How Can We Help?

How long does it take for the lights to come on after flipping the light switch using a DC Power Supply?

When using your FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip with 5 m of your 365 nm realUV™ LED Strip Lights, how long does it take for the lights to come on after flipping on a light switch?

The FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip have a delay of approximately 1 second upon powering up. To achieve an instant-on setup, we would recommend installing a switch on the low-voltage DC side.

TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply Junction Box Dimension

I am going to be using your TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip (3093J) in a project. Space is tight. On your website, you show the dimensions of the actual power supply but not the optional junction box. Will you please send me these dimensions? 

Attached is the dimensional drawing for the junction box. Units are in millimeters.

Can I use one power supply for 25-ft run of Centric Home LED strips?

I am planning on 25 feet of Centric Home LED strip lights on one run. Do I need 2 power supplies in tandem for this? Can this be done?

We are happy to confirm that two reels of LED Strip Lights can be connected in parallel. We have attached a link to a LayoutMap diagram below, which features an installation where two power supplies and reels of CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential are attached to a single dimmer. 

​LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

Compatible power supply and timer for realUV LED Strip Light

I'm looking to buy the realUV LED Strip 365mm, 3.2 ft. I wanted to get a compact power supply and also a timer, which will then connect to the light strip. Could you tell me if your product will work with the following power supply and timer?

Chanzon 12V 1.5A UL Listed 18W AC DC Switching Power Supply Adapter

Litever Timer 12VDC-24VDC, 1 Channel, Maximum 3A. Time Switch Relay. Dimmer Function

Based on our review of the output of the compact power supply, it appears that it would be able to power no more than the 1 meter (3.2 ft) reel of the realUV™ LED Strip Lights, which require 4.5 watts and 400 milliamps per foot. 

​If greater segments of the LED Strip Lights are needed than the 1 meter (3.2 ft) reel, we would recommend locating a higher capacity power supply. The dimmer appears to be compatible as well, though please note that we have not performed compatibility testing with these items.

Can I control (10) reels of UV LED strips with one light switch?

I am needing close to 10 of the 365nm UV light strips. I want to be able to control them all by light switches, preferably by one. Can you tell me what I need to make this work so I can have my electrician put this together?

Based on the details provided, we would recommend purchasing one dedicated power supply, such as the 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply, per full 16.4 ft reel of the realUV™ LED Strip Lights. 

​For the single switch to control all 10 reels, we would recommend ensuring that the dimmer is capable of providing the total power requirements (720W, 60A for the full 10 reels). If not, we would alternatively recommend dividing the LED Strip Lights across a few dimmers. 

​We have attached a few LayoutMap links below which illustrate the most common installations of the realUV™ LED Strip Lights, as well as provide links to each of the most common connectors and accessories. As can be noted in the second diagram, multiple power supplies can be connected to a single wall dimmer. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

Do you have a UV LED kit?

I need a whole UV LED kit. I want to plug in a 110 VAC power supply (assuming the transformer is down to 24 volts). Then, have a 396 and 365 UV LED strip light that is 12 inches long. 

While we do not have kits for our realUV LED products, we would be happy to provide you with a set of recommended products and connectors. As a starting point, it might be helpful to know that we have several LayoutMap diagrams on our website which illustrate the most common installation types. We have shared a few diagrams below, for your reference. 

For installations that would benefit from the greatest amount of fluorescent effect, we would typically recommend the 365nm option of our realUV™ LED Strip Lights. This product can be powered by using a 12V power supply, such as the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4B

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C

As our 12V realUV™ LED Strip Lights are designed to be voltage specific, we would not recommend connecting a 24V power source to them as this will cause hardware damage that will void the product warranties.

​As an alternative, you may be interested in the 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip, which is compatible with 100 - 277 V AC input, and can be used with both the 365nm and 395nm realUV™ LED Strip Lights. 

LED Background That Can Be Pure White and RGB Color-changing

I'm trying to build an 8'x8' LED background that can be both pure white and RGB color-changing.

Based on my review, the closest match in our catalog would appear to be the FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights, which can output RGB as well as Tungsten and Daylight color temperatures. This item is typically controlled using the FilmGrade™ DMX LED Dimmer & Decoder with 5 Channel Output as well a third-party DMX Controller for automating and controlling the output of the lights using a computer system. 

I understand that an ultra-fast refreshing decoder is vital for filming applications. The one you are selling is great for this application. How many decoder units would I need for the setup above?

How many power supplies or how many watts would I need for the setup above?

What are the differences between your RGB strips and the much less expensive strips I can get from Amazon? See the link here.

A high CRI strip is worth the price in the white strips but I don't think high CRI matters much in the RGB strips in my application. Would you agree? Why is it not?

Generally speaking, we recommend using one dedicated DMX Dimmer and Decoder and one per supply per full reel of FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights (or other LED Strip Lights). As such, we estimate that your order would require 16 units of the DMX Dimmer and Decoder product, as well as 16 power supplies.

That being said, if you can locate a higher capacity power supply than our FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip, you may be able to connect more LED Strip Lights to each DMX Dimmer and Decoder. In the hopes that it proves to be helpful, I have attached a link to the product user guide below. 

Specification Sheet and User Manual

The primary difference between products such as the item shared and the items within our catalog are the quality of components, as well as the color consistency across the full reel. Our LED Strip Lights undergo strict testing to ensure that there is an extremely low variation across the full reel so that each segment is illuminated identically. 

​Our LED technologies also use higher quality materials than are found in most other LED products. Our products are manufactured using red phosphor, which is much more expensive than the yellow phosphor used in cheaper LED products. The red phosphor can provide a much higher CRI and color consistency, which we highly value in the production of our products. 

I read in the description of your decoder that it is capable of providing up to 40 Amps of power (8 Amps per channel). If so, I don't need another power supply as long as I buy one decoder per 16' strip of led lights. Right?

Yes, as long as you utilize just one LED strip reel (16.4 ft) per DMX decoder, you would be able to use a single power supply unit (sold separately: https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/filmgrade-12v-24v-power-supply-for-led-strip-10-amps) for each DMX decoder.

 Do I need to buy the 12v or 24v light strips?

Both 12 and 24 volts would be suitable, but for higher efficiency, we would recommend 24 volts. Please see below for some additional insights:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/advantages-of-a-24v-led-system-vs-12v

Flicker-free LED Strip Lighting Options

I am highly sensitive to flicker - migraine caused by flicker eliminates short-term memory so I can’t work along with other debilitating symptoms. I need something that eliminates both brightness flicker and color flicker as much as possible. Both types of flicker trigger me. I’m a geneticist and have been able to research neuroscience enough that I have a good idea of what the biological data suggests might be necessary for me, but I definitely need your help to get a clearer idea of the mechanisms of your products, especially some with sparser descriptions. 

We can confirm that the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip can provide connected lights with flicker-free functionality. The TRIAC dimmable power supply has also been tested with the following wall dimmer products.

Dimmer Compatibility List:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CD_3093.pdf?src=pse

We can also confirm that the FilmGrade™ DMX LED Dimmer & Decoder with 5-Channel Output product can adjust the PWM frequency of connected light products between 500 Hz and 30 kHz. Here are the product specs.

You may also be interested to know that we are planning to release T8 Light Fixtures for use in office installations, which are designed to be compatible with our line of flicker-free, full-spectrum T8 LED tube light products, such as the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ Full Spectrum Flicker-Free T8 LED Tube Lights.

​The benefit offered by these over-integrated fixtures is that if the T8 product encounters an outage within the 50,000 hours lifetime (5-year warranty), they can be easily replaced. Contrastingly, integrated features usually need to be entirely replaced.

Maximum Run Length of DC LED Strip Power Source

We are about to make another order and I want to double-check:

So, one power source that converts AC to DC will only fire up one (16.4 feet) length LED 365nm strip? In other words, I cannot connect two (16.4 foot) strips and run them off of one power source.

We can confirm that your summary is correct. As each foot of LED Strip Lights requires 5.5 watts, two full reels would require far more wattage than the single 120-watt power supply could offer, which would result in greatly diminished output as well as voltage drop. As such, we usually recommend using one dedicated power supply per 16.4-foot reel. 

FilmGrade DC Power Supply for LED Strip PN 3092 Power Output

The description states that this is a class 2 power supply, but lists output at 120 watts.

1)Isn't a class 2 power supply limited to 96watts?

We have reviewed your question and confirmed that the product page incorrectly states the product as being "Class 2" while it should read "Class II." The Class II refers to its electrical isolation, and we regret the error and confusion caused!

2) Does this strip need to be derated?

The LED strip is designed to operate at full power without any derating needed. The maximum ambient temperature is 185 degrees F.

3) Can this be used to power your centric home 24V strips?

Yes, please see below for a layout and parts diagram:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_2A

FilmGrade WHITE LED Strip Lights for Under Cabinet Lighting

I'm looking to install this as a replacement for my under cabinet lighting in my kitchen. Right now I have 4 separate units that take halogens and they are wired back to a single light switch (not plugged into outlets). I need help to make sure I get everything I need to do so. 

Based on the details provided, we would likely recommend either the 3000K 12V CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential or the 3200K 12V FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights. It might be helpful to know that the only difference between the two is that the latter option will provide a slightly cooler color point than the 3000K option. 

For use with a wall dimmer, we would likely recommend using the 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply. This product is compatible with a wide variety of wall dimmers and can be controlled with smart home systems as well. Our website also features a set of LayoutMaps which illustrate the most common installations and provide links to the recommended connectors and accessories. 

​For kitchen installations, many of our customers prefer to protect the LED Strip Lights by installing them within the downward-casting flat aluminum channels, which contain diffusers for even light distribution. 

Do your bulbs and fixtures work on European current?

Do your bulbs and fixtures work on European current? I have fittings with electronic ballast. Will your tubes work with any type of ballast?

Most of our A19 bulbs, such as the CENTRIC HOME™ Flicker-Free A19 10W LED Bulb, are available in the E27 base which is standard in Europe. 

Further, the power supplies that we have available for use with the LED Flex Strips can accept 100 - 277 V AC input voltage, where 230 V AC appears to be standard in Ireland. 

Further, if the model of ballast found within your fixture is not within our compatible ballast list, we would recommend bypassing the ballast so that the T8 LED Tube Lights use direct wire power. 

If the fixtures contain ballasts that are incompatible, our T8 LED Tube Lights will likely encounter damage which would void the product warranty, as those ballasts were initially intended for adjusting the power supplied to fluorescent tubes in ways that can damage LED hardware. 

Do you have a LED strip power supply that works with the non-dimmable switch?

We bought the LED light strip and I'm wondering what power supply we should get. We have a light switch connected to a transformer but the light flickers. Do you have a power supply that we can tie into a light switch? 

We were able to locate your order for a 16.4 ft reel of the 2700 K, 12-volt LED strip light. 

We would recommend our TRIAC dimmable power supply which can be connected to a wall switch as you mention. Below is the product link:

Below is a layout diagram showing how this can be connected:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A

Will it work if our switch isn't dimmable? Will I need a junction box?

Yes, our product will work with standard on/off-only switches as well.

For in-wall installations, we would recommend using the junction box to ensure safe and code-compliant installation.

​

Under Cabinet LED Strip Lights and Accessories

I want to order under cabinet LED strip lighting (3000K) and aluminum channel from you and I want to make certain I order all the correct pieces. 

Here is my setup (all connected via one dimmer switch):

- 19' total lighting

- one 4' section, with power supplied at one end

- one 10' section (3' section, 90° turn, then 7' section, power supplied at one end

- 5' section, power supplied at one end.

- 4 down lights (Dimmable GU5.3 LED Bulb, MR16 70W Equivalent Light Bulb) on same circuit.

Can you put together the correct materials list for me from this description? 

To summarize the conversation, we would recommend the two 16.4 ft (5 meters) reels of the 12V 3000K CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential along with two 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supplies. 

​This product features insulated wire ends, and should not require an additional adapter for connection to the TRIAC power supply. That being said, segmented lengths that do not have the wired ends can be connected to power using the Solderless Connector Cable for Single Color LED Strip (PN 3070).

Individual segments of the LED Strip Lights can be connected using the Solderless Connector for Single Color LED Strip (PN 3071), which can be especially helpful for corners. We also recommend utilizing 16 AWG Wiring to connect any expanses between the power supply and the lights, in an effort to prevent voltage drop. 

The LED Strip Lights are frequently installed within the flat or corner Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strips, which help to diffuse the light and protect the light sources from damage. 

Why are you recommending 2 power supplies?

Generally speaking, we recommend utilizing one dedicated power supply per reel of LED Strip Lights, though your 19' installation could very well be powered by a single power supply. 

​As the CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential utilize 5.5 watts per foot, an installation using 19 feet would require 104.5W, which is just under the maximum 120W output of our 12V power supplies. If the installation required much more than 19', a single power supply would be insufficient for power, which would likely result in reduced light output across the installation. 

Timer for FilmGrade Power Supply

Do you know of a timer that can be applied to the output of a 12V FilmGrade power supply?

Unfortunately, we aren't aware of any timer devices that could be placed on the DC output end of the LED strip power supplies. I also did a quick search online but was not able to find any relevant products that would meet the requirements.

​If possible, I would suggest installing a timer device on the AC side, between the power supply and wall outlet as these products are readily available from third-party electronics companies.

LED Strip, PSU, and DMX Technical Questions

I'm looking at buying a house-lot of LED strips from you. I like your helpful website, and the products appear to be of good quality. There are a couple of things I was hoping you could clear up for me.

- The Fivespect 24v strip data sheet says that it draws 36 watts for the two whites and 24 for each color. This is a total of 144 watts for the reel.

- However, it also says "max simultaneous power/ft" of 10 watts. This would be 164 watts for the reel.

- Then you recommend your 120-watt power supply, which doesn't seem like it would be enough.

- But you suggest 3rd party power supplies should be 60 watts?

- I'm guessing I'm missing something here.

And then my next question is about your Centric Home 24v. It says it has a total of 90 watts. Is your dimmable power supply, which is limited to 96 watts (to meet class 2) enough? As this is not as much headroom as I see is normally recommended (20-30%).

And then your DMX controller. It appears that these can be daisy-chained with ethernet-style cables, but I just wanted to check.

We agree that the power specifications on the FiveSpect product are a bit confusing - we hope we can help clarify, and perhaps work on this internally for clarification in the future.

​First of all, the specifications are offered under the assumption that the product will not necessarily be used as an entire reel, so your calculations and power supply limitation concerns are correct and valid.

Specifically, we would not recommend using our 120-watt power supply if you intend to operate all channels of a full reel of the FiveSpect LED strip lights, and at full brightness.

​The 60-watt power supply recommendation for a full reel is based on the assumption that the maximum power draw will be limited to 1.5 amps for the white (T/D) channels and 1.0 amps for the color (RGB) channels. This would be the case for most installations where brightness is maintained across color temperature dimming. For example, to maintain constant brightness from 2700 K to 6500 K, the channels would always need to add up to 1.5 amps, and never exceed it, even at the mid-point color temperatures.

Looking at the numbers, however, we're not sure how the 10 watts per foot limitation adds up, given that the individual circuits simultaneously powered at full brightness would still be less than the 10 watts per foot level. 

​Regarding the Class 2 power supplies, you are correct that the extra headroom in power supply capacity is commonly recommended. On the other hand, we do have quite a few of these dimmable power supply units in service, and we have not had any issues with power supply capacity, so we believe that with robust and reliable power supply design, these units fare quite well even when driven close to their 96-watt limit.

Finally, we can confirm that the DMX decoders can be daisy-chained via the RJ45 ethernet ports.

I have another question, and I have done a bit of research, and I am a bit of a nerd, but I thought I'd ask.

I'm wanting to put some of your home LED strips on my ceiling. They will be in a black aluminum channel, with a black diffuser, in the negative detail between sheets of plywood. 

It looks to be the same channel as the one you sell, but in black. The fact that the diffuser is black means it blocks a lot more light (I've seen varying claims between 40% to 65% are blocked).

Given that the channel will be recessed into the ply, and that the black diffuser stops more than normal light energy, do you think I could have any problems with heat? And by problems, I mean the plywood, and the LEDs themselves.

Also, I see you say that they normally reach 30 degrees C over ambient temperature. I assume this is not in a channel?

While we have not tested this specific type of diffuser installation, we completely agree in theory that it would be more likely to heat up a bit more than a translucent diffuser. A common misconception is that only infrared energy can carry heat; all wavelengths are capable of generating heat upon irradiance on a surface.

​That being said, we can't imagine the diffuser would absorb so much of the optical energy that it would heat significantly. As a rough ballpark estimate, we would say < 15% of the total system energy would be absorbed by the diffuser material. Our estimate is based on 70% efficiency loss in the LED strip itself (only 30% emitted as light), and a very rough guess that no more than half of the emitted light ends up being absorbed by the diffuser based on the transmission specs you provided.

The 30-degree measurements are based on the LED strip without the aluminum channel, so while we don't have the measurements, we expect that the temperature rise would like to be lower when used inside an aluminum channel.

If at all possible, we would recommend testing to verify all of these points, before any permanent installations. 

If I want to power your 5-color strip via the DMX controller, I assume your 200-watt power supply would be suitable. (in case someone puts all colors up full) I only ask as you market it specifically for your Photon panel. 

Yes, while it isn't being offered specifically for the FiveSpect product, the PhotonPanel power supply is certainly compatible and could be a good way to ensure sufficient power capacity.

Do you have any dimmers that fit well in a standard residential light switch box?

I'm wondering if, you have any dimmers that fit well in a standard residential light switch box.

I found your site based on a search for PWM flicker-free lighting. My main concern is EMF/dirty electricity with no flicker/buzzing on my LED strip dimmer as a side effect/bonus so to speak. Can you speak at all to the relative EMF output of your various options? Do your TRIAC-compatible dimmers use forward phase or reverse? From the little info out there I've been able to research both likely are worse than the PWM. 

If I go with your PWM option is there a way to hardwire to the power supply/strips using regular house wiring as the electrical is done on this project and I can't practically run barrel connectors at this point?

I'm keen on your PWM unit and power supply but would be looking to pair it with this dim-to-warm strip: Ribbon Star Dim to Warm LED Strip Light Would it be compatible?

I have provided answers to each of your questions below, which we hope are helpful for your purchase planning process. 

1.) We, unfortunately, do not sell wall dimmers, and we do apologize for any impact this may have on your purchase planning. That said, we have a list of dimmers that have been tested as compatible with our power supplies. 

2.) We can confirm that our products do not create any dirty electricity as rated by FCC standards for EMF emissions.

3.) Our TRIAC Dimmable Power Supplies are compatible with both forward and reverse phase dimmers and use high-frequency PWM (> 20,000 Hz) for effectively flicker-free dimming. 

4.) We can confirm that our power supplies are designed to be connected directly to line voltage, as our TRIAC and Centric Series power supplies do not use barrel jack adapters. For our LED Strip Lights that utilize barrel jack adapters, we recommend utilizing our adapters for connection to the power supply. 

You say non of your equipment produces EMF. What about when I add a TRIAC switch to your dimmable power supplies, would that potentially add any EMFs to the system?

I ended up purchasing the barrel jack style setup, are there barrel jack to DC adapters commonly available at electronics supply stores?

One more follow-up question. I'm planning an RV build and want the dim to warm strips. 24V 5m iP20 2835 White Dim to Warm LED Strip - 196 LEDs/m (Strip Only) - LED Montreal

Are these compatible with your systems and if so is it possible to run them on 12v?

While the power supply is unlikely to introduce any EMF, the TRIAC dimmer possibly could. 

​As far as we are aware, this would depend on the specific dimmer, installation circuit, and other factors. For specific feedback for your installation, we would likely recommend contacting a local electrician for guidance. 

Further, we can confirm that the barrel jack connectors appear to be fairly common. We suspect that your local hardware store or electronic component specialty store would have those items readily available for purchase. 

As the hardware components within LED Strip Lights are voltage specific, we would not expect the 24V LED Montreal product to be compatible with our 12V power supplies or a 12V system. Using mismatched voltage often causes damage to the components, and will likely void the warranties. That being said, a 12V version would likely be useable if it does not exceed the available power of your vehicle battery or a separate RV power source. 

How many lumens per foot this amber strip light has and also what its equivalent color temperature would be in Kelvin? From what I've been reading there isn't necessarily a direct conversion but would it be about 2200K?

The amber LED strip light has a light output of 185 lumens per foot. Please see below for the full specifications:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CS_7041.pdf

​Unfortunately, there is no way to accurately convert a non-white light source such as this amber LED strip to a color temperature, but 2200K would be a close approximation if one were to "force" a conversion from 592 nm to CCT.

LED Strip for Under-Cabinet Kitchen Lighting

I am looking to install some under-cabinet lights in my kitchen. I listed the specs for my project below and would love your help in figuring out the right lights, power supply, aluminum channel, etc.

-Run length: 90"

-Distance from wall: 11.5"

-Existing cutout in bottom plywood cabinets: cross-section is 0.75" x 0.75" (will the aluminum channel dissipate enough heat?)

-Color temp desired: 3000k

-Dimmable with Lutron Toggler if possible

-Lumens: Whatever is recommended for the kitchen?

Based on the details provided, we would recommend one 16.4 ft (5 meter) reel of the 24V 3000K CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential as well as the 24V CENTRIC SERIES™ Flicker-Free Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip. These products are compatible with a wide variety of Lutron dimmers, as can be noted from our dimmer compatibility list. 

We can confirm that the aluminum channels do a great job of diffusing the heat that LED Strip Lights generates during operation. As your installation does not appear to be anchored to the junction of the cabinets and wall, we would likely recommend the flat version of the channels for even illumination on the counter surfaces beneath them.

If you would like to enter the dimension of your kitchen space in our Lumen Estimation Calculator, it will provide you with an illumination target as well as a recommendation for the total lighting needed to meet that goal. 

Recommended Power Supply for Under-mount LED Strip for Kitchen Lighting

I want to chat with someone about the right power supply and wiring. I've got to run about 15 feet of under-mount on one circuit and I'd like it to be dimmable at the switch. I'll be using your Centric series.

Based on the details provided, we would likely recommend our 3000K CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential, which is the most common color temperature for kitchens and food prep installations. 

One 16.4 ft (5 meters) reel can be powered using a single power supply such as our TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip, which can be connected to a wall dimmer for adjustment and operation. We typically recommend the 16 AWG wiring to reduce the risk of voltage drop.

If that flicker-free operation is preferred, we would alternatively recommend the 24V CENTRIC SERIES™ Flicker-Free Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip. If this option is selected, we would strongly recommend using the 24V version of the CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential. As a general note, when products of mismatched voltage are used hardware damage may occur which will void the product warranties. 

In the hopes that it proves to be helpful, we have attached a link to two LayoutMaps from our website which illustrates installations similar to the details provided. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1A

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

Are your Centric Home Strip Lights with Triac Power Supply compatible with Lutron Caseta switch?

Are your Centric Home Strip Lights with Triac Driver compatible with Lutron Caseta switch? Is your Triac Power supply electronic or magnetic? Do you use leading-edge or trailing-edge technology?

We can confirm that our TRIAC Dimmable Power Supplies are electric, and are compatible with the leading edge or trailing edge technology used in dimmers. In the hopes that it proves to be helpful, we have also provided a link to our list of dimmers that are compatible with the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply below. 

Compatible Dimmer List 

Does the 12V power supply included in the UV LED strips?

I was wondering if the 12v power supply needs to be ordered separately or if it is included in the purchase of the lights.

We can confirm that the 12V power supplies are sold separately from the realUV™ LED Strip Lights. 

We generally recommend the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip for non-permanent installations that might be moved or adjusted in the future. 

​For installations where the LED Strip Lights are to be powered using line voltage and wall dimmers, we would instead recommend the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip. ​

Do I need to order three power supplies to operate three (5m) LED strips separately?

I am building a UV varnish curing cabinet for stringed instruments and would like to rig up 3x5m strips of your 365nm realUV reels. Does this mean that I need to order 3 separate power supplies to power each reel or is there a more powerful option that would power all three? It would be a plug-in setup.

Generally speaking, we recommend utilizing one dedicated power supply per 5-meter reel of LED Strip Lights due to the available wattage of each supply. Where each 12V power supply can provide 120 watts, each of the 365nm realUV™ LED Strip Light reels would require roughly 90.2 watts.

While we do not have a more powerful DC option than the 12V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip, you may be able to locate a higher-capacity power supply locally. Our power supplies have a limited output defined by domestic electrical class ratings, though those ratings and regulations may be different internationally. 

Is your 12V IR LED strip compatible with 24V?

I'm interested in your infrared LED strip, but I'm looking for a 24V strip. Is your 12V strip compatible with 24V? If not, do you have any 24V infrared strips in stock?

Our Infrared 850 nm IR LED Strip Light is currently available only in the 12V DC version, and we do sincerely apologize for any impact this may have on your purchase plans. 

​As a further note, it might be helpful to know that we generally discourage the use of power supplies with a mismatched voltage, as this can damage the hardware and void the product warranties. Due to this, you may alternatively be interested in our 12V power supplies such as the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip or TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip. 

What is the difference between the "CENTRIC SERIES" and "TRIAC" dimmable power supplies?

What is the difference between "flicker-free" and triac dimmers? What do you mean by "flicker free"? Are you somehow varying a DC voltage and current, doing a high rate voltage PWM, or PWMing the current while keeping the voltage constant?

​The only difference between the "CENTRIC SERIES" and "TRIAC" dimmable power supplies is the footprint. The electrical properties for both product lines are the same.

​At full power, the output does not have any PWM in the signal, but when dimmed, the light output is reduced via PWM.

​If you PWM, at what rate?

Our current product iteration utilizes 400 Hz PWM when dimmed. We have completed prototypes and expect to launch a 20 kHz version (when dimmed) within the next few months.

​What is the lowest dim level with the Caseta dimmer? I thought I saw somewhere on your website that it goes down to ~0, somewhere else, the lowest dim level was much higher

Based on our testing with the Lutron Caseta setup, the lowest dim level was 0.2%.

Are your dimmers appropriate at the power levels I need, or are they oversized / drop significantly in efficiency?

​Each power supply has a rated power capacity of 96 watts, so the 22-watt and 35–40 watt LED strip runs will not be an issue. As you mentioned, they can be connected to a single wall dimmer so that the two LED strip runs are "synchronized."

​Is there a way to somehow trim the dimers to make sure that both strips dim consistently; Also, can I set the top dim level down if the strips are somehow too bright for this application?

​Unfortunately, there is no way to adjust the trim on the power supplies themselves, but there are several dimmers on the market that have adjustable trim dials, which may accomplish what you are looking for. If we recall, the Lutron Caseta does not have this feature at the hardware level, but there may be some features inside the software that would allow you to program your preferences.

Do you have data sheets? I did not see them on the website 

​We do not have datasheets published yet, but if you have any further technical questions, we would be more than happy to assist!

LED Strip Lights and Power Supply Needed for Undercabinet Lighting

I plan on ordering 2 reels of CENTRIC HOME LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential, PN 3003.27 for use as undercabinet lighting. At one point, I needed to go around a corner. How do I connect the two segments at that juncture? I will end up with 20 feet of lighting installed. What power supply/transformer will I need? Also, there are 4 other MR11-type LED downlights on the same run. Can the power supply I need power these as well? 

As a primary installation planning note, it might be helpful to know that our 12V and 24V products have different maximum lengths. Where the 12V has a maximum run of 16.4 feet, the 24V has a maximum combined length of 32.8 feet. When lengths greater than these are connected to power, voltage drop and reduced lumen output will occur. 

That said, the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip has a maximum power output of 120W for 12V, and 96W for 24V. Given the above, we would likely recommend shortening the total LED Strip Lights used in the installation or adding one additional TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip to the installation for the second wall of lights. 

We have attached two LayoutMap guides below for installations that we think might be helpful to reference for your installation planning process. As you will note, 3001-1B includes the LED Strip to Strip Solderless Connector for Single Color LED, which we usually recommend for connecting strip light segments. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

As we are not aware of the technical requirements of the MR11, they likely utilize ground voltage through a direct-wire connection. If they require power supplies and are of a matching voltage, it may be possible to use our power supplies in your installation to power all items. 

UV LED Strip for Bedroom Lighting

I plan to have 8 feet of 365nm UV strip in each of the 4 corners of the 12 x 11-foot room. Could you advise me on what to order? 

As a primary step, it might be helpful to know that our realUV™ LED Strip Lights have a maximum combined length of 16.4 ft. Connections that are greater than 16.4 ft will result in a voltage drop and reduced output. As such, we typically recommend utilizing one dedicated power supply per full reel of realUV LED Strip Lights. 

It would appear that your installation would require two full reels, as well as two dedicated power supplies. If you would like to use wall dimmers, we would likely recommend the 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply. 

In the hopes that it is useful for your installation planning, we have shared a LayoutMap diagram from our website below. This diagram features links to the connectors and power supplies that are most often recommended for installations similar to the one described. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C

That being said, please note that the realUV LED Strip Lights outputs light in the UV-A wavelength range, which is a weaker form of ultraviolet radiation that is found in natural daylight. As such, while there are fewer concerns than with other ultraviolet products that fall under the UV-B or UV-C wavelength ranges, we have some general safety guidelines that we would recommend following:

Do you think that I would be better off ordering 2 flood lights instead?

Generally speaking, while the realUV LED Flood Lights offer a more simple installation that requires fewer connections and power supplies, they are comparatively limited in their ability to be used with wall dimmers. 

​So long as your installation does not require fine-tuning of output or connection to wall dimmers or in-wall power supplies, you may find more benefit in using the realUV LED Flood Lights over the realUV LED Strip Lights. 

Color Changing LED Strip for Floating Shelves Lighting

I'm installing floating shelves, and installing a channel below for strip lights. I'd like to be able to change colors (not temperature, per se, but actual colors - red, blue, etc.) so I think this leaves me with two options based on what I'm seeing on the site:

1. ColorSpace™ RGB Color Changing LED Strip Lights

2. FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights

https://www.waveformlighting.com/simplecolor-led-strip (this model doesn't seem to apply to me b/c it's only able to do one color/you can't switch them on the fly).

I'm not sure what "color tunable" means for # 2. How does this differ from # 1?

 The Hybrid LED Strip Lights contain two color temperature LEDs, those being the 3200K and 6500K. Dimmer products can be used to control the intensity of each channel in order to simulate a color temperature between those two, such as 4000K or 5500K.

In comparison, our FiveSpect LED Strip Lights contain five color channels, those being red, green, blue, tungsten, and daylight. Using a connected DMX Dimmer and Decoder or DMX Controller, the individual LEDs can be adjusted to simulate any visible color point. I have attached a link to our LED Spectrum Simulator, which offers previews of the color options that the Fivespect and ColorSpace RGB products can provide. 

What's the difference b/w 12V and 24?

The primary difference between the 12V and 24V versions of our products is the maximum combined length, which is defined by the voltage. Our 12V products have a maximum combined length of 16.4 ft, whereas the 24V versions have a maximum combined length of 32.8 ft. Beyond this, the 12V LED Strip Lights also feature shorter cuttable sections than the 24V version. 

You list 'recommended accessories' for # 2 but not # 1. You also have spec sheets available for download for # 2 but not # 1 so I'm not sure I suspect # 1 will do the job for me as # 2 seems like it's geared for more commercial-based setups but the lack of add'l details about what else I need to order with it makes it difficult for me to understand what else I need to buy.

We do apologize for any confusion that the lack of a specification sheet for the ColorSpace™ RGB Color Changing LED Strip Lights may have caused. In the hope that it proves to be helpful, please note that both products would require the same connection accessories and power supplies. 

I'm not really seeing a way to control the changing of the colors.

We recommend utilizing our DMX Dimmer and Decoder product alongside a third-party controller such as the American DJ myDMX 3.0 DMX Controller and Software​ to adjust each channel. 

In short, I'm lost. I think I need to purchase ColorSpace™ RGB Color Changing LED Strip Lights  [12 or 24V?] + a power supply [which one ?] + a 'controller' [to be able to change the desired color]

As your installation would utilize only 8.6 feet, we would likely recommend utilizing the 12V ColorSpace™ RGB Color Changing LED Strip Lights as well as a 12V power supply, such as the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip or TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply. 

LED Strip Lights and Accessories Needed for Garage Lighting

I have a 20x20 garage and am looking to get some of your products. I added them to the shopping cart but I know I am missing a couple of things. Items I have included so far:

1. Triac Dimmable Power Supply

2. Absolute Series LED Flex Strip - 99 CRI - 16ft

3. Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip (FLAT)

My goal is to have 4 sections of light mounted to the ceiling of our garage to give good 360-degree lighting. The goal right now would be to have 4 x 4ft sections of lights creating a square. The ends wouldn't be touching unless that really complicates the setup.

The goal is to get a dimmer switch and have this next to the other light switch on the wall currently.

What other items would you suggest I get to make this happen? I also haven't soldered before but have no problem learning that. I just don't know how to properly run power to this new switch on the wall to support this type of lighting.

Based on my review of your email, we would likely recommend adding the Female DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter, LED Strip to Strip Connectors, and a pack of 16 AWG wiring for connection to the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply. 

Beyond the three above products, we believe that all required components are included in your cart. As a side note, it might be helpful to know that the ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strips have a maximum combined length of 16.4 ft (5 meters). 

Connections that are greater than 16.4 ft will encounter voltage drop and reduced output. As such, we recommend utilizing one deviated power supply per full reel of the ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strips. 

As a final note, we have attached a link to the list of wall dimmers that have been tested and found as compatible with our LED Strip Lights and TRIAC Dimmable Power Supplies. 

This might be the first electrical job I try myself. Do you have recommendations for how to online somewhere or an article? Or, do you recommend I get an electrician?

We have attached several resources from our website below, which we hope prove to be helpful for your installation planning process. 

As a notable distinction for the LayoutMap below, it might be helpful to know that the ABSOLUTE SERIES LED Strip Lights utilize a barrel jack adapter for power connection. When using this product with the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply, we recommend using the Female DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter for easier future adjustment. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

LED Strip Lights - Everything You Need To Know Before You Buy

Getting Started with LED Strip Lighting For Your Home

How to Connect An LED Strip to a Power Supply 

All of that said, we can certainly understand any hesitations that may arise from wiring power supplies to ground voltage for the first time. If you are apprehensive about the installation process, we would recommend reaching out to a local electrician for assistance. 

Is it possible to have longer-distance wiring connecting the 4 sections of an LED? My plan was similar to a map but the distance between each section was going to be longer.

For the aluminum case that they go in, do you recommend any space at the ends of the strip or the strip can go tight up against the ends of the casing?

