Power supplies

Power supplies

It is best to choose power supply after you have decided on the LED device. To buy power supplies for the LED strip, you need, first of all, to know its characteristics, and secondly, clearly understand where you will install it. Power supplies are used to stabilize the voltage of LED devices such as strips, modules and lamps. If you buy high-power LEDs or similar in characteristics to the lamps or spotlights, you will need a driver.

Types of power supplies

Increasingly, there is now a preference for switching power supplies rather than transformer power supplies. It is believed that the advantages of transformer power supplies are not so significant to outweigh the qualities of switching power supplies, such as lightness and small size. The problems with both switching and transformer power supplies are often the same: both types are sensitive to overloads, but the switching type, in addition, can also fail during no-load operation.

Power supply housings and degree of protection

Power supplies in unsealed open housings are made of perforated metal or plastic, they cannot protect the power supply from moisture. Such blocks are used exclusively on the premises, they connect LED strips, modules and RGB controllers. The minimum power of this type is 6 W, and the maximum is 360 W.

IP66 and IP67 degree of protection means that the power supply is in a sealed housing, it is protected from both moisture and dust. Such units are the most universal and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Housing material is mostly either plastic or aluminum (for high power units). The power is from 1W up to 1000W.

IP54 degree is said to be a rain protection, so denotes the type of semi-hermetic enclosures. Their metal walls are designed for almost any weather conditions. Such power supplies are used exclusively outdoors. Their power limits are from 60W to 360W.

Calculation of necessary power

The formula is very simple. You need to multiply such indicators as the rated power of one meter of tape, the length of the mounted tape and the reserve factor of 1.15. Do not even try to buy power supplies with less power from the result, even if the difference seems insignificant!

Service life of LEDs and power supplies

If the operating warranty on LEDs covers 50,000 hours of operation, it is logical that their power supplies should also comply with these terms. Although it would be more correct to say otherwise. It is the functionality of the power supply actually determines the life of the entire lighting LED-device, responsible for the stability of its operation, preventing possible surges and sudden degradation of the voltage changes.

As a tip you can remember the fact that the most important - it is to determine exactly how many LEDs are better to connect to the power supply. The slightest mistake - and the slightest overload in a week will put your power supply out of operation. To avoid this happening, you should always reserve an extra twenty percent on normal operating conditions.

Remember, an LED power supply must not only be electromagnetically compatible, energy efficient, electrically safe, but also reliable!

Автор: LEDProm