Choosing a power supply unit for LED strip

Selecting the appropriate power supply unit for your LED strip is essential to guaranteeing maximum efficiency and durability. Because of their energy efficiency and adaptability, LED strips are a popular option for adding ambient lighting to homes, offices, and various other spaces. But in order to maximize the performance of your LED strip, you must use it in conjunction with an appropriate power supply.

There are a number of considerations to make when choosing a power supply unit, including voltage, wattage, and current rating. It’s critical to ensure that the specifications of your power supply and LED strip match in order to prevent any potential problems, such as flickering, dimming, or even damage to the LEDs. Knowing these details will enable you to choose wisely and guarantee the safe and effective operation of your LED strip.

Take into account the installation location as well as how the LED strip will be used. For example, a power supply unit with the proper waterproof rating is required if you’re installing the strip outdoors or in a damp area. Similarly, to have more control over the lighting output, choose an LED strip with a dimmable power supply if the task calling for it involves changing colors or brightness levels.

Features of LED strips

LED strips are made of flexible, insulating material and come with resistors, LEDs, and two conductive copper foil bars.

An LED-equipped flexible strip up to five meters long produces a brilliant light source.

The LED strip is constructed as a series of segments that are linked to a common circuit and comprise three diodes and a resistor. A stabilized DC voltage of 12 or 24 V is applied to the conductive rails that are arranged in parallel on the strip to power the device. Each segment of the tape receives precisely the same voltage—12 V, for example—that was applied to the input because of this connection scheme.

An LED strip is made up of three diode sections that are connected in parallel to the power source.

It is very convenient to break the tape into sections because this allows you to cut the exact amount of material needed for a given task. But the integrity of the section should be preserved by chopping, say, 3, 6, 9, etc. д. LEDs so as not to jeopardize functionality.

An LED strip with three or more LEDs can be broken into pieces.

If the wires are properly connected to the power buses on the section or cut off the tape will begin to receive voltage, which will cause the passage of current through the LEDs. Due to the peculiarities of its design, under the influence of current, LEDs will begin to emit a light flux (glow). It is worth noting that the level of luminescence directly depends on the amount of current. If the current is too low, the diode will emit a dim glow or no glow at all, and if the current is too high, it will quickly deteriorate and burn out. Basically, the average current value for the diodes used in LED strips is from 15 to 20 milliamperes (mA).

Classification of LED strips

A large range of single-color LED strips led to their categorization based on multiple fundamental standards. We’ll go over these requirements below.

By type of LEDs used

The kind of diodes used in the product’s construction is what sets LED strips apart from one another. SMD 3528 and SMD 5050 diodes are the main components used in the production of single-color LED strips.

This electronic component is intended to be mounted on the surface of a printed circuit board, as indicated by the acronym SMD. The product’s measurements in millimeters are also included in the full marking; for instance, the SMD 3528 LED is 3.5 mm long and 2.8 mm wide.

By the density of LEDs

The density, or number of elements (diodes) used in one meter of tape, is another way that LED strips are divided. It should be mentioned that the quantity of LEDs used to create a single meter of tape has an impact on both the product’s overall power and light performance (level of illumination).

More LEDs can fit on a piece of tape if they are spaced more densely, which will make the light brighter.

By capacity

Like any other radio equipment or product, the power output of LED strips is expressed in watts (W). The dimensions and density of the diodes dictate the value of this parameter. As an illustration, a standard LED strip built using SMD 3528 consumes:

• 4.8 W if 60 diodes are installed on each meter;
• 9.6 W, if the density of LEDs twice as much – 120 diodes per meter;
• 19.2 W, if the diodes are in two rows, and their total number on one meter 240 pcs.

The power consumption of tape based on SMD 5050 will differ in the following ways:

• 30 diodes/meter – 7.2 W;
• 60 diodes/meter – 14.4 W;
• 120 diodes/meter – 28.8 watts.

It is simple to observe that power consumption for the same kind of tape is directly correlated with the quantity of installed LEDs. This makes sense because the power consumption of each diode is the same.

Choosing a power source for LED strip

The power supply needs to be chosen carefully if you want to enjoy unique and pleasant lighting. This is a crucial step because a poor decision could cause the LEDs to burn out and cause the product to malfunction.

Factors affecting the choice of power supply for LED strips

The following factors should be taken into consideration when selecting a power source (unit) for LED strips:

1. Ribbon supply voltage.
2. Its power consumption.
3. Necessary degree of protection of the equipment from the effects of moisture.

Consider an SMD 3528 LED strip measuring six meters in length (60 diodes per meter) as an example.

Supply voltage of the LED strip

As was already mentioned, there are two types of LED strips: those that run on 12 V and those that run on 24 V. Naturally, the source’s output voltage ought to match one of the two values. To ascertain the voltage supply to the LED strip, therefore:

1. We open its technical specifications and look for the parameter of interest.
2. We see that the tape is powered by a voltage of 12 V.

Choose the power supply unit in line with the voltage value that was discovered.

Power consumed by LED strip

Once more, consult the LED strip’s technical specifications to determine the power supply capacity. This time, we are more concerned with the product’s power usage per meter (Ptape=4.8 W/m).

1. According to the condition it is necessary to provide power to the LED strip with a length of 6 meters, and therefore in order to find the total power consumed by the strip (P_potr), Let"s use the following formula: P_consumption= P_ribbons × L = 4.8 W/m × 6 m = 28.8 W.
2. It is worth noting that the power supply in this parameter should be selected with a reserve (about 30-33%). Therefore, we will need a 12 V DC source with a power of 28.8 x 1.33 = 38.3 ≈ 40 W.

