How to Make a Variable Power Supply Using Any Adapter
How to choose the right food?
LED power supplies transform the 230V AC mains current into 12V or 24V DC in order to be able to connect a LED ribbon or an LED light. They are often mistakenly called a transformer, but they are actually switching power supplies.
Be sure to only use special regulated LED power supplies whose output voltage is better regulated than for standard power supplies because the strips are quite sensitive to voltage variations.
Depending on the LED ribbon model, it can operate at 12 or 24V. It is essential to use a power supply whose voltage is equal to that of the LED ribbon. A 12V ribbon connected to 24V will illuminate twice as much, but will deteriorate quickly. A 24V ribbon connected to 12V will not light up.
Some models are called "safe extra low voltage": SELV or SELV. The following logos are represented on the power supply:
These models are designed to ensure that in the event of a power supply failure, the high voltage will never be sent to the output. They are recommended for use with LED strips, or in a humid environment.
Some LED ribbons operate without a transformer, directly at 230V, with a small voltage rectifier as a "power supply". As they are not really about food, these models will not be treated here.
Choosing the type of transformer protection
You must choose your LED power supply according to the type of connection and use, indoors or outdoors:
For outdoors or where condensation may occur: a waterproof LED power supply
Some indoor models made of perforated sheet metal should be used with caution because they are normally made to be installed in closed boxes or cabinets. Do not install these models in places where a person could touch the power supply.
Choose the type of power supply
There are two families of LED power supplies:
constant current models: used for connecting LED ribbons where the LEDs are connected in series with a small resistor,
constant voltage models: used for spotlights where the LED is directly connected to the power supply.
The transformers usually sold are of the constant voltage type. Constant current transformers are generally used for complete luminaires supplied with their power supply.
Non-variable power supplies
This is almost the majority of power supplies that you can find. It is not possible to connect them to a dimmer switch. However, you can use a 12V or 24V dimmer, connected to the output of the power supply.
Variable power supplies
The most classic can be connected to a standard TRIAC-type wall dimmer, which you can easily find on the market. It is therefore sufficient to connect a ribbon to it in order to vary its luminosity. They are called variable or dimmable.
Special variable power supplies
These models use a special input for dimming: either with a 0-10V signal, or in DALI protocol or in DMX. There are also power supplies that allow direct connection of a push button.
Choose power supply
Even if there is no technical problem in using a power supply that is too powerful, for the LED strip connected to it, it is better to optimize the choice of power supply power. A 30 watt power supply connected to a 15 watt ribbon will only consume 15 watts, but it will be more expensive to purchase.
On the contrary, a slightly undersized power supply will heat up more, and its lifespan will be limited. If it is really too weak, it will go into safety and the light will flash.
Choosing the power, given in Watts (W), of a power supply is very simple:
1 - Add the powers of all the LED lights connected to the same power supply.
The power consumed is given in the characteristics of the various products. For the tapes, you just have to multiply the length you want (the tapes are divisible) by the power per meter to obtain the necessary power.
A single power supply can be used for as many strips or LED luminaires as desired. For example, you can easily connect 60 meters of 5W/m LED strips to a 300W power supply. On the other hand, it will be necessary to draw several wires from the power supply because it will not be possible to connect the 60 meters in series because the LED strip is not made for that.
2 - Choose a power supply equal to or greater than that calculated.
For example, if you wish to connect a 2 meter strip operating at 12V with a consumption of 5W/meter: 5W x 2 meter = 10 W. Use a power supply of
at least 10W. A 15W and 12V power supply will be perfect for this application.
It is therefore better to take a slightly more powerful power supply, count a 10% margin. In the context of the installation of long lengths of LED ribbons, this is no longer true: it will be possible to connect a 10 meter and 10W/m ribbon to a 100W power supply, but it will be necessary to avoid connecting 10 ribbons of 1 meter to this same power supply.
How to connect your power supply?
You can connect multiple ribbons to one power supply. In this case, you will need to connect them in parallel. The total power of the strips must not exceed that of the power supply.
It is also possible to connect the strips in series. In this case, you must respect the maximum length of tape that can be connected: it is not necessarily 5 meters, it can be less or more depending on the quality and power of the tapes.
The power of the power supply must be the same for both connections because it only depends on the power of the lights connected to it.
The power supplies are easily connected to mains and tape using classic screw "dominoes" or WAGOS. There are two ribbon connection wires: black for the "-" and another color for the "+" (red, white, etc.).
