How to Choose the Right LED Light Power Supply
LED lights are making their way into so many households and commercial spaces all over the world. After all, their versatility and durability have been proven useful in a variety of spaces at home and at the office. So, you might be thinking about doing the same at your own place. Perhaps you want to experiment with LED strip lights or maybe you are retrofitting existing fixtures. Know that trying LED lights can bring out a whole new side to any space. But before you jump the gun and purchase your new lights, make sure to pick a compatible LED light power supply.
Why do you need a power supply?
A power supply’s main function is to make sure that electronics are powered with the right amount of electrical current. Incompatible voltage can cause your devices to become prematurely damaged. It can even lead to the devices functioning on a lower level than they are supposed to.
Standards for voltage compatibility vary from one country to the other. But here in Australia, devices need something to convert 120 volts of alternating current (AC) into a lower voltage of direct current (DC). It does not matter if you are connecting your phone, laptop, coffee maker, or in this case, LED strip lights. Having it supported by a power supply is a must. Otherwise, you’ll run the risk of damaging your devices, or worse, setting your devices on fire.
There are several things that you should consider when buying an LED light power supply like the wattage and output voltage compatibility. To guide you, here are some questions you must keep in mind when you are on the lookout for a good power supply:
How many watts will your LED light consume?
Are you going to run more than one light fixture from a single power supply? If so, give a cushion of at least 20% over the total wattage requirement for all your LEDs to make sure that your power supply is large enough to support all of them. To get an estimate, multiply your total wattage by 1.2 and look for a power supply that has been rated with the same wattage.
Is the output voltage compatible with the LED voltage?
Whenever you are getting a new LED fixture, it is essential that you check if the output voltage is compatible with the LED’s voltage or not. Some LED products come with current regulators that specify what input voltage should be used. Others do not come with this built-in feature. In that case, you can always ask the sales representative which power supply is best for their LED product.
Are you interested in dimmable LED power supplies?
You might need a special kind of power supply for dimmable LED lights. If you are going for the dimmable option, get a power supply that has dimming capabilities, too. Standard power supplies might not be able to support dimmable LEDs at all, so be sure to verify this first before making the purchase. You can easily identify this by referencing the power supply’s specifications sheet that typically accompanies every unit. There are two dimming control types, PWM Dimming and TRIAC Dimming. Here’s what you need to know about each of them:
TRIAC Dimming
LEDs can also be dimmed with standard dimmers through TRIAC Dimming. TRIAC dimmers work by deliberately fluctuating the power on the AC side of the circuit. This power fluctuation will also vary the voltage on the DC output, thus creating a change in brightness. Not all power supply can qualify for this type of dimming, however, so make sure to check the specification sheet before you check out.
Other things to consider:
Efficiency
A power supply’s efficiency refers to the amount of power that goes toward making your LED fixtures light up. The higher the efficiency, the more energy you will save. In terms of LED lighting, choose a power supply that has an efficiency of at least 80% or higher. Anything below that would only lead to your energy bills racking up a lot higher than normal.
Size
Where are you going to install your LED fixtures? Power supplies come in many shapes and forms, so be sure to consider where you are putting them or you might end up with a big chunky eyesore on your walls. Power supplies can be mounted to keep them organised, but some can also be easily tucked away.
For More Tips, Trust Only Oz LED Lighting
Choosing an LED light power supply can be confusing. Fortunately, Oz LED Lighting is here to guide you in finding the right power supply for your LED lights. For more lighting-related tips, feel free to contact us.
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