LED Strips FAQ: All you ever wanted to know about them

Yes, feeding power from both ends can help maintain consistent brightness across long strips, especially if there’s a noticeable voltage drop towards the end of the strip.

Answer: This is due to a voltage drop, which is common in longer L.E.D. strips. To counteract this, you can feed power from both ends or use a higher voltage power supply and regulate it at intervals.

By this, we refer to the practice of using voltage regulators or converters at specific points along a long LED strip to maintain consistent voltage and brightness. This is especially useful for installations where there’s a noticeable voltage drop towards the end of the strip, causing uneven brightness. This is very often the case in “hardscaping” LED lighting installations, where LED strips can be very long (e.g., strips installed along a soffet or roof line, or installed around a pool or along a stairwell).  

Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to regulate the supply of power at intervals:

1. Determine the Need:
   • First, measure the voltage at different points along the LED strip. If there’s a significant drop towards the end, you might benefit from regulating the power at intervals.
2. Choose the Right Voltage Regulator:
   • For LED strips, you’ll typically use a “buck converter” or “step-down converter.” This device takes a higher input voltage and “steps it down” to a lower, consistent output voltage.
   • Ensure the regulator’s output voltage matches the requirement for the strip (e.g., 12V or 24V) and that it can handle the current draw of the strip section it will power.
3. Installation Points:
   • Decide where along the strip you’ll place the regulators. This could be at the midpoint of a very long strip or at multiple points for exceptionally long installations.
4. Install the Regulators:
   • Cut the LED strip at the chosen points.
   • Connect the input side of the regulator to the power supply or the earlier section of the LED strip.
   • Connect the output side of the regulator to the next section of the strip.
   • Ensure all connections are secure, either by soldering or using appropriate connectors.
5. Power Up and Test:
   • Once everything is connected, power up the LED strip. The brightness should now be more consistent across its length.
6. Safety Precautions:
   • Ensure that the power supply can handle the combined current draw of the strip and the regulators.
   • Use heat sinks or proper ventilation if the regulators become too hot during operation.
   • Always turn off and unplug the power supply when making modifications to the setup.
   • Some of these steps are better left to a licensed professional electrician like All Star Electric. Not to toot our horn uselessly, but we have seen our fair share of bad LED lighting installations, just because the homeowners did not have the instruments necessary to do the job, or because they just did not know enough about electricity to carry out the task in the first place. We love the spirit of DIY, but some tasks are hazardous and can result in disappointment and waste of time and resources when not done properly.

Yes, LED strips can be powered from the middle, especially if you’re trying to maintain consistent brightness across a long strip. However, ensure you have the right connectors and power setup.

Yes, two or more strips can be connected to a single power source, but ensure the power supply can handle the combined current draw of all connected strips. 

Current draw, often simply referred to as “current,” is the amount of electrical current that a device (in this case, a strip) consumes when it’s in operation. It’s usually measured in amperes (A) or milliamperes (mA), with 1A being equal to 1000mA.

The current draw of a strip can vary based on several factors:

1. Type of LED: Different LEDs, like SMD 3528, SMD 5050, or SMD 2835, have different current requirements.
2. Density: The number of LEDs per meter or foot. A strip with more LEDs per meter will generally draw more current.
3. Color: Different colors can have different current requirements. For instance, white or blue LEDs might draw more current than red or green LEDs.
4. Brightness: Some strips allow for adjustable brightness. Higher brightness levels will draw more current.

Typically, for common strips like the SMD 5050, the current draw might be around 20mA per LED. So, if you have a strip with 60 LEDs per meter, it would draw around 1.2A per meter (60 LEDs x 20mA = 1200mA = 1.2A).