How to Make a Variable Power Supply Using Any Adapter
How to choose the right food?
LED power supplies transform the 230V AC mains current into 12V or 24V DC in order to be able to connect a LED ribbon or an LED light. They are often mistakenly called a transformer, but they are actually switching power supplies.
Be sure to only use special regulated LED power supplies whose output voltage is better regulated than for standard power supplies because the strips are quite sensitive to voltage variations.
Depending on the LED ribbon model, it can operate at 12 or 24V. It is essential to use a power supply whose voltage is equal to that of the LED ribbon. A 12V ribbon connected to 24V will illuminate twice as much, but will deteriorate quickly. A 24V ribbon connected to 12V will not light up.
Some models are called "safe extra low voltage": SELV or SELV. The following logos are represented on the power supply:
These models are designed to ensure that in the event of a power supply failure, the high voltage will never be sent to the output. They are recommended for use with LED strips, or in a humid environment.
Some LED ribbons operate without a transformer, directly at 230V, with a small voltage rectifier as a "power supply". As they are not really about food, these models will not be treated here.
Choosing the type of transformer protection
You must choose your LED power supply according to the type of connection and use, indoors or outdoors:
For outdoors or where condensation may occur: a waterproof LED power supply
Some indoor models made of perforated sheet metal should be used with caution because they are normally made to be installed in closed boxes or cabinets. Do not install these models in places where a person could touch the power supply.
Choose the type of power supply
There are two families of LED power supplies:
constant current models: used for connecting LED ribbons where the LEDs are connected in series with a small resistor,
constant voltage models: used for spotlights where the LED is directly connected to the power supply.
The transformers usually sold are of the constant voltage type. Constant current transformers are generally used for complete luminaires supplied with their power supply.
Non-variable power supplies
This is almost the majority of power supplies that you can find. It is not possible to connect them to a dimmer switch. However, you can use a 12V or 24V dimmer, connected to the output of the power supply.
Variable power supplies
The most classic can be connected to a standard TRIAC-type wall dimmer, which you can easily find on the market. It is therefore sufficient to connect a ribbon to it in order to vary its luminosity. They are called variable or dimmable.
Special variable power supplies
These models use a special input for dimming: either with a 0-10V signal, or in DALI protocol or in DMX. There are also power supplies that allow direct connection of a push button.
Choose power supply
Even if there is no technical problem in using a power supply that is too powerful, for the LED strip connected to it, it is better to optimize the choice of power supply power. A 30 watt power supply connected to a 15 watt ribbon will only consume 15 watts, but it will be more expensive to purchase.
On the contrary, a slightly undersized power supply will heat up more, and its lifespan will be limited. If it is really too weak, it will go into safety and the light will flash.
Choosing the power, given in Watts (W), of a power supply is very simple:
1 - Add the powers of all the LED lights connected to the same power supply.
The power consumed is given in the characteristics of the various products. For the tapes, you just have to multiply the length you want (the tapes are divisible) by the power per meter to obtain the necessary power.
A single power supply can be used for as many strips or LED luminaires as desired. For example, you can easily connect 60 meters of 5W/m LED strips to a 300W power supply. On the other hand, it will be necessary to draw several wires from the power supply because it will not be possible to connect the 60 meters in series because the LED strip is not made for that.
2 - Choose a power supply equal to or greater than that calculated.
For example, if you wish to connect a 2 meter strip operating at 12V with a consumption of 5W/meter: 5W x 2 meter = 10 W. Use a power supply of
at least 10W. A 15W and 12V power supply will be perfect for this application.
It is therefore better to take a slightly more powerful power supply, count a 10% margin. In the context of the installation of long lengths of LED ribbons, this is no longer true: it will be possible to connect a 10 meter and 10W/m ribbon to a 100W power supply, but it will be necessary to avoid connecting 10 ribbons of 1 meter to this same power supply.
How to connect your power supply?
You can connect multiple ribbons to one power supply. In this case, you will need to connect them in parallel. The total power of the strips must not exceed that of the power supply.
It is also possible to connect the strips in series. In this case, you must respect the maximum length of tape that can be connected: it is not necessarily 5 meters, it can be less or more depending on the quality and power of the tapes.
The power of the power supply must be the same for both connections because it only depends on the power of the lights connected to it.
The power supplies are easily connected to mains and tape using classic screw "dominoes" or WAGOS. There are two ribbon connection wires: black for the "-" and another color for the "+" (red, white, etc.).
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