LED power supply is an essential part of LED strip lighting working. A power supply is a device that provides power to electronic equipment. The choice of led light power supply depends on your LED strip light.
When you are choosing the correct led strip power supply, there are some factors you need to consider. This article will help you to choose the right power supply for your LED strip lights.
Before choosing a led driver power supply, it is necessary to understand some knowledge. Next, we will provide you with the basic knowledge of different types of LED power supplies for your reference.
Article Guide:
2. Constant Voltage VS Constant Current Power supply
3. 4 easy steps to finding your correct power supply
Alternating current power supply VS Direct current power supply
1. What is AC power supply?
Alternating current is also known as high-voltage electricity, which is provided by the generator of the power plant and output from the outlets to home or industry use.
The direction of AC current movement will change over time, sometimes from positive to negative, sometimes from negative to positive, forming a wavy curve, so it can be transported over long distances.
Different countries have different AC voltages. The Americas generally use 110V and Europe uses 220V.
Alternating current is not suitable for precision electronic equipment, because large changes in current will damage its internal parts.
| An AC to DC power supply is composed of a transformer, a rectifier, and a filter. In order to reduce the line loss, the electricity from the power plant must first be boosted to tens of thousands of volts, and then lowered when it reaches the destination. A transformer is needed to reduce the voltage. The rectifier converts the alternating current whose direction and magnitude are constantly changing into unidirectional pulsating electricity whose direction and magnitude are changing. Then through the filter circuit and the voltage stabilizing circuit, the pulsating electricity is changed into a constant-size direct current. The filter is a frequency selection device that can pass specific frequency components in the signal while greatly attenuating other frequency components. |
High-voltage led light strips are powered by an AC power supply.
2. What is DC power supply?
The DC power supply uses low voltage, mainly for power supply, such as storage batteries. The DC power supply voltage is stable and reliable, and it is used in mobile phones, computers, and other electronic equipment.
The direction of direct current flows in a straight line from the positive pole to the negative pole, so it is also called a linear power supply and is suitable for short-distance transportation. Direct current converts other forms of energy into electrical energy.
Low voltage led strip lights, like 12VDC or 24VDC, should be powered by a DC power supply.
3. What is the difference between the AC and DC power supply?
The most obvious difference between AC and DC is the level of voltage, AC uses high voltage, and DC uses low voltage. This is also the point that you should focus on when choosing an LED power supply for your led light strip.
High voltage led strips to choose AC power supply, and low voltage led strip lights like 12V led strip light to choose DC power supply. Choosing the corresponding product is the most important.
Constant Current VS Constant Voltage Power Supply
Most led power supplies for LED lighting are constant voltage power supplies. It is more efficient and lasting. And most led strip lights are constant voltage too. These types of LED power supplies convert AC voltage to a lower DC voltage, and the voltage will always remain the same.
But constant voltage led strips have a voltage drop. And this is the reason why there is constant current led strip lights.
High-power and high-brightness led strip lights, such as the constant current led strip lights, mean that there is no voltage drop so that the led strip maintains the same brightness and color no matter how long it is.
However, if the constant current does not have a current limiting device, it is easy to cause excessive current to cause heating or damage to the light strip, which will reduce the life of the light strip.
Constant voltage led strip lights and constant current led strip lights should both choose the constant voltage power supply.
(more detailed illustration about: Constant Current VS Constant Voltage LED Drivers: Which Is Right for You?)
How to choose the best led power supply for your led strip light?
Step 1. Led lighting power supply or led light adapter? Small or large led lighting drivers?
The difference between choosing an LED light strip power supply or an LED power adapter lies in the power of your LED strip lights. The power of the LED power adapter is lower than the LED switching power supply.
An LED strip light is 5 meters/16.4 feet in a roll. One or two led light strips are available for a power adapter. However, multiple LED strip lights should choose a switching LED power supply. And if you want simple wiring and installation, the power adapter is an excellent choice.
If you need to install more LED light strips with longer running time, it is best to choose a switching power supply, because in general, the power output of a switching power supply is relatively large. And it can provide sufficient power for multiple or long-running LED strip lights.
If you want a beautiful layout and hide the power supply, choose the mini power supply.
When you need a led light strip temporarily and you are afraid that it will not be easy to carry, choose a lithium battery. It is convenient.
Distribution box CCTV power supply is the control center that commands the reasonable distribution of electrical energy in various components in the power supply line, suitable for schools, hospitals, factories, workshops, homes, etc.
Step 2. Choose the correct voltage, wattage, and current.
Wattage size and whether the current and voltage are stable will directly affect the performance and service life of the power supply.
LED strip lights have a working output voltage of 5V, 12V, and 24V. If your strip light is 5V, you need to choose a 5V power supply. 12V strip lights choose a 12V led power supply, and 24V strip lights choose a 24V led power supply.
Calculate power of your LED strip lights with the rule 80%. This means the total power of your LED strip lights is 80% of the power supply. The advantage of this is to increase the led transformer service life. If your LED strip light is 100W, you need a 125W power supply. Remember the rule 80% when you choose power supply.
If the current is not adjusted, there will be more and more current consumption. And the current consumption is too high will cause the internal heat of the power supply to be too high, so as to damage the power supply and cause malfunctions.
Step 3. A dimmable led power supply or a non-dimmable power supply?
If your strip light is Triac dimmable, you should choose Triac dimmable power supply. The dimming led light strip is generally controlled by touching the wall panel function button to control the brightness of the light strip, but there is also a remote control to adjust the light.
There are many types of led strip light dimmers, 0/1-10V dimmer, Triac dimmer, DALI dimming system, and DMX512 system.
- 0/1-10V dimming application is simple and the dimming effect is good.
- DALI dimming system has strong anti-interference ability, can feedback faults, and single light control makes the control more flexible.
- The powerful control function of DMX512 brings rich lighting effects to architectural lighting, night lighting, studios, and various stages. And DMX512 requires a special wiring layout and certain programming ability in order to set basic colors and scenes.
Choose the corresponding dimming power supply for your dimming led light strip.
Step 4. Do you need a waterproof or rainproof power supply?
Your installation place influences whether you choose a waterproof or rainproof power supply.
If you want to install LED strip lights outdoor or in a wet environment, you need to pay attention to the waterproof problem, and it is best to choose a waterproof or rainproof power supply.
But if your power supply is installed indoors or in a dry environment, you can choose a non-waterproof power supply.
The quality of products on the market varies. In this case, in order to choose a good product, what you need to do is to look for UL listed power supply.
Improper use of the power supply or other reasons may cause problems such as overheating, short circuits, etc. For safety reasons, please ensure that the power supply you purchase has these protection functions.
Choose the right power supply for your project according to the above steps. With the right power supply not only can the LED strip lights be used well, but also decrease the risk of use and improve user safety.
Related Blog: How To Calculate Power For LED Strip Lights?