While the segments can certainly be connected over long distances using 16 AWG Wire, it might be helpful to know that great expanses may introduce voltage drop. Voltage drop typically reduces the maximum light output and may cause performance issues.

In the hopes that it proves to be helpful for your installation planning process, we have attached a link to our Voltage Drop Calculator tool below. 

Voltage Drop Calculator

Regarding the aluminum channels, please feel free to install the LED Strip Lights that the LED Strip Lights are aligned to the end of the channels. ​

Can I use a single power supply for a 16 ft. cut LED strip?

I need to cut 16 ft. (30cm) strips and rejoin them with the couplers. Can I use a single 12V power supply unit for this setup?

As our LED Strip Lights have a maximum combined length defined by voltage, the 12V versions have a maximum combined length of 499.872 cm (16.4 feet), whereas the 24V versions have a maximum combined length of 32.8 ft (999.744 cm). 

As such, based on the details provided it does appear that a single 120 W (10 Amp) 12V power supply would be capable of providing power for 480 total centimeters (15.748 feet) connected with the LED connectors. 

UV Cabinet Light for Drying and Adding Color to Violins

We are changing the lights in the UV cabinet we use for drying and adding color to violins. It is a small cabinet 700mm High x 500m wide x 500mm deep. The real UV LED strips, I can cut to size, I will then need adapters, 7095, and the LED jump strips. I am unsure say if I have 4 x 600mm strips in the cabinet. What I would need with the PN 3091 PSU? Can I daisy chain off this PSU? I am in the UK so want to be sure I get all I need in one order. 

We can confirm that multiple connected segments of LED Strip Light products can be connected to a single FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip using accessories such as the LED Strip to Strip Solderless Connectors. 

​So long as the hardware-defined maximum combined length is less than 5 meters, no voltage drop or reduced output should be encountered. 

In the hopes that it proves to be helpful, we have provided a LayoutMap link below for an installation that utilizes multiple connected segments of realUV™ LED Strip Lights. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C

In our use, we would have 4 individual strips in a small cabinet. We can use the strip-to-strip connectors, 3071, to do this. But do you have any longer than 6”?

Though we do not have longer LED Strip to Strip products available, two alternatives come to mind that might be helpful alternatives. 

Primarily, the LED Strip to Wire Connectors could be connected together using wire nuts or soldering to create expanses that are 11.8 inches in total. 

If the ideal wire expanses between the LED Strip Lights are to be greater than 11.8 inches, you may alternatively be interested in soldering or connecting the aforementioned LED Strip to Wire Connectors to our 16 AWG wiring. 

That being said, please note that long lengths of wiring within installations can cause voltage drops and reduced lumen output per subsequent foot of connected LED Strip Light products. 

In the hopes that it proves to be helpful for your installation planning process, we have attached a link to our Voltage Drop Calculator below. 

Voltage Drop Calculator

Can the UV LED strips be powered with a car battery?

Can the 365/395 nm UV LED strips be powered with a car battery (cigarette lighter), or will the 13.6 volts of the battery blow out the 12-volt rated LEDs? 

As our LED Strip Light products are designed for specific voltages, they will, unfortunately, become damaged when connected to and operating with a power supply with a higher voltage. Doing so would also void the product warranty, and we do sincerely apologize for any impact this may have on your purchase planning. 

LED Strip Light Recommendation for Front Room Installation

I am looking to light my front room with an LED Light strip, preferably 1 power source for my front living room (79 feet total). The room has 10 feet high Barrel ceiling with a piece of trim 8’ up the wall. I wanted to run the strip around the entire room on top of the trim (5/8 inch thick) and use a diffuser strip, maybe V-shaped. There are eight 45-degree angles (the fireplace pops out 1’). Need dimmable, very bright (95+), and perhaps able to change color although the dimmable super bright white is most important. Would prefer to have it wired to a light switch on the wall and a remote to control the colors. Interested in the multicolor or just white?

Based on the details provided, it appears that the installation area would require five 16.4 ft reels of our LED Strip Light products. 

As a starting point, it might be helpful to know that our LED Strip Lights have maximum combined lengths of 16.4 ft for the 12V version, and 32.8 ft for the 24V version. As each foot of LED Strip Lights uses 5.5W, we generally recommend one dedicated power supply per full reel of product. 

For a multi-color installation, we recommend the FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights, which can be combined with the DMX Dimmer and Decoder as well as a third-party DMX Controller for the adjustment of each color channel. 

If a single-color white LED Strip Light is preferable, we have many options that can be powered by the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply and easily connected wall dimmers and smart home systems. For residential installations, we often recommend the 2700K or 3000K options of the CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential. 

As can be noted in the LayoutMap below, multiple TRIAC Dimmable Power Supplies can be connected to the same dimmer so long as the maximum amperage is not exceeded. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

We will want the white only dimmable strips. As bright as we can get 24V. Looks like we will need 2 of them and will need 2 power sources. Ran into one dimmable strip. You didn’t mention the V-shaped track with a cover that disperses the light as not to see the individual LED lights. Do you carry those? If not, how wide are the LED strips?

We, unfortunately, do not have any V-shaped tracks, and we do sincerely apologize for any impact this may have on your installation planning. 

Currently, we have both the flat and corner version of the aluminum channels available, which are able to accommodate the 10mm width of our LED Strip Lights. That said, third-party manufacturers such as Klus Design appear to have many other form factor options available. 

LED Lights for Planted Aquarium

I’m looking to change from T5 tubes to LED and looking for recommendations if you have any product lines.

We are happy to confirm that we have several options that could be a good fit for your installation. 

That being said, please note that the majority of our LED products are not IP rated for protection against the elements, such as moisture or condensation. As such, if the ideal installation area is to be submerged or located close to water, we, unfortunately, would not have a compatible product available in our catalog. 

The primary products which we would recommend would be our LED Strip Lights installed within our aluminum channels for diffusion. These LED Strip Lights can be paired with wall dimmers and power supplies, and can also be controlled using smart home systems. 

You may also be interested in our integrated T5 Linear Light Fixtures, which contain both internal power supplies and light sources. These items can also be daisy-chained together by interlocking or using the included daisy-chain cables. 

Can I run SimpleColor Red and Infrared 850 nm IR LED Strip Light in parallel using one 12V power supply?

I want to check what your recommendations are for utilizing two of your products in parallel with a switch (A, B, or A+B) utilizing one power supply. I want to use the PN:7041.630 (Simple Color 12V LED Strip - RED) and the PN:7031.85 (Infrared LED Strip Lights - 1m) in a prototype I'm designing to use them as a source of heat and red light. I will be using about a meter of both in parallel, with the power junction through a switch that allows me to choose to use them individually or at the same time. I want to use just a single power source (The PN3091 from your company) and my initial thought is that this should support my use, but I'd like to check with your recommendations to see if that will be sufficient before making my purchase. 

For as long as the total available power provided by the power supply is not exceeded by the LED Strip Lights, we would expect the installation to operate without any issues. 

In the hopes that it proves to be useful, we have shared an article from our website below regarding the installation of LED Strip Lights in Parallel vs. in Series. 

Connecting LED Strips in “Series” vs “Parallel”

LED Strip Light and Accessories for Kitchen Lightning

I am currently replacing my cabinets and want to install under-cabinet lightning. My kitchen has three sections. A 27" cabinet, space for a hood, Three cabinets with 54" lf, window gap of 7', and then a 30" cabinet. I was planning to purchase the LED tape strip as they easily install. I am confused about what to purchase to connect to Alexa and allow direct wire. 

We are happy to confirm that our LED Strip Lights and power supplies are compatible with many smart home hub systems, such as Lutron Caseta, that can be controlled with Alexa and Siri integrations. 

Based on the details provided, it does appear that the 3200K FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights could be a great option. In the hopes that it proves to be helpful, we have attached an article on the topic below for your review. 

Dimming LED Strip Lights and LED Bulbs using Smart Lighting Systems 

For your installation planning, it might be helpful to know that these products have a maximum combined length determined by the input voltage. The 12V version has a maximum run of 16.4 ft (5 meters), whereas the 24V option has a maximum run of 32.8 ft (10 meters). Lengths that exceed those will encounter increasing voltage drop and reduced light output. 

Further, as both versions require 5.5 watts per foot, each reel will require 90.2 watts. As our power supplies offer up to 120 W power output (120W/10A for 12V, and 96W/4A for 24V to meet Class 2 rating). Given this, we usually recommend utilizing one dedicated power supply per 5-meter reel of LED Strip Lights. 

We have shared several LayoutMap links below, which illustrate the common installation methods that our customers utilize. These pages also contain descriptions and links to each of the recommended connector accessories. As can be noted within 3001-1C, multiple in-wall power supplies can be connected to the same wall dimmer. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3D

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3E

Signal Chain for Connecting the Color Tunable LED Strips

I'm working to integrate about 128 linear feet of the color tunable strips into an upcoming installation. We would ideally be controlling dimming and color via DMX, but I'm not sure I'm quite fully understanding the signal chain for connecting these, and how best to actually wire them so they act as a single unit. 

As a starting point, it might be helpful to know that the FilmGrade™ HYBRID LED Strip Lights have a max run of 32.8 feet. Due to this, any connected lengths that exceed that length will encounter voltage drop and decreased light output. 

As a further consideration, our 24V power supplies have a maximum output of 96W in accordance with class 2 ratings. As each foot of the Hybrid LED Strip Lights requires 45W per reel, roughly two full 16.4 ft reels can be connected to a single power supply. 

As can be noted within the user manual for the DMX Dimmer and Decoder product, multiple units can be daisy chained together. When they have been connected, the downstream units will emulate the settings of the primary upstream DMX Dimmer and Decoder. 

So I could use a single power supply and a single DMX unit per ~32 feet of tape, and have them all talk to each other. Correct?

I think this makes sense. Are the products I sent earlier the correct ones?

We can confirm that so long as each ~32-foot length has a dedicated DMX Dimmer and Decoder as well as a dedicated power supply, the installation should allow for daisy-chained operation. 

If any of the LED Strip Lights of DMX Dimmer and Decoder units wind up being unneeded for your installation, please feel free to take advantage of our 30-day return policy. 

So long as the LED Strip Lights are in their original condition and have not been cut or altered, including the adhesive backing being removed, we will gladly provide you with a prepaid return label. 

As the FilmGrade™ HYBRID LED Strip Lights requires a 24V power supply, we would recommend the matching voltage 24V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip (PN3092). Further, as the power supply uses a barrel-jack adapter, your installation may benefit from utilizing the Female DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter (PN7094) and extra wiring for connection to the DMX Dimmer and Decoder power contact pads. 

LED Strip and Accessories Needed for Display Cabinet

I want to buy a roll of your CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential Quantity (x2), but I don't see info on the length of the roll. I need about 11 feet + whatever connectors are needed to separate them into 4 pieces, connected by cables each of which would be about 2 feet long.

We can confirm that the CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential are sold in reels that are 16.4 ft (5 meters) in length. 

These reels have designated cut points with contact pads that can be used to segment and re-connect the strip lights to our PN 3071 solderless connectors. 

This LED strip product requires a DC 12V or 24V power source to operate. We recommend a minimum power supply capacity of 96W when operating the entire 16 ft. reel.

We have also attached two LayoutMap links from our website below which feature links to each of the recommended connector accessories. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B

Flicker-free Dimmable with a Decor Style Wall Dimmer

Does the below system produces flicker-free output?

FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights 

CENTRIC SERIES™ Flicker-Free Dimmable Power Supply 24V

Lutron DVCL-253P-WH = 250W

We can confirm that the 24V 6500K FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights (PN3002.65) would offer flicker-free output when paired with the 24V CENTRIC SERIES™ Flicker-Free Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip (PN3104). 

As a further note, it appears that the referenced Lutron DVCL-253P-WH dimmer would be compatible with the aforementioned products as well. 

What is the power supply needed for CENTRIC HOME LED Strip PN 3003.30?

I'm looking to get the item PN 3003.30, to split into 3 lengths for under-cabinet lighting. I do not need dimming. Is it the 3091 power supply that I need (three of them)? I see cut marks on the strip - I assume I can cut and wire myself. 

We are happy to confirm that the CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential have designated cut points every 0.984 inches (25 mm). 

As can be noted within the below LayoutMaps link, multiple individual segments can be connected to a single power supply. We also have several connection accessories that can make installations slightly easier, each of which is linked within the LayoutMap below. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B

Recommended Flexible LED Strip Light for Celtic Harp

I need a sticky back flexible light strip to tape to the underside neck of a Celtic Harp. Most strings are whitish, and some are red and blue. Certain stage lighting can cause a vibrating string to become invisible = not good. What K value of light would work best?

Based on the details provided, it sounds as though a low flicker rate of the stage lighting may be causing the vibrating strings to appear invisible, rather than the ‘Kelvin’ color temperature of the lights. As such, we would likely recommend utilizing a flicker-free power supply to pair with our flicker-free LED Strip Lights in your preferred color temperature to solve the issue at hand. 

While we are not familiar with the most common color temperatures of lighting that might be used for cello stage performances, we are happy to confirm that our LED strip lights are available in a broad set of color temperature options. Further, we can confirm that color temperatures are not linked to flicker rates, as each of our color points allows for flicker-free output. 

For powering the cello-attached LED strip lights, we would recommend the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip. This product can provide flicker-free output and can be connected to wall sockets for power. As many of our LED Strip Lights are available in both 12V and 24V options, we recommend selecting a power supply of a matching voltage. 

Which Strip do you recommend?

-Considering I will be using a 12 V Lithium Battery Pack for boosting batteries (Electrical Instrumentation background)

-I need 3K to 4K light tone and 10 ft flexible sticky back strip

-Since it is against wood (classical harp), do I need to be concerned with heat

Based on the details provided, we would likely recommend our 16.4 ft (5-meter) reel of the 3200K FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights. These strips have designated cut points every .984” (25 mm) which can be used to divide them into the preferred lengths. 

As can be noted within the referenced article, we have measured an average temperature rise of 54°F (30°C) over ambient temperatures. If the wood material or finish upon the wood is sensitive to such rises in temperature, we would recommend selecting a third-party light product that has a lower LED density to protect the material. 

While batteries could potentially be used to power the LED Strip Lights, we generally recommend pairing them with a FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip. A dimmer can also be connected in-line to adjust the output. 

LED Strip and Required Accessories for Under-cabinet Task Lighting

I am ordering LED strip lighting PN 3004.40, power supply PN 3092, Flicker Free Dimmer PN 3081, aluminum channel PN 3060, and barrel jack products PN 7095 PN 7094. Are all of these components compatible? To the 2nd question, I am looking for good under-cabinet task lighting in the kitchen. Is the color temperature 4000 a good choice? 

Based on our review of the contents, it appears that all required items are both present and compatible. In the hope that it proves to be helpful for your installation planning, we have attached a LayoutMap link from our website below for an installation using connected LED Strip Lights segments. 

While we typically recommend the 3000K color temperature for kitchens, the 4000K color temperature option can also be a great choice for providing a neutral white color for cooking preparation areas and task lighting. 

If a warmer color winds up being preferable or if any connectors purchased are unneeded, please let us know and we would be happy to provide a prepaid return label. So long as the LED Strip Light has not been cut or altered, we can accept it as a return. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B

LED Strip Lights for Under-Shelf Lighting

I'm trying to determine what I need for my project and I require some additional assistance. I have 4 stacked wall-to-wall shelves that I want to install under-mounted LED strip lights. 

Each shelf is just under 8 feet long. Do I need 2 power supplies to power 32 feet of 12V centric home strips? Should I buy a 12 or 24V power supply? Can I control all of this with 1 dimmer or will I need 2? 

What I have in my cart is the following: 2 16' LED Home centric 12V strip lights 2 flat aluminum casings 1 pack of PN 3070 connectors 2 film grade DC power supply (24V) 16 AWG wires 2 PN 7094. Right now I don't have dimmers included. Does this make sense? I want to make sure I have everything I need.

Based on the details provided, we would suggest utilizing one dedicated power supply and dimmer per reel of the 12V CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential. As the LED Strip Lights require a total of 90.02 watts per reel, and as the 12V power supplies have a maximum output of 120V, adding reel would likely result in diminished light output. 

​We would also strongly recommend updating the power supply in your cart to be a matching 12V. When power supplies with non-matching voltage are used, permanent damage to the LED Strip Lights can occur which will void the warranty. 

​Based on my review, it appears that the majority of the items within your part list are accurate, apart from the aforementioned incompatible voltage of the power supplies. 

In the hopes that they prove to be useful, we have shared two LayoutMap links below for installations that utilize the aforementioned power supplies and 12V CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2D

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B

LED Strip Light for Home/Residential Lighting

I have an old Victorian house and am thinking of installing LED light strips inside the picture rail. I prototyped this with the 2700k Centric Home strip + the FilmGrade Flicker-Free Dimmer and it works wonderfully though it's a bit yellow. 

Is there a difference between the 3000k Centric Home LED Strips and the 3200k FilmGrade White LED Strips other than the color temperature? 

As the underlying technology is identical, the only difference between the two items is the color temperatures available. Both items are also available in the same 12V and 24V options.

What is the difference between the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply and the Centric Series Flicker-free Dimmable Power Supply? 

The TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply has an optional junction box, whereas the CENTRIC power supplies have slightly smaller dimensions. The smaller dimensions can be quite helpful for installations that have less room for wiring and power supplies, such as cabinetry installations. As a further note, the CENTRIC SERIES™ power supplies are only available in the 24V option, whereas the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip is available in both 12V and 24V options.

For those power supplies, what are the mounting restrictions? I was thinking of putting them in the basement ceiling, but they would be running up against Radiant Barrier insulation that currently covers the bottom of the floor joists. 

As we are not familiar with the standard precautions that a radiant barrier installation might require, we would likely recommend reaching out to a local electrician for an informed opinion regarding safe placement. 

Do you recommend putting a fuse between the output of the power supply and the light-strip? If so, how would you calculate sizing? 

Generally speaking, adding fuses between the power supply and LED Strip Light products is not required or recommended. 

LED Strip for Kitchen Under Cabinets Lighting

I want to light my kitchen under the cabinets. Each cabinet is about 18" wide with a 1-inch box under each. If I cut 3 strips 18 inches long, what would I need to power each? Also, I intend to power them with a wall switch. 

Based on the details provided, we would recommend purchasing one reel of our 3000K CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential for your under-cabinet kitchen installation. 

These LED Strip Lights can be segmented, connected with 16 AWG wiring, and powered with the same in-wall TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for control using a compatible wall dimmer. 

In the hopes that it proves to be helpful, we have attached a LayoutMap below for a similar installation of segmented LED Strip Lights. Within this map, there are links for each of the recommended connections accessories that you may need. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

Does your TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply create heat?

I'm planning on creating an installation to bring much-needed light to my living room. (A 16 ft continuous run along 1 wall connected to a dimmer switch on the wall. My question is: Does the Power Supply create heat? That is, could I drop the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply unit behind the drywall, or would that be a fire hazard? 

We can confirm that the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply will generate a small amount of heat while operating. We would not expect that this heat would cause a fire hazard. 

Further, when these products are installed behind drywall we typically recommend purchasing the optional junction box to protect the power supply and allow for ease of future adjustment. 

Here’s the circuit I’m planning. Before I order, does that look right to you?

Lutron Wall Dimmer switch 

Power Supply 

LED 24V Strip 16 ft. 

LED Connector Strip 

LED 24V Strip 16 ft.

Based on our review, it appears that the Lutron Diva (PN DVWCL-153PH-WH) is among our list of tested and compatible wall dimmers. As such, we would not expect any issues to arise when using it with our products. 

That being said, we typically do not recommend utilizing DC Power Supplies with in-wall dimmers and connection to in-wall power. As an alternative, we would likely recommend two units of the 24V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip, as the total voltage requirements of two reels (180.4W) would exceed the available supply from a single unit (96W). 

In the hopes that they prove to be useful for your installation planning, we have attached two LayoutMap links below which illustrate installations that use our power supplies and in-wall dimmers. These pages also feature links to each of the recommended connecter accessories. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

If I wanted to put each LED Strip on its dimmer (16 ft per dimmer, vs 32 ft on 1 dimmer.

Power Supply: Do I need to order another Power Supply? I have already ordered the one you recommended below, but that was for 32’ on 1 dimmer. Do you recommend 2 of the same product or 2 different products?

Switch: What dual dimmer switches do you recommend? I do not see any on the list. 

Based on our review of your recently placed order and diagram, we would recommend utilizing a total of two identical 24V power supplies, with one dedicated to each 16-foot length of the product. 

Though the 24V LED Strip Lights have a maximum combined length of 32.8 feet, each foot requires 5.5 watts of power. As the 24V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply can offer a maximum of 96W, 24 feet of LED Strip Lights would require a much greater 180.4W of power than could be supplied by a single unit. 

Unfortunately, it does not appear that any of the dimmers within our compatibility list features dual controls, and we do sincerely apologize for any impact this might have on your installation planning. 

Will the LED strip continue to emit light as the voltage drops?

Will these continue to emit light as the voltage drops if I were to use an energizer A23 12V battery? It would only be one or 2 sections being powered. Or is that not even an option? 

Generally speaking, the LED Strip Light products can continue to function so long as there is a minimum of 10V being provided to them. When less than 10V is available for the 12V realUV LED Strip Lights, they will have greatly reduced output, and may not have any visible output. 

For reference, the 12V realUV™ LED Strip Lights require 4.5 watts and 400 mA per foot from the power supply. Unfortunately, the A23 12V battery does not appear to have sufficient milliamp-hours for stable power for the LED Strip Lights. 

That being said, we have spoken to several other customers who have utilized larger 12V batteries to supply power for LED Strip Lights for installations on RVs, boats, and other portable installations. 

Is it possible to hook up the LED strips to the main power source rather than the power supply box/cord?

My gym purchased the red 630nm LED strips years ago and loves them! We are in the process of building out a new facility and have a few questions about the LED strips. We would love to fit the facility with the daylight strips and red light strips but am curious about a few things. Is it possible to hook up the strips to the main power source rather than the power supply box/cord yall sell? The second question is, can strips that are already mounted be repurposed? Third question, if not to the second question do yall buy back LED strips and re-purpose them?

As the LED technology requires direct voltage, power supplies are required for connection in AC ground voltage for operation. As such, they would require a power supply for conversion to DC for functionality. 

For reference, our TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply has an input voltage of 100-277V AC, which is converted to 12V or 24V DC to provide appropriate voltage to the LED Strip Light products.

We have not encountered installations where the LED Strip Lights are removed and re-adhered to the channels or mounting surfaces, though it does appear that 3M sells double-sided 10mm adhesive tape, which could potentially be used for repurposing the lights. 

As a final note, we, unfortunately, do not have any such program for buying back and repurposing our products. We do sincerely apologize for any impact this might have on your purchasing plans. 

Will your LED Strips dim via a wall dimmer with Centric Dimmable Power Supply?

I'm wondering if your film-grade LED strip lights will dim successfully via a wall dimmer if I also use your flicker-free Centric dimmable power supply?

We can confirm that our FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights and CENTRIC SERIES™ Flicker-Free Dimmable Power Supply is compatible with the majority of wall dimmer products, as can be noted within the ​dimmer compatibility guide. 

Flicker-free LED Bulbs for Golf Simulation Bay-focused Lighting

I am looking for non-flicking LED Bulbs that we can use to light golf simulation bay-focused lighting that can be combined to get 12,000 lumens.

While we might normally recommend our NorthLux™ 95 CRI BR30 LED Bulbs for focused lighting, these items unfortunately are not flicker-free and may not be the ideal product for your golf simulator. 

That being said, we have several alternatives that you might be interested in, such as the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ Full Spectrum Flicker-Free A21 15W LED Bulb. As this product outputs 1600 lumens per bulb, 7-8 units should be able to meet the 12,000-lumen target. 

It might be helpful to know that previous customers have utilized our LED Strip Lights for golf simulators which integrated high-framerate video capture, such as our FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights. These products can offer dimmable flicker-free output, though they would also require dedicated power supplies and additional wiring. 

Guidance on Light Type and Required Accessories for Residential Project Lighting

I would like to discuss a project we are working on for a customer and we would like to get some guidance on lighting type and required items to finish the project. 

Requirements:

1) 300 Linear feet of trimless recessed channel in plaster - 3 or 4 inches in size. 2) 80 Linear feet of trimless recessed channel in plaster - 2 inches in size (40 feet will be exterior wall mount).

Item# 1 Some of the area would require 2 LED strip lighting to be run in the same channel. Based on this we would need approximately 600 Linear Feet of LED strip lighting. 

For starters, it might be helpful to know that our LED Strip Light products are sold in 16.4 ft reels, and have maximum combined lengths defined by voltage (16.4 ft for 12V, 32.8 ft for 24V). As such, if any installation where lengths greater than the above is to be connected, they would require dedicated power supplies and connected wiring to the power source. 

If you require longer uninterrupted lengths for your installation, we unfortunately may not have the ideal products available. We do sincerely apologize for any impact this might have on your installation planning. 

​Further, while we currently sell the Aluminum Channels for mounting the LED Strip Light products on walls and other surfaces, we do not have plaster channels available in our catalog. 

I am attaching the plans with this email, we are planning on installing the linear lighting in the OPEN space; only rest of the rooms will have canned LED light. 

1. Family room / Kitchen - various lengths 4, 8 and 12 Foot runs

2. Great Room 4 of 16 Feet Linear light

3. Entertainment - 2 of 3 8 or 12 Feet Linear light

4. Pooja Room - 2 of 12 Feet Linear light

5. Dining Room - 2 of 12 Feet Linear light

6 Walkway Top and Bottom - 4 Feet Runs

Exterior 

Garage Pillars - 3 - 6 or 8 Foot 

Main Door 2 of 8 Feet runs

Though we are more than happy to recommend some products for your construction, we might recommend reaching out to a lighting designer for layout advice, as we do not specialize in planning layouts or lighting installations. 

In the hopes that it proves to be helpful, however, we have attached links to some of our LayoutMaps below, which illustrate installations where segments of LED Strip Lights are powered by multiple power supplies while connected to in-wall dimmers. These pages also list the connection accessories that are recommended, which we hope are helpful for your planning purposes. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

For residential installations, we typically recommend utilizing the 2700K and 3000K color temperatures as can be noted within the guide below. As such, we would recommend the CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential product, which is available in those color points in both 12V and 24V versions. 

Which LED Light Color Temperature Should I Choose?

For a list of in-wall dimmers and smart home dimmers that are compatible with our power supplies, such as the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply, please review the following link. 

Updated Dimmer Compatibility 2021 

Centric Daylight LED Strip for Kitchen Under Cabinet Lighting

I want to use the Centric Daylight LED strip 4000K, so that requires the 24V power supply?

Yes, that is correct. Our CENTRIC DAYLIGHT LED strip lights are offered in 24 volts only, so you will want to ensure that you select the correct power supply voltage (24 volts).

Does the 16 AWG wire need to be stranded like speaker wire or can it be a single copper 16-gage wire?

​There are no firm requirements here as long as the wires can handle the current load. Single-strand copper wires would be fine at 16 AWG or thicker.

Can the solderless connector end of PN 3071 be disassembled and reassembled for installation purposes?

Yes, they can be detached and reattached numerous times. However, after multiple assemblies, the contact point may become less reliable over time (as the connector clamps need to bite down onto the circuit board), so we would recommend avoiding reassembly as much as possible. If absolutely necessary, you could cut one section of the LED strip section off to obtain a "fresh" LED strip connection point.

Is there any noise/whine created by the power supplies?

The units do not produce any audible noise, but if there are particular concerns about this, we would recommend testing before installation to double-check. As a worst-case scenario, we would be happy to have you return the units to use for a full refund.

PWM Frequency of Centric Series Power Supply

Your articles talk about using 25khz PWM to avoid audible effects from dimming, but your spec sheet does not mention the PWM frequency of CENTRIC SERIES™ Flicker-Free Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip. What is the frequency of this unit?

The PWM frequency for our CENTRIC SERIES power supply units is > 20 kHz. There should not be any concerns or negative effects at this frequency level.

Is it possible to dim the realUV LED Strip Light?

LED Strip to Strip PN3071 - Is it possible to dim this LED Strip? Is it possible to operate two 12V strips in a series connection on 24V?

As our LED Strip Lights are designed to be voltage specific, we do not recommend utilizing 12V products with a 24V power supply as electrical hazards may arise which will void the product warranty. That being said, We can confirm that the LED Strip Lights when connected to a matching voltage power supply and dimmer can have adjustable output. 

The dimming of UV-LEDs is possible (PN7021)?

We are happy to confirm that the realUV™ LED Strip Lights can be dimmed using several different products, such as the FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer and in-wall dimmers which are connected to the 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply. 

Light Set-Up Recommendation for Commercial Installation

I am ordering your aluminum channel to light a product I use which is called 3-form. It is a recycled plastic and we are using it in a commercial setting. I have 4 straight lengths of 8 feet each and I want to light it slightly with a warm white I need a power supply and I think a residential white. Can you kindly recommend what parts I may need?

Based on the details provided, we would recommend purchasing two 16.4 ft (5 meters) reels of our 24V CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights for Commercial & Retail in the 4000K color temperature option, as that is the color point most often recommended for retail and commercial installations. 

These two reels can be connected and powered by a single 24V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply, and can also be connected to in-wall power and controlled using either in-wall dimmers or smart home dimmers such as Lutron Caseta. 

We have attached a LayoutMap from our website below for an installation that utilizes segmented LED Strip Lights, hard-wired power, and a wall dimmer. This LayoutMap also contains an installation description and links to each of the optional connector accessories that may be required. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

Will flickering be eliminated if we follow the dimming guidelines?

If we follow these guidelines, will flickering be eliminated? It doesn't specifically say so in the article. 

Generally speaking, the ability to provide flicker-free output is determined by both the power supply and LED products. As such, the inclusion of the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip or FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip of a matching voltage should allow for the flicker-free output of the connected LED Strip Lights. 

UV LED Strip Purchase Guidance

Please help me purchase LED strips at 365 nm. I do not understand exactly what I need to purchase with the strips or how to make them work.

It might be helpful to know that these 12V 365nm realUV LED Strip Lights need a separate 12V power source and can make use of extra connector accessories if many segments need to be linked.Below are some layout map links that I've linked in the hopes that they'll be useful for your installation planning. Each link includes a description, an illustration of the arrangement, and links to each of the featured elements.LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4A from LayoutMapsTMLED Strip Light Layout 7021_4B from LayoutMapsTMLED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C from LayoutMapsTM

LED Strip Light and Accessories for Mirror Installation

I’m totally new in this light world. I’ve been a hairstylist for over 10 years and I know how important the lights are even after dark. I’m trying to install strip lights around the mirrors looking for 4000K. I need a plug in no dimmer what do I need? 

Based on the details provided, we would likely recommend using the 24V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip and the 4000K 24V CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights for Commercial & Retail. As the LED Strip Light does not contain pre-attached adapters, we would recommend utilizing the Female DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter to connect it to the power supply. 

In the hopes that it proves to be helpful, we have attached several LayoutMap links below which contain installation diagrams for the ENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights. These links also contain information regarding any of the optional and required connecter accessories. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2A

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2D

Planning on installing strips around large square mirrors can I place them in the corners? Do I need to buy corner connecters?

We would recommend utilizing the LED Strip to Strip Solderless Connecters for the connection of LED Strip Light segments at the corners of the mirror installation.​

Lighting Recommendation for Painting Studio

I’m interested in purchasing strip or bulb LED tube lights and fixtures from you— something that can light a 400 sq foot space w only a glass garage door as the source of daylight. I hope to find something in the 4500k range, with a high CRI. 

As a primary recommendation, you may be interested in our FilmGrade™ HYBRID LED Strip Lights, which can be calibrated to achieve any color temperature between 3200K and 6500K. 

For an easier installation that would require less wiring, you might be interested in our 4000K or 5000K options, such as the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ Full Spectrum Flicker-Free T8 LED Tube Lights, which are designed to be compatible with our LED-Ready T8 Fixtures. 

You might also be interested in our CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ 95 CRI LED Shop Light Fixture, which is designed for easy installation using the included hook and chain. This integrated fixture has been very popular with artists who utilize garages or other areas as studio spaces, due to the easy installation. 

Are any or all of these lights dimmable?

The products that we shared are unfortunately not dimmable. If dimmable products are preferable, we might alternatively recommend the NorthLux™ 95 CRI BR30 LED Bulb for Artwork & Studio, or an installation that utilizes our LED Strip Lights. 

The LED Strip Lights can be mounted to ceiling or other surfaces by using the Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip, and powered using either in-wall power supplies or standard DC power. These products can also be controlled using the majority of standard in-wall dimmers, such as Lutron and others. 

If it proves to be helpful, we have attached a few LayoutMap links below which illustrate LED Strip Light installation options. Each diagram contains installation descriptions, as well as links to each of the recommended connecters and power supplies. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1A

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B

I’d like to know if you have a tube light structure that’s LED and also dimmable. Do the strips work in the first hanging fixture you sent?

Unfortunately, we do not have any fixtures which are flicker-free and dimmable at this time. We do sincerely apologize for any impact this may have on your purchasing plans. 

As a further note, the LED Shop Light fixtures shared in my initial reply are designed with pre-attached LED lighting products within. As such, no additional lighting products are required for operation. 

Are the LED shop light fixtures flicker free? Space is a total of 400 sq ft. Could the fixture be hung upside down so that it bounces off the ceiling as opposed to being hung as overhead lights?

We can confirm that the LED Shop Light Fixtures are indeed flicker-free.

While these fixtures could be installed in such a fashion that they shine directly upwards for indirect lighting, they are designed to be hung from the included hook and chain. 

Based on the dimensions provided, it appears that the space would be evenly illuminated for artwork creation with 31,451 lumens. This target could be reached with seven of the LED Shop Light fixtures, which each output 4,200 lumens. 

As an alternative, the target could also be reached using 18 units of the T8 LED Tube Light products, which are designed to be compatible with our LED Ready T8 Fixtures. 

Can I use a Lutron Caseta Switch with your transformer driver and third-party LED Strip?

I had an issue finding a wall switch. Finally found this one and want to use it with your hard-wired or maybe I can use barrel jacks.

Wave Form - FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip

YUJILEDS® High CRI 95+ IP67 Waterproof LED Flexible Strip - 24V

For installations using in-wall power, we recommend using the 24V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip instead of the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip. This power supply is compatible with most models of wall dimmers, which include the Lutron Caseta Wireless In-Wall Dimmer featured in the photo that you provided. 