Protection against moisture

When choosing a power source, this is yet another crucial element to take into account. Prior to making a decision based on this criterion, you need to choose where it will be installed. If LED lighting is to be installed in the bathroom, a power supply unit with moisture-proof characteristics (IP 65 or IP 68) must be selected. A bedroom or living room, which are typical examples of dry-type living spaces, can be equipped with a basic interior source.

To ensure 100% accuracy in the source selection process, it is imperative to choose the right type, taking into account its pros and cons, in addition to the previously mentioned factors.

Types of power supplies

There are four kinds of LED strip power supplies available right now.

Table: advantages and disadvantages of different types of power sources

1. Compactness (small size).
2. Stylish design.
3. Airtightness.

1. Expensiveness.
2. Limited power output (mostly up to 100 W).
3. Difficult heat exchange.

1. Airtightness and durability.
2. Simple and good heat exchange.
3. Resistance to weather changes.

1. The highest cost of all types of sources.
2. Large size and weight.

1. Large selection of models in terms of power output.
2. Low price.
3. Simple installation.

1. Extra-large dimensions, which are twice as large as the options discussed above.
2. No protection against moisture.
3. Unattractive appearance.

1. Does not require stationary installation (mounting on a table or wall).
2. Simplicity of operation.
3. Relatively low cost.

1. Low power (less than 60 W).
2. Bulkiness of the device to be plugged into an electrical outlet.
3. Limited cable length.

Manufacturers of power supplies for LED strips

The most well-known and in-demand producers of LED strip power supplies are:

1. Cool Neon. Produces an extensive range of LED transformers that can be used for a variety of purposes and applications. The company"s products are equipped with built-in protective devices and can be used at temperatures from -25 to +45 ° C. The average service life – more than 25 thousand. hours.

The Cool Neon product line consists of sealed models that can function at low ambient temperatures as well as open power supply units.

• Lightech. Produces power supplies that provide high stability of LED products, including ribbons used at temperatures from -30 to +50 °C. The company"s products are mainly designed to operate for 50k hours. hours and more. Features of these models include:
• Wide input voltage range.
• Resistance to mechanical shocks and vibrations.
• Protection against housing overheating.
• Resistant to impulse disturbances in the network.
• Built-in protection against short circuit.

Lightech manufactures plastic-encased hermetically sealed power supplies with excellent output parameter stability.

1. Compact size.
2. IP 68 protection.
3. High quality of assembly, which is produced exclusively at the manufacturing plant in South Korea.
4. Optimal price-quality ratio.

Compact and reasonably priced, UnionElecom hermetically sealed power supplies have an aluminum housing that offers the maximum level of moisture protection (IP68).

Choosing the right power supply unit for your LED strip is crucial for both performance and safety. When selecting a power supply, consider the voltage and current requirements of your LED strip to ensure compatibility. It"s important to match the power supply"s output voltage to the LED strip"s voltage rating. Additionally, calculate the total wattage needed for your LED strip to ensure the power supply can handle the load. Safety should always be a priority, so opt for power supplies with built-in protections like over-voltage and short-circuit protection. Lastly, consider the form factor and installation requirements to ensure the power supply fits seamlessly into your setup. Taking these factors into account will help you choose a power supply unit that"s efficient, reliable, and safe for your LED strip lighting project.

Transformer power calculation

The number of diodes at the same distance, the output voltage (12/24 V), and the linear power consumed per meter of tape (Ptape) are the primary factors used to determine the power of the power supply.

We have previously discussed power calculation using an SMD 3528 LED strip with a supply voltage of 12 V and a length of L = 6 m (60 diodes per m and Pribbons = 4.8 W/m). The computations revealed that the total amount of tape used is Ppotr = 28.8 W. To ensure clarity, let us repeat the previous computation once more:

1. P_sweat= P_tapes × L= 4.8 W/m × 6 m = 28.8 W.
2. In order to ensure that the power supply does not overheat, it is necessary to calculate the power with a reserve (a reserve of 33% is taken). Let"s use the formula: P_BP= P_sweat+33%=28,8+9,54=38,3 W.
3. Based on the calculation, we select a power supply unit from the standard line of the manufacturer of interest, for example, 40W.

Calculating the power for SMD 5050 120 LED (120 diodes per meter) LED strips using comparable formulas. The specifications of this product are as follows: Pband = 28.8 W; density = 120 diodes/m; supply voltage = 24 V; length of tape L = 2.5 m (assumed to be the portion that is removed from the standard 5 m length).

1. P_potr= P_tapes × L = 28.8 W/m × 2.5 m = 70.2 W.
2. P_PSU= P_sweat+33%=70,2+23,16=93,4 W.
3. In this case, choose a 100W power supply unit.

It is important to note that you can quickly and simply determine the power supply capacity for LED strips with any set of parameters by using these formulas.

Selecting the appropriate power supply unit for your LED strip is essential to guaranteeing both its longevity and optimal performance. It’s important to select a power source that meets the unique needs of your LED strip rather than just picking any old one.

Above all, take into account the power needs of your LED strip. Verify the voltage and current ratings that the manufacturer has provided. These ratings will help you choose a power supply that can supply the required amount of power without overstuffing the LED strip.

Additionally, consider how dependable and high-quality the power supply unit is. Although purchasing a high-quality unit may initially cost a little more, you can avoid future problems and replacements by making this investment. Go for products from reliable manufacturers that have received positive reviews and ratings.

Finally, think about the safety and installation factors. Make sure that the power supply unit complies with local electrical codes and standards. To further protect your LED strip and house, choose units with safety features like short-circuit and over-voltage protection.

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