How to choose a power supply for your LED strip project

LED strips are not as simple as traditional incandescent light bulbs when it comes to installation and set up. Because the strip lights utilize energy efficient, and low-heat 12 volt Direct Current (DC) power, which is unfortunately not what most homes are wired with. That means you'll need to use LED power supply if you want to use LED strip lights, all equipment that provides electrical energy to the light strip is collectively referred to as an LED power supply, some people also call it an LED driver because it drives the led strip to work.

So choosing a correct power supply is very important. The appropriate power supply can not only provide stable voltage and current, but also ensure the normal operation of the light strip and extend its life. When choosing a power supply suitable for the light strip, the following points need to be considered:

The first step is to figure out what the voltage of the LED strip is. The majority of LED strips available on the market run at 12V DC. Others are primarily at 24V DC. Power supply device converts 120V/240V AC (depending on your location) into the voltage signal that LED strips can use, like 12V or 24V. The output voltage of the led driver is generally 12VDC or 24VDC. So when choosing a power adapter, you must ensure that its output voltage fully matches the requirements of the light strip.

Next, how much power do the led light strips use? You can check the product label, it should indicate the total watts per foot. The power of the light strip depends on its length and the number of lamp beads installed. The wattage of the led driver should be greater than the light strip’s, it is better to leave 20% power space to prevent the power supply from overheating and reducing the service life. For example, a 12V led strip light requires 60W, you should purchase a 72W power supply. This is called the rule 80%.

Then, the quality and safety certification of the power supply. It is very important to choose a power adapter that is of reliable quality and meets safety standards. High-quality adapters usually have functions such as overcurrent protection, overheating protection, and short-circuit protection to ensure the safe operation of the light strip system. In addition, choosing an adapter that has passed authoritative certification, such as CE, UL, etc., can provide additional assurance.

KELIC was established more than 20 years ago, specializing in the development and production of AC/DC Power Adapter, Battery Charger and Industrial Power Supply. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has helped us build a  good reputation in the international market.