Please note that as this 24V product has a maximum output of 96 watts, it would not be able to provide sufficient power for a product that requires 150W. If the YujiLEDs product requires 150 watts of power, we recommend using a third-party power supply capable of providing that output. For reference, we do not have any power supplies capable of providing 150 watts. 

Max Voltage for CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip

I am retrofitting a retail space (clothing store) and would love to use your Centric Daylight 4000K LED strips. I see that they run on 24V DC. What is the maximum voltage they can withstand? I currently have 17 power supplies that output 27V and eight power supplies that output 30V. Can any of these be used on your LED strips?

As our LED Strip Light products are designed with specific voltage in mind, we do not recommend utilizing power supplies that exceed the stated voltage with them, as such configurations will likely cause damage to the products and void the warranty. We do apologize for any impact this might have on your installation planning. 

As alternatives, we recommend utilizing matching voltage power supplies, such as our 24V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip or 24V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip. 

Can I use a dimmable constant current LED driver?

I see that the spec sheet for the CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights says that the strips accept a 'Constant Voltage' power source. Does that mean the strips would perform poorly with a 'Constant Current' driver? I would like to be able to power the strips via a 24VDC Li-Ion battery bank. It appears that all of the Meanwell DC-DC LED drivers are constant current. Would using a dimmable DC-DC constant current driver like this be problematic? 

Though we can confirm that our LED Strip Lights are designed for ‘constant voltage’ rather than ‘constant current’, they should theoretically work so long as the voltage has been properly set from the power supply. 

Based on our review of the Mean Well DC-DC Constant Current Step-Down LED driver, it appears that the input voltage can be selected, depending on the model number (LDD-300L, LDD350L, etc). As such, we recommend ensuring that stable voltage can be set and provided to the LED Strip Lights before use in order to prevent any product damage. 

Power Supply for UV LED Strip Lights

I am interested in the 365 nm real UV strip lights, but I want to be able to use them where plug-in power will not be available. Can they be powered by a portable rechargeable battery pack? If so, could you recommend one that would power the 16 ft strip for 5-6 hours (or the specs I would need to search for)? 

We are happy to confirm that our LED Strip Lights are designed for DC input, and can be connected to batteries for power. 

While we do not have any specific battery models to recommend, it might be helpful to know that one 16.4 ft reel of the 12V realUV™ LED Strip Lights requires 73.8 watts (at 4.5 watts per foot) and 6 amps at 12V DC (400mA at 12VDC per foot). 

So long as the selected power supply is able to meet those needs, it should function properly. 

Flicker-free and Dimmable Lighting Option

My cabinet makers installed Hafele 12 V LED lights on the bookcase. And I make a lot of YouTube videos. Unfortunately, my LEDs flicker and produce annoying lines. The LED strips are RGB and the remote has a dimmer. What can I buy from you to remove the flicker, and allow me to dim the lights? 

As flicker-free functionality is often provided to the connected LED products as a feature of the power supply, we would likely recommend our FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip or TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip for your installation. For dimming your lights, you may be interested in our FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer. 

Hopefully, these options will allow for your RGB lights to output consistent flicker-free operation. We also recommend ensuring that the lights currently being used are compatible by voltage (12V vs 24V) and draw prior to replacing the currently utilized power supplies. 

Do I need to change out the LED strips? Assuming I replace the LED strips with yours, do you have corner pieces I can use to connect strips in 90-degree connections to turn the inside bookcase corners? What equipment will I need to control the color and saturation of the LEDs? Do I need more Power supplies? (60 feet of lights). Which LED lights do you recommend I purchase?

It appears that the Hafele 833.95.746 driver is able to output either 90W at 12V. At 90W, it appears that they would be able to provide ample power for one full 16.4 ft reel of our LED Strip Lights per power supply. As such, you may be able to replace the lights in your installation with our 12V LED Strip Light products without requiring the purchase of additional power supplies.

For your retrofitting, it might be helpful to know that our 12V LED Strip Lights have a maximum combined length of 16.4 ft (5 meters). As lengths that are greater than this will encounter increasing voltage drops, we would recommend pairing one dedicated power supply per reel. 

For an alternative to the multi-channel Hafele light strip products, we would recommend our 12V FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights, which can be paired with our DMX Dimmer and Decoder or third-party DMX controller for the adjustment of light output. 

The controller currently being used by Hafele may also be compatible, though we have not performed any internal compatibility tests with their controllers. If so, this would allow you to continue using Bluetooth control for the installation. 

While do not have corner connectors, you may alternatively be interested in utilizing our 5-Channel LED Strip to Strip Solderless Connectors for the corners of your installation. 

Do you have a transformer that allows to string all (4) reels together?

I am considering using your strip lights and installing them myself instead of buying the Shop light fixtures (similar to the ones I have already purchased). I would buy four of the 5 m reels. Do you sell a transformer that will allow me to string all 4 reels together? Or do I need to buy multiple Transformers (the Transformers I see on your website)? If that is the case, how many reels will one of your transformers power? 

We can confirm that we generally recommend one dedicated power supply per 5 meters (16.4 ft) of LED Strip Lights product, and do not currently have a power supply capable of providing power for multiple reels. 

As each reel of LED Strip Lights consumes 5.5 watts per foot, 90.2 watts would be required of the 120-watt max output DC Power Supplies and TRIAC Dimmable Power Supplies. It might also be helpful to know that the 12V LED Strip Lights have a maximum combined length of 16.4 ft, whereas the 24V version has a maximum run of 32.8 ft. Lengths greater than these will encounter diminished output, as well as voltage drop. 

We have attached a LayoutMap below that illustrates an installation utilizing multiple TRIAC Dimmable Power Supplies connected to a single in-wall dimmer, which we hope is helpful for your installation planning. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

For installations using our own products, we would suggest a layout similar to that linked below, though you may be able to locate third-party power supplies elsewhere that would be able to afford greater output. 

LED Strip Lights for Indirect Lighting

I am setting up an edit/color suite and want to hang acoustic panels from the ceiling with LED strips pointed toward a white ceiling to bounce the light back down into the room (hopefully eliminating glare and hotspots). The room's dimensions are 13' x 17' and I would have 6 2'x5' distributed throughout the room. Do you think lining the edges of each panel would create enough bounce light to illuminate the room? Because we are using the ceiling as a bounce should we invest in the higher CRI lights to make up for the bounce or would we be ok using the 95 CRI lights? By my calculations, I would have to get 5 strips to completely line my panels so the savings would add up quickly. 

For your installation, we would likely recommend the 6500K FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights, which can output 450 lumens per foot and are available in 12V and 24V options. 

Using our Lumen Estimation Calculator, we estimate that the room would be fully illuminated with 17,727 lumens, which can be accomplished with 40 ft of LED Strip Lights (that being roughly two and a half 16.4 ft reels).

For lining the backing of the acoustic panels, you might find value in utilizing the 'Corner' versions of the Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip to aim the lights at a 45-degree angle towards the ceiling, though the flat version will also likely work. 

In the hopes that they prove to be helpful, we have attached a LayoutMap below which illustrates the connection accessories and has installation tips. This LayoutMap utilizes a DC Power Supply, though in-wall dimmers and in-wall power supplies can also be used via barrel-jack connecter accessories.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3E

LED Strip Lights for Above-Cabinet Lighting

My daughter’s teacher has asked me to install LEDs above a cabinet for her. I’d like to use non-flickering LEDs and your company comes recommended. But I’m not technical and don’t understand if your strip lights would even work for my application (like which voltage I need). I just want something I can plug into a wall Jack and control easily. Colors would be a bonus.

Based on the details provided, we would likely recommend the 4000K CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights for Commercial & Retail, as that is the most commonly recommend color temperature for classrooms and workspaces. 

While we do offer the multi-color FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights, it is a product that often requires PC (or automated) control, as well as the FilmGrade™ DMX LED Dimmer & Decoder with 5 Channel Output for control of the individual color channels, which may not be convenient for all purposes. 

For the above-cabinet lighting, we might recommend using a combination of the FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer and FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip. The LED Strip Lights can also be installed within the Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strips, which are available in flat and corner options. 

Third-party remotes may be available elsewhere as alternatives to the in-line dimmer, and would likely consist of an intermediary receiver installed between the power supply and LED Strip Lights.

In the hopes that they prove to be helpful, we have attached two LayoutMaps below which illustrate the configuration options and accessories. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2D

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B

As an alternate option that would involve fewer components, you might also be interested in the 4000K CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ 95 CRI T5 LED Linear Light Fixtures, which are designed to be easily mounted and daisy-chained while offering a high CRI of 95+. That said, please note that these linear fixtures are not dimmable. 

Could I get the UV LED Strips segmented for a Pool Table?

I'm interested in buying your True UV LED Strips for a pool table and was wondering if there was a way I could get the strips segmented out for each side of the table so the balls going into the pocket wouldn't damage the strips.

It might be helpful to know that the realUV™ LED Strip Lights are designed with designated cut points every 0.984 inches (25 mm) for installations requiring various segment lengths. 

These cut-points include solder pads, which can be connected to power (or other segments) using soldering or LED Strip Connectors. 

Regarding protection against damage, we would likely recommend installing the lights within products such as our Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip. While these channels are only available in 3.3 ft (1 meter) lengths, we have heard that other customers have divided these channels using handsaws for precise measurements. 

Is there a way that you could cut them to my measurements and install connectors between them? would make things a lot more convenient for me seeing as I have no soldering gun or experience soldering.

As we are unable to ship custom-cut orders, we would likely recommend using the solderless LED Strip to Strip and Gapless Connecters as an alternative option. 

These products were designed to easily clasp upon the LED Strip Light segment's contact points for connection to power sources, and would not require any soldering. 

Can I use your solderless connectors to connect as many UV LED Strips as I want? That being said, other than a 12V power supply (planning on using the strip connectors around all 6 pockets and the strip-to-strip to connect the 3.2-meter strips), should this theoretically do the trick and illuminate my UV reactive pool balls?

It might be helpful to know that the LED Strip Lights have a hardware-defined maximum combined length of 16.4 ft. When continuous runs exceed that length, voltage drop and diminished output will be experienced. To overcome this, we usually recommend one dedicated power supply per full reel of LED Strip Lights. 

As a further note, each LED Connector will cause a minute drop in the voltage being provided to each subsequently connected LED Strip Light length. As such, you may find that using an excess of connectors within a 16.4 length will result in slightly reduced output. 

Beyond the two recommended power supplies and the single-color connectors, it appears that the items in your cart should theoretically illuminate the pool table playfield. In the hopes that it is useful, we have attached two LayoutMap links below. The first is for a segmented realUV installation, and the latter is for an installation where two reels and power supplies are connected to a single wall dimmer. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

LED Strip Lights and Accessories for Kitchen Lighting

I've attached a layout for the CENTRIC HOME LED strip LIGHTS that I'm thinking of buying for my kitchen. 

The total length of the cabinets (17') is slightly more than the (16') length of the light strip kit. Do you have a recommendation for how to lay out it?

As the total length of the cabinets is slightly greater than the 16.4 ft reel of the product, you may be interested in connecting an additional small segment of LED Strip Lights via a second purchased reel, as a slightly greater connected length should not overly tax the single connected power supply.

Based on the attached layout distances, which TRIA dimmable Power supply should be purchased 24V DC or 12V? Will a single power supply be enough if powered from one end of the run?

 If you were to utilize an additional segment of LED Strip Lights, we would recommend using 24V products, as they have a greater maximum combined length than the 12V version (32.8 ft vs 16.4 ft). We also recommend selecting LED Strip Lights and power supplies of matching voltage to ensure functionality. 

I will be using the flat Aluminum Channel for the light strip --so all connections must be soldered. Are any special connector cables needed for other connections?

While soldering on the LED Strip Light solder pads is an option, you may also be interested in our LED Strip to Wire and LED Strip to Strip accessories, as featured within the LayoutMap. 

I am planning to make an order of the following items have I left anything out to make this system function properly:

It appears that the referenced set of products is sufficient for your installation unless additional connector accessories are preferred. 

The power supply junction box can be useful for insulating the power supply when installed behind drywall, though some customers prefer to place the power supply within the cabinet toe kick for easier accessibility. 

It might also be helpful to know that the cooler 3000K color temperature is most often recommended for kitchen installations, whereas the warmer 2700K is more common for living areas and bedrooms. 

Under Shelf Lighting for Backdrop Studio

I recently purchased some LED strip lights from a third party for under my shelves for the backdrop of my studio for filming cake decorating. We installed all of them, they looked great until we turned on the camera. No matter what shutter speed we chose, there is terrible "banding" from the lights. 

I'm wondering if I could use the current setup I have but use your "FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip" with this setup I already have. It is a remote control setup, so would I need to purchase your dimmer also to make this work? This is what I purchased.

If I wasn't able to use my current setup, what is the full setup I would need to do non-flickering lights under two shelves (43" each) with 27" between them where they'd need an extension? It's really just ambiance lighting, so we're trying to keep it in a friendly-er budget. 

We can confirm that the flicker rate of LED lights is most often defined by the power supply and dimmer utilized, rather than by the LED product itself. 

As such, you may find that utilizing our 12V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip may improve the performance of your third-party lighting installation. 

​That said, it appears that the remote receiver of the product referenced utilizes a special connection plug which our LED Strip Lights do not use. As such, you may not be able to use our products with the remote and receiver.

Regarding an installation that would use our own products, our LayoutMap pages, such as the ones below, illustrate the arrangement of our components. We estimate that two 43” shelves could be illuminated with one segmented 16.4 ft (5 meters) reel of LED Strip Lights, powered by one dedicated 12V power supply. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2D

Dimmable Power Supplies and Dimmers for Adjustable Backlit Lightbox

I am trying to build an adjustable backlit lightbox for looking at backlit prints at various color temps and brightnesses. Could you provide any assistance with the dimmable power supplies and dimmers? Specs, where to get them, etc.

Based on the details provided, it does appear that our Hybrid LEDs would be a good match for the installation if connected to the shared power supplies in parallel, due to the maximum combined length (32.8 ft) and reduction of required dimmers per channel. 

Regarding the connected power supplies, we would recommend ensuring that they can offer sufficient amperage for the total connected amount of product. For additional connection advice, we have attached a configuration guide for the Hybrid LED Strip Lights below. 

How to Connect Hybrid CCT Tunable LED Products

As an alternative, you may also be interested in our FilmGrade™ HYBRID LED Flex Panel. 

This flex panel product offers the benefit of utilizing 1152 total LED diodes per panel (576 per channel) as well as pre-applied wiring for power, which can help reduce the complexity of larger installations. 

Is the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply flicker-free?

The TRIAC dimmable power supply is indeed flicker-free.

Wiring three LED strips in one switch for faux window installation.

I'm going to be creating a faux window for a film set and was wondering if the following configuration could be a viable option for lighting it: 1x Lutron Skylark dimmer switch 3x TRIAC Dimmable Power Supplies (wired as shown in the diagram on the product page) 3x FilmGrade 16' 5600k 24v strips Am I correct in assuming I can only run 1 full strip per Power Supply? Does this configuration make sense on paper as long as I wire everything up alright? 

The FilmGrade LED strip lights sound like a great option for a faux window installation!

We've reviewed your proposed configuration and can confirm that this should work great. As you mention, we are limited to one 16.4 ft reel per power supply due to power supply capacity limitations. As such, connecting the three reels to a single wall dimmer (in parallel) would be the best approach.

Do I need two power supplies for two (16.4 ft) LED Strips?

I’m interested in the Centric Daylight 4K LED strip lights for my garage. I have a few questions before I place an order. I’m wanting to install two reels worth of lighting (16.4/reel) in my garage. Is the two power supplies I need 3094.096? I’m wanting to use a typical dimmer, for those types of power supplies. Is there an illuminated switch you recommend? I want to be able to see it in total darkness. Also, I want a recessed aluminum channel but I didn’t see them on your website, any brand you recommend or point me where to get them?

You are correct that you will want two PN 3094.096 power supplies for each of the two LED strip reels. The good news is that both of these power supplies can be connected to a single wall-dimmer circuit (in parallel) so that you can control both LED strip reels from a single wall-dimmer. Below is a layout diagram showing how this can be configured:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1C

​Regarding illuminated switches, unfortunately, we don't have any active catalog of compatible dimmers with this feature, but we do maintain a general list of tested dimmers which can be found below:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CD_3093.pdf

We should note that our dimmable power supply is designed to work with all phase dimmers, so there is a good chance that it would be compatible with any given illuminated dimmer switch you end up going with (we would still recommend testing before permanent installation).

Our aluminum channel products are not specifically designed for recessed installations, but can certainly be installed in such locations if needed. The product link is below:

For a wider selection of aluminum channels, we would recommend reaching out to KLUS, which specializes in this area. The link is below:

https://klusdesign.com/

What PWM frequency(s) are used for the PWM output of LED Strip power supplies?

I have some questions about the 3104 and 3094.096 dimmable power supplies for LED strips. What PWM frequency(s) is/are used for the PWM output of these power supplies? Are these power supplies compliant with the IEEE 1789 "flicker-free" NOEL specification? And is there a flicker graph available as published by IEEE 1789? 

Our PN 3104 and PN 3094.096 power supplies utilize PWM (100% modulation) at a 20 kHz frequency.

​In terms of the IEEE 1789, this would place the product firmly in the "safe" zone given that the standard suggests that frequencies above 3 kHz have not shown to have any detrimental effects on humans.

Do I need two transformers for two 12 inches LED strips?

I am designing open shelves for my kitchen and have several questions: I will need 24' of strips split into two 12' runs - do I need two transformers? For open shelves if I use diffuser channels how do I route connectors to the next shelf?

The maximum recommended run length for our LED strip lights in most cases is limited to 16.4 ft (one reel) so for two runs of 12 ft, you will need to use two separate transformers. This is unfortunately due to the current draw limitations on the LED strip light, as well as power supply capacity constraints, especially for a residential Class 2 installation.

​Multiple sections of the LED strip lights can be "daisy-chained" using low voltage wire such as our PN 7098. We've linked to a layout distribution below which should help visualize the installation method:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-4268.919951544279&py=-4912.126233002789&pw=1366&ph=1046&s=0.2781926160615588

As far as the aluminum channels are concerned, the PN 3070 connectors will be too wide to fit inside the channels, so we would either recommend soldering the low voltage wire directly onto the LED strip copper pads or allowing the LED strip ends to protrude a bit to allow for the connection to happen outside of the aluminum channel.

Most likely I will solder directly - my thinking is to route the shelves and install the channel all the way to the wall like a large U. So we will miter the channels at the 90-degree corners. Can I bend the steps that tightly or use soldered wire jumpers?

Soldering directly is definitely a solid option and should work well for joining the sections between the aluminum channels.

​For the 90-degree turns, we would not recommend bending the LED strips for two reasons. First, the LED strips do not bend laterally, and only in an up/down direction. Secondly, the bend radius for a 90-degree turn would likely be too tight, resulting in damage to the LED components. Since it sounds like you'll be set up to solder jumper wires, using the wires for the 90-degree turns won't be too much extra trouble.

Regarding your second question, the answer is most definitely "yes" and the layout diagram below should be helpful:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1C

Do you offer a sample kit with DC power and a LED strip?

I have a small photo studio 1m 3. I would like to buy your photography LED strip. The sample kit looks good, but I fear 6" may be a little too small. However, a 5m strip would be vastly more than I need. Would you be able to offer a kit with DC power and a LED strip of maybe 1m? I am in Scotland and so do not want to buy excess as it will add to the shipping and import duties. I look forward to your suggestion. 

While we completely understand the concern, unfortunately, all of our LED strip light products are pre-packaged in 5-meter reels, and we are not able to handle custom or partial reel measurements at this time.

​This may not be helpful from a cost reduction perspective, but we do offer a user-friendly flicker-free LED dimmer which may help allow you to achieve a wide range of brightness settings for your studio space. Utilizing the entire 5-meter reel will not only allow you to achieve very high brightness if needed but also provide a much more evenly distributed lighting effect by allowing the light to emanate from a larger area.

​In case you're interested, I've linked to the product below:

realUV LED strips for the Photographic Exposure Unit

I'm considering using your realUV LED strips to build a UV light panel for a photographic exposure unit. If I connect 2 - 5 meter strips together in "series" using one FilmGrade DC power supply, will there be enough current for consistent light intensity from the lights from the beginning to the end of the strips (or will the last LED be dimmer than the first LED)? Would it be better to wire them in "parallel" and/or use an additional power supply? How many strips can you connect together before the voltage drop results in the dimming of the LEDs farthest from the power supply? Also, how stable is the realUV LED's light intensity over its lifetime (ie, does it dim or change color output over time)? 

For installations using multiple reels of product, it might be helpful to know that the LED Strip Lights have a maximum combined length of 16.4 ft (5 meters). Connections that are greater than this will encounter increasingly diminished output. 

Further, as each reel requires 73.8 watts, and as our power supplies have a maximum output of up to 120 watts, we usually recommend using one dedicated power supply per reel. 

We have attached a report for the realUV™ LED Strip Lights below, which charts the average power output degradation of approximately 4.0% over 2000 hours. 

365 nm realUVTM LED Longevity Test Data

TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply and Low Voltage Wires

I recently purchased the TRIAC dimmable power supply and Centric LED strip lights. Our contractor however wired low voltage wires from the transformer to the in-wall switch (box), and two strips (~4 ft each) are wired to this box. The walls were closed before I could review this with them. Because this differs from the recommended setup with control before the transformer, can an in-wall dimmer be connected to the low-voltage line, or am I now stuck only being able to use a toggle switch for this setup?

Unfortunately, this is not the correct setup as most in-wall dimmers require line voltage (120 volts AC) to operate properly. Furthermore, for safety and electrical code reasons, we strongly recommend connecting the in-wall dimmer to the line voltage side.

While we understand this may lead to additional costs and project delays, we recommend reconfiguring the wiring to ensure that all components are connected correctly.

Could an ELV dimmer (e.g. Lytton DVELV-300P) be used in conjunction with the low-voltage configuration? 

Unfortunately, both forward phase and ELV dimmers are designed to be used on line-voltage circuits only, so we'll be running into the same concerns and issues here. 

Do you have a suggested Lutron Caseta Smart Dimmer for the TRIAC power supply?

I purchased the Triac Dimmable LED power supply the other day. I'm trying to figure out which Lutron Caseta Smart Dimmer switch I am supposed to use. Lutron support said I should use "Caseta PD-5NE". Please advise if that is the dimmer switch I should be using or if you have any other suggestions. 

We can confirm that our TRIAC Dimmable Power Supplies have been verified as compatible with most Lutron dimmers. This includes ELV (extra-low voltage) dimmers such as the referenced Caseta PD-5NE. 

Further, we expect a wide range of dimmer compatibility with the Lutron dimmer models that have not yet been tested internally. As such, we believe that the Caseta PD-5NE dimmer would be able to function optimally with our power supplies. 

High CRI Dimmable Lighting for Small Room

We are looking to light up a small room we have built. It is around 9x12ft. Currently, we have some edge-lit LED panels (2x4) in there which have low 80 CRI but nice diffuse light and dimmable as well. We are looking to get around 50,000 Lumens of high CRI, Dimmable light. We have some thoughts about using your LED strip lights and a diffuser sheet, but I am worried about the amount of lights, power supplies, and dimmers I would need. 

As every 16.4 ft (5 meter) reel of the 12V or 24V LED Strip Lights provides 7500 lumens, 6.6 reels would be able to provide the requested 50,000 lumens. 

Though each reel would require a dedicated power supply (such as the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip or TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip), it might be helpful to know that multiple power supplies and product reels can be connected to the same in-wall dimmer, as illustrated within the TRIAC product page. 

​That said, please note that wall-dimmers have maximum wattage ratings. We would recommend ensuring that the products connected per dimmer circuit do not exceed that rating for safety purposes. 

If the DC power supplies were alternatively used, each reel would require a dedicated dimmer, such as the FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer. 

In the hopes that it proves to be useful for your installation planning, I have attached a link to a LayoutMap below, for an illustration that utilizes multiple power supplies. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

Do you have any type of extruded aluminum channel that I could adhere the LED strip lights in to allow for cooling, and easy of assembly and disassembly? This unit will be taken down to travel to trade shows and re-assembled. 

We can confirm that we sell the Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip in both flat and corner versions, which can be helpful for the diffusion of both heat output and light output. 

The aluminum channels have a 13mm internal width, which can be used to apply the 10mm width of the LED Strip Lights within using the preattached adhesive backing. 

By pairing this installation with detachable LED strip connectors, it could be a good option for the aforementioned trade shows. 

​Alternative options may also be available from Klus Design, though we have not personally tested the products they have available. 

Is it possible to daisy chain two 16-ft LED strips with one power supply?

Is it possible to daisy chain two 16-ft LED strips and power them with only one 12V or 24V DC power supply? Specifically asking about your products. 

Unfortunately, due to power supply capacity limitations, you would not be able to power two 16 ft reels using a single power supply.

Each 16 ft reel requires approximately 90 watts to operate, which means two reels would require 180 watts. Since our power supplies have a max power of 120 watts, the 180 watts would unfortunately overload them.

Do you have a recommended transformer to convert the 24V AC to DC?

I'm wanting to use your high CRI strip in a location where there is 24V AC. Might you have a recommendation for a 90W 24V AC to 24V DC transformer that would be suitable? I'm having trouble finding one.

​Unfortunately, we are not aware of any transformers which would convert the 24V AC to DC. A common term in the electronics industry is "rectification" - you might have some luck using that as a search term.

While we sure it would be less than convenient given your current setup, the alternate option here would be to install our LED strips with our power supply unit connected to 120 volts AC.

Do I need to put the power supply in a junction box?

An option is a junction box or no junction box. Are you asking whether I have a junction box, or if you need to put the power supply in a box? 

We can confirm that the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply has an optional junction box, which can be useful for some installations. 

This junction box is not critical for functionality, though it can offer some protection when the power supply is installed within the wall. To determine what is best for your installation area, we might recommend reaching out to an electrician for installation advice. 

12V vs 24V: Which voltage adaptor I should choose?

Have read all the info 3 times and am still at a loss to determine whether I have enough wattage (105) to power the 16 ft. strip. I understand I'll have a wattage need of 88. But I do not know a) whether the current to the shed, 20V, is sufficient, using an adaptor to get to 105 watts; and b) what adaptor I need to buy and whether I buy it from Waveform or elsewhere. 

I will use an adapter for connecting the strip to the power supply. This is for my art studio and the strip will be overhead. Will I need a channel? Or can I get away without one? The product number is 3003.3..or possibly #3004, the 24V. This is what I don't understand: what determines which one I choose? I want the 3000K version, and will also need PN 3071 connectors.

The aluminum channels can be very helpful for securely adhering the LED Strip Lights to mounting surfaces, while also providing the benefit of the diffusion cover.

We can also confirm that the product numbers of the CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential adjust slightly based on the voltage and color temperature. For example, the 12V 3000K is PN3003.30, whereas the 24V 3000K is PN3004.30.

For the 24V 3000K model, we would recommend using the matching voltage 24V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip (PN3092). 

We have attached several LayoutMap links below, which illustrate the various configuration options. These links contain installation descriptions, as well as links to each product within. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2D

As you can tell from the above guides, the Centric Home LED Strip Lights will require the Female DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter for connection to the power supply.

​

Can I run two LED strips in one power supply?

I have a plan for putting in some of your LED strips in my kitchen. I need only 24 inches in one section that is right by a dimmer switch in the wall. Then I'd like to run a length of in-wall cable to another section of lights across the room, to be run by the same switch. If the total length of strips is less than 16ft, can I run them off the same 24v TRIAC dimmer source?

We are happy to confirm that so long as the maximum combined length of LED Strip Lights is less than 16.4 ft, the two segments of lights can be powered by a single TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply. 

You might encounter a small amount of voltage drop depending on the expanse between the connected strip lights, which can be calculated using the below calculator from our website. Voltage drop can often be minimized by utilizing the proper gauge of wire. 

We have also attached a LayoutMap from our website below for a configuration utilizing connected light segments, in the hopes that it proves to be useful for your installation planning. 

LED Strip Light Wire Gauge & Voltage Drop Calculator

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

Can I hook up (3) realUV LED Strip Lights in a cabinet?

I want to hook up (3) 1m realUV LED strip lights in a cabinet. What parts do I need to order to complete this task? All would be powered by the same driver.

We have attached two LayoutMaps below which illustrate installations utilizing connected segments of the realUV LED Strip Lights. 

These LayoutMaps contain the recommended connections accessories, as well as a description of the installation. That said, your installation might also benefit from the 16 AWG wiring if the segments are not close enough to be connected via the LED Strip to Strip accessories. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4B

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C

If you prefer to utilize in-wall power with a TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply, we would recommend purchasing the Female DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter to connect the pre-attached barrel jack of the LED Strip Light to the wiring of the supply. 

Do you have LED strips that include UV-A and UV-C in 405 nm and 255 nm?

I see you have LED strips that include UVA and UVC. I would like to know if you have 405nm and 255nm (254nm) LED strips can buy. 

Unfortunately, we do not currently have 405nm or 255nm products at this time, and we do apologize for any impact this may have on your purchase planning. The closest match in our catalog would be the aforementioned 395nm realUV™ LED Strip Lights and the 270nm cleanUV™ UV-C LED Strip Lights. 

If I would like to have two LED strip lights displayed at the same time. Can I have one power supply to operate two Led strip lights? or do I need to buy other gear from your company to access it (for example a dimmer?)

We are happy to confirm that multiple LED strip lights can be combined with a single power supply, so long as the connected products do not exceed the available output of the supply.

For example, our FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip offers up to 120 watts of output. As the LED strip lights require 5.5 watts per foot, one 16.4 ft reel would require 90.2 watts. As such, we would not recommend connecting more than a reel to the power supply. Additionally, the LED strip lights have a maximum combined length of 16.4 ft. 

We have attached a link below to an article that illustrates the process of connecting LED strip lights in parallel.

Connecting LED Strips in “Series” vs “Parallel”

Can the 24V FilmGrade power supply drive a 6-meter LED Strip?

I'll be buying 24V FilmGrade LED strips and a 24V PN 3092 power supply. Can this power supply drive 5.3 meters of LEDs? What is the maximum length of LEDs that this power supply can serve? Can LED reels to be purchased in custom lengths? Having six @ 5.5 meters (three rows) and six at 3.5 meters (two rows) has several advantages for what I'm trying to achieve. I know about PN 3072. 4) my 2' long x 5-row prototype (900 footcandle) was constructed in a serpentine series -- rows 1 & 2 soldered together at the right end, rows 2 & 3 soldered at the left end, 3 & 4 right, 4 & 5 left. Instead, can the power supply drive three 6' rows of LED wired in parallel using 3 PN3070 connectors twisted together and wired into a single PN7094 female adapter? 

As 5.3 meters of LED Strip Lights would require 3.4A and 95.63W of the available 5A 120W, we can confirm that PN3092 would be able to provide sufficient power for the three 6 ft rows of LED Strip Lights. 

Generally speaking, we recommend drawing less than the maximum 120W to comfortably allow for minor variations in power draw. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to sell our LED strip lights in custom lengths at this time, and we do apologize for any complexity this might introduce to your planning process. 

We are happy to confirm that our LED Strip Lights can be connected in parallel. Based on my review of the details provided, it does seem possible for the PN7094 and PN3070 to be used in conjunction for a parallel installation.

We hope that the above is helpful for your installation planning. Please let me know if we can provide any further configuration assistance, and we would be happy to help!

What is the brightness of Centric Daylight Strip Lighting at a 3-feet distance?

Can you please tell me what the brightness would be in Lumens at a distance of 3 feet from your PN 3004.50? I need to have 1000 lumens at that distance from the source

Based on our review of the details provided, as well as our IES report data, we can confirm that the 3-foot illuminance value would be approximately 572 lux. As such, we would recommend utilizing two rows of products to reach the 1000 lux target. 

​We have attached a PDF containing the PN 3004.50 IES data below, in the hopes that it proves to be helpful for your installation planning. 

I want to buy the following to try the lighting out as proof of concept and want to be sure I am buying the proper items

1 each 16-foot strip 3004-50

1 each power supply, would that be the 3071?

1 each package jumpers, 3071

Our plan to start will be to outfit a single 8-foot bench so we are cutting it in half and will double the side of the strip by side….

Also, I see you have the 3060 surface mount extrusion but it looks to only fit one LED strip in width. We need two strips to sit side by side…

Do you have an aluminum extrusion that would fit TWO of the LED strips and also comes in longer lengths?

We can confirm that the 24V 5000K CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights (PN3002.50, though please let me know if this is incorrectly listed as 3004.50) are compatible with the 24V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip (PN3092).

We can also confirm that the LED Strip to Strip Connectors (PN3071) can be used to connect segments of the Centric LED Strip Lights. 

If it proves to be helpful for your installation planning, we have also provided a link to a LayoutMap below for a segmented LED strip light installation. This link contains configuration details as well as links to each of the optional connector accessories. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B

As a final note, we do not have channels that can accommodate two parallel strip lights at this time, nor do we have longer channels available, and we do apologize for any impact this might have on your installation planning. 

When do you use the Film Grade power supply and when do you use the 3071 Power supply?

For reference, the PN3071 product in our catalog is the LED Strip to Strip connector, which is used to connect segmented LED strip lights. In case it proves to be helpful, we have attached a link to our full list of power supply products below. 

LED Power & Dimmers

TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply Compatibility

I want your drivers - one for each tape strip 2 below and 2 above kitchen cabinets - Ok so I'm getting these waterproof LED Tape strips YUJILEDS® High CRI 95+ IP67 Waterproof LED Flexible Strip - 24V SKU - YJ-BC-IP67RB-2835L-24V - specify 5600K can tour TRIAC drive them? which one> where may I buy it? What Lutron Decora style (vertical rectangle) dimmer to use with your driver - I need a stacked dual dimmer = 2 stacked inside the vertical rectangle - single gang. Lutron says they do not make one for LED drivers, but your site says your TRIAC can work with regal incandescent drivers. Yuji's driver does not. I wanted your tape but you do not make it waterproof. The driver need not be waterproof as it will be in the wall. 

We are happy to confirm that our TRIAC Power Supplies are compatible with most dimmers, and have been tested as compatible with many of the most popular Lutron products. 

We have attached a link to the compatibility document below, for your reference. Upon our review, it appears that the Lutron Maestro product line referenced has been tested as compatible. 

Compatibility List: https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CD_3093.pdf

We can further confirm that so long as the total power draw required by the LED Strip Lights is less than the maximum available output (120W/10A for 12V, and 96W/4A for 24V to meet Class 2 rating), the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply should be able to power the YUJI products referenced. 

