Lighting devices offered by the manufacturer on the Russian market are quite diverse. They can differ both in appearance and in the type of emitters installed in them. Today, the most popular devices on LED-elements. However, the problem is that not all of them are able to work without additional equipment. Today we will talk about power supplies for LED strips. You should understand what types of similar devices are found, what they serve for and how to choose them.
What is a PSU for LED strip
A similar device is used to lower the mains voltage and stabilize the current. In fact, the LED strip power supply is a transformer equipped with a rectifier and clad in a protective case, which can be either simple, without moisture protection, or sealed. In addition to the listed elements, power supplies are equipped with capacitors that serve to protect against failures and absorb various interference. The larger its capacity, the better for the LED strip.
An individual power supply is selected according to the parameters directly for the already purchased LED-strip or simultaneously with it in the presence of calculations made in advance. Many believe that buying such a device is a completely unjustified waste of financial resources, and they make a power supply unit for the LED strip with their own hands. It is not difficult to do this, in its quality a PSU from an old computer can act. The main thing is that all the necessary characteristics come up.
Types of power supplies for output voltage
To organize the lighting of apartments and private houses, 3 types of PSU are used.
- 12 V output voltage is the most common device that can be found almost everywhere. Therefore, in the event of failure of such a unit, it will not be possible to replace it.
- 24 V - such devices, although they are found, are much less common. Due to the not very high demand in stores such blocks are usually limited in number. If you need to purchase, there is no guarantee that such a power supply can be quickly found, especially in small cities.
- 36 V is a relatively new equipment. Today, the demand for such LED strip power supplies is minimal. This makes one doubt that such PSUs will remain in the market.
Connecting a stabilizing device
The question of how to connect the LED strip to the power supply is quite simple, but it has some nuances. The terminals for connection are indicated on the PSU case - it will be very difficult to make a mistake here. But in the length of the bands and switching methods, many are often confused.
The LED strip, to which power is supplied, should not be longer than 5 m. Otherwise, the conductive paths may not withstand the load and burn out. If longer strip lengths are required, a second span can be added. But the connection is necessarily done in parallel. With a serial one, the same thing happens as the installation of a whole segment of 10 m, and this is unacceptable.
Today, in stores you can find coils of LED strips of 50 and 100 m. This LED strip is connected without a power supply and is designed for large areas. Most often, she is dressed in a silicone sleeve for protection against atmospheric precipitation and is quite successfully used in the design of streets, shop windows and other objects. From the next video you can find out more about such a strip.
UPS selection criteria for LED strip
Before buying a power supply, you must carefully calculate the load consumed by all the LEDs that you plan to connect to it. Having added the power of all segments of tapes, you need to add 15-20%. If there are no UPSs with exactly these parameters on sale, they are rounded up. Do not buy a power supply LED strip with characteristics that greatly exceed the necessary. This will only lead to unnecessary costs.
The installation site of the UPS plays an important role. If you plan to highlight the ceiling, walls or furniture in the bedroom, hallway, living room, then you can buy a power supply in an unprotected case. But for the bathroom, bath and even the kitchen will have to purchase a device with protection against moisture. A conventional PSU in this case will not only not last long, but may even be dangerous. You also need to pay attention to the output voltage: if the tape is designed for 12 V, then the 24 V power supply will simply burn it.
What else you should know about LED strips and power supplies
Such equipment may differ in functionality. More expensive LED strip power supplies are equipped with built-in dimming devices. In this case, a light intensity control system is installed in place of the standard switch. There are options with remote control, which is much more convenient. At the same time, communication can be carried out both via infrared and radio channels.
In terms of compactness, such devices also differ. The size of the power supply will depend on its power. Therefore, if you plan a large number of segments of the LED strip, you should not expect that the UPS will be miniature.
Street LED strips and their use
Not a single city tree can do without such illumination now. But duralight (220V LED strip without power supply) is used not only for the holidays. Illumination of billboards, shop windows, inscriptions from running lights - just not to list.
Such LED strips are designed for use in rain and snow, as noted in numerous reviews. They are connected directly to the network, but for this there is a diode bridge at the input. The fact that such a connection is convenient does not raise doubts among users, but this is precisely the main problem (paradoxically). The diode bridge is not able to provide protection against power surges, which can lead to the failure of LED elements.
Reviews
Judging by the reviews, many home masters appreciated the convenience and practicality of mounting the backlight with an LED strip. The main thing here is not to make a mistake in choosing an individual power supply, but only accurate calculations can help. But do not discount the manufacturing company - Chinese goods are unlikely to please the owner for a long time with uninterrupted operation. It’s better to pay a higher price for a time-tested brand than to change cheap power supplies every 2-3 months.