HOW TO CALCULATE LED CONTROLLER OUTPUT?
LED controllers are a vital part of the lighting control system. They are employed to regulate the LED strips, change the colour for RGB and RGBW LED strip lights, adjust the colour temperature of CCT LED strip lights, and change the brightness of single-colour, white LED strips to different light levels.
Understanding LED Controller Specifications
You may have seen LED controllers with various outputs in the market, leading to confusion about how they work with your existing power supplies. While these controllers are available with output wattages ranging between 60W and 180W across 4 channels, understanding their actual capacity requires considering their amperage, not just the wattage.
Example:
Consider an LED strip controller stating a power output of 4 x (60-180) W. This specification doesn't mean you can load it with a 720W driver; instead, it indicates the controller can handle up to 5 amperes per channel. Here's how you convert this wattage to amperage, given that LED strip controllers typically operate between 12 and 36 volts:
- 12 Volts = 60 W (60/12 = 5 Amps)
- 24 Volts = 120 W (120/24 = 5 Amps)
- 36 Volts = 180 W (180/36 = 5 Amps)
Calculating for Safety and Efficiency
When calculating for LED controllers and strips, remember some simple rules. For instance, if the controller can handle a maximum of 5 amps per channel, you must ensure the number of strips connected to a single controller considers safety margins. Overloading can damage both the controller and LED strips. Instead, calculate the output amperes with overhead, sometimes requiring you to limit the load to 3 or 4 amps.
There are methods to handle higher demands, such as doubling up on LED strip controllers or using a process called "Bridging" for single-colour LED strips. This technique involves combining channels to increase the maximum current per channel, effectively doubling the capacity without risking overload or damage.
Example:
For an LED strip consuming 14.4 watts per meter running 20 meters on a single controller, the output wattage is 14.4 x 20 = 288W. Factoring in overhead by multiplying 288W by 1.2 gives 345W, necessitating a 350W power supply. As long as you calculate your driver size correctly and adhere to the 5-amp rule, you shouldn't encounter issues.
Key Takeaways
It's crucial not to exceed the controller's amperage limits per channel, typically 5 amps for many models. Avoid running the controller at its maximum to prevent overheating and potential damage. Always use suitable wiring diameters to handle the current safely.
The formula for total wattage is straightforward:
Total wattage = length of LED strip x strip watts per meter
It's also important to remember the rules for "Bridging" channels, as not all channels can be bridged together.
Always ensure calculations for amps per channel are correct. Overloading your LED strip controller can cause severe damage and even lead to fires.