Further, we recommend checking to be sure that the LED Strip Lights and power supply share the same voltage (12V vs 24V) to ensure functionality. 

Can I use a third-party power supply for Centric Home LED Strip?

I purchased an LED strip from a third party, and I'm dissatisfied with the quality of the light. I'd like to purchase lighting with a higher CRI. I'd purchase CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential, 3003.27, 12V, 2700K. I'm wondering if the power supply I purchased from them will be compatible with your LED strip. The one I have is 60W Magnitude UL Listed Dimmable Power Supplies. I'm powering 10.5 feet of LED strip. 

Based on our review of the Magnitude UL Listed Dimmable Power Supply product page, it appears that the 60W 12V version would be capable of powering 10.5 feet of our LED strip lights, which draw 5.5 watts per foot (totaling 57.75W). 

Additionally, as the LED strip lights require 450 mA per foot, 10.5 feet would require 4.725 amps, which is just under the maximum output current of the 60W power supply. 

That said, we do not see that the power supply lists flicker-free output as a feature. As such, you may find that the flicker rate of the LED strip lights is visibly noticeable. If so, you might be interested in our TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip as an alternative. 

Can I leave the cut strip exposed if I were to cut it in half?

If I were to cut the strip in half and run each half from its own power supply, can I leave the ends that I cut exposed? Or do they need to be wrapped in electrical tape?

The LED strip light ends do not need to be wrapped with electrical tape and can be left exposed. 

Also, instead of running each from a separate adapter, could I buy a 1-2 splitter and run both from the same power supply split in a Y?

We're happy to confirm that the LED strip lights can be connected to the power supply in parallel.

If I did would each have to be the same length?

The segments would not need to be the same length.

Could I do a 1-3 splitter piece as long as the total length was less than 16ft?

The 16.4 ft maximum run is only a consideration when installing connected lengths in series. When installing in parallel, the primary consideration would instead be ensuring that the output of the power supply is capable of powering the strip light segments. 

Also, is there any difference between a 3 ft strip running a 2amp vs a 6amp vs a 10amp supply? Would it change that efficiency or brightness depending on how much extra power the supply had?

As amperage and voltage needs are defined by the total connected quantity of products, we would recommend referencing the ‘power supply selection’ section of the realUV specification sheet. Within this section, you will see the 'Minimum Power Supply Capacity' for each length of strip light product. 

Finally, I have a couple of supplies that mention different amps on the input spec. What does that affect? For example, I think your 10amp supply says 2amp on the input spec if you look at the picture of it.

We can confirm that the 12V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip has an input voltage of 2A and output of 10A. As discussed above, the wattage and amperage needs of the LED strip lights are defined by the total amount of product being used. So long as your power supplies can afford the required power defined within the specification sheet, we would assume that the installation would function properly. 

When utilizing dimmable power supplies, there may be issues regarding minimum load. 

​When a dimmable power supply is connected to a product that uses a far lower percentage of the available output (such as 5-10%), unexpected dimming issues may arise.

Contrastingly, for an installation utilizing non-dimmable power supplies, we would not expect the minimum load to be an issue. 

Regarding the amperage of power supplies, the input amperage is not as important for product operation as the available output of the power supply. So long as the power required is under the maximum available wattage and amperage, the installation should operate without issue.

Flicker-free 12V LED Lighting Option for Travel Trailer

I am a building biologist building a travel trailer for my family and I am trying to source high-quality lighting for it. I see your 12V strip lighting, but I am wondering if there are other options that you could recommend. I really want a warm, flicker-free LED but am struggling to find this. 

As our catalog of products beyond the LED strip lights are designed for in-wall power (such as AC90-240V/50-60Hz for our A19 bulbs), they are unlikely to be compatible with the 12V battery power available in most RVs, campers, and trailers. 

As such, the closest match in our catalog would likely be the LED strip lights. The primary product among that line which we would recommend would be the 12V 2700K CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights, as they are able to offer a warm color temperature alongside a high CRI. 

Can I use a different power supply for 365nm realUV LED strip lighting?

I would like to purchase a section of your 365nm realUV LED strip lighting. The application in which I am using requires about 4 sections of about 2" or 3". Do I really need that large of a power supply or can I purchase one from somewhere else?

So long as the third-party power supply is both 12V and compatible with the electrical specifications listed within the product specification sheet, we can confirm that the LED strip lights should function properly. 

We have attached a link to the specification sheet below, for your reference. This document contains information regarding the power requirements per foot of product, which we hope proves to be useful for your installation planning. 

realUV™ LED Strip Lights Specifications Sheet: https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CS_7021.pdf

Do you have a LED Dimmer that matches my Lutron Wall Decor switches?

So I get your 3091. Do you have a 3081 that matches my Lutron Wall Decor switches? And what else will I need before I get to my waterproof TAPE strips do you have them? 

As wall dimmers are usually incompatible with DC-Plug power supplies, we might instead recommend utilizing the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip for in-wall power in the event that using a wall dimmer is preferable for your installation.

We can confirm that the TRIAC power supply has been tested as compatible with many of the Lutron dimmers on the market. Additionally, we would also recommend making sure that the TRIAC power supply matches the voltage of the LED strip lights. 

That said, please note that our LED strip lights and other products are not waterproof, or IP-rated for protection against the elements. If these products come in contact with moisture, they may cause an electrical hazard and void the warranty. 

Does Lutron Radio RA2 Compatible with TRIAC dimmable power supplies?

I'm hoping you would have some information regarding compatibility with Lutron's Radio RA2 dimmers with your TRIAC dimmable power supplies + 95 CRI LED strip lights. I see that they work with Caseta Dimmers, is there an RA2 dimmer that is preferred? 

Though we have not tested the Lutron RA2 against our TRIAC dimmable power supply, we can confirm that it utilizes the forward-phase mode that our power supply is compatible with. As such, we would expect that the Lutron RA2 dimmer would be functional with our in-wall power supply. 

​In case it proves to be helpful, we have attached a link to our dimmer compatibility document below: 

Compatible Dimmer List for CENTRIC SERIESTM LED Power Supply

Can we use the FilmGrade LED strips with another manufacturer's lighting channels?

We have specified Waveform FilmGrade LED strips to be used in another manufacturer's lighting channels. We are trying to determine the logistics for the procurement of all the necessary parts and power supplies. Do you have a service that assists with selecting parts & accessories? Do you have a service that helps select power supplies to suit a specific layout? Are there potential issues with compatibility if we used another supplier's power supplies?

Though we do not have dedicated services for part procurement beyond our storefront website, we would be more than happy to answer any product questions that you might have as well as provide general configuration advice over email. 

Generally speaking, so long as third-party power supplies are compatible and able to offer the appropriate amount of power for the quantity of connected LED products, they should be compatible. If it proves to be helpful, each of our product pages should have a specification sheet that lists the electrical requirements.

We plan to cut as well as join strips. Are there special waveform connectors for the connection/splicing of strips and the wire connection to power?

We are happy to confirm that by using the LED Strip to Strip connector (PN3072), the individual segments of the LED strip lights can be easily connected. 

That said, it might be helpful to know that our LED strip light products have maximum combined lengths of 16.4 ft (5 meters) for 12V versions and 32.8 ft (10 meters) for the 24V versions. When these products are connected to greater lengths than the above, they will likely encounter voltage drops and reduced performance. 

AC vs DC power: Which is better for LED Strip?

American green lights have very similar specs on their 95 CRI LED strips, with the exception, theirs are AC power and Wave form are DC. AGL says AC power is better on for the strips and adds life, among other things. Is this a true or falses statement? Looking at your (WFL) power supplies, I don't see one that can hook up to more than 16ft, ie one power supply for 32 or 64 continuous feet. 

Though we are not aware of the technical specifications of American Green Light’s products, we can confirm that our LED strip light products operate with DC power. 

We can also confirm that as each reel of our 24V LED strip lights utilize 90W of power, a 32ft run of the product would require 180W. Though this is higher than our own power supplies can offer, there are third-party power supplies available elsewhere that can offer a higher output. We have attached a power supply guide below in the hopes that it proves to be useful for your purchase planning. 

How To Choose A Power Supply For Your Led Strip Project

CENTRIC HOME LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential - 24V Specification Sheet

If you would like to share some additional details about the shop space with us, we would be happy to recommend a few products. In the interim, by using our lumen estimation calculator, it appears that the 120x20 space would be fully illuminated by 143 ft of LED strip lights (or nine 16.4 ft reels of product). 

For your shop installation, we would recommend the 24V 5000K CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights for Commercial & Retail, as the 5000K temperature is most recommended for shops and industrial purposes.

Under Cabinet Kitchen Light Replacement

I need to replace my under-cabinet kitchen lights with a white-only, 4000K system. I need to install a new over-cabinet light strip, color with standalone white (RGBW), and Bluetooth might work nicely. 

The reference document is here: https://www.evernote.com/shard/s102/sh/60b63539-5bda-de6b-3bd8-da7adbed18d2/63457905b12ae060428f710e1f94635a 

We have provided responses to each of the points listed within the provided Evernote document below.

Under-Cabinet Lighting

Currently, we do not have a 4000K LED strip light product in 12V. The closest match available is the 4000K 24V CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights for Commercial & Retail. For reference, this is the same product within the specification sheet shared in your document (PN3004.40). 

​We can also confirm that the product is compatible with in-wall dimmers when using an in-wall power supply. In order to evenly light the corners, we would suggest installing the lights within channels such as the ‘Flat’ version of our Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip. 

Over-Cabinet Lighting

Though not a direct match for the specified color temperatures, the closest option that we have available is our 12V FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights, also available in 24V. This product is able to offer RGB as well as Tungsten and Daylight color temperatures (2700K, 6500K). 

In order to adjust the individual color channels, we suggest a combination of the FilmGrade™ DMX LED Dimmer & Decoder with 5 Channel Output and a third-party controller. Although we do not currently have a Bluetooth or wireless remote that can be used with the product, there are likely options available elsewhere, such as TP Link. 

It might also be helpful to know that our 12V LED strip lights have a maximum combined length of 16.4 ft (5 meters), and our 24V LED strip lights have a maximum combined length of 32.8 ft. For a 12V installation, we would recommend installing two 12V lengths in parallel to a central power supply capable of providing the watts required such as our TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip. 

For connecting the product to the power supply, we recommend utilizing the LED Strip to Wire product (PN3075). For additional wiring, we would suggest 16 AWG. 

As the FiveSpect product draws different amounts of power depending on the color channels being illuminated, you might find value in the product specification sheet for selecting the ideal power supply for your installation. 

Exposed Roof Truss LED Lighting for Home Indirect Lighting

I am trying to provide roof truss lighting options to a client that wants to indirectly light home. 12v-24v LED. Could strip or bulbs on a fixture. Each should come with its own individual transformer. I can send pictures of the roof if needed. The ceiling interior height starts at 8ft and soars to 20ft at the ridge. 

In terms of space square footage, the home is 3000 sq ft. Each space would have a different amount of fixtures based on brightness, type of fixture, and amount of rafters in the space. My thoughts are to use the same fixture in the desired varying quantities in each space.

Though we do not have any spotlight fixtures in our catalog, the first bulb option that comes to mind would be our 3000K Ultra High 95 CRI E26 BR30 LED Bulb for Home & Residential, which is the most popular color temperature for common areas in homes. 

As an LED strip light option, we would recommend the 3000K CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential. I can easily imagine an installation where the lengths of the LED strip lights are mounted within our connected channels in the truss spans (or alternatively upon the trusses).

When installing the LED strip lights, the core considerations are the maximum combined lengths of the products (16.4 feet for 12V, 32.8 feet for 24V), as well as the amount of power being drawn per foot of product (5.5 watts per foot) in relation to the available output of the power supplies. 

​For the ceiling installations, we would recommend utilizing dedicated in-wall power supplies such as our TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip, which offers 120W for the 12V version, and 96W for the 24V version. 

​For example, if four 12V 16.4 ft reels (requiring 90.2 watts each) were installed within the channels, we would recommend four total power supplies, each being dedicated to powering one reel (as the 12V power supplies can offer 120W). Additionally, our power supplies are compatible with many smart-home dimmer products. 

For your layout considerations, you might also find value in our lumen estimation calculator, which can provide product quantity suggestions to meet the illumination needs of the space based on the dimensions. Additionally, our Layout Maps might be of value, as they contain links to the recommended connectors and power supplies. 

Does your ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip dimmable?

I want to make absolutely sure this product is dimmable: ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip - 99 CRI - 16 ft / 5 m Reel Also, what amount of wattage is recommended for a total of 3 strips, and do you have a wiring design recommendation? 

We can confirm that the Absolute Series LED strip lights are dimmable when paired with a compatible dimming power supply, such as our 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip or the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip. 

As each foot of the LED strip lights requires 4.2W, one full 16.4 ft reel would require 68.88W. That said, please note that the LED strip lights have a maximum combined length of 16.4 feet, meaning that powering uninterrupted lengths greater than 16.4 feet will cause voltage drop and will prevent optimal output. 

Given the above, we usually recommend utilizing one power supply per full reel, though you also have the option of connecting wire segments totaling less than 120W of power draw in parallel to one power supply. 

We have attached a few configuration layout guides below, which I hope prove to be helpful for your installation planning. The first two guides utilize the DC power supplies, where the latter uses in-wall power and will likely require the Female DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3E

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3D

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

I plan to wire twelve 4' sections in parallel (48' total). I see in the response that you are recommending having an independent power supply for each 16.4' section, however, if I use a 320W 12V supply, should that not be enough to power all 48'?

Utilizing a higher capacity power supply could indeed be a good solution for your installation, so long as the LED strip lights are run in parallel due to the aforementioned maximum run length of 16.4ft. 

We would also recommend ensuring that the amperage of the power supply is sufficient for providing current to that quantity of product. We have attached a link to the Absolute Series LED strip light product specification sheet below, which includes a guide for power supplies, in case it proves to be helpful. 

ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip Specification Sheet

So if I have three full reels, how many amps are required? The spec sheet only hits up to one full 16.4 length. Does the requirement increase by 3x?

As each full 16.4 ft (5 meters) reel requires 6 amps at 12V, I can confirm that three full reels would require a power supply capable of outputting 18 amps. 

How many LED strips do I need to provide some indirect lighting for the 20 ft x 30 ft space?

I need help to determine which products to buy for my project. The space is around 20 ft x 30 ft with three areas of windows (one located off the picture to the right). I will be placing a 100-watt LED in the dormer that you can see in the photo and a 270-watt (3-light) fixture in the stairwell that you can see in the photo. My plan is place to LED strips on top of the beams in the center of the room. 7 beams are 8 feet long. The end beams are about 6 inches from the ceiling and the middle beams are about 3 feet from the top of the ceiling. The light currently on the beams will be removed and not replaced. I need assistance in figuring out how many LED strips I need to provide some indirect lighting for the middle of the room and what products I need to purchase to directly wire the LED strips to a dimming wall switch. 

By using our Lumen Estimation Calculator, it appears that the room would be fully illuminated with ~13,744 lumens, which can be achieved by using 31 total feet of our LED strip lights, which output 450 lumens per foot.

For this installation, we would recommend utilizing two full 16.4 ft (5 meters) reels of CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential, which are available in the most common color temperatures for living areas, 2700K and 3000K. If cooler color temperatures are preferred, we have provided an infographic regarding color temperature selection below. 

To use two full reels, we recommend utilizing two units of the 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip, as each 12V reel requires 90.2W (at 5.5W per foot), and each power supply can offer 120W. I can also confirm that multiple power supplies can be connected to the same wall dimmer.

We have also provided a few links to our Layout Diagrams below, which list the required accessories for each installation type. For a list of our compatible wall dimmers, please reference the below document.

Which LED Light Color Temperature Should I Choose?

Compatible Dimmer List for CENTRIC SERIES LED Power Supply (all within are also compatible with the TRIAC power supply)

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

For mounting the LED strip lights, we would recommend utilizing a set of flat aluminum channel products, which would allow for the lights to diffuse upwards towards the ceiling, allowing for indirect light. 

I just measured the space again and what I would like to do is to put an 8' strip on the middle ceiling beam and three 4' strips on the three beams on either side of the center beam. This would equal 32' in total length - 4',4',4',8',4',4',4'. Based on this design I am thinking that I could order two 16' reels (12v or 24v?) and cut them into sections. Can you help me determine how to wire this? Also how many power supplies I would need for this design? Lastly, I am curious about the junction box option for the power supply.

Based on the details provided, I might recommend utilizing a 24V installation, as it would be less prone to voltage drop. For more information about the differences between the 12V and 24V options as well as voltage drop, we have attached a few informative blog posts below. 

We have also attached an illustrated layout below, which we hope proves to be helpful. In this configuration, the installation has been evenly divided across two power supplies and connected in parallel. 

​As each foot of the 24V LED strip lights utilizes 5.5 watts of power, 32 feet would require 176 total watts. By dividing the layout in this way, each side would require only 88 watts and 3.8 amps, which can be easily provided by each power supply. 

Advantages of a 24V LED system vs 12V

LED Strip Light Wire Gauge & Voltage Drop Calculator

Connecting LED Strips in “Series” vs “Parallel”

Additionally, the two power supplies could be connected to a single wall dimmer, as illustrated in the below diagrams. These LayoutMaps also include links to the recommended connectors and power supplies that you might need. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

What size wire should I be using to connect the strips to the power supply? Note that the power supply will be placed behind a wall thus the wire will be connected through the wall. I am not sure if that impacts the wire size. 

Generally speaking, we recommend utilizing 16 AWG wires for connection between the lights and power supplies, which are sold on our storefront. Further, we might recommend checking with an electrician to be sure that the gauge is sufficient for your in-wall installation. 

16 AWG Wire for LED Strip Lights - 33 ft / 10 meters

Power Supply and Driver for RGB LED Light Strip

I would like to install an RGB LED light strip on top of my 3/4 height walls in my loft. I am having trouble figuring out exactly what to buy besides the light strip and my electrician has not handled this type of installation in the past. I read that I need a power supply and DMX driver. 

Is there anything on your site that you'd recommend? I see the RGB light strip and housings, but I'm not sure which driver or power supply to buy.

We can confirm that for installations that utilize the FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights, we recommend utilizing a matching voltage power supply, DC adapters, and the FilmGrade™ DMX LED Dimmer & Decoder with 5 Channel Output. 

For more detailed installation instructions, we have attached a link to the product user guide below. This guide displays the multiple configuration options that are available for the product, as well as instructions for how to accomplish them. 

Specifications & User Manual

Additionally, it might help to know that the DMX Decoders are often paired with third-party DMX controllers. These controllers can allow for automation, scheduling, and PC/computer control of the light output. 

Are Lux24 and Ultra High A19 5W LED Filament Bulb available in E27 base?

Are Lux24 and Ultra High 95 CRI A19 5W LED Filament Bulb available in E27 base? What is the difference between CentricHome 3000K and FilmGrade 3000K? What is the M/P ratio for all CentricHome, FilmGrade, and Ultra High 95 CRI A19 5W LED Filament Bulbs?

I would also like to know if there is a much smaller output and size of power supply for the LED strip available. I'm looking to modify my R7s wall lamp to use LED strips and the power supply must be small enough to fit at the back space of the housing.

We can confirm that the Lux24 and A19 Filament bulbs are not currently available with the E27 base. We apologize!

Also, the 3000K CENTRIC HOME™ Full Spectrum Flicker-Free A19 10W LED Bulb and the 3000K FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free A19 LED Bulb are identical products that are provided with unique landing pages for marketing purposes. 

Further, the M/P ratios for the 2700K and 3000K are 0.49 and 0.55, respectively.

Lastly, we do not have any smaller power supplies, but third-party power supplies can certainly be used as long as they meet the minimum power capacity needs of the LED strip connection. Please see below for our online calculator which you may find helpful:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/pages/led-strip-power-supply-calculator-requirements

For LED strips, is flicker-free operation determined by the strips themselves or by the power supply? If the power supply is, what should I look out for to go with your LED strips for flicker-free operation?

We can confirm that the flicker-free functionality is a feature defined by the power supply, rather than by the LED strip light products. 

In searching for a third-party power supply that would allow for flicker-free operation, we would recommend comparing the power output against the details within our own power supply specification sheet. So long as the output is compatible, we would assume that the LED strip lights would be able to operate flicker-free. 

FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip Specification Sheet

Can I join two 16-ft LED strip lights together?

I have a bar wall that is 27' in length, I'm interested in your realUV™ LED Strip Lights for a menu wall. Can I join two 16' strips together, or do I need 2 power converters? Is there another product that would be better? Wall is 8' High. 

Though you might be able to find a higher output power supply than those that we offer, it might be helpful to know that the 12V realUV™ LED Strip Lights have a maximum combined length of 16.4 ft. 

​When attaching additional lengths beyond the maximum, one will typically encounter lower LED light output and voltage drop. As such, we would recommend utilizing one dedicated power supply per full reel (16-ft) of the product.

Do you have high CRI 3000-4000k linear fixtures for under-cabinet lighting?

I’m doing a kitchen reno and I’d like to buy some high CRI under cabinet lighting. I saw you have these under-cabinet LED modules, but I’m worried about glare without a diffuser. Do you have any high CRI 3000-4000k LED light bars or linear fixtures? 

Though we would usually recommend the NorthLux™ 95 CRI T5 LED Linear Light Fixtures as a primary alternative, these products are not available in 4000K. As such, they may not be a good option for your preferred under-cabinet lighting. 

As a second option, we would instead recommend the 24V 4000K CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights for Commercial & Retail. This product can be paired with in-wall dimmers (including smart-home dimmer systems) and powered using in-wall power supplies. Though this is a more involved installation process than the T5 linear lights, the product is able to offer some large advantages.

​Additionally, these LED strip lights can be placed within channels such as our 3.3' (1 meter) Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip product, which ships with diffusor covers. In the event that the 3.3' length is not to preference, I believe that third-party channels are also available from third-party marketplaces. 

​For your reference, I have attached a few interactive LED strip light layout diagrams from our website below. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1A

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

Can the channels you mention be cut? I have a few smaller nooks (e.g. 18-30"). Would you recommend the flat or corner channels for under cabinets? I'd place them near the front of the cabinet.

In our experience, under-cabinet lighting typically aims directly downward onto the counter surface area. Although we could easily imagine an installation where the corner channel units are back-mounted, this installation does not seem overly beneficial for lights that are to be installed towards the front of the cabinets. 

​As such, we would likely recommend the flat version of the aluminum channels for your installation. 

I'd like to go with the LED strips, and my electrician is coming in soon so I would like to get all the components for pre drywall ordered immediately. For the power supply, do I need a junction box, and should I get 12V or 24V? I see that 24V is out of stock until June 21 and I may need it sooner than that.

Would you be able to help me get a list of all the supplies I need including wire, etc? I'm looking at about 13 linear ft of cabinets / shelving to run strips under, with two opposite walls to cover. I've attached my kitchen layout so you can see.

Based on our conversations regarding the 24V CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights for Commercial & Retail, we would recommend utilizing either the 24V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip or the 24V CENTRIC SERIES™ Flicker-Free Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip. 

As the two products are identical feature-wise, the primary difference can be found in the smaller dimensions of the Centric Series power supply, which can be beneficial for installations that require a smaller footprint. If the power supply is required ahead of the TRIAC 24V availability date, we would then recommend the Centric Series. 

As the LED strip lights require 5.5 watts per foot, and as the 24V power supplies can offer 96 watts, each power supply can safely provide power for a maximum of ~17 feet. As such, we would recommend utilizing two power supplies to independently power the two 13 ft segments. 

We have attached links to our LayoutMaps diagram pages below, which contain layout instructions as well as links to each of the recommended connector accessories. I have also shared a link to the list of compatible dimmers (including smart home dimmers) that our power supplies are compatible with. 

​You might notice that Layout 3001-1C illustrates an installation that utilizes two power supplies for two product reels that are connected to one wall dimmer, which might be of interest for your kitchen installation plans. 

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1C

Compatible Dimmer List for CENTRIC SERIES LED Power Supply

I have about 13 ft total of strips to run along the two walls combined, not 13 ft on each wall. That being said there will have to be wire inbetween, but does that require extra wattage just for connecting strips across the room or can I get away with one power supply?

Can/should I put these power supplies inside a cabinet, tucked under an upper cabinet, or in a toe-kick or something so they arent covered in drywall in case of replacement, etc?

What wire should I get and can my electrician substitute out some locally available wire? Which wire should I get and can my electrician?

If you are planning to utilize 13 total feet of LED strip light product,we can confirm that one power supply should be more than sufficient. 

We can also confirm that the power supplies can easily be tucked away inside of cabinets or toe-kicks for easy adjustment, and do not necessarily need to be installed within the walls except to have access to in-wall power and connection to any in-wall dimmers or light switches.

Generally speaking, we recommend utilizing 16 AWG wiring to reduce the chances of voltage drop, which is available in our storefront. That said, this gauge of wiring is also very likely to be available from your local hardware stores. 

​Your electrician will likely be able to provide precise advice for the installation, though we generally like to inform customers that large wired gaps between the power supplies and products can cause some voltage drop, though this can be reduced by using a higher gauge of wiring. 

Power supply + cables + connectors needed for ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Linear Module

I am interested in buying some ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Linear Module to build a custom lightbox for "scanning" film strips with a digital camera. I am not 100% clear about all the items needed to make this work. I believe I would need the following: - ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Linear Module themselves - FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip. 

What type of cables are required to connect the WAGO 2060 connectors between each other to chain LED linear modules? 

What connecter is needed to connect the output of the Filmgrade DC power supply to the first LED linear module in the chain? 3. I intend to build an array of 15 strips (3 packs of 5). 

How many power supplies do you recommend I use in such a case to avoid overloading the power supplies? 

Based on the details provided, we believe that the below guide should contain answers to each of the provided questions. Within the guide, you will find links to each referenced product page, as well as detailed assembly instructions. 

Assembly Instructions For LED Modules

Additionally, as one 24V 120W power supply should be sufficient for installations that utilize fewer than 14 LED Modules (which draw 8.4W per unit), we would recommend utilizing an additional power supply for your installation of 15 modules. 

Further, please note that the LED Modules have a maximum run of 10 daisy-chained units. Installations that utilize additional connected units will likely encounter diminished lumen output. 

I am planning to use the led strips to build a custom lightbox that I will use to scan large-format film sheets.

I would like to know what the ideal distance between the LED and the diffusing plate should be to maximize the uniformity of light intensity. You should be able to determine this by knowing the light intensity distribution as a function of the angle away from vertical and knowing the distance between the LED strips.

We have provided a link for an article from our Knowledge Base below. Within this article, you will find information regarding the LED strip light beam angle, as well as recommendations regarding the calculation of the spacing between the LED lights and the subject. 

​Though originally written for our ultraviolet products rather than for our Absolute Series LED strip lights, as both have an identical 120-degree beam angle, we believe that the information within the article could be helpful for your installation planning. 

Realuv™ Led Strip Light Grid Array Spacing For Even Exposure

Can I use of Battery Pack to power the Absolute Series LED Strip?

I was planning on using a battery pack to power a 5' strip of your Absolute CRI 99 product for use in the illumination of fine art photography artworks. I appreciate the need to manage maximum current and am taking that into account in my design. However, I am using 4 x LiFePO4 cells to achieve the 12V required. The cells have a nominal voltage of 3.2V (and up to 3.4V when fully charged) which means that I could potentially be trying to drive the strip with 13.6V and during discharge, the total battery voltage can fall as far as 11.2V. How critical is the 12V for driving your Absolute product and are there any implications for the kelvin value of the light or the lumens produced given the numbers above? 

We're happy to confirm that utilizing a power supply with an output slightly lower than 12V would not cause any detrimental effects to the product, and should not cause a substantial decrease in output per LED. 

​We have attached an informative blog post about the topic below, which we hope proves to be helpful for your purchase planning.

Can You Operate a 12V LED Strip at Less Than 12V?

Can you also address the over-voltage case please as the battery pack? I am intending to use can get as high as 13.6V. What effect (if any) will this "higher than 12V" voltage has on led strip operations/safety?

Though under-powering the lights is not a safety concern, some issues could be present with overloading the LED strip light products with a higher voltage, such as overloading the product circuitry and causing product safety issues or performance issues.

That said, there might be voltage regulators available online in a form factor that would match the portable battery and desired lighting installation. Based on my review, there appear to be several portable voltage regulators on Amazon, though I cannot personally speak to the quality of these third-party products. 

While we do not have any specific voltage regulators to recommend, the core issue with over-voltage is longevity reduction for the Absolute Series LED Strip Lights. 

Can the DMX decoder dim and change color for at least two zones of lights?

I want to build a top light for my studio - for product videos. I want it to be 4ft by 6 ft - am planning to cut the ribbons in 4 ft strips and lay them out in parallel strips. I will end up with two zones (4 strips each) that I will want to be able to dim separately and change the color temp of each zone independently. I plan on ordering (2) 3002.HY, to be cut into 4 ft strips and laid out into two zones, (2) 3093.120 power supplies, 1-pack of PN 3076 bi-color strip connectors, (1) 3082 Dimmer and Decoder. I am assuming the decoder can dim and change color for at least two zones of lights - correct? From your POV do I need anything else? What does WRGB mean?

Our DMX Decoder can indeed be utilized to control two individual sets of the Hybrid LED strip lights. Though the labeled names for each channel may not match, we would not imagine there to be any electrical limitations. 

The one note to keep in mind is that the Hybrid LEDs would need to share a common positive. As such, we would recommend placing the positive wires for both zones into the same positive connection point on the DMX decoder. 

As a final note, WRGB generally means white, red, green, and blue. Though that acronym is actually inaccurate, as the DMX decoder utilizes warm white, cool white, red, green, and blue as individual channels. ​

I’d like to control use the DMX controller to control the color temp and also the dimming of the lights, so I understand that to change color temperature by dimming either the tungsten or the daylight strand of LEDs. Is that correct? So, you’re not really changing the color temperature, instead, your adjusting the mix of the two light sources. Is this correct?

We can confirm that the Hybrid LED Strip Lights do not have LED chips that individually change the color output. 

Rather, the Hybrid LED Strip Lights have two sets of color temperature LED chips on each reel, which are individually adjusted via dimming to create a blend of output between the 3200K and 6500K color points. As such, the individual dimming of each channel can be easily adjusted with the DMX Decoder product. 

​We have attached an article link below regarding the traditional non-DMX decoder setup of the Hybrid LED Strip Lights, which I hope proves to be informative.

How to Connect Hybrid CCT Tunable LED Products

Do I just need one power supply (PN3091) to power all four strip lights that I have attached to 4 discreet channels in the controller? Seeing that the controller is rated for 5 channels I will not be using the 5th with this setup.

As a primary consideration, please note that though the DMX Decoder has 8 amps of output per channel, our PN3092 24V power supply only has a max output of 5 amps. In comparison, the two-channel Hybrid LED Strip Lights draw 1.9 amps per channel. If two Hybrid reels are connected to one DMX Decoder (totaling four channels), they could easily draw ~8 amps, thus exceeding the 5A available from our 24V power supply. 

As such, we would likely recommend utilizing a compatible third-party power supply for your installation. Based on my review of Amazon search results, there appear to be several 24V 10A DC Power Supplies available that appear to be compatible. 

​Further, please note that each Hybrid LED Strip Light has two channels, one for Tungsten output and another for Daylight output. As the DMX Decoder has five available channels, utilizing four reels comprising a total of eight channels is likely, not possible. As such, using two reels per DMX Decoder is recommended as an alternative. 

LED Lighting Setup and Accessories for Research Project

I’m looking to purchase a few lights for a vision accessibility study. I’m looking to get a few light strips that can all be controlled by a single dimmer switch. After looking through your products I was thinking the following would work, but I want to make sure it’s correct.

Connected the following way:

Power supply -> dimmer -> adapter -> wire -> light strip 1 -> wire -> light strip 2 

Is this the most cost-effective setup?

Based on my review, the configuration provided does indeed appear to be the most cost-effective layout. Though the Absolute Series D65 LED Strip Lights are less expensive per foot of product than the 5-Pack of linear modules, your configuration may not necessarily require 16.4 feet of strip light product.

The only optional addition that we could recommend would be the WAGO board-to-board connectors, which can be helpful with some installations.

Additionally, you may find value in the below installation guide for the absolute linear modules.

Assembly Instructions for LED Modules

LED Strip Light and Accessories for Under Cabinet Lighting

I would like to buy all the things I'll need to set up LED under cabinet lighting. The electrical is already run on a 3-way switch. I want to make sure I'm getting everything I need, but not more. I thought I would need three power supplies, but hubby says one will do.

For starters, the quantity of power supplies required for an installation is generally defined by the total amount of product that requires power. 

​For example, the majority of our LED strip lights utilize 5.5 watts per foot, for a total of ~90 watts per 16.4 ft reel. As the TRIAC dimmable power supplies offer 120 watts of power output, we would then recommend one dedicated power supply per reel.

That being said, it might also be helpful to know that each reel of LED strip lights has a maximum combined length of 16.4 feet, which means that powering more than 16.4 feet of product with a single power supply is discouraged, as it may overload the product, or prevent optimal output per LED.

​As such, if you have a known quantity of LED strip light products that your kitchen requires, finding out the ideal power supply quantity should be fairly easy. If the total amount of lights is not known, we have provided a link to our lumen estimation calculator below, which can provide insight into the amount of light output that the kitchen might require based on the room dimensions.

We have attached a few additional links from our website below, including a link to the interactive layout section of our website which provides multiple configuration illustrations and links to each of the recommended power supplies and connection accessories.

LED Strip Light Installation and Configuration Illustrations

Dimming LED Strip Lights and LED Bulbs using Smart Lighting Systems

Dimmer Compatibility List

Lumen Estimation Calculator

What power supply do you recommend on PN 3004.30 for under-cabinet kitchen lighting?

I am designing an under-cabinet kitchen lighting installation. The kitchen is a galley style so there will be strip lights on 2 sides. The physical wiring is like a Y after the wall dimmer with about 7 ft. of the total strip on each side of the Y in segments cut to be installed under each upper cabinet. I am using your 3004.30 LED strip running on 24VDC. Here are my questions: What power supply do you recommend? The numbers in your specs are confusing. Is there any problem wiring 2 branches off a single power supply as long as the total strip length is under 16'?

Based on the details provided, there does not appear to be any potential issues with using a Y-Splitter to power two lengths of LED strip lights utilizing a single power supply. We recommend the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip, which can offer 120 W of power output. As 14 feet of the LED strip lights utilize 5.5 watts per foot for a total of 77 watts, one unit of the above power supply should be more than sufficient.

