How to Calculate the Power Supply for an LED Strip?

ByAsia

Why is choosing the right LED power supply so important?

The power supply is the heart of your LED installation. Its parameters determine:

  • the stability of illumination,
  • the lifespan of the LED strip,
  • the safety of the entire system.

An inappropriate power supply can cause flickering, voltage drops, or even damage the LED strip. That’s why correctly calculating the power requirement is so important.

Step 1: Check the Voltage of Your LED Strip

Start by determining the voltage of your LED strip. The most common options are:

  • 5V
  • 12V
  • 24V
  • 48V

⚡ The power supply must always have the same voltage as the LED strip – for example: 24V LED strip → 24V power supply.

Step 2: Calculate the Power Consumption of the LED Strip

Each LED strip has a specific power consumption in watts per meter (W/m).

Example:

  • 12V LED strip consumes 4.8 W/m
  • Installation length: 5 meters

👉 Total power consumption:
4.8 W/m × 5 m = 24 W

Step 3: Add a Power Reserve (at least 20–30%)

A power supply should not operate at 100% of its rated capacity, as this shortens its lifespan.
It’s recommended to add a minimum 20–30% power reserve.

Each power supply has its own efficiency rating.

For example, a 100W power supply should operate at a maximum load of 70–80%.

Step 4: Choose the Right Type of Power Supply

EKO-LED offers various types of switching power supplies, depending on your installation:

  • Hermetically sealed (IP65/IP67): for outdoor and humid environments.
  • Modular / furniture-type: for built-in indoor applications.
  • Desktop or plug-in: for simple, mobile, or portable uses.

Example Calculation for a 24V LED Strip

  • LED strip 140 LED: 24V, power consumption: 9.6 W/m
  • Length: 10 m
  • Total consumption: 9.6 × 10 = 96 W
  • Add 20% reserve: 96 + 19.2 ≈ 115 W

👉 You’ll need a 24V, 120W power supply.

Most common mistakes when choosing an LED power supply

❌ Power supply with too low wattage – overheating and failure.
❌ No power reserve – reduced lifespan.
❌ Incorrect voltage – LED strip damage.
❌ Low-quality power supply – risk of flickering and electrical noise.

Summary

AbTo correctly choose a power supply for your LED strip:

  1. Check the LED strip voltage (12V/24V).
  2. Multiply the power per meter by the total length of the installation.
  3. Add a 20–30% power reserve.
  4. Choose the right power supply type for the installation location.

👉 Following these steps will ensure your LED installation operates smoothly, safely, and for years to come.

👉 Did You Know?:

Upon request, we can equip any LED strip with:

  • constant-current LED power supplies,
  • dimmable LED power supplies,
  • DALI interface drivers,
  • or CCT color temperature control options.