To determine the current draw of a strip, you can:

1. Check the packaging or product label: Most of the times, the manufacturer will provide specifications on the packaging or directly on the reel of the strip. Look for a current rating in amperes (A) or milliamperes (mA).
2. Refer to the product manual: If the strip came with a manual, it might contain detailed specifications, including the current draw.
3. Visit the manufacturer’s website: If you know the brand or model of the strip, the manufacturer’s website might have detailed specifications. However, sometimes, distributors do a better job at publishing relevant information than the manufacturers themselves. This is often the case of Chinese manufacturers. Their local distributors (wholesalers) usually do a more thorough job at providing the technical specifications of an electrical product because Customs and certification agencies require them.
4. Measure with a multimeter: If you have a multimeter, you can measure the current draw directly. Set the multimeter to measure current (in the appropriate range), interrupt the positive power lead to the strip, and connect the multimeter in series. Ensure the LED strip is fully powered on during this test.

For several reasons:

1. Power supply selection: The power supply must be able to provide the total current required by the strip. If you are connecting multiple strips, you need to add up the current draw of each strip and ensure the power supply can handle the combined total.
2. Safety: Overloading a power supply can lead to overheating and potential fire hazards.
3. Performance: Ensuring the strip receives the correct current will guarantee optimal brightness and longevity.

The voltage an LED strip can handle depends on its design. Common voltages are 5V, 12V, and 24V, but always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications.

The voltage range of an LED strip depends on its design. Common voltages include 5V, 12V, and 24V. Always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications.

An LED driver is a device that regulates the power to an LED or a string of LEDs. It ensures that the LED receives the correct voltage and current for optimal performance.

LED strips require a power supply that matches their voltage and current requirements. While not always “special,” it’s essential to use the correct power supply for safety and performance.

Yes, batteries can power LED strips, provided the battery can supply the required voltage and current for the operation of the strip.

The three pins typically correspond to the positive, negative, and data or control signal for RGB LED strips. Single-color strips don’t use the third pin.

Yes, LED strips often have resistors to regulate the current flowing through each LED, ensuring consistent brightness and preventing damage from excessive current.

No, the power consumption of LED strips varies based on factors like the type of LED, the number of LEDs per meter, and the voltage and current ratings of the strip. Additionally, the color(s) of a strip will impact its power usage.

The power consumption of an LED varies according (in part) to its color.

• RGB LED strips:
• The power consumption of strips that combine red, green, and blue LEDs to produce various colors can vary according to the color being displayed. For example, displaying pure blue or white (all LEDs on) will typically consume more power than displaying pure red.
• Typical current draw by color:
• Red LEDs: These often have the lowest forward voltage, typically around 1.8 to 2.2 volts. As a result, they might consume less power than other colors when driven at the same current.
• Green LEDs: These usually have a forward voltage in the range of 2.8 to 3.4 volts.
• Blue and White LEDs: Both blue and white LEDs (white LEDs are often blue LEDs with a phosphor coating) typically have the highest forward voltage, often between 3.0 to 3.4 volts. Consequently, they might draw more power than red or green LEDs under the same conditions.
• Different materials and bandgaps impact power consumption :
• LEDs produce light by passing current through a semiconductor material. Different materials have different bandgaps, which determine the color (wavelength) of the emitted light. These materials can have varying levels of efficiency and voltage requirements.
• Brightness vs. power consumption:
• While the forward voltage is a factor, the perceived brightness is another consideration. To achieve a balanced brightness across different colors, some LEDs might be driven at a higher current, increasing their power consumption. For instance, a blue LED might be inherently brighter than a red one at the same current, so the red might be driven harder to match brightness levels, affecting its power consumption.
• Practical implications: When planning an LED installation, especially if you are concerned by power consumption, consider the colors that will be displayed most frequently. For instance, if you use an RGB strip that displays mostly white light (all 3 colors “on”), the power consumption will be higher than if you display just one color.

Generally, red LEDs consume less power compared to green or blue LEDs. However, actual power consumption can vary based on the design and manufacturer.

A 12V LED strip might operate at 9V, but it will be dimmer than its intended brightness. Some strips might not light up at all if the voltage is too low.