Ways to Connect LED Strip Lights to a Power Supply

When first encountering LED strip lights and expecting them to function properly, a key step is to identify how to provide the appropriate power input for the LED strip to illuminate properly. Because LED strip lights and LED power supplies are purchased from different sources, there are differences in how they are set up. This article will detail the most common setup methods.

For more on LED strip light connections, please read the following related blogs:

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Checking the Electrical Compatibility of LED Strip and Power Supply

Most LED şerit ışıklar use low voltage DC; the common DC voltages are DC12V and DC24V. For example, small LED strips in home decoration scenes usually use DC12V, while some large LED strips used for commercial displays may use DC24V.

1. Check the voltage match: First of all, you need to check whether the rated voltage of the power supply matches the voltage of the LED strip light. If the LED power supply voltage is too low, it will lead to reduced brightness or even no light output of the LED strip.

There are practical tests showing that when the LED strip rated voltage is 12V but access to a 9V power supply, the brightness will be reduced by about 30%, and the power supply voltage is too high, which will cause the LED to burn. Once the voltage exceeds the rated voltage by 20%, the LED will have a great risk of burning.

2. Check the power supply capacity: Secondly, make sure that the GÜÇ KAYNAĞI capacity can meet the requirements of the length of the LED strip used. This can be calculated by consulting the LED strip light specification sheet, which usually lists the current or power consumption for each length.

To a common power per meter for a 10W LED strip light, for example, if you want to connect the 5-meter-long strip, the total power is 50W; according to the formula P = UI (power = voltage × current), at 12V voltage, the current required is about 4.2A, and then you need to select the output current greater than 4.2A of the power supply.

When these two conditions are met, from the electrical point of view, they can be put into use.

Guide to Connect Power Supply to LED Strip Light

After determining the electrical compatibility between the LED strip light and the power supply, you also need to consider the physical compatibility between the power supply and the LED strip in terms of connectors and plugs. Due to the variety of connection types between LED strip lights and power supplies, this can be confusing. To help with understanding, the following diagrams have been organized to guide the connection of LED strips to power supplies.

How to Understand the Above Connection Guide Diagram

First, determine the type of connection used on the “power supply side”; then, determine the type of connection used on the “LED strip side.”.

The common connection types on the power supply side are not only DC male plugs and open wires, but also some special customized interfaces, such as some high-end intelligent power supplies equipped with multifunctional interfaces with data transmission functions, which not only can transmit power but also can realize the control of LED strip light brightness, color, and other parameters.

On the LED strip side, in addition to the above-mentioned open wires and DC sockets, there are also some integrated molding quick-connect interfaces, which are more convenient and quicker to install but relatively less versatile.

Subsequently, find the connection method that applies to your own setup. For example, if the power supply is on a “open wire” and the LED strip is on a “DC plug,” refer to the third box in the diagram.

Determining the DC Output Connector of the Power Supply

First, check the type of connector on the DC output of the power supply. The most common connector is the DC male plug, which is more prevalent in the market and adapts to most conventional LED strip lights.

In other cases, such as Meanwell power supplies, there may be no plug, just two wires labeled red and black. The red wire generally represents the positive terminal, and the black wire represents the negative terminal, and special care needs to be taken when connecting them so that the polarity is not reversed.

Both types of power supplies can be used with LED strip lights but are connected differently, so it is important to be clear about this before using them.

Check the Type of Connection on the LED Strip Light

Almost all LED strip lights have pads labeled “+” and “-” where the electrical input will eventually be routed. Depending on the situation, three different scenarios can occur.

In the first scenario, if you cut open any section of the LED strip reel, you will find semi-circular pads at the end of each section. These pads are the basis of the electrical connection, and you need to make sure that the wires make good contact with the pads when making the connection.

If you are purchasing a whole roll of LED strip light, the LED strip light manufacturer has installed a number of wires at each end of the strip. These wires can either be bare open wires or DC sockets. If you cut the LED strip into shorter segments, you will end up with at least one segment that falls into the first scenario.

There are some basic electronic principles to keep in mind: the ultimate goal is to connect the positive (usually red) wire from the DC output of the power supply to the “+” copper pad and the negative or ground (usually black or white) wire from the DC output of the power supply to the “-” copper pad. If the wires are reversed, not only will the LED strip not work properly, but the power supply or strip may be damaged.

Converting Pads to Wires

To cut LED strip lights into shorter lengths, there will be no wires on the copper soldering pads. Many tutorials and instructional videos will recommend soldering wires to these copper pads to make an electrical connection.

However, soldering is not for everyone and can be a tedious process that requires tools such as soldering irons, soldering wires, flux, and some practice to master. Soldering can also damage the LED strip if the temperature is not controlled properly.

Instead, lehimsiz konnektörler are recommended. These connectors clip onto the ends of the LED strip light to make safe contact between the wires and the copper soldering disk. For example, spring-loaded solderless connectors, which are commonly available on the market, ensure a stable connection by clamping the copper pads tightly with an internal spring structure.

As a result, the copper pads at the end of the LED strip can be converted into wires in just a few seconds. Most importantly, the LED strip can be released and removed from the connector by simply unlatching it.

Should LED Strip Lights be Connected in Parallel or in Series?

To connect more than one LED strip light to the same power supply, you may find it useful to connect the first strip “in series” to the second strip, or to connect the two strips independently to the same power supply, i.e., “in parallel.”.

Generally speaking, series connection is easier to operate, requiring only that the light strips be connected first and last in sequence. However, when connected in series, the current passes through each strip in turn, which can cause some voltage drop problems.

For example, when the series connection of three 1-meter LED strips, each with a resistance of 1 ohm, is used, the current is 1A. According to Ohm’s law (U = IR, voltage = current × resistance), the first strip will produce a 1V voltage drop. With the number of strips increased, the voltage drop will gradually accumulate, resulting in the brightness of the back of the strip being significantly reduced.

Parallel connection, each LED strip voltage is equal to ensure that the brightness of each strip is the same, but it requires more wires and connections, the cost is relatively high, and the installation is relatively complex.

In Summary

Connecting LED strip lights to the power supply is both simple and complex. Whether it’s a careful check of electrical compatibility up front, an accurate determination of the type of physical interface during the connection process, the proper choice of connection method, or the appropriate use of fittings, each step is critical.

If you encounter any problems in actual operation, please feel free to contact us; our professional team will provide you with full support and assistance to help you give full play to the function of the LED şerit ışık to create the ideal lighting effect.