What is the power supply for an LED strip light?

Each type of LED strip has specific input voltage requirements. While some LED strips can directly connect to 220V or 120V AC power, most require 5V, 12V, or 24V DC power. A power supply, typically a Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS), converts 220V or 120V AC to the DC voltage required by the LED strip lights.
What to Consider When Choosing a Power Supply
Power Consumption
Evaluate the power consumption of your LED strip, typically measured in watts per meter, to ensure the power supply can handle the total load.
Length of LED Strip
Calculate the total length of LED strip lighting required for your project to ensure it does not exceed the capacity of the power supply’s output connectors.
Input Voltage Requirement
Determine the specific input voltage (e.g., 5V, 12V, 24V) required by your LED strip to ensure compatibility with the power supply.
Indoor or Outdoor Use
Decide if the power supply needs to be suitable for indoor, outdoor, or both applications, considering factors like weatherproofing and durability for outdoor installations.
Dimming Considerations for LED Strip Power Supplies
After considering these factors, the next consideration is whether dimming functionality is required. If dimming is needed, you’ll need a power supply that supports dimming modules such as TRIAC, DALI, or PWM dimming. Otherwise, for standard applications, a regular SMPS (Switched-Mode Power Supply) will suffice.
When purchasing a power supply, it’s important to ensure that it operates below its maximum load capacity. It’s recommended to leave a 20% margin to ensure reliable operation. For example, if the total power requirement of your LED strips is 80W, you should consider using a 100W power supply.
Here is a calculator for you to compute the total power requirement of your LED strip lighting.