Wiring method for multiple LED Strips from single source

[GeddyMortgage]

Hi all,

Wiring question for what will form part of a media room for me. Thinking of lighting the alcoves under the shelves with LED strip lights plus diffusers. I want them all from the same source so a single switch/button press will affect them altogether.

I'm certainly no spark and never done this before, so wanted to ask; wiring-wise does this look sensible? i'd end up having to use a hella lot of splitters. with this method.. so wondering if there's a better approach here? am i being stupid basically

Red lines - cabling (will be hidden with oak coloured trunking)
White lines - led strip lights (50cm width or so, so would be 10M total, ish)
Red box - driver plugged into mains.

thanks all.


Ged

 

[trojanhawrs]

I'm not familiar with led strip connectors but it might be sensible to have a junction box under each alcove and running the 4 cables to each strip from that. Each box could be linked with 1mm twin and earth to reduce the volt drop from the driver and the strips fed with the usual led power cable.

 

[GeddyMortgage]

I'm not familiar with led strip connectors but it might be sensible to have a junction box under each alcove and running the 4 cables to each strip from that. Each box could be linked with 1mm twin and earth to reduce the volt drop from the driver and the strips fed with the usual led power cable.

Yeah perhaps you’re right. I was hoping to have one source so they can all be controlled together. Ie led strips come with a remote control usually. So when I dim them down I’d want all the lights to dim rather than 4 remotes if that makes sense!

 

[trojanhawrs]

Yeah perhaps you’re right. I was hoping to have one source so they can all be controlled together. Ie led strips come with a remote control usually. So when I dim them down I’d want all the lights to dim rather than 4 remotes if that makes sense!

That's fine, I wasn't suggesting you have more than one driver just multiple junction boxes. Driver feeds box 1 which feeds box 2 etc etc.

 

[GeddyMortgage]

That's fine, I wasn't suggesting you have more than one driver just multiple junction boxes. Driver feeds box 1 which feeds box 2 etc etc.

I see, sorry total noob at electrics here. So essentially run a bunch of boxes in the cabinets instead of splitting.

But the splitting up where the shelves are does that look sensible ? Rather than wiring them all in series, like an S type pattern. Up, right, up, left, up, right etc.

 

[trojanhawrs]

That would be tidier, I suspect you might get volt drop through the strips though meaning that when you get to the top light it may not be as bright as the bottom. Taking 4 individual cables from each junction box reduces that risk. Someone might come along and say that's totally fine though, I've never actually used them.
If you're using 10 metres of strip, calculate the total watts and make sure you select a driver that can supply that output.

 

[GeddyMortgage]

Yeah makes sense. Ideally a consistent brightness would be much preferred. I worked out the total meter age of lights would be 10M though not sure if the cabling should be taken into account too.

When you say 4 cables do you mean the led power cables? As in run 4 of them from the box up the trunking and connect to each light rather than doing any splitting. ?

 

[trojanhawrs]

Thats what I was suggesting yeah. The LED strip will have a watt/metre rating, x10 will give you the minimum driver size you need

 

[GeddyMortgage]

That would be tidier, I suspect you might get volt drop through the strips though meaning that when you get to the top light it may not be as bright as the bottom. Taking 4 individual cables from each junction box reduces that risk. Someone might come along and say that's totally fine though, I've never actually used them.
If you're using 10 metres of strip, calculate the total watts and make sure you select a driver that can supply that output.

Quick question on this. What goes in and out of the junction boxes you’re mentioning here?

Are they converting something from the driver or is there function different than that? Ie are they mains powered too? Or do I solely run mains to the driver?

 

[trojanhawrs]

Mains from your switch to the driver, low voltage from driver to your junction boxes. Something cheap like these junction boxes with choc block, you cut 2 terminals off the strip and use 1 for positive and 1 for neg. As I mentioned, I would use 1mm twin and earth to connect between the boxes which you may also need for connecting your driver.

The only important bit from a safety point of view is how you connect your driver from the mains. The driver and cable should be secured so the mains can't be pulled out, and no cores should be visible at the termination (you should only be able to see/touch the cables outer sheath).
Where are you taking your feed?

 

[GeddyMortgage]

Thanks for the links. Sorry if a silly set of questions, but the cables that power the led strip lights look like this I think.



It’s likely I’m wrong but my understanding was wall socket -> driver -> controller - > light strips

I assumed the cables above would’ve gone from controller to the light strips, or from driver to light strips if I wanted to have no controller.

With the junction box idea I’m not sure how that’d work though. If the choc block things have the same input and output cable wise. Or am I misunderstanding?

 

[trojanhawrs]

You will need a controller if you're going to be using RGB leds. Why don't you post links of the products you're wanting to use

 

[dave_104]

I didn't see the voltage of the strips or W/meter mentioned, but if 12v and the RGB controller isn't man enough then you might need to include an LED amplifier.