Additionally, you may also be interested in the below dimmer compatibility list, which lists all dimmers that are compatible with the TRIAC power supply, including smart home dimming systems like Lutron Caseta.

Dimmer compatibility list for Waveform Lighting PN 7093/7094

Three-prong DC power supply for LED Strip Lights

Your under-counter strip lights were recommended to me, the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip that was recommended to go with it has a 2-prong cord on the wall outlet side. I am sensitive to electric fields and was wondering if I could get a three-prong (grounded) power supply to be used with the light strip so there will be no electric field radiating from the power pack or its cord and it also will not radiate electric field down the length of the light strip. 

Unfortunately, we do not have any grounded plug connection option for our DC power supply units. We apologize!

In the meantime, if you can locate any third-party power supplies with a three-prong plug connection, I would be more than happy to review them for compatibility with our LED strip lights on the DC output side.

I had just been in touch with a supplier to see if they had a grounded power pack with the specifications to replace the ungrounded unit that is for the equipment I have, they did, but unfortunately, you would have to order 1,000 as a minimum order because all are custom made. Maybe you could give me the specifications that are needed on the DC side and I can run it past the second company.

The primary power specifications are:

The power capacity specification is the one variable specification that you'll want to make sure you have correct with the power supply manufacturer. The "watts per foot" requirement would be based on the total length of the LED strip light you plan on installing.

​For example, if you are installing 10 feet, the power capacity would be calculated as follows:

​5.5 watts per foot x 10 feet = 55 watts

+ 20% = 66 watts minimum power supply capacity

​Below is a detailed specification sheet that you can also reference:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CS_3002.27_3002.30.pdf

​Another thought I had is that the TRIAC dimmable power supply includes a grounded wire which may help with your concerns about a non-grounded power supply unit. These power supplies do not include a plug, however, and will require you to "hard-wire" them to wires in your walls.

Are your Absolute Series LED Strips dimmable?

I'm excited to be installing your Absolute LED strips but am noticing the product details don't mention dimming at all. Would be using one of your dimming power supplies attached to a Lutron wall dimmer, just want to be sure it'll work. 

We are happy to confirm that our LED strip light products, including the ABSOLUTE SERIES™, LED Flexible Strip product, are dimmable when paired with a compatible dimming power supply, such as our TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip. This is due to the treatment of power that the power supply provides to the lights, which is then adjustable via the dimmer. 

We have attached a link below for the list of wall dimmers that the TRIAC power supply is compatible with. This list includes many Lutron dimmers, which would lead me to believe that the configuration is likely compatible with your Lutron wall dimmer.

Compatible Dimmers: https://www.waveformlighting.com/files/DC_3093.pdf

Do we need an electronic transformer to avoid the LED Strip from blinking?

We would like to control 24V LED strips with a combined power draw of 800-1000W (part #3002.56) from one location. The LED strips are wired in parallel to minimize voltage drop and are well below the maximum length (more than 50% lower). We have verified they work correctly using a test on a subsection of the circuit using one of your power supplies (part 3092). 

However, when we switch to a 1000W magnetic low voltage power supply (Seagull Ambiance) we get flickering - more like blinking on and off because of the slow rate. We have tried several magnetic power supplies with no luck; do we need an electronic transformer to avoid blinking? If so do you have recommendations on a manufacturer? We would like to be able to add dimming capability through a dimmer at some point. 

Based on the information provided, I believe that our LED strip lights are installed correctly. As you mention, since they are connected in parallel and none of the LED strip sections are exceeding their max run length limits, it does seem that there is a compatibility or performance issue with the Seagull Lighting transformer.

We did a quick search for the Seagull Lighting 1000-watt transformer and was unable to locate any detailed specification sheets. It does seem, however, like an older product designed for incandescent lamps and not LED lamps. The reason this could be significant is that incandescent lamps typically use AC power, while LED lamps are designed for DC power. (If you have any additional detailed manufacturer documentation, please let me know and I'd be more than happy to review it.)

If my hunch is correct that the Seagull Lighting product outputs 24 volts AC, and not 24 volts DC, this may explain the blinking behavior you are seeing. This is because 24 volts AC is actually an average voltage rating (called RMS) and at certain points in the AC sine wave cycle, the input voltage actually far exceeds 24 volts (approximately 34 volts at the peak). During these peak voltage input timeframes, the LED strips are overdriven and exceed their rated power draw (> 1000 watts), potentially leading to the blinking behavior you are seeing.

Our recommendation would be to double-check the voltage rating and ensure that the 24 volts output by the Seagull Transformer is DC and not AC. If it is AC, we would recommend using an alternate solution that uses DC output.

You mention this is for a photo booth application, so in addition to avoiding magnetic drivers (which introduce line voltage flicker at 60/120 Hz), we would also recommend making sure you avoid PWM-induced flicker by choosing a flicker-free (high PWM frequency) power supply solution.

We do have several electronic DC power supply units with flicker-free output which may be of interest. The downside is that the power supplies are limited to 96 watts of output each (to meet Class 2 limitations) but each power supply can be connected to the same dimmer switch by connecting them in parallel. Below are product and layout configuration links that you may find helpful:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1C

I have ordered some alternate supplies. Unfortunately, I need something bigger than what you offer but I am trying to get as high a PWM frequency as possible. I have two driver units on order and will test them in actual still photography settings. We have been and will continue to order lots of LED reels from you. 

​As you mention, we unfortunately limit the output of each power supply to 96 watts to meet Class 2 limitations, so while our products would be a perfect fit from the perspective of high PWM frequency dimming, the only workaround would be to use multiple power supplies connected in parallel.

FilmGrade LED Strip Light Accessories For Display Case

I have two IKEA DeTolf display cases and would like to run your FilmGrade WHITE (tungsten) LED Strip Lights vertically along the front of the display cases (5ft up on the left side, with about 15" gap/wire as it crosses the top, and then 5ft back down the right side. I would also like to incorporate your flicker-free dimmer. Power would come from a regular 120V outlet. What accessories would you recommend? Also, as the total length used in this case would be 20ft (5ft x 4), do you offer that length? What would you suggest? 

Based on the details provided, we might recommend two 16.4 ft reels of the LED strip light products. As it appears that the 5600-6500K options are common color temperatures for display cases such as the IKEA DeTolf, we would recommend the FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights.

We would also recommend the FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer alongside the 12V (or matching voltage) of the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip.

As the LED strip reels contain pre-attached barrel jack adapters, no additional accessories would be necessary beyond the LED Strip to Strip for connecting the segments. We have attached a diagram from our website below, which we hope proves to be helpful for your installation plans.

​Layout Diagram: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3D?px=-2260&py=-2231.5&pw=1488&ph=1463&s=0.09893617021276596

The LED Strip to Strip product you recommend appears to have a Wire length of 5.9 inches, whereas I would need approximately 15 inches. Do you have that length? You recommend a Flicker Free dimmer and a DC power supply. Would that work to power and dim both cabinets? Do you have a wiring diagram that would show how to power and dim two cabinets of light that would each have a 5ft strip + 15inch wire + 5ft strip?

If a longer length is needed, we might alternatively recommend utilizing a combination of the 16 AWG Wire for LED Strip Lights and the LED Strip to Wire accessories.

As 10 feet of LED strip lights would utilize 5.5 watts of power per foot for a total of 55 watts, one power supply, and one dimmer should be more than sufficient for your installation without reaching the 120W output maximum of the power supply. 

​We have attached two additional layout diagrams below, which show a configuration of LED strip light segments that are connected with the above accessories. Please note that the primary difference between the FilmGrade LED strip lights and the product in the first link below is that the FilmGrade product contains pre-attached barrel jack adapters. As such, no wiring adapters would be necessary for connection to the dimmer and power supply.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B - Uses Centric LED Strip Lights

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3E - Uses FilmGrade LED Strip Lights

Can I power two LED Strips using one 24V Power Supply?

Can I power two of ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip with your 24V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply? I am currently using one of the LED strips with some other company's 12V power supply. I am also using Waveform's dimmer for the led strips. Have you tested using two 5m LED strips in 24V power supply at full power for prolonged periods? Are these LED strips/power supplies designed to be used at full power continuously for ~10hrs at a time for months on end?

Generally speaking, we recommend utilizing one power supply per full reel of LED strip lights, as the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply is only able to support 120 W of power output.

As the ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip requires 90 watts per 16.4 feet (at 5.5 watts per foot), using two reels with a single power supply would exceed the 120 watts of available output and is not recommended due to safety and operational concerns.

Further, please note that the ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strips have a maximum combined length of 16.4 feet. This means that the product is not designed to be connected and powered in lengths greater than one full reel.

Given the above, we would recommend utilizing an additional 12V power supply in order to prevent safety hazards and extend the life of the products. It might also be helpful to know that as these products are designed at the circuit level for specific voltages, using a 24V power supply with 12V products could potentially be unsafe and may void the product warranty.

Do I need the Flicker-Free Dimmer?

I have an inexpensive LED RGB light strip installed on a video set that came with a remote dimmer. I've found that I get flicker in the camera even at full light output. I found a shutter angle on my camera that minimizes the flicker, but it's still visible. I'm wondering if running it through your Flicker-Free LED Dimmer would improve the issue, or not since there is a flicker even at full output? 

Generally speaking, the power supplies create the flicker-free output by treating the power being provided to the LED strip lights, where the flicker-free dimmer controls the output.

As such, we would likely recommend trying a flicker-free power supply such as the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip or the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip.

Compatible Power Supply and Dimmer for LED Strip

I am in the process of building a house with lots of LED strip lighting and would like to use your FilmGrade series in 3,200K and your Centric Daylight Series in 4,000K. I believe I can use these two dimmable power supplies. It isn’t quite clear to me what the difference between these two is. Could you please recommend a product? Also, in the list of compatible dimmers that are available for both of these power supplies, I did not see the Lutron Sunnata dimmer STCL-153PH-WH. I would expect this dimmer to be compatible. 

The primary difference between these two items can be found in the product dimensions, as the Centric Series power supply has a smaller footprint which can be helpful for some installations that have less available space. The secondary difference is that the TRIAC can offer 120W of 12V power, whereas the Centric can offer 96W of 12V power.

Compatibility-wise, we can confirm that either will work well with any of our LED strip light products and can provide flicker-free functionality.

Further, the Lutron Sunnata STCL-153P was tested and confirmed for compatibility. Please see the below document.

https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CD_3093.pdf

TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply Output Signal

Supply for LED Strip to convert signals and power to a custom low-voltage controller. I would like to inquire as to what the actual output signal is of the device; is it a constant 12V PWM (pulse-width modulation) signal, where the time-on and time-off are equal when the dimmer is set to 50%?

We're happy to confirm that the output signal of the TRIAC dimmable power supply will be a constant 12V at 50%, where the time-on and time-off are equal. Further, when the dimming is set to 25%, then the time-on would be 25%, where the time-off would be 75% per cycle.

LED Strip Light for UnderCounter Lighting

I need a 4’ length. The order description says 16’. Can I use it in different places? One would be hard-wired and the others would be plugged in. I can’t tell you how to order that. Or can I order just 4’ long hardwired?

We can confirm that most of our LED strip lights are sold in increments of 3.2 ft (1 meter) and 16.4 ft (5 meters), and can be segmented but cut the product at the designed cut-points as illustrated on the product specification sheets. Each segment can be individually powered, either by utilizing a DC plug or through in-wall wiring with a power supply. 

We have provided a few layout diagrams below, which illustrate each method described. Depending on the LED strip light product preferred, the accessories and connectors may be slightly different. That said, the below guides contain links to all of the recommended accessories.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1A: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A?px=-2244&py=-2231.5&pw=1488&ph=1463&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-2244&py=-2231.5&pw=1488&ph=1463&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2C: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_2C?px=-2244&py=-2231.5&pw=1488&ph=1463&s=0.1

Can I connect the UV LED Strip to my PC Molex Connector?

I'm interested in the UV strip lights. I see it's 12v- can I connect this to my pc Molex connector? The round connector I see in the pics doesn't look compatible. 

Though the realUV™ LED Strip Lights are not specifically designed for use with Molex connectors, there appear to be several compatible third-party connectors available online.

So long as the power supply can afford 4.5 watts of 12V power per foot of connected realUV™ LED Strip Lights, the computer should be able to fully power the product.

If not for computers, what are these used for?

The realUV™ LED Strip Lights have many applications, including use with fluorescent photography installations, as well as curing processes (such as cyanotypes), and more. Several customers have also let us know that these have been installed within their own computer cases for the fluorescent effect.

I read that it can be cut. Can you reuse the cut end? or is that discarded?

The LED strip lights can be cut to length using a pair of scissors. Cut sections can be reconnected using various connectors, such as PN 3070 and PN 3071. For additional details, we would recommend referencing our LayoutMaps diagrams, which can be found below:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4A?px=-2410.5&py=-2654.5&pw=1821&ph=2309&s=0.1

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4C?px=-2410.5&py=-2654.5&pw=1821&ph=2309&s=0.1

In your case, if you are looking to use your PC's built-in 12-volt power source, you would not need the 12-volt power supply pictured in our diagrams, and connect the Molex 12-volt output directly to the LED strip ends.

UV LED Strip for Exposure Box to Make Cyanotype Prints

I am making a UV exposure box to make cyanotype prints. It requires 350-400nm of UV light output. The box is 2 feet long. I would like to know what I need to buy from you to make 4 or 5, 20-inch strips. Please let me know if I can use a power supply from an unused hard drive or if I need to buy a power supply specific to your LED strips. Please let me know how many connectors I would need to put this all together. 

Based on the details provided, we would recommend purchasing 5 or 6 units of the 16.4 ft (5 meters) reels of the 365nm realUV™ LED Strip Lights, depending on the total quantity of strip lights required.

As each 12V DC power supply is capable of powering one full reel, we would recommend utilizing one power supply per 16.4 ft of realUV LED strip lights in your installation. Further, please note that the LED strip lights have a maximum combined length of 16.4 feet. Unfortunately, it would be difficult for us to know whether the hard drive power supply mentioned would be compatible, without knowing more about the output.

We have provided two layout diagrams below, which provide more information regarding the connectors, accessories, and power supplies to use for each installation type. The first version utilizes the built-in daisy chain adapters, while the second diagram utilizes strip-to-strip connecters between each segment.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4B?px=-2244&py=-2231.5&pw=1488&ph=1463&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4C?px=-2252&py=-2231.5&pw=1504&ph=1463&s=0.125

I need the info on the width of this, about the 2 types of UV- LED offered and which connectors to order please.

We can confirm that in order to have 80-100 inches of product in order to create 4 or 5 20-inch lengths, or alternatively 6 or 8 2-foot lengths, a single 16.4 ft (196.8 inches) reel should be able to provide more than enough product. As such, this installation would likely only require a single power supply.

Regarding the product dimensions, we can also confirm that the realUV™ LED Strip Lights have a diameter of 10mm. The full dimensions can be found within the 'mechanical specifications' section of the product specification sheet.

In order to connect the realUV™ LED Strip Lights to a power supply, you can either utilize the preinstalled barrel-jack adapter on the product or utilize a barrel-jack adapter and LED Strip to Wire product. Further, to connect the individual segments of the LED strip lights, you can utilize the LED strip to strip.

We have attached a link to a blog post from our website below, which illustrates the differences between the 395nm and the 365nm output. That being said, based on the details provided we would recommend the 365nm version for your installation.

What is the Difference Between 365 nm and 395 nm UV LED Lights?: https://www.waveformlighting.com/tech/what-is-the-difference-between-365-nm-and-395-nm-uv-led-lights

For more information regarding the installation options, the previously provided 'Layout Diagrams' include configuration descriptions, as well as product links for each of the required and optional accessories that are used for connecting the strip light segments and power supplies.

LED Strip Configurations for Office Lighting

I want to light my office with this LED strip: 

ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip

Is it possible to connect more than one strip to this power supply? 

FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply

The office is 8' x 8' and I want to build a soffit near the ceiling. I intend to line the inside of the soffit with these strips with the lights facing out into the room. I need 2x 16' strips to make it around the room. I want to use the film-grade dimmer (I have one). 

We typically recommend utilizing one power supply per 16.4 ft (5 meters) reel of LED strip light products, as the power supplies would not be able to afford sufficient power for more than one reel.

As a further consideration, the LED strip lights have a maximum combined length (defined by the hardware) of 16.4 feet. As such, powering additional lengths can lead to performance issues.

Due to this, your installation might benefit from using a second dimmer, or alternatively utilizing a single in-wall dimmer and in-wall power supplies such as the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip.

We have attached a link to a layout diagram below, which we hope proves to be helpful for your installation planning. This page also contains installation suggestions and links to the recommended accessories.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3D: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3D?px=-2244&py=-2231.5&pw=1488&ph=1463&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3E: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3E?px=-2244&py=-2231.5&pw=1488&ph=1463&s=0.1

So, each 16' strip would require one in-wall power supply and an in-wall dimmer?

So my setup would look like this:

(2) 16' LED strip

(2) In-wall power supply

(1) In-wall dimmer

Can you recommend a good dimmer? Will the dimming be as good and variable as the 'film-grade dimmer?

We can confirm that each reel would require a dedicated power supply. I can further confirm that the TRIAC dimmable power supply is compatible with forward-phase, ELV/reverse-phase, and MLV dimmers. 

UV LED Strip Light for Heavily Reactive Painting

I'm trying to put together a concept for a frame. I want to attempt to light a heavily reactive painting (to UV light) with the frame it will reside in. I was thinking of lining the j-side edge of the frame with LED strip lighting (black light and color changing/with remote?, but I’m unsure if the light will be strong enough. The paintings are roughly 15x20 inches, and some are double size- while a few are smaller. I was considering making a test frame- but if I remember with other LED strip lights- there’s a whole mess of wires and converters of power, it’s like a circus. Is there a really compact way to do what I want? 

By referencing the irradiance pattern for the realUV™ LED Strip Lights, I can confirm that the product should effectively illuminate the contents of a 15x20 inch frame. I have pasted the link for the irradiance pattern sheet below, for your review. 

​As you can tell, the further the subject is from the light strips, the UV irradiance becomes gradually dispersed and less condensed, rendering the ultraviolet effect increasingly less effective.

Irradiance Pattern: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2793/2316/products/7021-beam-0_512x512@2x.jpg?v=1564027896

For installation, we might recommend using the realUV™ LED Strip Lights embedded within the frame, as suggested. As our DC power supplies are roughly the size of a laptop power brick, you will likely be able to locate matching power supplies with a smaller footprint for in-frame installation.

In case it proves to be helpful for your construction plans, I have provided a layout diagram below which illustrates the various connectors and accessories required for use of the product. These third-party power supplies may also be able to offer remote control, which our power supplies do not.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4C?px=-2244&py=-2231.5&pw=1488&ph=1463&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4B?px=-2244&py=-2231.5&pw=1488&ph=1463&s=0.1

In the world of the “layouts”, was the difference only that there were two sections in one, and four sections in a other using a separate connector to daisy chain the two sections?

Ihe effectiveness dissipation map(in calling it), if the lights are embedded in my frame, and the painting. Wing lit up is directly in front of the leds in the frame, won’t that mean the painting will be fully illuminated, and the viewer can see this from any distance that their natural vision permits?

Is there an LED infrared light? and have you personally had any experience with forcing the human eye to see things that might not normally be visibly seen?

We can confirm that the primary difference being illustrated in the layouts provided is the connection style being used between the individual LED strip light segments. 

​For example, for installations where larger reels are segmented, the individual segments would not include the pre-attached barrel jack power plug and would thereby benefit from using the LED strip-to-strip connectors.

Based on the dimensions provided, we believe that the irradiance pattern of the UV LED sir lights would allow for sufficient effect. That said, we might recommend testing a few installation angles and options prior to installation in order to ensure that the ideal effect is being provided.

We can also confirm that the Infrared 850 nm IR LED Strip Light is currently available. That said, please note that we have not performed any tests of the item within a gallery or display setting.

If this test works out, will I need to put a warning label with my frames to anyone who would purchase or even just be viewing at length? 

Though the product emits far less ultraviolet light than can be found in natural daylight, there is still a potential of risk and harm with the UV-A products.

There are some safety tips that we recommend. For starters, we advise against looking directly at the UV product, as UV light is invisible and does not induce the same natural reaction to squint or look away in the same way we would if we were to look directly into a white flashlight. 

​Just because it doesn’t appear bright, doesn’t mean that it’s not emitting lots of UV light. Further, be sure to keep the UV lights away from children or anyone who is not aware that the product emits UV light.

Given the low but present risk, you may find benefit in adding a disclaimer to your installation.

If I can find a slimmer option of the power supply, I’d always like to try that. Is something like this unusable for the lighting system I described? (is it not powerful enough, or “maintaining consistently stream of energy”?

24V Power Adapter for DC Power Supply Adapter 

Based on our review of the amazon product link, it appears that the power supply is only able to output 1 amp, and appears to be designed for products that draw anywhere from 0.2A-1A.

Compared to the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip within your order which is able to output 120 W power output at 10 amps for the 12V version, it unfortunately does not appear that the Amazon product would be able to provide sufficient output for the LED strip lights in your order.

We do apologize for any inconvenience this might cause to your installation planning. In case it proves to be helpful, I have attached the product specification sheets for the items in your order, which list the power requirements within.

realUV™ LED Strip Lights Specification Sheet

Infrared 850 nm IR LED Strip Light Specification Sheet

I wonder if there is a way to safely make the lights more intense. 

As the infrared and 365nm ultraviolet products in your order emit output beyond the visible wavelength, the limited visibility of the output tracks with our expectation. 

Based on my review of the power supply within your order, we can confirm that it should be able to provide more than enough power for the three LED strip light segments. If an increased fluorescent effect is desired we might recommend replacing the 395nm with another 365nm LED strip light segment, as the 365nm product is able to offer a greater fluorescent effect than the 395nm version.

Can I use SATA power for realUV LED Strip Light

I was interested in the realUV LED strips to use in my computer case. I wanted to know how you would recommend powering the strips. Ideally, I would like to be able to use SATA power or be able to connect it to an RGB header on my motherboard. Any thoughts on if your strips can do this?

So long as the power supply or motherboard can afford the required 4.5 watts of 12V power per foot of the realUV™ LED Strip Lights, the computer should be able to fully power the lights when paired with a compatible third-party adapter.

Based on the review, there appear to be several SATA and Molex adapters that could be used for powering the LED strip lights using the computer power supply, which we have provided links for below.

​https://www.amazon.com/4-Pin-Molex-Connector-5-5mm-2-1mm/dp/B01F5KL9T0

Power Supply Requirement for third party UV LED Strip

I have two reels of 5-meter 12v UV LEDs that need 14 watts per meter. I have the Waveform FilmGrade Dimmer and a Waveform 12v Filmgrade power supply. Do I need two of your 12v power supplies (meaning I'd split the two 5m reels into two separate portions, each with their power supplies) to get proper consistent output from all 10 meters of lights, or could I get a single 24v Filmgrade Power supply, or some other setup, as I do want to be able to use the dimmer? 

Based on the details provided, we would recommend utilizing two 12V power supplies to power the two reels of the UV LED product.

As the LED strip lights draw 4.5 watts of power per foot for a total of 72 watts per reel, the 120W power output of the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip would not be able to support two full reels. Further, please note that the LED strip lights have a maximum combined length of 16.4 feet (5 meters). As such, we would recommend powering each reel independently. 

As the LED strip lights are designed with specific voltage in mind, we do not recommend using a 24V power supply with the 12V products, as it could cause product failures and void the product warranty.

Can I run a 24V LED Strip with 25.2V-29.4V lithium battery?

I am trying to source some LED strips and a controller that can run on a "24v" lithium battery power system, with an actual nominal voltage of 25.2v, and a charge voltage of up to 29.4v. (I can lower it to 28.8, if necessary). I also plan on doing photography and video in the space, so a decent CRI and low-flicker operation would be great. I largely need a tungsten white and a red, but some kind of RBGW would be pretty awesome if possible. No DMX; simpler is better. 110v is only occasionally available. 

As our LED strip lights (both the 12V and 24V products) are designed with specific voltage in mind, connected power sources that exceed the voltage will cause damage to the product hardware, could incur electrical risks, and will void the product warranty.

As such, we would likely recommend implementing a voltage regulator, if possible, for your 24V battery installation.

Based on the details provided, we would recommend the 24V FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights, as they contain both tungsten 3200K LEDs, as well as RGB output. That said, please be advised that the product is currently out of stock, with an expected availability date of May 10th.

Further, we would recommend checking for compatibility between the FiveSpect and the controller of choice, to ensure that the individual colors can be adjusted to your preference. 

Is there any documentation on your lighting products that do give an allowable forward voltage rating? I'm an engineer, and always find it helpful to know the boundaries between nominal and actual to help make design decisions.

We can confirm that the maximum allowable and nominal voltage levels are 12V and 24V, respectively.

As such, we, unfortunately, do not have any documentation available for how our products would perform when supplied with a voltage that exceeds the maximum allowed by design.

LED Strip Light for Bathroom Renovation

I am considering having my electrician install a Waveform Centric Home LED strip light during a bathroom reno. 

Do I have everything I need if I order PN 3070, PN7094, PN 7095, and the Centric Home LED light strip? 

The light strip will be located 7-9 feet away from the power source. Is there enough wire included (I thought I read somewhere on your site that there are only 59 inches of wire with the light strip?). Or is this something the electrician would supply? 

We have attached two layout diagram links below for the Centric Home LED Strip Lights product, which contains itemized lists of all of the recommended connectors, power supplies, and accessories for those installations.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1A

Though the PN3070 LED strip-to-wire is recommended for connecting the wiring to the LED strips, as well as a high gauge wire such as the 16 AWG wire, the female and male DC power adapters (PN7094, PN7095) are likely unnecessary unless a DC-plug power supply is being used for power, as the in-wall TRIAC dimmable power supplies connect to the LED strip lights directly with wiring.

Regarding the distance between the power supply and the LED strip lights, though you may encounter a small amount of voltage drop at 7-9 feet of distance, I do not believe that it would be enough to cause performance issues. If it proves to be helpful, I have attached a link below to our voltage drop calculator tool.

Voltage Drop Calculator: https://www.waveformlighting.com/tech/led-strip-light-wire-gauge-calculator-requirements

Absolute LED Strips with PSU and Dimmers for Photographing Fabrics

I´m thinking about ordering two Absolute LED strips with PSU and Dimmers for photographing fabrics. Also 8 LED bulbs. 

I just bought a Aputure 300x bi-color LED (300w) fixture and although it's a very nice and flexible LED I'm not happy with the green tint at daylight and the yellow tint at low kelvin settings. I guess one Absolute 6500 k LED (5 meters) and one Absolute 5000 k LED (5 meters) would be great for getting both a nice working light and two dimmable lights at slighty different tempetures, right? (I have soft boxes for diffusion).

Based on the details provided, we believe that the 5000K and 6500K Absolute series LED strip lights could great options for your photography installation.

As alternatives, you might also be interested in the FilmGrade line of LED strip light products, which are available in the 3200K and 6500K color temperatures, which are often used for photography and film capture.

For flicker-free, dimmable installations, the aforementioned LED strip light products are often paired with the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip (compatible with global input voltages of 100 - 240V AC, 50-60Hz) and the FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer product. Please note that we recommend ordering a power supply and strip lights of matching voltage (12V or 24V) for compatibility.

If I would want some more power than what I’m getting from one 5 m absolute led, what would you recommend? I want the cleanest colors

We're happy to confirm that the Absolute Series of products offers the most color-accurate output among the items in our catalog. As the product offers a CRI of 99, the light output will be virtually indistinguishable from natural daylight.

We have provided a link to the product photometric report below, which contains data on the output produced.

5000K Photometric Report: https://www.waveformlighting.com/photometrics/TR_7001.50.pdf

6500K Photometric Report: https://www.waveformlighting.com/photometrics/TR_7001.65.pdf

We can also confirm that the 16.4 ft (5 meters) Absolute Series LED strip light offers 1250 lumens per foot, for a total reel output of 20,500 lumens. If more lumens are required for your installation, we may recommend purchasing more than one reel.

LED Strip Light to Illuminate Above Kitchen Cabinets

I need to illuminate with a 16’ stretch above the kitchen cabinets artwork on the wall. Has two 45-degree turns from a straight run. Would like color, remote dim, and color change. I guess 2700? Can you suggest a system?

Based on the details provided, we might recommend the FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights paired with the FilmGrade™ DMX LED Dimmer & Decoder with 5 Channel Output or another this-party DMX option. However, please note that the FiveSpect product is currently out of stock, and is expected to return on May 10th.

With this system, you can adjust the color output and dimming level. Alternatively, a third-party controller can also be connected for more granular control options.

As the FilmGrade™ FiveSpect 5-in-1 LED Strip Lights are available in both 24V and 12V options, we recommend utilizing a matching compatible power supply such as our FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip.

Here is the recommended purchase list:

Here is a link to the FilmGrade™ DMX LED Dimmer & Decoder with 5-Channel Output User Manual, if it proves to be useful: 

https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/UM_3082.pdf

LED Flex Strips and Accessories for Under Cabinet Lighting

I am interested in Waveform LED Flex Strips for under-cabinet lighting in our kitchen and have a few questions. 

Can the strip-to-strip and strip-to-wireless solderless connectors only be used with Centric Home or Daylight LED Strips, or can they be used with FilmGrade White & Hybrid Strips?

The strip-to-strip connectors are available in two versions: those meant for single-color, and those meant for 5-color LED strip lights. As such, the Centric Home, Centric Daylight, and FilmGrade products utilize single-color connectors, whereas the FiveSpect utilizes the latter option.

If we wanted FilmGrade White or Hybrid Color Tunable, or perhaps even RGB Color Changing so that we can change the color temperature or color, can these strips also be cut and connected in series (including 16 AWG Wire for longer sections between strips) and connected to a single Power Supply and dimmer? Is the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply and in-line FilmGrade Flicker-Free LED Dimmers the only options here? 

We can confirm that the LED strip lights can be segmented and connected together by the 16 AWG wiring to a single power supply. I can also confirm that third-party dimmable power supplies are likely compatible with our LED strip lights. Please feel free to utilize such a product in your installation.

For the Centric Home or Daylight with an appropriate 3rd part wall dimmer, then I believe my parts list is as follows:

Part 3003.27; or Part 3004.40 (1), PN 3096 (1), Part 3070 (4), Part 3071 (2), Part 7098 (1)

We can further confirm that the parts list provided is compatible! I have attached a link to our LayoutMap below, which illustrates a similar installation that I hope proves to be useful.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-2071.5&py=-2231.5&pw=1143&ph=1463&s=0.1

Can you tell me if any of the following would be an acceptable alternate parts list to that in Item 3 above? Part 3001.32 (1), Part 3002. HY, or Part 3021.

Will the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply (PN 3094.096) allow the use of a 3rd Party Wall Dimmer? Or is PN 3092 + DC Adapter PN 7094 + an in-line dimmer required?

We believe that the 3200K FilmGrade White (Part 3001.32) would be a great alternative, as it would allow for the preferred color temperature while also being compatible with the other items in your parts list. The FilmGrade Hybrid and Color Space RGB products are different, in that they would require different connectors and potentially additional controllers for adjusting the light output.

Our products are designed for use with modern phase dimmers, though they are not designed for use with older dimmers such as rheostat dimmers.

Unfortunately, our various strip-to-wire and strip-to-strip products are not compatible with the Hybrid and Color Space products, as the solder pads are located in slightly different places than the other products they are designed to be compatible with.

For the Power Supply, if we are using a modern phase wall dimmer, can we use the Film Grade DC Part 3092 and connect directly to the female DC Jack on the Film Grade strip?

Is it required (or preferable) to use the Centric Series Dimmable Power Supply (24V) TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply (Part 3096) with 1 Part 7095 Male DC Barrel Jack Adapter?

We're happy to confirm that the 3200K FilmGrade product is single-color, and can be used with the PN3070 & PN3071 connectors.

The answer to the second question really depends on your preference. For installations that are not permanent, the DC power supply is a great option. 

However, the DC power supply cannot easily be connected to a wall dimmer. If a wall dimmer is preferred, we recommend the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply paired with the PN7095 adapter.

I believe this is my required parts list For the 3200K Film Grade White:

Part 3001.32 (1), PN 3096 (1), PN 7095 (1), PN 3070 (4), PN 3071 (3), PN 7098 (1)

Regarding your list, I noticed that the power supply and LED strip lights are of different voltages. I would recommend selecting the matching 12V or 24V voltage products for your installation, depending on the preferred voltage.

The (slightly) updated parts list would be:

PN 3002.32 (1), PN 3104 (1), PN 7095 (1), PN 3070 (4), PN 3071 (3), PN 7098 (1)

LED Strip Lighting for Soffit and Kitchen Overhead Installation

I'm installing LED strips in a couple of locations and hoping you can help me select them. Can you recommend the right power supply and controller? 

1) In a soffit pointing down running along both walls in the living room (30 ft per wall) 

2)Installed overhead in the kitchen in a recessed channel instead of overhead halogen downlights. 

Our CENTRIC HOME 3000K LED strip lights sound like a great fit for the installation.

​The easiest way to test this set up would likely be a set of the following:

1) CENTRIC HOME 24V 3000K LED Strip Light

2) TRIAC dimmable 24V power supply

​Below is an installation diagram showing how this should be wired to a wall dimmer. (The setup could of course be tested without a dimmer and wired directly to a branch circuit).

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A

Both components can of course be used in the final installation as well.

Can I use 28V power supply instead of 24V?

Regarding the LED strip PN 3002.32, can 28V be used instead of 24V? 

As our LED products are designed at the circuit level with a specific voltage in mind, we do not recommend utilizing different voltage power supplies.

In general, connections that could lead to an over-voltage can permanently damage the LED strip light circuitry, and void the product warranty. I do apologize for any impact this might have on your installation planning process.

32ft LED Strip Light for a Building Entry

I’m looking for a 32ft LED strip for an entry of Bldg. 3200k. I will also need a power supply. Do you carry diffusers that will work with these? The lights will be on around the clock and need to be long-lasting.

We are happy to confirm that the FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights are available in 3200K. Further, the 24V version of the product has a maximum combined run of 32.8ft. As this 24V product has a power draw of 5.5 watts per foot, we would recommend utilizing a power supply that can accommodate at least 180 watts of power output.

​These products can also be mounted within products such as the Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip, which is available in both flat and corner versions. However, please be advised that these channels are not IP-rated or weather-treated. 

LED Dimmer & Power Supply Setup

I have a LED "neon" sign. It came with the following power supply: Input AC100-240V, Output 12 VDC, 4A. I am interested in purchasing your Model #3081 LED dimmer. Can I use my existing power supply or do I need to also order your #3091 power supply? I do not know any specs on the LEDs but they did work with a 9V DC input as well. But did not light at 6V DC.

