How to Choose the Right Power Supply for LED Strip Lights?

When installing led strip or buying led strip, users often encounter the problem of how to buy power supply, to correctly choose the matching power supply, you must have a certain understanding of the basic knowledge of the power supply, such as several key parameters of the power supply: voltage, power, current, protection level, etc. In this way, you can make sure that the power supply you buy and the LED light belt can be correctly matched.

Here we explain the relevant knowledge of power supply from these aspects and try to list some of the common specifications of the LED strip power supply, including its brand and price. I hope you can help after reading.

Key Parameters of Power Supplies

1. Voltage

Usually, LED strips commonly use low voltage and high voltage, two types. Low voltage is commonly 12V and 24V, and high voltage is generally directly connected to 220V AC. However, there may be other specific points, such as 5V light belts, although less common, but some specific scenes may be used.

12V DC

12VDC voltage is suitable for short-distance, low-power LED strip lights (such as decorative lights, cabinet lights, and atmospheric lights).

12V LED Strip with obvious voltage drop (amplifier or segmented power supply is required for remote use).

The following is the commonly used 12V Mean Well power supply price reference:

24V DC

24VDC is suitable for medium- and long-distance, high-power strip lights (such as commercial lighting strips and outdoor strip lights). Low pressure drop to support longer strips (e.g., 5-10 m)

At present, SignliteLED uses the LRS series of Meanwell power supplies more, mainly because it has high stability and high cost performance.

5V DC

The DC5V can be powered directly via USB and is portable. It is mainly used for smart LED strips or miniature decorative lights. Disadvantages: low power, only suitable for short-distance use.

The 5V LED strip is generally used for the magic LED strip. SignliteLED specializes in the production of this 5V magic RGB LED strip. Interested in understanding? You can click here.

120V/220V AC

Suitable for long distances, without cutting high voltage strip lights (such as advertising signs and construction lights). No additional transformer is required, the length of a single LED strip can reach tens of meters; Easy to install. Disadvantages: low security, cannot be cut or adjusted at will length.

AC High Voltage Driverless LED Strip Lights:

Selection Suggestion:

1. Home Decoration: priority choice 12V or 24V low voltage strip light, safe and flexible.

2. Commercial/Outdoor Lighting: 24V or 220V high voltage strip light is optional for long distance.

3. Smart Strip Light: Note whether it is powered by 5V USB or requires a special adapter.

2. Current

Current calculation: Current (A) = total power (W) ÷ voltage (V)

For example, 12V, 50W strip light → Current ≈4.17A → The power supply must support ≥5A output.

Pay attention to the current limit (low voltage LED strip light).

Long-distance installation: If the strip light length is more than 5 meters (12V) or 10 meters (24V), it is necessary to supply power in segments or use thicker wires to avoid the end brightness drop (voltage drop problem).

3. Wattage

Formula: Power ≥ the total power of the strip light × 1.2~1.5 times (margin)

Total strip power = power per meter x total length

For example, if you have two rolls of LED strips, each roll is 5 meters, and the power is 10W/m, then the total power is 10×5×2=100W.

Then the minimum wattage of the power supply you need is 100×1.2=120W.

The importance of margin: Avoid full power operation, improve stability, and improve life.

4. Power Factor

Power Factor (PF) is an important index to measure the active power utilization efficiency in an AC power supply system, reflecting the proportion of electrical energy that is effectively converted into actual work (such as heat, mechanical energy, etc.).

The size of the power factor (power factor) is related to the load nature of the circuit, such as the power factor of the resistance load, such as incandescent bulbs and resistance furnaces, being 1, and the power factor of the circuit with an inductive load is generally less than 1. Power factor is an important technical data of the power system.

Power factor is a factor that measures the efficiency of electrical equipment. Low power factor indicates that the reactive power of the circuit for alternating magnetic field conversion is large, which reduces the utilization rate of the equipment and increases the line power supply loss.

Low-voltage luminaires (e.g., 12V/24V supply): If an external power supply (e.g., a driver) is used, the PF requirements may be determined by the energy efficiency standard of the external power supply (e.g., DoE Level VI), which usually requires PF ≥ 0.9. Users are advised to refer to the latest Energy STAR official documents or consult a certification body to ensure that all requirements are met.

