How to calculate the power of LED strips

How To Calculate The Power Consumption Of Your LED Strips?

Learning how to calculate the power consumption of your LED strips is very important. This is related to the stability and safety of the entire system and the lifespan of the light strip. Another important factor is that if you know the power of the LED strips, you can choose the correct output LED power supply. Today let us check how to calculate it.

When you browse the details of the online store or purchase them from your local LED shop, they will show the power consumption or include it in the packing bag. see the pictures below:

Knowing the power consumption of each meter makes it easy to calculate the power consumption for the roll of LED strips. The formula is Wattage = wattage/meter * LED strips’ length.

For example, if the power of the LED strips is 8W/M and you own one roll of 5 meters of LED strips, the power composition of the roll of LED strips is 40W. If you want to use 5-roll LED strips for your project, the total power consumption is 200W.

After we know how to calculate power, we can learn to choose the correct LED power supply. Because the power supply contains many components, this will cause power loss in the power supply itself, so you cannot assume that the actual output of the power supply is the same as the wattage indicated on the power supply. There is a very important parameter that helps us choose a suitable power supply: power efficiency. See the picture below:

They are 1500W output Meanwell power supplies. For the 24V products, the power efficiency is 90%, so the actual output is 1500W*90%=1350W. You can use the same method to calculate the actual output power of the power supplies.

Conclusion: Calculating the light strip’s power consumption is necessary to select the appropriate power supply, controller, and other accessories. Now you have know how to do it, choose the correct ones for your new lighting project now.

How To Hide LED Strips

How To Hide LED Strips On Ceilings/Walls?

If you do not have experience in interior decoration, adding LED strips to your ceiling or wall will be a big challenge. But it will be very easy if you know how to do it. So today, let us teach you how to do it.

Hide LED Strips On Ceilings Or Walls

What are the benefits of mounting strip lights on ceilings/walls?

  1. Protect the LED lights: The common way to mount flexible LED strips on ceilings is to use double-sided adhesive tape or silicone clips. However, the exposed strip lights will be affected by the surrounding conditions, such as accidental bumps, spills, rain, etc., which may shorten the lifespan of the LEDs. So, if we could put them in something and keep them safe, it would extend the lifespan.
  2. Consistent With Your Designs: Adding a light strip alone will look out of tune with the overall design, especially when the surface of the light strip has components of different colors and the light dots on the SMD light strip. So, hiding the light strip with a slot that matches your interior will make the overall design more beautiful.
  3. Aesthetics: For a sophisticated look, hide strip lights on ceilings, walls, under cabinets, along baseboards, under shelves, etc. You can transform the space elegantly while keeping the interior design clear and gorgeous.
  4. Anti-glare: High-density LED strip lights cause glare, making people’s eyes uncomfortable and even causing headaches. This can be fixed simply by adding a diffused cover to the LED strips.
Hide LED strips in the shopping cabinets

The Ways To Hide Them:

Using the aluminum LED channels will make hiding the LED strips on ceilings or walls easy. There are four ways to install the LED channels on the ceilings or walls:

  1. Suspended: The suspended installation method allows you to mount the LED strips on the ceilings to create a sleek and modern look, enhancing the overall design of your space. It also can add visual interest and depth to ceilings. There are lighting slots in the aluminum LED channels; you can stick the LED strips inside and clip in the diffusers to diffuse the light evenly, reducing harsh shadows and hotspots. This installation method can be in various configurations, such as straight lines, squares, or geometric patterns, allowing creative and customized lighting solutions.
pendant LED Diffuser Tube
  1. Surface Mounted: This installation method is typically easy to install, often requiring only adhesive or screws. This makes them suitable for both DIY projects and professional installations. You can choose the various shapes and sizes of LED light channels, and they can be customized to fit different design aesthetics and applications for residential and business places. The flexible LED strips can be easily stick inside; the diffusers will diffuse the lighting smoothly without dark areas. They can provide direct lighting for task lighting. The aluminum channels will protect the strip lights from dust, moisture, and physical damage to extend their lifespan. The mounting clips are include, you can mount them on surface on walls or ceilings.
How To Hide LED Strip Lights
  1. Recessed: The recessed installation methods allow them to integrate with the surroundings seamlessly. By being flush with the ceiling or wall, they will create a clean, unobtrusive look, enhancing the overall design of your space without visible fixtures. Those light channels will provide uniform lighting, reducing harsh shadows and ensuring a balanced ambiance. The recessed designs will minimize direct glare, making them suitable for areas where comfort and visibility are important, especially in the residential spaces.
Aluminum LED Channels For Strip Lights
  1. Mud-in: The mud-in installation is another recessed method, particularly popular in architectural designs. It is designed to be embedded into the wall or ceiling, providing a flush, clean appearance that blends seamlessly with the surrounding surfaces, making it ideal for minimalist and contemporary interiors. The mud-in LED channels can be used for various purposes, including indirect lighting, accent lighting, and general illumination, allowing creative design possibilities.
Recessed Mud-In Aluminum LED Channels

How to hide LED strips using aluminum channels:

  1. Choose the correct LED channels: Confirm the installation method for your LED strips and choose the right channels.
  2. Measure and cut: Measure the area where you plan to install LED strips and cut the channel to the desired length using a saw or cutter.
  3. Install LED channels: mount the aluminum LED channels on ceilings or walls.
  4. Peel off the backing from the LED strips and stick them inside the channel, ensuring they’re properly aligned.
  5. Clip-in the diffusers: snap or slide the diffused cover onto the channel to diffuse the light and hide the strip lights.
  6. Connect to the power supply: connect the LED strips to the power supply and check if the lighting is working.
  7. Check if everything is working correctly.
  8. Installation completely.

Conclusion:

The easiest and fastest method for hiding LED strips on walls or ceilings is to use aluminum LED channels. They look sleek and modern and provide even light output and anti-glare. They are great for DIY lighting projects and interior lighting design in your space.