It's always quite tricky when dealing with third-party products, but based on the power supply specifications, I do believe that there is a good chance that our PN 3081 LED dimmer would indeed be compatible.

​The LED dimmer specifications are 6-60 volts DC and 0-10 amps. The power supply you currently have is well within the bounds of the LED dimmer specifications, so I believe these should all be compatible and you would not need to purchase a separate power supply such as PN 3091.

​At this point, we would perhaps recommend testing and taking advantage of our free returns policy. If for whatever reason you find that the LED dimmer will not work for your project, we would be more than happy to pay for return shipping and offer a full refund. 

LED Lights and Components for Under-Cabinet and Floating Vanity Lighting

We are currently planning to install under-cabinet lighting under some kitchen cabinets and a floating vanity in our bathroom. Your centric home strip lights have great reviews in terms of color quality. What is all of the components that we would need to buy to have diffused, even lighting that is dimmable? 

We have provided a few links from our website below, which I hope prove to be helpful for your installation planning. Each of these links contains an interactive diagram of the configuration options available for the Centric LED strip lights product. These diagrams also contain layout descriptions and links to each of the recommended accessories.

Waveform Lighting LayoutMaps™: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1A: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A?px=-2223.5&py=-2231.5&pw=1447&ph=1463&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-2231.5&py=-2231.5&pw=1463&ph=1463&s=0.1

In order to diffuse the lighting, we might recommend our Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip product, which includes a high light transmission diffuser and is available in both flat and cornered options.

Recommended Power Supply and LED Dimmer to run a 100ft LED Strip

Have 100' run and looking for suggestions on the power supply and dimmer

If you would like to tell us more about the power draw per foot of the LED strip lights currently being used, we would be happy to provide some dimmer and power supply product recommendations.

In the interim, it might also be helpful to know that our LED strip light products have a maximum combined length which is determined by the hardware. For our 12V LED strip light products, this maximum length is 16.4 ft (5 meters).

For the 24V LED Strip Light products, the combined length is 32.8 ft (10 meters). As our LED strip light products cannot support being powered in lengths greater than the above, we would not recommend installations that exceed these lengths.

I was considering using the film grade 5600

To install a 100 ft length of the 5600K FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights we would recommend utilizing the 24V version as it can accommodate larger combined lengths than the 12V version.

As previously mentioned, the 24V FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights have a maximum combined length of 32.8 ft. This means that a single power supply cannot power any combined length of the product which is longer than 32.8 ft, as the physical hardware and wiring of the LED strip lights are unable to support it.

As our FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip product can output a maximum of 120W, it would not be able to power any LED lengths greater than 16.4 feet. As such, we recommend utilizing a power supply with a higher output such as 240W.

As the dimmers that we sell are installed between the power supply and the product, we would recommend a dedicated FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer for each connected length.

It might also be helpful to know that this installation could encounter a voltage drop if it utilizes long lengths of wiring to connect the products. To calculate the voltage drop and recommended wiring, you might find value in the voltage drop calculator tool on our website.

The below diagrams feature information regarding the installation of the FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights and provide links to the recommended accessories.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3D: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3D?px=-2076&py=-2227.5&pw=1152&ph=1455&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3E: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3E?px=-2076&py=-2227.5&pw=1152&ph=1455&s=0.1

Flicker-free Power Supply for non-Waveform LED Strip Light

I'm interested in the FilmGrade DC Power Supply for LED Strip as well as the Flicker-Free Dimmer. I already have LED strips in my studio that are causing significant flickering problems when filming them and was wondering if I could just get the Waveform Lighting DC Power Supply and use that instead of the AC adaptor provided with my LED strips? I was also checking out your Dimmer but I don't really need dimming capabilities, I'm just looking for a flicker-free power solution. In that case would your DC Power Supply fork for my needs? 

Based on my review of the product manual, it does appear that the FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip product could be compatible with the lighting product referenced.

That being said, I do not see a listed voltage for the OLS Home Accent Multi-Color Pro Series Lighting Kit product.

As such, we would recommend checking the pre-packaged A/C adapter to confirm voltage compatibility prior to purchase. Generally speaking, utilizing an incorrect voltage can cause product damage and create safety hazards.

My current power supply outputs 12V and 2Amps, does that sound like this would work as a replacement then, and should I consider the 12V version over the 24V version? Also will this for sure resolve the flickering issue I currently have when filming my LEDs?

Based on the details provided we would recommend a 12V power supply product for your installation over the 24V, as utilizing a higher voltage power supply with 12V products can overload the product circuitry and cause hazardous product issues. We would also recommend reviewing any safety guides that your LED strips may have come with to ensure compatibility.

Would 24V have lower electric shock risk/severity than 12V?

I'm trying to decide whether I'd be better off choosing 12VDC or 24VDC product. In the article Pros and cons of a 12V LED System, it's mentioned that 12V LED systems have a lower electric shock risk. This seems to be stated about 120V AC mains current; but do 12V systems also have lower shock risk than 24V? I've often heard that it's not the voltage that kills its current. In the article Advantages of a 24V LED system vs 12V, it's pointed out that a 24V LED system will draw half the amount of current as a 12V LED system to achieve the same power level. Then would 24V have lower shock risk/severity than 12V? Or is my thinking flawed? 

Generally, we believe that "shock risk" increases as the voltage increases. At a very basic level, this suggests that 12 volt LED systems would have the lowest possibility of causing an electric shock, while 24 volt would be slightly higher but still relatively low, and 120 volt line voltage would be much higher in terms of the possibility of causing an electric shock.

​Shock risk, however, is not the same as the potential to cause bodily harm or injury. The zap from static electricity that you feel on a dry winter day, for example, has a very high voltage of tens of thousands of volts, but does not cause any harm due to the inherently low amount of energy (as you mention, it lacks the "current which kills").

The primary reason lower voltage systems have a lower shock risk, is simply due to the fact that low voltage systems generally lack the voltage potential to overcome the high electrical resistance in our human skin. Therefore, a 12 volt system, even one with a higher amperage rating, is seen as generally lower risk because the 12 volts is usually insufficient to penetrate skin and other objects.

Low voltage systems do have a lower risk, but that is not to say they are risk-free. Please use caution and consult with an electrician when installing any LED systems you are not familiar with.

In any scenario, I want to have zero probability of any conducting wires making contact with the bodies, tubes, etc. through which I route them. The DC barrel jack plug adapter (PN 7094) on your site looks like it could be useful to me. If I'm assembling this adapter onto 18-gauge wire myself, would it be recommended to apply shrink wrap around the screw-clamp wire connection area afterward? Do you have some good suggestions for space-saving ways to permanently join wires as I assemble the power supply circuit to my led rope light? 

We understand the concern, and it does sound like you have the right idea in terms of insulation and protection from short circuits. I do agree that heat shrink tubing would be a good way to protect the exposed wires.

​Our recommendation here would be twofold:

​1) If possible, solder all wire connections directly. This will reduce the footprint of the connections, and make it far easier to apply heat shrink. Furthermore, connections will likely be more robust, as opposed to connectors which (although unlikely) may allow the bare wire to unexpectedly fall out.

​2) Place all exposed wires and connection locations away from any electrically conductive surfaces. If your wire run must pass through or along any electrically conductive material, ensure that the wire has sufficient insulation, and avoid or resolve any sharp edges which may snag or cut the wire insulation.

​

Do I need a Junction Box in the Power Supply for LED Undercabinet Lighting?

Just want to make sure I get the power supply correct, when do I need the junction box vs not? Pairing it with the 16m 3000K LEDs, figure I need some of the small tool-less connectors as well, since they're in multiple sections, will be separating and reconnecting them. Assume I can pair all of this with an ELV/MLV Caseta dimmer for 120 bucks. Does that all sound correct? 

The junction box for the dimmable power supply is generally recommended for in-wall installations to protect the unit from inadvertent exposure and contact with debris and other in-wall wiring. We would recommend consulting with your local NEC inspector to determine what regulations, if any, exist in your area.

​The TRIAC dimmable power supply is compatible with forward-phase, ELV/reverse-phase and MLV dimmers. Most of the tested dimmers are forward-phase dimmers and the list of tested dimmers can be found below:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/files/DC_3093.pdf

We do offer several solderless connectors such as PN 3070 and PN 3071 which you may find useful in connecting separate LED strip runs together. Please see below for a configuration diagram showing how these components can be used:

​https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B

Can I plug the UV-A LED Strip into the Vessel or Cigarette Lighter?

I am making a UV 365 charge box for my boat and would like to plug your 1 meter UV led strip either to my 12 volts directly or the cigarette lighter. How do I do that?

As the 12V battery within your vessel will likely have more than enough power to utilize the 365nm realUV™ LED Strip Lights through a direct-wired connection with a product such as our Male DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter, there is a chance that some cigarette lighter adapter models could have hardware-defined output limitations that are lower than 12V.

Based on my review of some products available online, there do appear to be several listings that provide low-voltage protection for the products utilizing the ports. We might recommend selecting a similar product that can ensure sufficient and stable power for the LED product.

For more technical details regarding the realUV™ LED Strip Lights, I have included a link to the product sheet below.

realUV™ LED Strip Lights Product Sheet: https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CS_7021.pdf

LED Strip Lighting Accessories and Installation Layout

My wife and I plan to build a new home. The house includes a cathedral ceiling area 32 feet wide and 20 feet deep. We plan to illuminate the gambrel arch cathedral ceiling using Centric Home 24V DC 3000K LED Strips. Since the 20 feet is longer than the 16 feet of your strips, we plan to use two each 10 feet strips with separate power supplies for each strip and two dimmers, one for each side of the room. We want to use corner aluminum channels so the light is aimed at 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal. May I please speak with someone about the list of components I should make sure to have on my order? 

As you mention correctly, the 20 foot span is unfortunately too long for a single power supply, so I agree that the approach to "split" this into two sections of 10 feet, each with its own power supply, would be the best approach.

​Furthermore, the "corner" aluminum channels should provide you with exactly the type of 45 degree light angle and should work very well for you.

​Below are the list of items needed for this installation:

​2x PN 3004.30

2x PN 3094.096

2x PN 3061

​You may also find our configuration diagram helpful in thinking about the layout and wiring:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1C

​We do also agree that the LED strip lights would be the optimal choice here. While traditional lamp form factors such as spots and floods are convenient and familiar, for a new home installation, the LED strip approach will provide for the "latest and greatest" in terms of efficiency and versatility.

From the side of the room where I would mount the LED strips to the apex of the ceiling is a straight line distance of 22.4 feet. Now, we would mount LED strips on both sides of the room, so there would be two strips- one on each side of the room- aiming at the apex of the ceiling. Still, given the 22.4 feet distance, will there be enough light reaching the apex to illuminate it? I do not need a "bright" illumination, but I want to avoid any dark areas on the ceiling. How do I determine what the ceiling illumination will look like?

We unfortunately do not have a good answer for you here, as the light spread would depend on the exact layout and would require complex computer simulations to provide any accurate recommendations.

​The 22.4 ft distance is quite far, and while I do not believe it will be completely dark, it may appear dark when compared to the ceiling areas closer to the LED strips.

If you have the ability to locate the LED strips closer to the center (such that they are situated closer to the point beneath the ceiling apex) that may mitigate some of the concerns you have.

It might also be helpful to know that the LED strip lights emit light at a 120 degree angle, with the most intensity at the center of that beam. This may give you an additional data point in determining to what extent the light spread would be affected by the angle of the pitched ceiling.

Choosing Compatible Flicker-free LED Dimmer

I was reviewing your 24V LED strip lights and I’d like to know if they meet the other criteria on the attached list (text file attached, and also printed below). 

If so, I’d like some assistance choosing a compatible dimmer that will provide flicker-free dimming on the low end down to 0.1 percent. 

Our CENTRC HOME LED strip lights do meet the color requirements provided - i.e. 95 CRI, 2700K, in-stock. Please see below for the product link:

​The product can be dimmed when paired with our dimmable power supply. Please see below for the product link:

​We also maintain a compatible dimmer list, which shows the dimming range (e.g. 0-100%), which can be found below. This should be a good way to confirm the requirement for dimming down to 0.1%.

​https://www.waveformlighting.com/files/DC_3093.pdf

Connecting Multiple LED Strips in One Power Supply

I need a very long LED strip. Is it possible to connect several of your strips using just one power supply? If so, how many could you connect?

While we can confirm that our LED Strip Light products can be connected together, it might be helpful to know that these products have a maximum length that can be connected and powered by a single power supply.

For our 12V LED Strip Light products, the maximum combined length is 16.4 feet (5 meters). For the 24V LED Strip Light products, the combined length is 32.8 ft (10 meters). As these products cannot support being powered in lengths greater than the above, we would not recommend installations that exceed these lengths. 

Are the 24V TRIAC power supply compatible with Lutron Caseta LED dimmers?

I am interested in purchasing LED strip lights to use with the Lutron Caseta LED dimmers in residential kitchens and baths. Are the 24V TRIAC power supply and Centric Home LED strip the best option for this? Or 12V? Or something else? 

Based on our familiarity with the Lutron Caseta system, we are happy to confirm that 12V or 24V installations should be compatible.

As such, it does not appear that the Lutron Caseta system has any limitations regarding one option being preferred over the other. That being said, there might be some voltage considerations depending on the class or circuits used within your home. To that end, we might recommend reaching out to a local electrician for information on the electrical systems utilized within the residence.

Generally speaking, we strongly recommend selecting the compatible voltage for the lights and power supplies within installations. In case they prove to be helpful for your planning purposes, we have attached two blog post links from our website below, which discuss the options in detail.

Advantages of a 24V LED system vs 12V https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/advantages-of-a-24v-led-system-vs-12v

Pros and cons of a 12V LED system https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/12v-led-system

We are happy to confirm that the CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential could be a great option for your kitchen lighting. We generally recommend 2700K for living rooms and bedrooms, or 3000K for kitchens and dining areas. 

I am going to place an order for the Centric Home LED and TRIAD power supplies along with some aluminum track and have a couple more questions. What is your expected shipping time for these products and accessories? Would you be able to provide any promo or coupon code for trying this product out?

Based on my review, it appears that both items are available to be shipped without delay. Further, we unfortunately do not have any special promotional pricing available at the moment, and we do apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.

Regarding accessories, you might find value in the below links from our website. These pages contains illustrated, interactive guides that describe the common product layouts and link to the accessories that we recommend for them.

LayoutMaps™ by Waveform Lighting: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-2198&py=-2213.5&pw=1396&ph=1427&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1A: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A?px=-2190&py=-2213.5&pw=1380&ph=1427&s=0.1

12V vs 24V Power Supply

I am building some bookcases and am looking for a 16' roll of led lights and accessories. I am using a wall dimmer, but not sure of the difference between using the 12v dc power supply or the 24v power supply. Why the two offerings?

Generally speaking, there is not an extremely significant difference between 12V and 24V systems so long as the correct accessories are chosen. For example, we would discourage the use of a 24V Power Supply when using a 12V LED Strip Light product.

For more information regarding the differences and disadvantages of each type of system, you might find value in the below articles from our website:

Advantages of a 24V LED system vs 12V: https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/advantages-of-a-24v-led-system-vs-12v

Pros and cons of a 12V LED system: https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/12v-led-system

UV-A LED Strips for Tanning Wood and Curing Oil Varnish

I'm interested in these UV LEDs for tanning wood and curing oil varnish. They're listed as 12V units. My question is could I get higher intensity output by using your 24v power supply, or would that blow out the lights? 

As our LED products are designed at the circuit level with a specific voltage in mind, we do not recommend utilizing a 24V power supply with a 12V LED strip light product. In general, connections that lead to an over-voltage can permanently damage the LED strip lights and void the product warranty.

UV-A LED Strip Lights for Curing

Interested in UV LED for curing, 350 nm. I need 2 or 4 strips about 1 ft long. What products do I need, LED Power supply?

Based on the details provided, it appears that the closest product match would be the 365nm realUV™ LED Strip Lights. These products are available in 3.2 ft (1 meter) increments and can be powered using a power supply such as our 12V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip products.

If you would prefer to connect multiple lengths using the pre-installed power plugs, you might be interested in our Daisy-Chain DC Connector for UV LED Strips product. Please note that these LED strip lights can support a maximum connected length of 16.4 ft (5 meters).

We have also attached two layout diagrams below, which illustrate some of the most common product installation configurations:

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4B?px=-2201&py=-2213.5&pw=1402&ph=1427&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4C?px=-2201&py=-2213.5&pw=1402&ph=1427&s=0.1

Recommended LED Products for Under Cabinet Lighting

I plan to install under-cabinet lighting in our kitchen and need assistance selecting the proper products - 4 sections need lighting. The first section is 50 inches. It is separated from section 2 by a sink and window. The second section is 50 inches and connects at the right angle to a smaller 30-inch section. The fourth section is separated from the third section by a range hood. I assume I need one standard reel of 2700K LED strip lighting. How many power supplies/DC converters do I need? Do I need just one coupler? 

Based on the details provided, it appears that a total length of 130 inches of LED strip lights is required. As such, we believe that one 16.4 ft (5 meters) reel of the 2700K 12V LED strip lights product should be sufficient for your installation. 

​If the length of the fourth segment is known, we would be happy to check to ensure that the single reel contains a sufficient length for the four combined segments.

Further, we believe that your installation would only require a single DC Power Supply if it utilizes four segments of strip lights, connected by lengths of wiring.

Though many of our customers prefer to utilize the Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip products for discretely mounting their lighting products, the 3.3 ft length of the item may not provide convenient housing for the 50 and 30-inch lengths of lighting which you mentioned. As such, we might recommend a third-party mount that could be trimmed to more precise lengths.

If you would like to utilize wall-wiring with this installation, you might find interest in our 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip products. This product has the benefit of being compatible with wall dimmers. Alternatively, our plug-in 12V DC Power Supply product is an easy solution for most installations.

If it proves to be useful, I have attached a layout map below which illustrates the 12V TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply installation method. This link also includes information regarding the various connectors recommended for the installation.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-2239.5&py=-2209&pw=1479&ph=1418&s=0.1

I neglected to mention that the 4th section is 24 inches. I still don’t understand how the single power supply unit and its connections will be inconspicuous. I would like the lighting to be wired in, but not being an electrician, I don’t know where or how the power source would be mounted. Sections 1 and 2 are separated by a sink with a window. Sections 3 and 4 are separated by a range hood. I don’t understand how the long wire connections you propose can be installed without being visible. 

Based on the length provided, we believe that the single 16.4 ft reel would still provide ample product for the four segment installations.

Generally speaking, these TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip products are installed within the wall (such as installed behind the drywall in a junction box or cavity) and are directly connected to the housing wiring to power the lighting products.

If the sections are divided by range hoods and other barriers which might make a continuous connection difficult to inconspicuously install, we would then recommend utilizing a dedicated power supply for each section. For your installation, this might look like ordering four power supplies which would be installed to independently power the sections of strip lights. ​

Film Grade LED Panels for Photographic Printing

Film Grade LED Panels for Photographic Printing

I am a professional photographic printmaker and require High CRI High R9 value print view lighting to just prints. I print using 5000K print view lighting but many times also view the print with 3200K lighting which is closer to the gallery and museum lighting. It looks like your Film Grade 9.5" x 18.9" flexible LED dimmable panel would work well for my needs. My print viewing area is 36" high by 60" wide. I want to determine if I need 1 Film Grade Flexible panel or 2 Film Grade Flexible panels to cover my print viewing area with even illumination. I will also want to be able to select 5000K precisely using the dimmer device. 

Our FilmGrade LED panels would certainly meet your color point needs, but unfortunately, we currently do not have any dimming solutions that would meet your requirements. (We currently support DMX only, for use in TV studio / theatrical installations).

​We do apologize for the inconvenience!

​As an alternative, we would perhaps build a panel using our single-color LED strip lights which can be used with our in-line dimmer. For example, please see below for an example layout:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3E

Do the Centric LED Strip Lights require the Centric Power Supply? 

Do the Centric strip lights require the centric power supply? Or would the Film Grade power supply also work (for half the cost)? Alternatively, would any SMPS do the job as long as it provided the correct voltage and current? (16ft of 24V centric strip requires a minimum 3.75A @ 24V (90 watts)

You are correct that any 24 volt constant voltage power supply (including commonly available switch-mode power supplies) would work with our 24 volt LED strip lights as long as the power capacity of the power supply is sufficient.

​The FilmGrade power supply is a great option and will work fine and may even be more convenient if you are looking for a wall-plug solution rather than a permanent hard-wired installation.

Color Critical Lighting for Cultural Heritage Field

I would like to know if you have a product using the Toshiba TRI-R LEDs. We are involved in the Cultural Heritage field and need a better solution for lighting than currently available products. I am looking for a lighting solution similar to your flexible panels with the lighting spectral quality of the TRI-R-led specifications for proof of product assembly. 

We are not affiliated with Toshiba but we do have a line of 99 CRI products that may closely approximate the color rendition performance you are looking for.

​Below is our product page showcasing our ABSOLUTE SERIES 99 CRI products - please let us know if this is something that may work for your needs, and we would be more than happy to assist with any additional questions or concerns!

https://www.waveformlighting.com/absolute-series

From your link, I think we would need the equivalent of 52 strips to make 2 panels approximately 22”x 11” with full coverage over the area. Is there a connector solution that would work for that? Or do you have an option for the absolute series in an already-made panel about that size?

I would also need a power supply/driver to power 2 panels about that size. As well as a dimming module to work with to set output.

​Unfortunately, we do not have any panel-type products, although I completely agree that this would be an ideal use case for such a product.

​As such, the best alternative would be to use an array of LED strip lights as you suggest. In back-calculating from the suggested quantity, it appears that you would be looking at 26 rows of 22-inch length LED strip sections per panel.

This works out to approximately 48 feet or three reels of 16.4 feet each.

The general limitation for LED strip wiring is 16.4 feet (one reel) per power supply and dimmer connection. This is due to the current carrying capacity limitations in the LED strip as well as those of the power supply.

​As such, your single panel will require three separate sets of power supplies and dimmers, which may or may not be an issue for you from a feasibility perspective.

Each LED strip reel can be cut into as many shorter sections as needed; so each 16.4 ft reel, for example, can be cut into 9 separate sections of 22 inches each, and then re-joined using our solderless connector accessory PN 3071.

(For a visual overview of the components, here is an example layout for a similar configuration using our 24 volt / 95 CRI product which operates nearly identically from an electrical perspective: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3E)

LED Lights in Overhead Soffit to Reflect Off the Ceiling

I generally sit in that recliner at the far end to read. Want to put sufficient light in the overhead soffit to reflect off the ceiling and illuminate the read. The table lamp shown is decorative the task light, barely visible by the chair, is what I use now. Has an LED bulb in it. Glares for the wife seated on the couch. It works well if I bring it down close to the read (magazine or newspaper) bulb is white.

It sounds like we have a few lighting fixtures in your space. To start, are you able to confirm what type of lamps or bulbs your fixtures can accommodate?

​For example, the soffit looks like it may accommodate fluorescent fixtures, but it's a bit difficult to tell from the photo.

​Similarly, are the table lamp and task light standard fixtures that use medium-screw Edison bases (E26)? (E26 is the most commonly seen, traditional screw-in lamp type with a base that is approximately 1 inch in diameter).

Once you can let us know what types of lamps may be compatible with your existing fixtures, we'll have a better idea of what options we have available for you. 

​Additionally, can you let us know what challenges you're facing with your existing lighting - is it the color, clarity, brightness, or a combination of these factors?

​The soffit has a string of incandescent mini lights, circa 1992. We do not use the table lamp but it and the task light use standard e26 screw-in bulbs, the problem is insufficient illumination. The task light if I bring it close to the reading material will work but is ungainly and if it is set higher is not quite enough light but glares at anyone sitting on the couch. I had thought that linear LEDs in both soffits above the chair reflecting off the ceiling might work but leave that to your expertise. Using dimmers they could also provide illumination for the room. The soffit runs on three sides of the room.

We are in full agreement that improving the brightness from your soffit lighting fixture would be the best approach here to simultaneously increase brightness without causing additional glare issues.

​Unfortunately, despite their ubiquity, standard light bulbs induce significant amounts of glare due to their high brightness levels from a relatively small size.

Our first thought here would be to recommend our CENTRIC HOME LED strip lights in 3000K. These LED strip lights emit approximately 450 lumens per foot, which is approximately equal in brightness to a 40-watt incandescent bulb. 

It's a bit difficult to determine from your photo, but my best guess would be that your soffit is approximately 10 feet long. If you were to install the LED strip lights across the entire soffit, this would provide you with approximately 4500 lumens, or 400 watts worth of incandescent bulb brightness.

The LED strip lights could of course extend and span multiple soffits across the three sides of the room as you suggest.

The LED strip lights do require some in-wall wiring and assembly work, but I do believe that this would be an excellent option for you. Below is an example wiring diagram that shows how the LED strips can be wired to a wall dimmer:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A

Sometimes sitting on the end of the couch to utilize the halogen Torch which almost does the job but could be better. The new light needs to be dimmable, and maybe the color change? 

Each one of the curtains is approx 6 ft across giving us approx 12 ft of the strip light. Approx 5500 lumens per your calculations. You mentioned 3000 Kelvin. Is that overly yellow for reading? Are your strip lights disabled and what dimmer do you suggest for the best performance? 

Is there an approved dimmer for 3-circuit control? I note that LeGrand makes a couple although I am partial to Lutron. 

I personally do not believe that 3000K is "too yellow" although that would certainly be within the realm of personal preference. Do you know what the color temperature of the lamps in your current space is, and what your thoughts on those might be? (Incandescent bulbs are typically 2700K and lower).

To cover the distances you quoted, you will likely need three sets of 16.4 ft LED strip reels, each with its own dimmable power supply. The cost estimate is as follows:

CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential: $99 ea

TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip: $139 ea

​We do not have any three-circuit control suggestions, but we do have a list of tested dimmers which are available here:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/files/DC_3093.pdf

The reading lamp has a 790-lumen GE REVEAL built therein. It is I think overly bright white. If I bring it clues to the reading material it works but is glary with poor contrast and if further away not bright enough but not heavy. The soffit has a string of very old very small incandescent. I think we might try one set in the two soffits over the Chair to see how this indirect lighting works. 

We believe the GE Reveal lamps use a modified 3000K spectrum. If you find the incandescent lights in the soffit to be acceptable from a color perspective (i.e. not too yellow), then 2700K could also be a good option for you.

Below is an article that might help choose between the two options:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/choosing-between-2700k-and-3000k

LED Strips for Space Lighting Upgrade

I'm trying to decide what I need to set up your product in my space. Currently, I have fluorescent tubes in a 500 ft. workspace. I would like to replace these with your 99 CRI LED strips and hardwire them to my existing wiring and use a dimmer. I'm not sure if I need 12 or 24, or if I need the Junction box on my power source. 

Our 99 CRI ABSOLUTE SERIES sounds like a great option for upgrading your space's lighting! The flexible LED strip version is available in 12 volts only, so you will want to use the 12 volt TRIAC dimmable power supply to power the LED strip.

​Below is the direct link to the dimmable power supply:

If you intend to install the power supply unit directly inside the fixture, I do not believe that there will be a need for the junction box; typically the junction box is used when the power supply is mounted in an interior wall location.

If you are comfortable with and able to solder your own wires, that would perhaps provide you with the most flexibility and cleanest wiring installation, however, if not, our PN 3070 and PN 3071 connectors may be convenient options for you.

I am replacing five T12 tubes in this space (2500 lumens each), and it seems to be about 60% as bright, even though the lumens should be very close. 

The strip that is wired to the power source is brighter than the second strip, which is wired to the first strip. 

The brighter strip also seems very noticeably brighter closer to the connection that goes to the power source. The channel is also quite hot close to the connection, and warm at the other end. The second strip channel is not warm. 

The brightness drop you are observing may be caused by voltage drop, which can occur during longer LED strip installations. Can you provide some additional detail on how the two LED strip reels are connected?

For voltage drop and safety reasons, the maximum run length specification for any LED strip section is 16.4 ft. Therefore, if you are attempting to connect multiple reels to a single LED power supply, this would likely cause the voltage drop and reduction in brightness you are observing in the second reel.

​As such, we generally recommend connecting each 16.4 ft reel to a separate power supply unit to ensure that the maximum run length is not exceeded.

Can you point me to where in your documentation you recommend using a separate power supply for each 16 ft strip? 

Please see below for the datasheet which indicates the "max run" specification of 16.4 ft.

​https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CS_7101.pdf

How much LED Lights are needed for Office Lighting

I have a 12x12 home office. I’m wanting to run your LED lights (power supply, connectors) around the perimeter of the office, but I’m unsure of how many complete systems (LED lights, power supplies, connectors, etc) I need to order. From what I see the strips come in 16’ sections, and if I need to go around the entire perimeter I’d need 3, of your complete systems, but I need to how bright the three systems would be would it be better to split one or two up? The LED lights need to be dimmable. 

I've plugged the 12 x 12 foot dimensions into our lumen estimation calculator (https://www.waveformlighting.com/lumen-calculator), which suggests a total brightness of 5850 lumens for an office space (approximately 40 footcandles).

​Our LED strip lights emit 450 lumens per foot, so 14 feet would be sufficient (just short of 1 reel) to meet this brightness level.

If you plan on installing a dimmer, however, there is no such thing as being "too bright" since this can always be dialed down if needed, and having the LED strip lights installed along the entire perimeter of your office space on each side might be a nice way to provide even and well distributed lighting.

One more thing, just so I understand what I need to do to get this operational, could you please provide me with a simple diagram from power in to the LED the entire diagram of this project. Would you suggest breaking the 16' strip into 4 equal parts or even 8 equal parts and place around the perimeter. Also, can you tell me how soon you can ship once we know exactly what is needed?

Below is a simplified wiring diagram showing two 16-ft reel circuits connected to a single dimmer. In your setup, you will want to replicate this a third time for the third circuit.

​https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1C

​I would recommend installing the LED strips as three equal parts at 16 ft each. The reason is that if we do four equal parts (or more), that would potentially require installing four separate power supplies (or more) as each power supply is limited to powering a maximum of 16.4 ft for any given connection.

​Given the dimensions of your space, turning the corners at each 12 ft mark may be a bit of a challenge depending on the configuration of your interior. An additional diagram link below shows how the LED strip sections can be cut into shorter segments and rejoined using our various accessory items. I suspect that PN 3071 may be helpful for you when turning the corners of space.

​https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B

​Below is an preliminary shopping cart I've put together for you which includes the three sets of LED strip reels and corresponding power supplies. I've also included a 10-pack of the aforementioned PN 3071 accessory.

https://store.waveformlighting.com/27932316/invoices/96f20fd5f0df2415844ff452f475d2dd

​Our order turnaround time is typically 1-2 business days, and we do offer complimentary standard shipping which is typically delivered within a 5-10 business day timeframe. We also offer expedited shipping options for an additional charge; expedited shipping times and costs are calculated at checkout, but I would be more than happy to assist in calculating those for you if you can confirm your shipping address and cart contents.

Recommendation on LED White and UV Lighting for Imaging Application

For one our research projects on inspecting meat products, we are using different technologies to assess quality of fresh produce. in one of them we use RGB camera as an visual assessment in visible length, and also as contamination/disease assessment using fluorescence effect. We do need the lighting system both in visible white and UV for this. This will be done through an inspection dark tunnel, were samples are in trays (~600mmx400mmx150mm size), tray moving on a conveyor passing through the tunnel. When it reaches the RGB camera (stand off of ~500mm ), tray stops, white light turns on for one image in visible range, then white lights turns off and UV light turns on to take another image, then UV light turns off. 

We believe that for your application, our ABSOLUTE SERIES LED strip lights would be the best fit for your needs. I've included a link to the product below:

​Each reel can be powered with our 12 volt power supply, which can be found below:

​The LED strip lights can then be cut into shorter sections and rejoined using the PN 3071 connectors:

Can I purchase a separate power supplies with dimmers to connect the cut LED strips?

I'm excited about your products and I want to purchase FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights. I need a 16ft LED strip but I need to cut it into small pieces, and separately control the lights by dimming them. Can I purchase separate power supplies with dimmers, so I can connect the parts that I cut? 

We are happy to confirm that the LED strip light segments can be individually powered and connected with dimmer products. 

Below are some product configurations from our website, which could be useful for your planning purposes.

Configuration Links:

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3D

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3E​

Are the FilmGrade White LED Strip Lights dimmable?

I just ordered film grade white led strip lights 5600K and 3200K. My question is are these dimmable? 

Yes, our FilmGrade LED strip lights are indeed dimmable when connected to a dimmer. Please see below for an example layout:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3D

Here is a direct link to the dimmer product:

What I was looking for was a Hybrid version that had both 3200K and 5600K LEDs on the same strip. Do you have anything along those lines?

The closest option we currently have would be our hybrid LED strip at 3200K/6500K - please see below and let me know if this will work for your needs.

The controller setup will be a bit difficult without a dedicated DMX control system, however, so if you do not have that we would perhaps recommend staying with the two separate LED strip reels controlled individually.

LED Dimmer and Installation Questions

I am installing the CENTRIC HOME™ 3000K / 12V DC with a TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply. Can you suggest the best dimmer to use? In terms of this installation, I plan to reuse the existing wiring from my old under-cabinet fixtures. I think that I may need to attach leads to the old wiring so that the wire is stepped down to a size small enough to solder on the LED strips - any advice/tips/tricks for a neat(er) install? This install will have 7 discrete lamp sections ranging from 8" to 32" in length - altogether it's under 12' - all lamps will be housed inside the channel that I purchased from you too. Is the power supply I selected capable of driving this load? Lastly, the track comes with 5 end cap pairs - can you provide an additional 5 pairs so that I have a few extra for the installation? 

First of all, with respect to dimmer compatibility, our TRIAC dimmable power supplies are designed to work with virtually all phase dimmers so you should not have any significant issues with compatibility.

That being said, below is a list of the dimmers we have tested and their dimming range results:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/files/DC_3093.pdf

We do see that the Lutron DVCL series is a popular choice among our customers and we have not received any reports of flickering or other compatibility issues.

Second, for soldering, I do not believe there should be any significant challenges regardless of the incoming wire type or size. Since the solder pads are quite large, they should take solder quite readily without any issues.

One recommendation, however, would be to consider using our PN 3070 solderless connectors. The two wire ends can be joined together using standard twist-on wire connectors (aka "wire nuts")

As long as the total connection length is at 16.4 feet or less (you mentioned 12 feet), you will be fine with the single power supply unit.