5. Efficiency

Power efficiency refers to the rate at which a power supply converts incoming electrical energy into effective output electrical energy, usually expressed as a percentage. It is an important indicator to measure the energy conversion capacity of the power supply, which directly affects the energy consumption, heating, and operating costs of the equipment.

Formula: Power efficiency (η) = (output power ÷ input power) × 100%

For example, the output power of the power supply is 80W, the input power is 100W, and the efficiency is 80%.

By choosing efficient power supplies, users can save electricity costs and reduce equipment heating and environmental impact, especially in data centers, industrial equipment, and other scenarios.

Misunderstandings in practical application:

• Efficiency ≠ power factor: A high power factor (close to 1) indicates a high utilization rate of the power grid, but it is not directly related to the conversion efficiency.

• High efficiency ≠ zero loss: Even with 99% efficiency, high-power equipment may still have significant heat (such as 1000W power loss 10W)

6. Protection Level (IP Level)

Indoor dry environment: IP20 or IP33 (no waterproofing required).

Wet/outdoor environment (e.g., kitchen, bathroom, balcony): Choose IP65/IP67 waterproof power supply and make sure the power box is sealed.

Two digits indicate the IP rating—the first one defines the protection against solids, and the latter one is against liquids.

First digit	Intrusion protection	Second digit	Moisture protection
0	No protection.	0	No protection.
1	Protected against solid objects over 50mm, e.g. accidental touch by hands.	1	Protected against vertically falling drops of water, e.g. condensation.
2	Protected against solid objects over 12mm, e.g. fingers.	2	Protected against direct sprays of water up to 15 degrees from the vertical.
3	Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm, e.g. tools & wires.	3	Protected against direct sprays of water up to 60 degrees from the vertical.
4	Protected against solid objects over 1mm, e.g. wires & nails.	4	Protected against water splashed from all directions, limited ingress permitted.
5	Protected against dust limited ingress, no harmful deposits.	5	Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions, limited ingress permitted.
6	Totally protected against dust.	6	Protected against strong jets of water, e.g. on ships deck, limited ingress permitted.
		7	Protected against the effects of immersion between 15cm and 1m
		8	Protected against the effects of immersion between 15cm and 3m

Each LED power supply is marked with an IP rating.Users can choose the appropriate waterproof standard power supply according to the environment.

7. Dimming

The dimmable LED driver allows the user to adjust the brightness of the connected LED strip light. It uses dimmer switches, remote control, or smart home automation systems. There are several common dimming methods.

A. Triac Dimming

Triac dimming has a simple structure and low cost because thyristor dimmers may only require a few components and do not require complex circuits. And widely used, good compatibility. Easy for the user to operate, smooth dimming, possible with a knob or swipe to adjust the brightness, no need for complex settings. Most popular/recognizable brands would be Lutron and Leviton.

B. 0-10V Dimming

0-10V dimming controls brightness through an analog voltage signal, and benefits include strong compatibility, smooth dimming (0-100% stepless adjustment), low cost, and simple installation.

The disadvantages are weak anti-interference ability (the signal is susceptible to interference), additional wiring is required, and single function (lack of intelligent control). It is suitable for basic dimming scenarios but cannot meet complex intelligent lighting requirements.

C. DALI Dimming

The benefit of DALI dimming is to support accurate dimming (1% accuracy), flexible control of the scene, energy saving, and high efficiency; The system is stable and strong against interference; Support multi-device interconnection and strong programmability.

The disadvantage is that the initial cost is high, and the installation and debugging are complex; Need professional maintenance; old system upgrade is difficult. The wiring requirements are strict, and the expansibility is limited.

D. PWM Dimming

PWM dimming adjusts brightness through a fast switching light source, which has the advantages of high dimming precision, energy saving and efficiency, more flexible and convenient operation, low cost, and accurate color; high-frequency PWM can alleviate stroboscopic problems, but it can still affect sensitive people.

What are the good brands of LED strip lights with power?

When it comes to powering LED strips, selecting a reliable and high-quality power supply is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and longevity. Below are some internationally recognized brands known for their excellence in LED power supplies:

1. Mean Well

Mean Well is a global leader in power supply manufacturing, offering a wide range of LED drivers and power supplies. Their products are known for their reliability, efficiency, and compliance with international standards.

2. Philips

Philips is a well-known brand in the lighting industry, providing high-quality LED power supplies and drivers. Their products are designed for both residential and commercial applications, ensuring consistent performance.

