HOW TO SELECT APPROPRIATE TRANSFORMER FOR 12V LED STRIPS

Step 1:  Calculate the power consumption of the strip you want

–We can calculate each strip’s power by knowing the LED Type and its rated power for each LED. The formula to calculate is Power Consumption = Wattage of each LED*LED QTY of strip Length.    

For example, for 100cm long SMD3528, 150LED/roll model, it’s 30LED per 100cm, so its power consumption is 30*0.08= 2.4Watt.

NOTE: This method the data get is rated power consumption.

In real, once the strip be made into a long run, there is voltage drop, which will cause the lost of the power.

The long the strip, the less real power it produce. A 5meter long strip compare to a 1meter strip, same model, the real power will be 40%-50% less.

The shorter the strip, the real power will much closer to its rated.

And again, some maker will use different resistors to adjust the strip output wattage. For example, if the LED component rated is 60mA, to get better lifespan, will use a big resistor, the current of LED will be used less than rated.

A:  Single Chip SMD3528    0.08watt / LED   

Note: Now the SMD3528 is replaced by the name SMD2835, 0.1W. 

The strip made with this 3528 LED, the models we sell online have:

B:  Single Chip SMD2835    0.2watt / LED   

The strip made with this LED, the models we sell online have:

B:  Side viewing SMD335    0.08watt / LED         

The strip made with this 335 LED, the models we sell online have:

C:  Top viewing SMD5050    0.24watt / LED         

The strip made with this 5050 LED, the models we sell online have:

Step 2: Choose the appropriate type transformer

          A:    Non-waterproof transformer, DC12V,  from 1AMP(12watt) to 8AMP(96watt)

         B:  Non-waterproof Heavy Duty Industrial Series Adapter,  DC12V, from 8.5AMP(102watt) to 30AMP (360watt)
 

         C: Waterproof LED transformer,  DC12V, from 2.5AMP(30watt) to 8.3AMP(100watt)

Step 3: Select the right AMP

         A: if you ordered 1 reel SMD3528 with 300 LEDs (24 watt), and need a waterproof power supply, then check the Waterproof LED transformer, and choose 2.5AMP(30watt)

        B:  if you ordered 2 reel SMD5050 with 300LEDs  (total 0.24*600 = 144 watt) and just want one transformer to run, then can can choose the non-waterproof heavy duty adapter, and choose  15AMP (180 watt)

PS: The AMPs or Wattage of the power supply must higher than the actural power consumption,  e.g. for one reel SMD3528 led strip with 300 leds, the power consumption is 24watt, but we recommend you choose DC12V  3AMP  36watt power supply for it.

If you have any problem, please contact us!