LED lighting – Help and advice needed please?

[Khalid Bashir]

Hi Dan

This is my first reply on the forum, I have not had the opportunity to reach out and say a hello to all the members yet.

I can definitely help with any LED related issues.

Typically, you connect the red and black wire from the LED strip to the + and – on the LED Driver Outputs (some times called transformer). You need be very careful when handling the open frame LED driver pictured with the screw terminals. High Voltage inputs are next to the low voltage outputs.

Your LED strip should state whether its 12V or 24V on the white PCB, use only the same voltage of driver. Using a 24V Driver on 12V LED Strips will most definitely burn the LED diodes a 1 or 2 minutes. The Driver power ratings are typically noted on a label fixed to the driver casing.

You cut a long strip into multiple smaller strips. The limitation being the shortest cut is identified by two copper conductor points. Typically on 24V Strips it is 6 LED diodes (100mm) and on 12V strips it is every 3 Diodes (50mm)

A scalpel should be used to scrape away the silicone cover in order to solder fresh power feed wires in to the two copper conductors on the strip.

If you do intend to use multiple strips then you simply connect these in parallel to the driver by grouping all the (+) postive red wires and (-) Negative black wires and connecting to the + and – on the output side of the Driver.

Single colour LEDs can be dimmed and made to flash with a 12v dimmer flasher units. This can be done by using a remote control or by a rotary knob.

I can get carried away with LED talk, its second nature to me in my work hence I don’t want to bore you guys too much!

Feel free to reach out whenever you need help, I’m you man when to comes to LED tech.

Cheers

Khalid

PS. forgive the grammar or my typos

[RobertLambie]

Thanks for the in-depth reply Khalid. Much appreciated mate, and good to see you posting on the site. 👍

[Khalid Bashir]

Hi Robert

I remember the good old days tubes and ballast! happy days… everything was so simple. Except the electric shocks working with 240V!

I think personally even after 10 years of LEDs going mainstream, there is still some confusion about how correct installation determines how long the LEDs last.

Cheers

Khalid

[Dan]

Thank you for the detailed post.

I’ll get rid of the open framed led driver, I don’t trust myself.

I’ll have a look at the voltage and make sure it’s all correct.

My table has 2x 1m x 1m squares, I have put a backing on the table which I will attach the leds to and the table is finished with a glass top (which will have a grid patten printed on white film. How many leds are needed for each section to get good lighting so I can use the table as a lightbox?

I’m thinking of putting a strip every 6 inches from top to bottom and stopping it about 3 inches from the sides, would that be ok?

How do you join each strip together, solder wire? What kind of wire would you use?

Finally, as I am using stuff that was here already and not purchased, where is the best place to get leds lights, drivers etc?

On a final note, when it comes to a job, I remember being told I can do all this myself as it’s only 12v as long as I leave a plug on the end so they can plug it in. They can then get their own electrician to wire it in to the mains, is that correct?

Thanks

[Khalid Bashir]

Hi Dan,

The LED strip you have in the photos will output light at an angle of 120 degrees, hence i would recommend you try spacing the rows of leds to suit an overlap of light on the surface, you don’t want to end up with hot and cold spots on the surface if the LEDs are too far apart. As a general rule of thumb the distance from the surface material to the backing board where the LEDs are placed should be roughly the same.

Joining LED strips .. you have two options 1. Solder using pre-tinned wire or 2. LED strip Connectors. I would recommend using snapfit connectors, no soldering required.

As for a good supplier….. try http://www.citi-led.co.uk a supplier who’s expertise lies within the sign industry. If you dont find the item you’re looking for drop Khalid and email he’s most helpful. That’s me by the way! Cheers Dan

[Khalid Bashir]

Sorry, in reply to your last point,

Yes I agree, about leaving their electrician to make final connection.

The open frame LED drivers where the screw terminals are visible should technically be installed by a qualified electrician and the final placement should be out of reach and placed within an enclosure. Simply leaving the open frame LED driver exposed but out sight could be deemed as dangerous as someone could reach for it and touch the 240V supply side.

Cheers

Khalid