We, unfortunately, do not have any additional mounting hardware on hand for the aluminum channels, but I'll be more than happy to see if we have any extras available to send to you!

I’d prefer solderless connectors but I think I read in your literature that they don’t fit inside the tracks. can you clarify this - or perhaps send a photo of an install so I can plan for it?

You are correct that the solderless connectors are too wide for the aluminum channels, unfortunately. I'm sorry for the oversight here as I had not realized that the LEDs would be installed in the aluminum channels (I should have reviewed your order in greater detail!)

​The "workaround" would be to have the LED strip protrude from the end of the aluminum channel by about half an inch, thereby allowing the connector part of the solderless connector to connect outside of the aluminum channel. I would imagine that this would not be ideal from an aesthetics perspective in most cases, but at a practical level, this would technically work.

Otherwise, the alternative solution would be soldering the wires directly onto the copper pads, as was originally proposed.

Dimmable Power Supply Compatible with Centric Home LED Strip Lights

I'm building a light fixture for my dining room, which is roughly 10' x 10' x 15' high (it's an open space). I've calculated that I need 1,673 lumens and that 3' of your CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential will provide that. What dimmable power supply do I need (assuming I use a Lutron or Leviton wall dimmer)? 

You are correct that the 3-foot section will provide approximately 1650 lumens, which should be sufficient for your needs. Do keep in mind, however, that depending on the design of your fixture, you may want a bit more brightness depending on the orientation of the LED strip lights as well as the fixture.

​As far as connecting the LED strip lights to a dimmer switch, you will want to use our TRIAC dimmable power supply product. we've included the product link below for your reference.

​https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/triac-dimmable-power-supply-for-led-strip?variant=27978821435494

Additionally, our layout map for the product may be helpful in understanding how the product can be wired to your dimmer circuit: 

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A

Can you specify one or two specific Leviton or Lutron wall dimmer switches that are compatible with my order? 

We've tested a wide range of Lutron and Leviton wall dimmers for compatibility. Some of the most popular include the Lutron DVCL-153 series, which we have linked to below:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-Diva-LED-Dimmer-Switch-for-Dimmable-LED-Halogen-and-Incandescent-Bulbs-Single-Pole-or-3-Way-White-6-Pack-DVCL-153PR-6-WH/301353737

For further reference, you may want to review our list of tested dimmers, which can be found below:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/files/DC_3093.pdf

Power Supply and Voltage Drop

I received and installed the CENTRIC HOME LED Strip Lights, FilmGrade™ 24V Power Supply, and Aluminum Channel. I have a couple of questions:

For turning the light on and off is it ok just to switch the 24 VDC output or would it be better to switch the 110 VAC input? 

The on/off switching on the 24-volt DC side or the AC line voltage side is both acceptable.

​We do agree that the only difference would be the concern for "stand-by" power consumption if switching on the DC side. Unfortunately, we do not have the stand-by power specification, but we believe it to be very negligible if not completely 0.

​On the other hand, we have noticed a short delay when switching the power on from the AC side, so if this is a concern for you, switching on the DC side may be preferred.

From the power supply to the furthest light tape is about 20 ft(16 ga wire), so the voltage drop is 0.60.V resulting in the voltage to the furthest tape being 23.4 VDC. Are these 0.6 volts going to make these furthest lights noticeably dimmer? 

Based on some informal testing we have conducted, we would estimate that the voltage drop of 0.6 volts would equate to a power/brightness drop of approximately 10%.

​This estimate is based on the chart shown in the article below titled "Input Voltage vs Power Draw (24V Rating)"

https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/can-you-operate-a-12v-led-strip-at-less-than-12v

Do keep in mind that the 10% reduction would apply only at the extreme ends where the voltage drop is most significant. Across the majority of the LED strip run, your actual voltage drop is likely less than 0.6 volts, and would therefore be well below a 10% brightness drop overall.

Power Supply Needed for LED Strip Light Installation

I will be installing 2 16ft reels of the Centric Daylight 4000K LED strips for my business. I am curious as to how many power supplies I will need. Will a single 24V power supply power 32.8 ft of these two LED reels? I also will be installing the RED LED 16.4 ft reel, which I notice has a 12V requirement. Would a single 12V power supply for the RED plus a single 24V volt power supply do the trick? Or might I need 3 power supplies? 

Though the 24V LED Strip Light products have a maximum combined length of 32.8 ft, at 5.5 watts of power draw per foot, two 16.4 ft reels would require 180.4 W power output, which is greater than the 120 W power output of our power supply.

As such, we would recommend utilizing a dedicated power supply for each reel of the 24V CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Light product.

However, there may be third-party power supplies available elsewhere which might be capable of powering two full 16.4 ft reels of product.

Is it best to be using the 95 CRI products for Art Lighting?

We are wrapping up a project with an art wall for a special piece of art and need to light it with even light intensity and would like to learn more about your products. 

To light art, it is best to be using your 95 CRI products right?

Yes, the higher the CRI, the better the appearance of the colors in your artwork.

What is the difference between a Centric Home 3000K strip (3003.27) vs. a film grade 3200K tungsten strip (3001.32)?

The primary difference between the CENTRIC HOME and FilmGrade LED strip lights is the color temperature. The former is offered in 3000K, compared to the latter, which is offered in 3200K. The CENTRIC HOME at 3000K will be a closer match to halogen lighting used in art galleries, whereas the FilmGrade at 3200K is closer to tungsten lighting used in TV and movie sets.

It would seem all the strips have a max light intensity of 450 lumens per foot, are there higher lumen strips in the 3000K - 3200K color temp range?

Unfortunately we do not have any brighter LED strips. If more light is needed, we would recommend "doubling up" the number of rows.

How much lumen can be expected to be lost if used behind the lens of the corner aluminum channel?

We generally observe light loss of 10-15% when the diffuser cover is applied over the LED strip light.

Safe to assume all the strips are dimmable?

Yes, all LED strip lights are dimmable as long as they are connected to a dimmable power supply unit. (See below)

For about 13.5’ of stip lighting, what’s the best power supply to get and do you guys offer a hard wire remote transformer product to power the lights?

Please see below for the product link for our dimmable power supply which can be hard-wired to a dimmer circuit. One popular solution for controlling this power supply is using the Lutron Caseta dimmer system.

Below is some additional guidance on using the Lutron Caseta system with our LED strip lights:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/dimming-led-strip-lights-and-led-bulbs-using-smart-lighting-systems

For dimming of the light strip, what’s the best wall mount switch type dimmer to get that won’t cause flicker?

As long as you use our dimmable power supplies, you will be able to achieve flicker-free output regardless of the wall dimmer model or manufacturer.

​

LED Strip Lights in Creating a Vanity Mirror

I’m in the process of creating a jewelry box in solid oak, and I’m exploring the possibility of putting a vanity mirror in the lid of the box which contains a mirror. 

​From what I can see, do you have a dimmer built into the vanity mirror? The dimmer must be really small. Is that one you sell separately?

​We, unfortunately, do not sell and separate dimmers, but would perhaps recommend something like our FilmGrade inline dimmer, which we have linked to below:

​Do you use LED strips for the lighting? - Can the LED strips be in direct contact with the wood or will I need to place a strip of aluminum or plastic behind for safety reasons? 

​LED strip lights can certainly be used for such an installation. There are no significant safety concerns with direct contact on a wood surface.

​I’d like to use USB as my charger but can’t find any USB chargers on your website. Do I need a transformer to build in to use USB for charging?

​We, unfortunately, do not have any USB-based products or chargers, as all of our LED strip lights are based on 12 volts or 24 volts DC. You will instead want to use a standard 12 or 24-volt power supply to operate the system.

It seems to me that the biggest advantage of a 24V LED is that one can have long lines of LEDs using the same charger. Would you choose 24V or 12V for a project like this?

​That's correct, although, for a small installation, the maximum run length would be less of a concern. Here is an article going over some additional details:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/advantages-of-a-24v-led-system-vs-12v

​Many of the vanity mirrors out there has a feature that enables their users to choose between different light levels. Is this simply done with a light diffuser?  

​The best way to adjust light levels would be through the dimmer, as discussed in your first question.

LED Strip Lights for Photographing Artworks

I'm looking to create a lighting setup for digitally photographing artworks (mainly paintings) and then printing the files. 

I intended to make 4 panels around 40x50cm from 2-3 5m led rolls cut to lengths and attached to a backboard. I would like to be able to dim these panels also.

​This sounds like a great approach and excellent use case for the ABSOLUTE SERIES LED strip lights. The LED strip lights include double-sided adhesive and should allow for quick installation onto the backboard.

​For dimming, we recommend our FilmGrade flicker-free LED dimmer, which can be installed in between the LED strip lights and the power supply. Please see below for the product link:

​I am looking at the 99% absolute series and would like advice on how much light I may need (how close to space led strips on the panels?) and which driver I may need for say 7.5-meter strip cut to lengths.

​The amount of light needed would depend on the brightness needed for your photography (perhaps determined by your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings) as well as the distance away from the artwork. As a general ballpark estimate, each meter emits approximately 1250 lumens, which is equivalent to a 75-100 watt incandescent bulb.

​The maximum run length for the product is 5.0 meters. If connecting 7.5 meters per panel, you will need two separate power supplies (and perhaps, unfortunately, you will also require two separate dimmers for the separate circuits). The link to the power supply is shown below:

​Our general recommendation for spacing is to space the LED strip lights no farther apart than the distance from the illumination surface. In other words, if the panel is to be placed 20 cm from the illumination surface, the LED strips should not be spaced farther than 20 cm apart.

​Also, would the absolute series be good to record digital colors from paintings? I may install a linear polarizing sheet across the front of the panels also. They will likely be set at 45 degrees to paint.

​Yes, the ABSOLUTE SERIES is a great option for digital image capture! The 99 CRI rating is the highest that is currently available in the industry and informs us that the color accuracy as captured by your camera would be nearly perfect.

​The polarizing sheet, as well as perhaps a diffuser sheet, can help ensure even and smooth light distribution across the paintings.

​I notice a beam angle referenced in preassembled lighting panels - can you briefly explain this? and is it possible to recreate it with the strip LEDs?

The beam angle refers to the angle at which the light is dispersed. Our LED strip lights have a beam angle of 120 degrees, which you can think of as being a very wide conical light dispersion angle.

An led strip shows a lumen output of 6250. What would be a comparison in Lux at 1m or 3m? I suspect I am a little underpowered at 6250 lumens / 416 watts approx.

​A single row of LED strip lights will provide approximately 300 lux at 1 meter, and 25 lux at 3 meters. If using multiple rows, however, you would be able to add these lux values up in a linear fashion to determine the illuminance on that particular surface.

​You mentioned a space of 20cm between strips at a 20cm distance. I had guessed placing led strips at around an 8cm gap (mainly for estimated panel size using a 1x 5m reel, but I think I may need the strips much closer. 

Closer together than the 20 cm distance I had somewhat arbitrarily suggested is not an issue at all.

​I think I may need 4 panels of 5m strips cut to lengths (with a driver and dimmer for each panel) although this becomes pricy. Would you concur that with your products a 5m strip is the maximum for the drivers and dimmer?

Unfortunately, the maximum run length would indeed be 5 meters due to the power supply capacity as well as the limitations of the LED strip circuitry.

I generally understand CRI and the wavelengths of color and your absolute series seems to be as good as a "roto light" or "Gemini lite panel" and possibly as good as it gets. I see another figure being used for color perception and described as TICI. Do you have a rating for the Absolute series and what is TICI? (can't find it on google)

TLCI is the Television Lighting Consistency Index, frequently used in TV and broadcast environments in Europe. Similar to CRI, the TLCI determines color accuracy in the context of cameras and photography. Our ABSOLUTE SERIES has been tested to 99 TLCI (please see attached).

Are your LEDs flicker-free? I presume 4x 5m reels could all be exactly the same intensity and color? And the best color accuracy would be from a fixed-temperature LED. I note the preassembled panels from others have control over temperature, intensity, and hue in some cases.

Our LEDs are flicker-free when used with a flicker-free power source. All reels are calibrated to the same brightness and color point and are not adjustable, unfortunately.

​Would you happen to know what the import charges would be?

Unfortunately, import charges are quite variable and it is difficult to provide estimates up front, as these can depend on the specific port of import as well as customs officer discretion.

​If you would like to inquire with local customs authorities in advance, you might want to check on the estimated costs for products with HTS code 8539.50.0090, which is what is typically used for LED strip lights.

Compatible Dimmer & Power Supply for 24V LED Strip Lights

I am putting an order together for two of your 5m 24v 4000k 95 CRI LED light strips and need your help choosing a MeanWell 24V 150W Power Supply to drive an 18.5-foot segment. I am considering the MeanWell ELG-150-24AB and Lutron Caseta Wireless ELV. Will this work with these strips? Is there a better 150W power supply?

We've reviewed the product literature for the Meanwell product model numbers supplied, and all of them appear to be compatible with an 18-ft installation of our CENTRIC DAYLIGHT 24-volt 4000K LED strip lights. The primary electrical requirements for this installation would be 24 volts DC constant voltage output and a power capacity of at least 120 watts (5.5 watts x 18 ft = 99 watts, 20% overhead added).

​All three of the Meanwell products you mentioned appear to have the ability to provide this output, so they should be compatible; for further differences and recommendations between those options, we would recommend reaching out to Meanwell to better determine the best fit.

We did notice that you're looking to use a Lutron Caseta dimmer, which uses a phase-cut dimming signal. From what we understand, Meanwell products are NOT compatible with phase-cut dimmers and therefore may present some compatibility issues, so we would recommend reviewing this as well.

Choosing between T8 LED Tube and LED Strips for an Existing Electrical Boxes

I'm trying to choose between tube and strip lights and I need info on how I can hook it into my existing ceiling outlet box. 

While each installation can differ, we generally recommend using our LED tube lights if there is an existing 4-ft fixture already in place. Our LED tube lights can be used without a ballast and therefore can be used without any additional electronic components.

LED strip lights, on the other hand, can provide you with some additional versatility and installation options. This approach, however, will require additional wiring and configuration, including power supply units and LED strip assembly.

I have six separate track lights on separate dimmer switches. The reasons they interest me are that they look to be very low profile and you have a 99 CRI strip light but only 95 CRI tube lights. Are there any other advantages or disadvantages I should be aware of for strips vs ubes? If I go with the strip light option, what do I need to do? How does it connect to the end feed and will the extra transformer fit inside the end feed? Will I need new dimmer switches? I currently use these(Lutron CTELV-303P-WH Skylark Contour 300W Electronic Low Voltage Single Pole / 3-Way).

Since you don't have a fluorescent fixture at all, the LED strip light option is definitely worth considering.

The challenge with installing an LED strip light in a location like this is that the existing track systems operate at a completely different voltage type and level. Typically, they are 120 volts or 12 volts AC, while the LED strip lights require 12 volts DC.

As such, the electrical wiring and systems inside the track lights will not be useful here and will need to be bypassed completely.

Below is a configuration diagram for a simple LED strip setup:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A

You will see the TRIAC dimmable power supply, which is the key component here that you will want to determine where you can fit this in your current installation. It is a somewhat bulky device and you will want to ensure it is installed in a location compliant to local electrical code. (Most frequently, it is installed inside of a junction box mounted inside of the wall).

The TRIAC power supply appears to be 9 inches, so it won't fit in the current electrical box in the ceiling. Could I just purchase your junction box and attach it to the ceiling? Do you sell it in white? Alternatively, I could install the TRIAC in the attic near the switches, but then it would need to feed into the current wires that run to the ceiling position. I'm thinking that those standard wires must be different than the ones needed for the DC, is that right? If so, I guess the TRIAC has to go right next to the strip lights. 

We are not sure about the electrical code requirements and considerations of mounting the junction box on the ceiling, so that is something you will want to confirm before going down that path. The junction box is unfortunately not available in any other colors.

The concern with installing the TRIAC dimmable power supply far from the LED strip lights is that large distances between the power supply and LED strip lights can result in voltage drop, whereby the brightness of the LED strips become diminished by the reduction in voltage supply. Generally, we recommend keeping the LED strip sections within 32 feet of the power supply unit to reduce the impact of voltage drop.

My understanding is that your tube lights are not dimmable, is that correct? 

That is correct. We agree that the LED strips would be the best option for a dimmable + flicker-free lighting solution.

​Do you sell L pieces for the aluminum channel so I can turn corners with the flex strips?

Unfortunately we do not sell any "L" shaped corner pieces. The best way to accomplish this would be to solder wires directly between the LED strip segments that meet at the corner. The aluminum channels can also be cut at 45-degree angles to create a gapless 90-degree turn.

​Do I need the centric series power supply rather than the triac to get flicker free? 

​The most recent batch of TRIAC dimmable power supplies is also now rated flicker-free. Therefore, you will be able to use the TRIAC dimmable power supply and achieve flicker-free and dimmable light output.

​Do you sell a junction box that covers the centric? 

​We do not sell a junction box for the CENTRIC SERIES power supply. We would recommend going with the TRIAC dimmable power supply since it also provides flicker-free light output.

Can I connect two separate 8 foot strips to one power supply? 

Yes, they can be connected "in parallel" - please see the blog post below:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/connecting-led-strips-in-series-vs-parallel

I'm just about ready to order the absolute strip. I'm still trying to decide on whether to go with 6500k or 5000k. What connector will I need for that? 

Both the 5000K and 6500K should be good options for you. Here is an article, in case you haven't had a chance to yet see it, that might help you make a more informed decision one way or another:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/art-painting/difference-between-5000k-and-6500k-bulbs

Once the LED strip is cut, it cannot be re-joined using the pre-mounted female DC cables. They can be re-joined using the PN 3071 accessory that you have correctly identified.

Does High CRI LED Strip Light Flicker-free?

Does high CRI LED strip flicker-free? In that, if we use the dimmer, it will be flicker-free or not? We need to use your LEDs for our test equipment and we need to control the lux level with your diffuser, will it be recommended that any other products be available with you? 

We're happy to confirm that our LED Strip Lights are flicker-free when paired with a flicker-free power supply, such as our FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip, as well as our FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer.

Please note that as our LED Strip Light products are available in both 12V and 24V versions, it will be important to select a compatible 12V or 24V power supply. 

LED Strip Lighting Layout

I am only putting the best into this place, so that means quality lighting. I am in a 19 x 16' space with 10' high ceilings and am curious as to what layout would be best. I plan on installing both the 4000k LED strip lighting alongside the red LED strip lighting for nighttime sessions. I will likely have both on during the day to put some Red back into the spectrum. When I install them, what is the recommended spacing between the two? Or have them right next to each other? I want what looks best and most balanced. 

Based on the measurements provided, we calculate that the space would be sufficiently illuminated by 14,960 lumens. As such, we might recommend utilizing 34 feet of LED Strip Lights in your studio space, which is just about two 16.4 ft reels of the LED strip lighting products, which emit 450 lumens per foot.

It might also be helpful to know that our 12V and 24V LED strip light products have maximum run lengths that can be powered by a single power supply. The maximum length for 12V is 16.4 ft, whereas the 24V maximum length is 32.8 ft.

As such, depending on the product selected, you will require a dedicated power supply of the matching product voltage. Further, each dedicated length and power supply will require a dedicated dimmer unit, in the event that you would like to dim the connected lengths of strip light products.

​We have attached a link below, which illustrates a common LED strip light configuration that utilizes multiple connected segments.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-2201.5&py=-2227.5&pw=1403&ph=1455&s=0.1

Regarding light configuration, you may find that the ideal distance between the red and 4000K white LED strip lights may come down to personal preference and layout. As such, there is unfortunately not a precise alignment recommendation that we could make.

That being said, it might be helpful to know that many customers choose to install these lights along the ceiling perimeter to wash the walls in light.

While these LED strip lights can be installed in multiple ways, we also sell the Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip product which can be used for mounting the lights within corners or flat surfaces.

UV-A LED Strip Lights for (Gum Bichromate) Photo Printing Processes

I am trying to construct a UV exposure unit for historic photo printing processes (gum Bichromate). I think the best wavelength is 365 nm because it is firmly in the UV window. Do you have any experience with this application for UV LED? I think I will need a 5 m reel to adequately cover a 20x24” surface. The distance to the image from the lights would be about 6”. Would you be able to suggest the maximum gap between strips that provide even illumination? Could you recommend a power supply that I could order at the same time that is sufficient for the 5 m of the LED? 

Our UV LED strip lights sound like a great option for your installation. While we do not have any data or specific recommendations for the gum bichromate process, we agree that the 365 nm wavelength should be a good fit based on what is generally known about its sensitivity to UV wavelengths.

The 5-meter length (approximately 16 ft) should be sufficient for the installation surface. Based on a 24" width, you could, for example, install eight sections of 2 ft each. 

To ensure even coverage, we generally recommend spacing the LED strips no farther apart than the distance away from the irradiance surface. In other words, for your installation, the LED strip sections should be placed no farther than 6 inches apart.

​Our 12-volt power supply has sufficient power capacity to operate a 5-meter reel of UV LED strip lights.

Finally, I've included a link to a layout diagram for a similar configuration, which may be helpful:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4C

I plan on cutting and soldering the sections together with the wire. Is there any specific wire that you would recommend for this application and the current? Over the 5m is there much of a voltage drop and corresponding drop in UV power across the length of an LED?

The primary thing to look out for when soldering the sections together is to use wire with the sufficient thickness (gauge). Our 16 AWG wire, for example, would be a great option for connecting the LED strip sections together. Please see below:

​In terms of voltage drop, we do not see any significant decrease in UV across the 5-meter run, as long as the connections between the LED strip sections are made securely and with wires of sufficient wire gauge. 

If consistent UV intensity is a significant concern, however, we may recommend powering the LED strip running from both ends, thereby effectively reducing the max run length to 2.5 meters each.

Can the power supplies/drivers be remotely mounted?

My question is regarding both dimmable and non-dimmable drivers for Waveform’s strip lights. Can these be remotely mounted? How far can the driver be from the light strip (Film Grade 5600k)? I will need 4 drivers for my installation. How much space is required between drivers?

The difficulty with the remote mounting of the LED strip power supplies is that they operate on low voltage DC, so we do want to be careful about the distance between the power supply and the LED strip light, as they can be susceptible to voltage drop.

​While we do not have an official specification, our recommendation would be to keep the distance between the power supply and the LED strip run to within 32 feet, as this will keep voltage drop to within 0.5 volts. This assumes that the system uses 24-volt DC and 16 AWG wires.

In terms of spacing, the LED power supplies should be provided with ample space around the units to provide sufficient ventilation and cooling. For additional reliability and safety, we would recommend using the junction box accessory.

LED Strip, Power and Control for Under Cabinet Lighting

I wanted a tunable light under the cabinet. My preference would be if could dim the lights at the switch, but control the "color" of the light with an app. Is this possible? We have three individual cabinet areas: 1) 80" span with a 30" gap over the stop and then continues for another 18" (we would not need to light under the stove) 2) 52" span (nothing special here) 3) 74" counter span (nothing special here, either) What products do we need to accomplish this? 

Our FilmGrade Hybrid LED strip lights are designed for cinematography applications, but they could certainly be repurposed for an under-cabinet installation.

A very nice feature of the FilmGrade Hybrid LED strip lights is the ability to change the color temperature of the lights between 3200K (warm white) and 6500K (cool white). This will, however, require some additional third-party controllers to achieve, and would not be compatible with a wall-dimmer installation.

For under-cabinet installations, most of our customers utilize a single-color LED strip light installation using our CENTRIC HOME LED strip lights. While this product is fixed at a single color temperature, this product may be better suited for an under-cabinet installation as the color temperature options of 2700K or 3000K are better suited for residential installations. Additionally, it can be hard-wired to a wall switch, and also includes UL safety ratings for permanent residential installations.

Below is a link to an example installation diagram along with a parts list, which you may find helpful:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A

Based on the cabinet dimensions we have approximately 18' linear feet of cabinets in three unique areas that will need lighting. Do we need three reels and three power supplies or could we do two reels and three power supplies?

The LED strip reels can be cut into shorter lengths, so the two reels with three power supplies sound like a better option for you!

​The two reels will provide you with sufficient length to cover 32.8 ft, which is more than the 18 feet required for your cabinet dimensions.

​In fact, a single reel will provide you with 16.4 ft, so if you are OK with shortening the LED strip lights for some of your cabinets (the LED strip lights most likely do not need to go all the way from one end of the cabinet to the other), that might also save some of your cost as you would be able to use just a single reel instead of two.

Here is an example layout diagram that you may find helpful:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B

We're not sure if we need the 12V or 24V, and also do we need a junction box with the power supply?

I also want to confirm our dimmer switches will be compatible with this. Below are two different dimmer switches I'm planning to purchase:

Lutron MACL-153M-TP Maestro

Lutron MRF2-10D-120-TP Maestro 

Both the 12-volt and 24-volt versions will work OK for your installation, but generally, we recommend our 24-volt versions as they perform slightly more efficiently than their 12-volt counterparts. For additional details, you may find our article below helpful:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/advantages-of-a-24v-led-system-vs-12v

The junction box is an optional accessory for the power supply but can be useful for mounting the power supply safely and securely.

In terms of dimmer compatibility, our dimmable power supplies are designed to work with the majority of Lutron and Leviton dimmers. Below is a list of all dimmers we have tested for compatibility:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/files/DC_3093.pdf

We do see both the MACL and MRF2 series dimmers on our tested list (I believe the letters and digits that follow are designators for non-electrical variations such as color, etc), so I do believe that either of those options should work well for your installation!

I don't believe we have any further guidance or recommendations, but you may want to review the following layout map for a visual preview of what you have in mind for the installation configuration:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B

LED Strip Lighting for Floating Shelves

I want to use strip lighting on 4 individual shelves, 2x2ft, and 2x3ft. Two shelves are mounted on either side of the TV. I want to use the existing wall switch for on/off and feed power from the attic down as I’m on the slab. Ideally, I would like to have voltage conversion in the attic and feed 12v/24v wiring out a hidden hole behind each shelf to led strips. Can you provide suggestions and equipment list? 

Based on the details provided, it appears that your installation can be accomplished using one unit of the 16.4 ft reel of LED strip lighting product divided into the 2 and 3 ft segments, as well as one unit of the TRIAC dimmable power supply in order to connect the LED strip lights to the wall switch and wall wiring. 

​It might also be helpful to note that our LED strip light products are available in both 12V and 24V. As such, it will be important to select the appropriate power supply voltage option.

​You may also find value in the below wiring products, which can be utilized for connecting the power supply to the LED strip lights, as well as connecting the LED strip segments together. 

​16 AWG Wire for LED Strip Lights - 33 ft / 10 meters: https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/16-awg-wire

LED Strip to Wire: https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/led-strip-to-wire-solderless-connector-for-single-color-led-strip-10-pack-1

LED Strip to Strip: https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/led-strip-to-connector-solderless-connector-for-single-color-led-strip-10-pack

I have also attached a link to a layout map below which illustrates the configuration closest to the description provided. ​

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-2255.5&py=-2110.5&pw=1511&ph=1221&s=0.1

LED Strips and Accessories for Under Cabinet Lighting

For under cabinet lights, I believe I have everything needed. Please check this and make sure I have everything needed and recommend any additional items or different items that would be better. The kitchen lights would have two zones, each turned on and off individually. Off of one power supply and one dimmer, there would be two parallel light loops each with its own on/off switch. 

PN 3003.27 (16 ft), PN 3092 , PN 3081 , PN 7094 , PN 3060 

We've reviewed the proposed purchase list and confirmed that the items are sufficient for your installation. During checkout, please be sure to select the correct 24-volt LED strip light option (PN 3004.27) to pair with the 24-volt power supply (PN 3092).

​In terms of the required components and parts, it appears that our installation diagram shown in the link below would be the closest representation of the proposed installation:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_2D?px=-2154&py=-2089&pw=1308&ph=1178&s=0.1

​The main difference, of course, is the single LED strip run as opposed to the two separate runs you have in your proposal.

​With respect to the two parallel runs that are to be switched separately:

I plan on using a 110V AC wall switch as with a shallow box it tucks up underneath the cabinet, is hardly visible, and works very well. I don't see any switches like this on your website so if this switch won't work could you suggest a switch (with a mount if necessary) that will fit under the cabinet?

Would the power supply be harmed if the output is an open circuit?

As for the power supply, FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip 3092, can it mount in the cabinet above the microwave?

Can extra end caps and mounting brackets be purchased?

From an electricity perspective, I do not see any concerns and agree with you that the switch should be able to handle 24 volts and 5 amps. If there are electrical code compliance concerns, however, I would be sure to double-check as I know there tend to be some strict requirements in terms of product fit, even if it may be deemed safe from an electrical and fire safety perspective.

We, unfortunately, do not sell and switch products, but I would perhaps recommend searching for a third-party supplier for a dedicated DC switch. I do recall seeing a few "DC inline style" switches that could be used, for example, this product here (please check for max current limitations).

Next, if we have understood your question about the open circuit correctly, there will be no issues in terms of power supply damage or reliability. The open circuit would be electrically equivalent to powering the power supply without plugging it in anywhere (as is common with laptop chargers, etc).

Generally speaking, the power supply does require open airflow for sufficient cooling. However, if running the LED strips at 48 watts, the heat generated will be limited and should not be a concern for the suggested installation.

Yes. We do sell extra mounting brackets and end caps as separate items. Please see the product page below:

Are the FilmGrade LED Strips able to be cut into shorter sections?

Are the FilmGrade LED strips able to be cut into shorter sections? And if so, what accessories would I need to make each section work independently? Would each segment need its power source, or could I link them, if so, what would I need to purchase to achieve that? Lastly, is there a way I could synchronize or program multiple strips together? 

Our FilmGrade LED strip lights can indeed be cut into shorter sections, in 1 or 2-inch intervals (depending on whether you select the 12-volt or 24-volt option). They can be reconnected using our solderless connectors, or ordinary low-voltage wire and solder.

Below is a connectivity diagram showing how multiple sections can be joined together to a single power source:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3E

If you do need the sections controlled independently (e.g. one section is off while the other is on), you will require separate power supplies for each section.

Dimmable Power Supply for the Centric Home LED Strips

We have a wall dimmer and will be using the 3000K Centric LED strips. I'm wondering about power supplies. Does it seem your Centric flicker-free ones don't have an option for a junction box being included? And your Triac dimmable ones don't seem to be flicker-free but do have a junction box? But you don't have a flicker-free with junction box?

First of all, you are correct that only the "TRIAC dimmable power supply" product includes a junction box option. Our most recent production batch of this product, however, incorporates flicker-free performance, and you will see the same level of flicker performance as the CENTRIC SERIES power supplies. As such, should you require both flicker-free performance and a corresponding junction box, the TRIAC dimmable power supply should be a perfect option for you.

​

LED Strip Lighting Power Sources

I am in the middle of a renovation of a high-end motor coach. I am looking to place colored LED strip lighting around baseboards, under cabinets, and around other key areas to act as accent/night lighting. The RV in question has a 12v house system for lighting. Can your product be wired directly into that 12v system without the necessity of your 120v/12v power sources? Will the house system properly power your product so that it has full design intensity and no flickering, etc?

Our 12 volt LED strip lights sound like a great fit for the RV installation! As you mention, as long as these LED strip lights are provided with a stable 12 volt DC input, they are compatible with automotive battery and power systems.

The one thing to look out for, however, is to ensure that the wiring used to feed the LED strips have sufficient thickness and electrical current carrying capacity, as excessive power draw on under-rated wires can lead to a potential safety hazard.

What kind of amperage draw am I looking for so I can determine if the existing wiring is sufficient or if I need to run a new circuit? 

The exact power draw will depend on the product, so if you can let me know which LED strip light you are interested in installing (link to all LED strip lights below), I'd be more than happy to locate that specification for you.

In general, the LED strips draw between 4.2 watts (350 mA) per foot and 5.5 watts (450 mA) per foot. Below is the specification sheet for our most popular CENTRIC HOME LED strip lights which is an excellent option should you be looking for a high CRI warm-white LED strip solution.

https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/CS_3001.27_3001.30.pdf

Can the Centric Series Power Supply handle (2) units of 16' LED Strips?

We would like to connect two 16' CENTRIC HOME LED strip lights in series to one CENTRIC HOME Flicker Free Dimmable power supply. Can the CENTRIC SERIES Flicker Free Dimmable power supply handle this, or would we need two power supplies (one for each 16' strip light)? 

We can confirm that the 24V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip product has a power output of up to 120 W.

Further, we can confirm that the 24V CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential have a maximum combined length of 32.8 feet (10 meters).

As such, a power supply that has a greater power output than our 24V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip products could be used to supply power for a combined 32.8 feet of the 24V LED strip lights.

Alternatively, as mentioned, you may want to consider a dedicated power supply for each 16.4 ft reel of the LED strip light product.

LED Strip Lights for Living Room Installation

I'm trying to buy "CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential". I'm planning to use "Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip - 5 PACK" Can this be set up by someone like me? And what other products do I need to purchase?

The CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential product is available in both 12V and 24V. As such, it will be important to select a compatible 12V or 24V power supply, such as our FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip.

​It might also be valuable to know that the LED strip lights have a maximum combined length that can be powered, which varies depending on the voltage selected. For the 12V product, the maximum combined length is 16.4 ft (5 meters). For the 24V product, the maximum combined length is 32.8 ft (10 meters).

If you would like to dim the lights, you can utilize the FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer product, which can be connected between the LED strip lights and the power supply.

To connect the LED strip light segments, you can combine both the Female DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter as well as the LED Strip to the Wire product.

I have attached a link below that illustrates the configuration I have described in greater detail:

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_2B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_2B?px=-5007.5&py=-4686.5&pw=1511&ph=1221&s=0.125

LED Strip Lights for Stair Lighting Installation

I have a staircase with 16 steps. Each step is 32" in length. They need to be hardwired to 120V. I want to have a timer so that they come on in the evening (7:00 pm) and off in the morning (6:00 am). Single color with blue being prefer, but white will also work. I'm having a difficult time putting this package together. Can you help by recommending the items that I would need for this project? 

To start off, our SimpleColor Blue LED strip lights sound like a great option for you. These LED strip lights feature just a single color light output and should provide you with the simplest lighting installation. Below is the product link for your reference:

In terms of spanning each of the 16 staircase steps, the configuration will require a bit of careful planning due to some limitations in the "maximum run length" per LED strip light.

​For the SimpleColor Blue LED strip lights, the maximum run length is 16.4 ft. If I have done the math correctly, this means that each run can cover 6 steps at a time (6 steps x 32 inches / step = 16 ft). In order to cover all 16 steps, you will require three separate runs, each powered with an independent power supply.