3. Osram

Osram is a trusted name in lighting technology, offering durable and efficient LED power supplies. Their products are widely used in professional lighting projects worldwide.

4. Inventronics

Inventronics specializes in LED drivers and power supplies, known for their innovative designs and energy efficiency. They cater to a wide range of applications, from indoor lighting to outdoor installations.

5. Tridonic

Tridonic is a leading provider of LED drivers and power solutions, focusing on smart and sustainable lighting systems. Their products are widely used in architectural and industrial lighting.

These brands are recognized for their commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability, making them top choices for powering LED strips in various applications. When selecting a power supply, it’s important to consider factors such as voltage, wattage, and compatibility with your LED strips to ensure optimal performance.

What certifications are available for power supplies?

Power product certification is a key link to ensure product safety and compliance. Through the certification of international authorities (such as CE, UL, and FCC), it proves that the product meets the standards of electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility, which can effectively avoid safety hazards such as short circuits and overheating and reduce risks. To improve product reliability.

Choose Philips, Osram, Mean Well, and other big brands for more reliability.

Related Posts：https://www.signliteled.com/customized-led-tri-proof-light-ce-certification-low-thd/

What is a constant voltage LED power supply?

A constant voltage LED power supply is a type of power source that provides a stable, fixed output voltage, typically 12V or 24V DC, to LED lighting systems. It ensures consistent voltage regardless of load variations, making it ideal for LEDs connected in parallel.

This type of supply is commonly used in applications like LED strips, signage, and decorative lighting, where maintaining uniform brightness is crucial. It is simple to install and cost-effective but requires proper voltage matching to avoid damage to the LEDs.

What is a constant current LED power supply?

A constant current LED power supply is a type of driver that delivers a fixed output current to LED lighting systems, ensuring stable and consistent brightness. Unlike constant voltage supplies, it adjusts the voltage automatically to maintain the desired current, which is crucial for LEDs’ performance and longevity. This makes it ideal for applications where precise current control is needed, such as in high-power or series-connected LED setups.

The difference between Class I and Class II power supplies

Class I power supply and Class II power supply are classified according to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard for the safety protection level of electrical appliances. The main difference is insulation protection and grounding.

Class I

Basic insulation + Ground protection: The device relies only on basic insulation to prevent electric shock but is connected to the ground wire through a metal housing (such as the ground wire in a three-pin plug).

Fault protection: When the basic insulation fails, the leakage current is directed to the ground through the ground wire to avoid electric shock to the user. Common equipment: refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven, and other large household appliances.

Class II

Double insulation or reinforced insulation: The device has two separate layers of insulation (such as internal circuit insulation + external plastic housing) without relying on ground protection.

No grounding design: Two-pin plugs are usually used (such as mobile phone chargers and desk lamps), and safety is completely dependent on the insulation structure.

What are the types of power supply and LED strip connection installation?

Hidden installation: Choose a compact power supply (such as adapter type), easy to hide in the ceiling or cabinet.

External installation: If space allows, choose an open power supply with a shell; pay attention to heat dissipation and ventilation.

Common LED power supply problems

1) Insufficient power: Too low power of the power supply will cause the LED strip light to blink or damage.

Problem solving: Calculate the total power of the LED strip light and reserve 20%-30% of the electric parking margin.

2) Voltage mismatch: too high voltage will burn the lamp bead, too low brightness is insufficient.

Problem solving: Confirm voltage (constant voltage/constant current) and current requirements.

3) Lgnore heat dissipation: The power supply should be installed in a well-ventilated location to avoid high-temperature environments.

Problem Solution: Select the protection level and heat dissipation scheme according to the environment.

4) Connection problem: the brightness of the front and back of the LED strip light is inconsistent, and the brightness is dimmed at the back.

Problem solution: the strip light connection is too long, a single low voltage strip light should not exceed 5 meters (12V) or 10 meters (24V); otherwise, it needs to be segmented power supply.

Conclusion

In short, choosing the right power source for the LED strip light can prevent the risk of overload, short circuit, or overheating. A good power supply can provide stable voltage and extend the service life of LED, minimizing electromagnetic interference and noise. Proper power matching of the LED strip light and the power supply prevents underpower (short power life) or overpower (wasted energy).