People love to install strip lights in their homes. But when or after buying, they need to understand the LED strip light power requirements to select the right power supply. In this article, we will explain how much power an LED light strip consumes. We will explain some important parameters and how to select the right power supply. Part 1. What Are LED Strip Power Requirements? When dealing with LED strips, there are parameters that need attention. Users need to choose the right LED strip light according to these parameters and install it accordingly. Voltage (V): The first important parameter is voltage. LED strip lights are commonly available in 12V and 24V DC. You will see that 5V DC version, but that’s not commonly used in household applications and other purposes. 12V DC strip lights are the preferred ones for home lighting, décor, DIY setups, etc. However, 24V DC is also getting popular for longer strip lights. It offers incredible results for twice the distance compared to 12V. For instance, a standard 12V RGB strip light has a maximum running length of 5 meters, while a 24V similar strip can go up to 10 meters. You can choose any one (12V or 24V). Just make sure you have a compatible power supply or buy one accordingly. A 12V strip light will burn out if you supply it with 24V, and a 24V strip light will not work on 12V. Thus, getting the right supply is equally important. Wattage (W): The wattage requirement of an LED strip light gives you a clear idea of the energy consumption. The total wattage of a strip light shows how much the whole strip consumes energy. However, usually manufacturers mention wattage per meter or wattage per foot. It’s a better measure as LED strip lights are often cut to the desired length. The wattage depends on the technology, light density, brightness, color type, and some other factors. A standard RGB strip light consumes 7.2W per meter. The wattage increases with the brightness, so if you go with a high-density white strip light, it could be 14.4W per meter. And COB lights consume more energy and are usually 24W per meter on average. Considering that wattage is important when selecting the right power supply. We will discuss how you can calculate the power supply requirement later in the article. Amperage (A): Last but not least is the Amperage. Users often neglect this parameter, but this is where problems begin. Considering amperage is important to select the right cable size. Otherwise, the cable might heat up, or you might buy an overkill for the requirements. Calculating amperage is easy. We will share the steps later in the article. LED Type Watts/ Meter (Avg) Max Run (12V) Max Run (24V) standard RGB 7.2 W 5m 10m High-Density White 14.4 W 2.5m 5m COB LEDs 24 W 1.5m 3m Part 2: How to Calculate Power Supply for LED Strip When you buy a power supply, you need to know two things. One is the Voltage, and the second is Wattage. These two important parameters help you buy a compatible power supply. The voltage of the power supply should match the requirements of the LED strip. If the strip requires 12V, you need a 12V supply, and if it requires 24V, you need a 24V power supply. For wattage, you need to calculate the total wattage of the LED strip. You will see the wattage/meter or wattage/foot in the specifications. Multiply it by the total length. If the wattage is 10W per meter, and you want to install a 3-meter LED strip, the total wattage will be 10 x 3 = 30W. However, to prevent overloading and ensure longer light, it is better to go with a 20-30% higher rating. So, the power supply should be at least 30 x 130% = 39W. Part 3. How to Choose the Right Power Supply for LED Strips In the previous section, we calculated that our specific strip light that we took as an example requires a 39W power supply. In the market, you won’t find such a device, so it is better to round it off. You can get a 40W or 50W power supply for this strip light. If you buy a 100W power supply, it will also run the strip light. The light will draw the required power only. And it will be a good option if you want to increase the lights in the future, as the same power supply will be sufficient. In short, the voltage of the power supply should be exactly the same as the requirement of the LED strip light. However, you can go higher in terms of wattage as the light draws the power it needs, and a higher wattage rating of the power supply means it can safely handle more load and offer better efficiency and longevity. Go with a reliable company for the power supply. You can also buy the power supply from the same manufacturer as the LED strip light. Part 4. Rated Current for Typical LED Strips The rated current depends on the light strip technology, brightness, and other factors. You can calculate the current through the total wattage of the LED strip. Suppose you have a 5-meter LED strip with 10W per meter. So, the total wattage will be 50W. Now, divide this by the voltage, which could be 12V or 24, and you will get the amperage. In this case, it will be 50/12= 4.16A. Now, you need to get a wire that can handle this load. It is recommended to go a little higher. Let’s calculate the rated current for typical LED strips. We are doing for 12V strips, and if you have a 24V strip, you can follow a similar process and replace the voltage. Technically, the current will be half in a 24V strip compared to a 12V strip. Standard RGB If the standard RGB light of 7.2W/m is 5 meters, its total wattage will be 7.2 x 5 = 36W. The current will be = 36/12 = 3A High-density White Light Let’s take a high-density white light of 2.5m as an example. Its wattage is 14.4W/m. The total wattage will be 14.4 x 2.5 = 36W. The current will be = 36/12 = 3A COB LEDs A 2-meter COD LED strip light has an average wattage of 24W per meter. The total wattage will be 48W. The current will be = 48/12 = 4A. Part 5. FAQs about Power Source for LED Strip Lights 🔵 How to power LED strip lighting? You need a power supply to power an LED strip light. Some lights come with a power supply. If there is none, we have discussed how you can select the right power supply for your light strip. 🔵 How much power do I need for a LED strip? It depends on the LED strip technology, number of LEDs, color, brightness, and other factors. Usually, a standard RGB light is 7.2W per meter, high-density white light is 14.4W per meter, and a COB LED strip is 24W per meter. 🔵 Is 12V or 24V better for LED lights? 12V is commonly used. But if you need a very long strip light, you should go with 24V. Conclusion While buying an LED light strip, it is important to consider the power consumption. Not only does it give an idea of the energy bills, but it also helps in selecting the right power supply. We have explained the LED strip power requirements in detail and how you can calculate the wattage of the power supply.