 How to choose the correct voltage?
1.3.1 Ensure that the input voltage can meet the customer's needs
The voltage in different countries is different, for example, the voltage in the United States is 120V, and the voltage in China is 220V. We need to ensure that the input voltage of the LED power supply can meet the voltage requirements.
1.3.2 Make sure the output voltage of LED power supply and LED strip is the same
We know that the voltage of the LED strip is 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, etc. We need to ensure that the output voltage of the LED power supply is the same as the voltage of the LED strip, otherwise there will be trouble. For example, if the voltage of the LED light strip is 12V and the LED power supply is 5V, connect the LED light strip and the power supply together, and the LED light strip will not light up; if the output voltage of the LED power supply is 24V, and the LED light strip voltage is only 12V, then When the two are connected together, the LED strip will be very hot until it burns out, which is very dangerous.
1.3.3 How to know the voltage of the LED strip？
A. Generally, LED strips have stickers, please check the voltage information from the stickers
B. If the package has been torn open, please check the LED strip solder pads. The light strips will note the voltage of the LED light strips.
1.4 How much power does the LED power supply need?
First of all, let's talk about the conclusion:
the power of the LED power supply = the total power of the LED light strip/0.8.
For example, the total power of the LED light strip is 80W, then we need the power of the LED power supply = 80/0.8=100W
Next, we divide by 0.8, that is, we need to reserve 20% margin for the LED power supply. Because the power of some LED power supply is not standard, such as 100W power supply, the actual power may only be 90W, so reserve 20% margin to avoid the situation of insufficient LED power supply power.
Finally, even if the power of the LED power supply is full, reserving 20% of the power will ensure that it can run longer.
1.5 How many LED power supplies are required?
1. 5.1 The number of LED power sources is equal to the synthesis of LED strips in different areas. For example, if you have 3 areas a,b,c, the number of LED power sources = a+b+c
1.5.2 How to calculate the number of power supplies in different regions?
Number of power supplies in area a=LED strip power*LED strip quantity/0.8/LED power supply power
For example, if the area a needs 50 meters of LED strips, the power of the strip is 14.4W/m, and the power of the LED power supply is 100W, then the number of power supplies in that area = 14.4*50/0.8/100=9 (pieces). So, this area needs 9 power supplies
1.5.3 How to determine the power of LED strips
The power of the LED light strip needs to be selected according to the actual needs of the project, such as whether it is waterproof, how many meters of light strips to be driven at the same time, whether it needs to be dimmed, and whether the installation location is large enough.
2. Which power supply to choose?
2.1 Waterproof or non-waterproof?
At present, the conventional LED power supply includes non-waterproof power supply and IP67 waterproof power supply.
If the LED strip is used in a dry indoor place, it is good to choose a non-waterproof power supply;
If the LED strip is installed in a bare place outdoors, you need to choose an IP65 waterproof power supply;
If the LED adapter is installed in a relatively humid place such as a toilet, kitchen, etc., it is necessary to consider whether the location where the LED power supply is installed will be exposed to water vapor or water droplets. If so, it is recommended to choose an IP67 waterproof power supply.
2.2 Constant current or constant voltage?
2.2.1 What is a constant current power supply?
Constant current power supply refers to the power supply through the internal circuit to adjust the output current to a constant current, such as 200mA, 300mA, 800mA and so on. This kind of power supply is mainly used in finished lamps, such as LED street lights, LED flood lights, LED panel lights, etc.
2.2.2 What's constant voltage power supply?
Constant voltage power supply, also known as regulated power supply, requires a fixed output voltage value that does not change with external working conditions such as load and input voltage. The output voltage is generally 5V, 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V and so on.
2.2.3 LED strips need constant voltage power supply
As long as it is an LED strip that can be cut arbitrarily, it is driven by a constant voltage power supply. Because of safety considerations, the circuit board with constant current design does not have pads. So, please use a constant voltage power supply to drive the LED strip.
2.2.4 The Mistake that 90% of people make
Picture (contrast picture of constant voltage and constant current LED strips)
There are 2 kinds of LED strips in the market, constant voltage LED strips and constant current LED strips. More than 90% of people think (even some salesmen who have sold LED strips for several years) that constant voltage LED strips need to be driven by a constant voltage power supply, while constant current LED strips need to be driven by a constant current power supply.
this is actually wrong. Regardless of the constant voltage LED strip or the constant current LED strip, it needs to be driven by a constant voltage power supply.
2.3 Dimmable or non-dimmable?
More than 80% of lighting projects use non-dimmable LED power supply.
Therefore, if there is no special requirement, it is good to choose a non-dimmable power supply. It covers most of your needs and costs less.
Dimming power supply includes DALI dimming, 0-10V dimming, Triac dimming, PWM dimming
At present, the dimming power supply mainly includes the above 4 dimming methods. In practical applications, customers prefer to use DALI dimming power supply because it is compatible with DALI dimming system and can realize intelligent control. The probability of using 0-10V dimming, Triac dimming, and PWM dimming is relatively small.
Therefore, if you need dimming function, you can focus on understanding DALI dimming power supply.
2.4 Which brand of LED power supply to choose?
It is not easy to choose a LED power supply with stable quality. By choosing a well-known brand LED power supply, quality problems can be avoided. Regarding this issue, I specially wrote an article "Best LED Driver & Power Supply Brands List", if necessary, you can click to view it.
Here are a few of them for reference:
//www.meanwell.com/
//www.tridonic.com
//www.inventronics-co.com/
//www.lifud.com/
//www.mosopower.com
3. How to connect the LED strip and LED power supply?
We have written an article on how to connect LED strips and LED power supplies. If you want to know more, you can click to view:
how to connect led strip with controller and power supply?
4. Can one LED power supply connect many LED strips?
4.1 If it is in series, connect up to 10 meters
Many LED strips are 5 meters long, because if the connection is too long, the voltage drop will be very obvious. So, if you go in series, connect up to 10 meters.
Of course, we also have super-long LED strips, the longest we can do is 50 meters in a roll, single-ended connection. If this kind of light strip is used, a large power supply can be connected to 50 meters at one time. It can greatly save labor costs.
4.2 If it is connected in parallel, one power supply can be connected to many meters of light strips
If it is connected in parallel, one power supply can be connected to many meters of light strips. How many meters of LED strips are connected depends mainly on the power of the LED power supply. As mentioned above, the length of the LED strip = LED power supply*0.8/LED strip power. Therefore, if the power of the power supply is 400W and the power of the LED strip is 5W, one power supply can be connected = 400*0.8/5=64 meters.
The specific wiring diagram is as follows:
5. Summary
Choosing a suitable LED power supply for your LED strip is not easy. This article introduces you to the basics and precautions of LED power supplies. I believe that through the above introduction, you have been able to choose a suitable LED power supply for your project.
A good power supply can make your LED strips brighter, more stable, and last longer.
If you still don't know how to choose LED power supply, please feel free to contact us Hanron Lighting, we will give you advice as soon as possible. We are a 12-year LED lighting manufacturer, in addition to providing customers with high-quality LED strips, LED neon lights, cabinet lights, we also provide customers with LED controllers, LED aluminum and LED power solutions.