When you’re purchasing
LED strip lights, there are numerous details and specifications upon which to base your decision. Color, length, and intensity are some of the major deciding factors, but there are many unthought-of product aspects that further customize light strips and what they’ll require when it’s time to install them. For example, a decision between 12-volt strip lights and 24-volt strip lights could change the products needed for your project.
While it depends on a light strip’s current draw, LED type, and number of LEDs, 24-volt LED strip lights tend to have longer maximum runs than 12-volt strips. This is because higher voltage carries more power. All strips have a maximum run, which is the length of continuous strip that can be powered without experiencing voltage drop. Voltage drop happens when the supplied energy of a
power source is reduced as electric current flows through wire (or any other pieces of equipment that do not supply voltage on a circuit). If a run of strip is too long, reduced energy across the strip will lessen its intensity near the end.
difference between 12-Volt and 24-Volt LED Strip Lights - max run
Specifications table highlighting a 16.4-foot strip—showing that a maximum run of 1 means that no more than 16.4 feet of this strip can be powered without experiencing voltage drop
Regardless of voltage, additional wire must run in parallel back to a power source if you plan on installing more than the maximum run of your LED strip lights. For example, if you need a continuous 49-foot run of strip lights for a project and your 12-volt strip light has a maximum run of 16 3/8 feet, you will need to wire back to power twice after your initial connection—once for every 16 3/8 feet of strip lighting. A 24-volt LED strip light of the same intensity could have double the maximum run of your 12-volt strip, which means less parallel power connections and less additional wire to purchase and conceal. Another option for avoiding voltage drop would be to use an LED amplifier between maximum runs of strip. These devices amplify power from the end of one strip to the beginning of the next to avoid any power loss and extend the maximum run of LED strips.
difference between 12-Volt and 24-Volt LED Strip Lights -
led amplifier
Because they can handle more power, many 24-volt LED strip lights tend to have brighter LEDs, dual-row LED configurations, or single-row configurations of more LEDs. In these instances, maximum run might be the same as a 12-volt strip. However, keep in mind that these are more powerful strips with more LEDs or higher LED intensities. An identical 12-volt LED strip light would have a shorter maximum run.
Make sure to check any light strip’s specifications or description for its maximum run.
12v or 24v LED strip lights... What is the difference? Which to choose? And what are the benefits / negatives?
Based on both LED strip lights being the same specification, how would the 12v and 24v versions differ?
e.g., Both strips are 120 LEDs per metre, 3528 smds, and from the same manufacturer using the same quality components.
The differences will be as follows:
-Brightness:
There is no difference in brightness between a 12v and 24v LED strip light; the voltage does not determine the light output. (Other things do, such as the quality of the LEDs.)
- Longest run in series:
The 24v strip suffers less voltage drop than the 12v type. While the usual length-limit for a 12v strip would be 5m (powered from one end), a 24v can be run further, maybe 7m powered from one end. So if you need longer runs, you would choose the 24v type.
- Cut points:
12v LED strips almost always have half the distance between cut points compared to a 24v strip.
e.g., If on a 12v strip the cut points are 50mm apart, then the 24v type would have 100mm spacing. This is because the 12v LED strips are cuttable every 3 LEDs, whereas the 24v types are cuttable every 6 LEDs. (This is due to the way they are made.) So if you have a lot of tight corners, then the 12v option will give you truer accuracy.
- Life:
12v or 24v will both have the same life expectancy
Amperage (amount you can put on a controller):
24v LED strips draw half the amperage of 12v, so when it comes to control gear 24v is the clear winner. It allows you to power double the amount of LED strips on the same receiver.
e.g., A receiver has 4 x 5amps.The calculation works like this:
4 x 5amp = 20amp max | 20a x 12v = 240w maximum
compared to:
4 x 5amp = 20amp max | 20a x 24v = 480w maximum
There you have it. These are the main differences between 12v and 24v LED strips!
Please comment away, we are ready to answer any questions you have!