Depending on the distance between each of the stairs, you will likely want to use PN 3071, or a combination of PN 3070 + PN 7098.

​The power supply we would recommend in this installation would be our TRIAC dimmable power supply, which is designed to be hard-wired to the wires in your wall. To control the lights on a timer, you may want to consider using a "smart home" type dimmer switch such as the third-party Lutron Caseta, which can be programmed to turn on and off at certain times during the day.

​Below is a configuration diagram for our CENTRIC HOME LED strip lights, which uses the same 12 volt low voltage architecture and may be useful for better visualizing the wiring needed to complete the installation:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1C

Please note that you may want to consider using PN 7095 to connect the power supply output wires to the LED strip DC input jacks:

Finally, should you prefer a plug-in approach, our FilmGrade LED power supply can also be a nice alternative that can also be programmed using a third-party electrical timer similar to those used for Christmas tree lights.

Daisy-chaining realUV LED Strip Lights

Daisy chaining seven 16.4 ft lengths of your UV LEDs. Rather than using 7 power supplies, can you recommend a 600W power supply/driver I could use to power 115ft of this product? What other items would I need to daisy chain that length of 7021.95? 

While the realUV™ LED Strip Lights can be daisy-chained together, please note that this product has a maximum run length of 16.4 ft (5 meters).

As such, we do not recommend arranging this product into a combined run of 115 ft with a single power source, as this may introduce safety hazards.

Further, we, unfortunately, do not have any recommendations for power supplies that would be capable of powering seven reels of this product. We apologize! ​

Is the Film Grade DC Power Supply Compatible with different LED Strips?

I looked at the 24V plug-in transformer, and I noticed that it seemed to be specific to film-grade products. It is compatible with other strip lights such as the 95 CRI or 99 CRI 5000K products. The application I am using it for is a display cabinet that will not be hardwired. 

The 24V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip products is compatible with the 24V CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights for Commercial & Retail products.

However, the ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip - 99 CRI - 16 ft / 5 m Reel product utilizes 12V, and would not be compatible with the 24V power supply.

Additionally, please note that an adapter such as the Female DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter would be required to connect the 24V CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights product wires to the barrel jack of the 24V power supply.

UV-C LED Strip Light for Fluorescent Mineral Display

I want to install UV shortwave lighting for my fluorescent mineral display. The minerals are on two shelves, each about 30 inches long and 6 inches wide. I believe the UV-C LED strip light will work. I am planning to buy the Filmgrade DC power supply. Is that the right power supply for what I want to do? How do I hook up the two strips (each 1/2 segment of the original)? Is there a way to do this without having to buy two power supplies? 

I am happy to confirm that the 12V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip is indeed compatible with the realUV™ LED Strip Lights.

Please feel free to utilize our return policy, if the realUV™ LED Strip Lights wind up not working well for your mineral display. For your testing purposes, please note that we are unable to accept returns for LED strip light products that have been cut or altered, including the removal of the adhesive liner.

Regarding installing multiple strips, there are a few configurations that might work for your installation. I have provided layout links below which illustrate these configurations further. To utilize two strip segments powered by one power supply, you may benefit from using the LED Strip-to-Strip product.

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4B?px=-2278.5&py=-2245.5&pw=1557&ph=1491&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4C?px=-2278.5&py=-2245.5&pw=1557&ph=1491&s=0.1

Do I have to unroll the entire LED strip to test it? I would like to test it using just half the length, then test using just 15 inches and finally test it using just 8 inches. 

Can I daisy chain two pieces (one will not have a DC connector) for my display and then use the third piece (with the second DC connector) somewhere else?

We're happy to confirm that the cleanUV™ UV-C LED Strip Light item can be removed from the reel, as well as tested without altering the product.

To daisy-chain the individual UV-C barrel jack lengths together, we sell a product called the Daisy-Chain DC Connector for UV LED Strips, which might prove to be useful.

Further, to connect the individual cut segments, we might recommend the LED Strip to Strip product.

For powering the product, we recommend a 12V DC power supply, such as our FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip product.

Wiring Multiple UV LED Strip Lights

I have an application where I need to daisy chain 112ft of UV led strips (7021.95.5M) in 31" lengths in area 30" x 35". This would take 8 x 16.4ft lengths, but what's the power requirement of this, and what would be the best way to wire this? What other product numbers would I need? 

Our PN 7021.95.5M LED strip lights are very easy to set up and require just a plug-in power supply unit. Each power supply has a DC plug that can connect directly to the LED strip reel.

​Below is an example layout showing our 3.2 ft short reel (the 16.4 ft long reel would be configured the same): https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4A?px=-2155&py=-2617&pw=1310&ph=2234&s=0.1

​We've linked to the power supply product below:

Unfortunately, the LED strips cannot be daisy-chained past the 16.4 ft length per run. As such, you will need to utilize 8x separate power supplies to power the 8x reels of 16.4 ft. This is due to the internal circuitry as well as power supply capacity limitations when running low voltage electronics.

LED Lights Recommendations for Digital Photo Studio

I'm converting a utility room in our garage to be a dedicated digital photo studio. As such, I know I need much more controlled/accurate lighting. Note, that I do not plan to shoot photos/video in the room, just edit, evaluate, and display.The skylights have remote-controlled blackout shades. My initial thoughts about your products are as follows:

I was thinking of using your 16' LED strip mounted in an aluminum channel on the ceiling ridge, e.g. Centric Daylight strip 5000K. For the LED strips, do your aluminum channels have a system to interlock end-to-end or would you recommend other types of aluminum channels for reasonably diffuse light?

While the linear light fixtures could allow for an easier installation than the LED strip lights, the linear light fixtures are not dimmable. As such, your space might benefit from the LED strip light products, which allow for dimming functionality.

Further, the aluminum channel products unfortunately do not feature the ability to interlock. However, there may be third-party products available elsewhere which would allow for a continuous length of mounted LED light strips for installation along the trusses of the room.

I was thinking of using your FilmGrade Hybrid LED strip mounted in your corner aluminum channels mounted under the bottoms of the trusses in the photo to illuminate the right side wall where I would hang/display prints. How accurate are the hybrid strips in simulating various color temps, etc.? Equally important, what's a simple solution for a controller that would allow me to specify the desired color temperature and it would set the appropriate LED values? Is this doable, what would you recommend?

The FilmGrade™ HYBRID LED Strip Lights could be a great option for your space, and I am happy to confirm that this product can be used to simulate any color temperature between 3200K and 6500K by adjusting the intensity of each color temperature.

However, it might be valuable to know that a LED strip light product featuring a single dedicated color temperature is able to emit more light per foot than the individual colors of the HYBRID LED Strip Lights are able to. For example, the HYBRID LED strip lights emit 225 lumens per foot, per color, whereas the single-color FilmGrade™ WHITE LED Strip Lights emits 450 lumens per foot.

This product can be controlled using several different methods. Though the easiest implementation would likely be to utilize a color tunable LED controller, which would allow for you to easily adjust each color point. The below article contains detailed descriptions for each configuration method available for the product.

How to Connect Hybrid CCT Tunable LED Products: https://www.waveformlighting.com/film-photography/how-to-connect-hybrid-cct-tunable-led-products

You sell your T5 Linear light fixtures (D50) in 4 ft. I was thinking of using a couple of those to set up a dedicated print viewing station. Your website says they are out of stock but will ship on 12/14. Is availability still accurate as I would like to go ahead and order them to start experimenting?

We can confirm that the 5000K 4-ft NorthLux™ 95 CRI T5 LED Linear Light Fixture product is currently expected to be available by December 14th. In the event that you would like to place your order prior to that availability date, we would process the shipment as soon as the items become available.

Do all of your 5000K lights actually meet D50 spec or only where specifically indicated?

Not all of our 5000K color temperature products are designed to be compliant with the D50 standard. However, if you had a specific product in mind, I would be happy to review the item to check for D50 compliance.

Anything else you would advise or suggest that I consider?

Regarding installation suggestions, the primary consideration which comes to mind would be to test the LED strip light products within the space prior to cutting the product into segments or installing them completely, as we are unable to accept returns for these products as soon as they have been cut or altered.

Our second suggestion is to keep in mind that the FilmGrade™ HYBRID LED Strip Lights requires a 24V power supply.

Third, the HYBRID LED Strip Lights product has a maximum run of 32.8 ft, and draws a variable amount of power per foot depending on the color point adjustment. Details regarding this can be found on the product specification sheet. As such, you may want to consider a power supply which is capable of outputting enough power to accommodate the power draw needs of the lengths of your installation.

On the FilmHybrid LEDs, I saw the referenced setup with the two dimmers. But to use that, I need to figure out the dimmer settings that correspond to different Kelvin temperatures. I'm assuming to do that I would need to have a spectrophotometer that can measure incident light which I don't have. Is there another 3rd party solution that you could recommend that wouldn't be too complicated or expensive that would allow me specify the color temp and then set the appropriate values on the two LED channels of the hybrid film strip?

Any 3rd party aluminum channel manufacturers you recommend that might have interlocking sections? I'm still going to take a look at yours as well.

Unfortunately, the dimmer uses an analog dial to control the relative brightness levels of the two channels, so there is no way to digitally map the two output levels to a specific color temperature level. You may want to think of this as being similar to a traditional shower faucet, with one for hot and one for cold, without the ability to set a specific water temperature.

We are not aware of any third-party products or solutions that could incorporate our LED strip light to achieve the lighting controls you are looking for, but do hope to be able to offer such solutions in the near future. For the time being, we may recommend searching for cinematography and photography lighting products such as those manufactured by ARRI or Kino Flo, although these will likely be a much higher price point.

I've got a few questions on your 24V dimmable transformer that I purchased:

Is this designed to be driven at 100% rated load (96W) for a prolonged period of time? Is there any issue with splicing a pigtail and plugging it into an outlet (that has an AC dimmer upstream)? Is there a minimum load requirement on the transformer? Any issues if there is a GFI on the circuit?

The 24 volt dimmable power supply load is de-rated at 100% (full 96 watt capacity) until ambient temperatures exceed 105 F. Maximum allowable ambient temperature is 140 degrees F, at which the power supply output load is de-rated to 60% (59 watts capacity).

​We do not maintain a minimum load requirement on the power supply unit, but all dimmer tests are performed at 85% load.

With respect to your questions regarding installation through a wall outlet and the use of GFI components, I would consult with an electrician for further recommendations. From what I understand, there may be code compliance issues arising from:

From a pure electrical standpoint, I do not believe there would be any performance issues, but such installation methods would be beyond the scope of our safety and reliability assurances.

.

FilmGrade™ HYBRID LED Flex Panel - Transformer & Dimmers

Our architect specified your product - FilmGrade™ HYBRID LED Flex Panel. We have already purchased one panel and would need to order 7 more. We are also looking for a transformer that would be able to power 8 panels at the same time and two dimmers - one regular and one for switching the colors. 

Can you please advise on the product that would be suitable for this project? 

Our LED flex panel requires 50 watts per color to operate. If both colors are to be operated simultaneously, each panel will require up to 100 watts.​As such, 8 panels will require 800 watts to operate. This is a very high power capacity level and we, unfortunately, do not have any products which can support this configuration. Instead, we would recommend operating each panel with an independent power supply unit.

If we follow your recommendation and operate each panel with an independent power supply unit, would you be able to provide this unit?

Can you please advise on the quantity we would need and a price per one? 

Each power supply unit costs $49, and the link to the product can be located below.

Each of these power supplies would be sufficient for one panel. Therefore, for 8 panels, you will require 8 power supply units. You will also need a third-party controller to vary the color and output of the panel. (The sample setup you have from the one panel should simply be replicated by a factor of 8).

Can you please also advise if this power supply unit will work for dimming and color-changing? If not, will it be compatible with Lutron Caseta dimmer? 

Unfortunately, our product will not achieve the color-changing features you are seeking.​Do you have information on how you had the single-panel sample unit set up? Please let me know and I can assist in replicating that setup for you.

You mentioned earlier, that we would need a third-party controller to vary the color and output of the panel. Can you please advise if this device from your website can be used for dimming and color-changing? 

If not, can you recommend a different product? 

We want to be able to dim 8 panels from one dimmer at the same time, and also change the colors on all 8 panels from one device at the same time. 

We would recommend daisy-chaining eight of our DMX decoder units, controlled from a single DMX controller. Below is the product link:

Does your power supply require a neutral wire for dimming?

Your webpage shows a nice diagram using a Lutron dimmer. The Lutron dimmer I wish to use is the Caseta plug-in dimmer, P-PKG1P. It has two output plugs. Both plugs are two-wire, not three-wire plugs. Does your power supply require a neutral wire for dimming? If so, I could rig one.

If your dimmer does not have a neutral wire connection (it should just have two black wires), ​the TRIAC dimmable power supply's neutral wire can be connected directly to the neutral wire in the wall.

Which power dimmer switch should I order to work with your 220v power supply?

I am writing from Europe and planning to your LED stripes and dimmable power supplies for my new large bathroom project for barrisol ceiling (smth like this - https://youtu.be/QeMlIcZOlO0) As long as voltage here is 220v I am looking for proper dimmer switch (lutron for ex.) When I go to Lutron webpage every switch states it is meant for 120v. Can you please advise which switch should I order with your system to work with 220v? 

We currently do not have any specific compatibility test data for non-USA models of dimmers that can be used with our TRIAC dimmable power supply.​The dimmable power supply is designed to be compatible with phase dimmers in general, however, so you should find that most dimmer models available locally (including at 220 volts) should work with our product, without any issues.

Power Supply Recommended for a Goal Zero Solar Setup

I want to run a 12V LED filmstrip with a dimmer from a Goal Zero solar setup that has USB and cigarette lighter plug (or direct battery terminal) connection options. Will the dimmer work in this scenario, and do you offer any of the power supply options, or do you have product recommendations? I don't know much about wiring so prefer no soldering or splicing, or at least having product-specific recommendations. 

While we have not tested the Goal Zero product, based on a quick review of their product specifications, it does appear that the 12-volt output provided via the cigarette lighter port would be able to power our LED strip lights and dimmer.

​To connect the cigarette lighter plug to the dimmer, you may want to consider a third-party product such as the one below:

​From there, you may benefit from referencing our Layout Maps which show the connectivity of the dimmer and LED strip lights. In your case, you would want to ignore the DC power supply unit, since the Goal Zero unit already outputs 12 volts DC.

Do you have a 24-volt DC solution for the cleanUV UV-C LED Strip Light?

We have only 24V DC available in place, where we are planning to use this UV-C light. Do you have a 24V DC solution for this UV-C strip light? 

Unfortunately, we do not have any 24-volt DC configurations of our UV-C LED strip light products. If you do not have any other viable option, you may want to consider the following approach, which is not officially supported but may be workable, depending on your needs:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/pcb-designs/using-a-12v-led-strip-in-a-24v-system

Also, I have to ask for your help with UVC-dose calculations. You have very good specifications and data sheets, but this is a new thing for me. With this led strip, what is UVC-dose in a 50cm distance within 20 minutes? Do you have some program or formula to share, on how I could easily calculate UVC dose for shorter LED strips?

For the UV-C product, the exposure dosage charts can be found below:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/datasheets/BP_7026_EXPOSURE.pdf

The nearest data we have is 30 cm at 15 minutes, for which the exposure dosage is 171 J/m2. For additional calculations, you may find our exposure dosage calculator below helpful:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/uv-c-led/uv-unit-calculator

Compatible Power Supply for Lutron Caseta dimmer

I purchased some high-quality LED light strips (60 ft in total) and I am looking for a power supply that would work with a Lutron Caseta dimmer. Your 24V PSU is rated 96W/4A but it states it can only work for 16 ft light strips. My LED strip requires 96W at full power. Would your PSU work for this?

Our TRIAC dimmable power supply is indeed compatible with the Lutron Caseta dimming system, and can safely operate LED strip loads up to 96 watts. If the load exceeds 96 watts, the system will automatically shut off to protect itself from being over-driven.​We generally recommend leaving a 10-20% headroom above the LED strip power rating as an extra safety margin. The reason we recommend this safety margin is due to the variability of actual power draw performance of LED strip products. Your LED strip light product with a 96 watt rating, for example, is likely specified at 96 watts +/- 10%, which would suggest that the actual power draw can be anywhere between 86 and 106 watts.

One workaround would be to reduce the total length of LED strip connected, to ensure that the LED strip power draw remains well below the 96 watt level. This would, of course, require that you can accept a shorter run length than you currently have planned for.

Do you have a model above 96W? I wanted to stick to Class 2 rating but that's hard to do that with my setup.

Unfortunately we do not have any thing that is simultaneously dimmable and higher power than 96 watts.

One alternative would be to split your LED strip run, and use two of the 96 watt dimmable power supplies connected to the same Lutron dimmer. Please see below for a connection diagram showing how this would look:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1C

I ordered a Magnitude driver but, I want to test it because I saw reviews saying they flicker.

Now, you Centric series are rated flicker free. What about the regular Triac driver? Does it have flickering issues? 

The TRIAC dimmable power supply is also flicker free and you should not see any of the issues you are seeing with the Magnitude products.

I purchased a 60 ft strip like this one: Super Length 20 meters Constant Current DC24V 120leds/m SMD2835 LED Strip Light (coxotech.com). It is a high quality LED strip that uses integrated ICs to convert constant voltage to constant current (if my understanding is correct). Do you know if you LED drivers have PWM output or constant output?

Our TRIAC dimmable power supply units use high-frequency PWM (> 20,000 Hz) to achieve what is effectively flicker-free light output. (Typical flicker issues occur at or 2x line frequency, in the 50-60 Hz or 100-120 Hz range).

If the supplier of the LED strip lights you have in mind are certain that PWM is incompatible, that would unfortunately suggest that our TRIAC dimmable power supply would not be a suitable product pairing.

realUV LED Strips for Printing Box

For my printing box, I need UV led strips realUV™ LED Strip Lights (5meter) and 365nm. I need to cut them and connect 10 pieces together. Also, do you have a powerboat that will work for Belgium? So if possible can you send me all of the information I need for ordering this? 

We have listed some product recommendations for your project below, which we hope will be helpful. However, if you would like to provide us with a sketch or layout of the printing box, we would be more than happy to provide you with a more precise product recommendation list.

We are also happy to confirm that the 12V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip product is compatible with the 220-240V Belgium standard, though you may require an additional wall socket adapter.

In order to connect the ten LED strip light segments together, we recommend using the LED Strip to Strip Solderless Connector for Single Color LED Strip product (PN3071). Please note that the realUV™ LED Strip Lights product has a maximum combined run length of 16.4 ft (5 meters).

In the event that your configuration requires the connection to more than one power supply, you may also find value in the LED Strip to Wire Solderless Connector for Single Color LED Strip (PN3070) product, which can be used in addition to the Male DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter (PN7095) and 16 AWG Wire for LED Strip Lights (PN7098) products in order to connect the cut segments to additional power supplies.

For more information regarding the various connection methods, please reference the below links which provide further illustration:

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4C: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4C?px=-2260.5&py=-2245.5&pw=1521&ph=1491&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 7021_4B: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/7021_4B?px=-2260.5&py=-2245.5&pw=1521&ph=1491&s=0.1

So if I order 5 meter realUV 365nm led strip I need another power supply. Is it possible to order the 24v power supply and connect both led strips to one power supply or must each led strip have its own power supply.

While we can confirm that each 16.4 ft (5 meter) reel of the RealUV™ LED Strip Lights would require a dedicated power supply, the 24V power supply is not unfortunately compatible with this strip light product, as it is only designed for 12V.

As such, we might recommend utilizing an additional 12V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip product with your additional reel of the 365nm realUV™ LED Strip Lights.

LED Lights to Stimulate Daylight for Winter Depression

I am looking for a lamp that simulates daylight as accurately as possible to combat my winter depression. 

I'm not sure exactly which light fixtures are being used in my house. They appear to be standard spot lights. I sincerely doubt there is anything special about them. I am looking for a colour temperature of about 5000K - 6500K.

I'm interested in your full-spectrum products. Whatever reproduces the spectrum of sunlight must be the best. Let's take the LED strip as the starting point and figure out a solution around that. I would also like it to be dimmable if possible.

The closest measurement I can get is 13 metres for my small room and 30 for my large room.

Based on your needs, it seems as though the ABSOLUTE SERIES LEDs at 6500K would be the best fit for you. From a spectral and chromaticity standpoint, this is the product that most closely resembles natural daylight at noontime, and should be an excellent choice.

​To address some of your questions about the technical aspects of the product:

Regarding the power supply, we can confirm that the ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip product would require a DC power supply for every 16.4 ft (5 meter) of length, such as our 12V FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip. Our DC power supply is compatible with global input voltages (100 - 240V AC, 50-60Hz), though you may require an additional wall socket adapter. 

​Further, the ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Flexible Strip product can be paired with the FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer product for additional dimming capability. 

Depending on your installation, we might also recommend placing the LED strip lights within an enclosure which features a diffusor, such as our Aluminum Channel for LED Flex Strip product, which is available in 'flat' and 'corner' options.

​For a detailed illustration of the configuration options available for this product, the below links may prove to be useful:

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3D: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3D?px=-2252.5&py=-2245.5&pw=1505&ph=1491&s=0.1

LayoutMaps™ - LED Strip Light Layout 3002_3E: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3E?px=-2252.5&py=-2245.5&pw=1505&ph=1491&s=0.1

It is going to be pretty difficult to install a power supply for every 5 metres of strip. If I run a strip around my whole room, I'm going to have a huge number of power supplies everywhere. Is there some way to hide them?

Unfortunately, we don't have a proper recommendation to hide the power supplies. However, the cords for the DC Power Supply products are of a decent length, and could be helpful in hiding the power supply some distance from the LED strip lights.

Difference between FilmGrade and ABSOLUTE SERIES™ 99 CRI 5000K (D50) / 6500K (D65)

What is the difference between Film Grade vs. ABSOLUTE SERIES™ 99 CRI 5000K (D50) / 6500K (D65)?

The primary difference between the FilmGrade and ABSOLUTE SERIES LED product lines is the color rendering index. The FilmGrade product line has a CRI rating of 95, while the ABSOLUTE SERIES LED products have a CRI rating of 99.

Furthermore, the FilmGrade product line is offered in 5600K and 6500K, while the ABSOLUTE SERIES LEDs are offered in 5000K and 6500K.

Are these lights DC powered?

Yes, our LED strip lights and LED modules are powered via 12 volts or 24 volts DC. They will require a dedicated power supply to operate.

Do either of these lights flicker? 

If the LED strips and/or modules are powered via our power supply units, they will not produce any flicker.

Can I wire these lights in parallel (2 1-foot strips side by side)?

Yes, they can be wired in parallel, as long as the total connected length does not exceed the maximum power capacity of the power supply (e.g. do not exceed 16.4 ft for LED strips, in total). For additional information, please see our article below:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/connecting-led-strips-in-series-vs-parallel

Or must I have a power supply for each strip of lights?

As long as the total power draw remains below the power capacity of the power supply unit, you should not see any issues. Below is a calculator which you may find helpful:

https://store.waveformlighting.com/pages/led-strip-power-supply-calculator-requirements

How can I order a sample 6-inch strip plus a power supply?

Please see below for the direct link to the 6-inch LED strip sample pack, which includes a power supply unit:

How can I link separate strips together? Do you have a picture of this showing the connector? I want to link 4 l foot strips side by side.

You may find our Layout Maps helpful. Specifically, see below for an illustration showing how multiple sections can be connected:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_3E?px=-2183&py=-2023&pw=1366&ph=1046&s=0.1

Do the link connectors come in the 16-foot reel kit? 

The LED strip reel includes DC power ports pre-installed on both ends, so you will be able to connect the power supply directly to the DC port without any issues.​The PN 3071 solderless connectors can come in handy if you're looking to cut the LED strip reel into shorter segments and are looking to reconnect them.​Finally, the 6-inch sample pack also includes all of the components to set up a short 6-inch demo circuit.

Does Waveform make housings for these lights? Can these be cut?

Please see below for our aluminum channels which would be a great option for housing the ABSOLUTE SERIES LED strip lights:

Cuttability is not an officially supported feature of the aluminum channels, but I have had customers report that this can be done quite readily using a hacksaw.

Absolute Series LED Strip Lights Installation Questions

I’m working on a prototype product, which is a Lightbox for photographing original artwork and/or printed materials, color accurately. I need help with some technical questions.

I must be doing something wrong because only half the strips light up.  

Upon looking at the photos provided, it appears that the "3-LED jumper" segment is connected in reverse. In other words, it looks like the positive wire (red) is being connected to the negative copper pad on the LED strip segment. If you can simply flip the LED strip segment by 180 degrees and reconnect the sections, that should immediately resolve the issue!

Can I just cut those wires and splice them together without the small strip of lights in between? 

I completely understand why the 3-LED jumper is there due to the limitation of the cable length. You certainly can connect other wire components to achieve the same electrical connection here, and we would recommend looking at our PN 7098, which can also be used with our PN 3070 wire connectors. 

For an illustration showing how those components can be used, I would recommend referencing our Layout Maps diagram. Linked below is a diagram for a slightly different product, but the connectivity demonstration remains the same: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-4112.152690063189&py=-5318.5634471544645&pw=1806&ph=1814&s=0.458662083452406

My question is, if we add more lights will we get more lux? And, is there a way to calculate how many lights I might need to achieved the desired lux at the surface (which is the bottom of the box).

Yes, that is correct, and the nice thing is that lux is a linear measurement. In other words, if you are at 500 lux now, doubling the light quantity will get you 1,000 lux. If you have an existing lux measurement, a quick "scale factor" calculation could be the best way forward here.

We’ve already gone ahead and ordered 2 more strips with 2 more DC power supplies yesterday. I’m wondering, though, if I need a DC power supply for each strip or if I could connect 3-16’ strips together with 1 power supply?

Unfortunately, each LED strip reel (16.4 ft) will require its own power supply. This is due to the current carrying limitations in the LED strip lights, as well as the power capacity limitations in the power supply.

Running these lights at 100%, how much voltage are they using and how long will they last? And, what is the core temp of each LED?

When operated at 12 volts DC, the lights are rated to last 50,000 hours. As long as the LED strips are not subject to any voltage fluctuations (such as those introduced by battery systems), you should not have any issues with longevity. The product is also covered by our 3-year warranty.

The LEDs are designed with thermal management in mind, and will therefore not require any heatsinks or additional components.

Based on the photos provided, there do not appear to be any issues or concerns with respect to longevity or reliability.

TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply Compatible with Centric Home LED Strips

Can I use the TRIAC dimmable power supply with Centric LED strips?

Yes. We're happy to confirm that the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip products is compatible with our CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential and CENTRIC DAYLIGHT™ LED Strip Lights for Commercial & Retail products.

Below is the layout guide, which illustrates the configuration of these products.

LayoutMaps™ LED Strip Light Layout 3001-1A: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A?px=-4896&py=-3269.5&pw=1464&ph=1491&s=0.125

Power Supply Needed for (3 lengths) of 5m 365nm LED Strip Light

We are wanting to purchase and then join 3 lengths of 5m LED strip light together to form a 15m length. What is the best option to power this? If a single 5m length requires a 12V, 108W power supply, would a 12V, ~360W power supply work to power the 15m length?

Our 12V LED Strip Light products have a maximum run of 16.4 ft (5 meters). These products are not designed to carry current beyond that 16.4 ft maximum length. Unfortunately, this is the case even if you were able to locate a third-party power supply with a higher power capacity of 360 watts.

As such, each 16.4 ft (5 meters) length would require a dedicated power supply and would be unable to support additional lengths.

For the installation described, we would recommend pairing each 16.4 ft reel to a dedicated power supply product, such as our FilmGrade™ DC Power Supply for LED Strip.

Do you have a DMX or ArtNet Controller for FilmGrade Hybrid LED Strip Lights

I am looking to purchase 16 (5m) pieces of the Hybrid LED Strips. I am planning on controlling them through DMX or ArtNet. Do you have any ArtNet controllers? Also, how many can I control through one of your DMX controllers? Do you have larger power supplies to support more than 1 strip at a time?

We currently offer a DMX decoder that can be paired with our FilmGrade Hybrid LED strip lights, however, a separate DMX controller (third-party) would be needed to control the color temperature and output levels.

Each reel of the hybrid LED strip lights requires approximately 3.8 amps of power capacity. Therefore, with each of the 5 channels being able to support up to 8 amps, the maximum number of reels per DMX decoders would be 10 reels.

This would, in turn, require a power supply that is capable of supplying at least 38 amps (3.8 amps x 10 reels) which we would need to recommend a third-party supplier such as MeanWell for further options.

Accessories and Guide for Individual LED Strip and LED Strip to Power Supply Connection

I'd like to place an order for some LED strips. My question is, I need some adaptor cables: while I cut strips from the reel and plug to the female DC power plug that I ordered. I like to have (10) pcs, can you tell me how to order?

I have provided explanations below describing the method for connecting the LED Strip Lights to power supplies, as well as the method for connecting the LED Strip Light segments using connector accessories. Included below are product links for the recommended accessories, as well as guides that further illustrate these configurations.

For connecting the LED Strip Light segments to the DC Power Supply, we recommend using a combination of the LED Strip to Wire product (PN 3070, sold in 10-Packs), as well as the Female DC Barrel Jack Plug Adapter (PN 7094, sold in 4-Packs).

Configuration guide: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3002_2D?px=-2063&py=-2245.5&pw=1126&ph=1491&s=0.1

For connecting individual LED Strip Light segments, we recommend using the LED Strip to Strip product (PN 3071, sold in 10-Packs). Please note that our 12V LED Strip Light products, such as the ‘CENTRIC HOME™ LED Strip Lights for Home & Residential, have a maximum run of 16.4 ft (5 meters). As such, these LED strip light products cannot be powered in runs that exceed this length.

Configuration guide: https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B?px=-7151&py=-4861.5&pw=1126&ph=1491&s=0.125

Does your TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply use high-frequency PWM?

I would like to ask if your TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply for LED Strip (3093.120) uses high-frequency PWM to dim the actual LED strip on the output side or uses PWM at the mains frequency.

I read your very good article which suggests that flicker-free PWM dimming needs to be at 25kHz or so. I live in New Zealand & we use 230VAC at 50Hz. I wish to adapt the existing 230V wiring to accommodate a dimmable LED strip. 

Our TRIAC dimmable power supply does indeed use high-frequency PWM on the output side to dim the LEDs. The PWM frequency is 25 kHz, which should be high enough for even the most sensitive or demanding of applications.

​On the AC input side, the power supply "interprets" a phase-dimming signal (commonly called TRIAC) which is produced by traditional wall dimmers in residential installations.

If you have a standard AC 230-volt mains voltage dimmer installed, our dimmable power supplier would be a great fit for the installation.

For additional guidance on installation, please see our layout map below:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1A

Absolute Series LED modules for a color matching to a Pantone swatch book and small item product photography.

I am interested in the Absolute series LED modules, I just realized the modules won't fit into the aluminum channels you offer, so I'm not certain what to mount them on or use as a diffuser. Do you have any recommendations? Is the type of diffuser material likely to affect the CRI at all? 

I was also wondering about the brightness - each module produces 800 lumens. 

I am also thinking about getting one of your dimmers, is the panel with 2 modules likely to be too bright to use at full strength? 

I was also thinking about trying the North Lux light bulbs, but wasn't sure about the socket type - I'm in the UK. I noticed the Centric Daylight bulbs have an E27 European option though, are those actually the same bulbs as the North Lux? What is the actual CRI for either of these bulbs? The item page says they have a CRI of 95+, and an R9 of 80+, but the photometric report seems to suggest both of these are much higher. Am I reading it wrong? 

I was planning on getting the D65 modules as I'm used to working with natural daylight color temperatures. The Pantone color bridge I'm using says to use D50 for color matching, is the D65 fine for this? Pantone has further confused me by using M1 lighting for the color bridge guide, but M2 lighting without UV for the online color finder - do the Absolute series modules qualify as M1 lighting (the D50 version anyway)? 

First of all, our ABSOLUTE SERIES LED modules sound like a great option to give you an excellent "building block" for building your own light panel. The 99 CRI is an excellent fit for many color viewing and color-critical applications.

​Whether or not you will need a diffuser will depend on whether there will be any potential for glare. If, for example, you plan on shining the modules directly at the illumination subject, there should not be any issues. For more information, we would recommend our blog article here: https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/aluminum-channels-for-led-strip-lights-are-they-worth-it-an-in-depth-look

​If you do decide that the aluminum channels and diffusers are indeed necessary, you may want to consider our flexible LED strip version of the ABSOLUTE SERIES as they will fit inside the aluminum channels without any issues.

Each module produces 800 lumens. It's a bit difficult to provide any recommendations as to whether this is sufficient or excessive for your needs, but you may want to take a look at our lumen estimation calculator, which you can find here:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/lumen-calculator

​Alternatively, a useful rule of thumb is to remember that 800 lumens are approximately equal in brightness to a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

​Transitioning to our household lamp form factors, the NorthLux is not available in an E27 socket variant, so we would recommend our CENTRIC DAYLIGHT versions instead. For more information on E26 vs E27, you may want to reference our article here:

https://www.waveformlighting.com/home-residential/e26-vs-e27-bulbs-are-they-interchangeable

The CENTRIC DAYLIGHT versions also offer an excellent 95 CRI color rendering at 5000K and 6500K, either of which should work well for you. The only minor difference (as noted by their part number including or not including the letter "D") is that the NorthLux is calibrated to D50 and D65 color standards, which may be of interest to you.

The actual color rendering values will depend on the specific bulb. Our guaranteed values are 95+ and 80+ for CRI, respectively, but depending on the specific bulb, these values may fluctuate. CRI, for example, can be anywhere between 95 and 98.

Since you'll be using the lamps for digital arts (rather than printing and visual assessments) with monitors calibrated to D65, our 6500K or D65 product options sound like the best option for you.

Is there a recommended type of material for this, or will any type of translucent plastic do? Are there any materials that look appropriate but I should actively avoid them due to them compromising the CRI too much? If I use completely transparent clear plastic just for a protective 'lid' over the module, will this affect the color temperature or CRI at all? My gut says no on this last one, but thought it was worth checking in case there's something I'm not aware of.

Unfortunately, all materials will absorb and reflect a small portion of the light energy across the spectrum in slightly different ways. We generally recommend using polycarbonate, acrylic, or glass, as these materials generally alter the spectrum to the smallest extent. Some anecdotal testing on our end indicates that polycarbonate diffusers can affect the color temperature by 200-300K. CRI is generally not affected.

I was hoping you might be able to give me some quick advice on setting up the modules - I've made a basic diagram of my plan, but I don't have much experience with this sort of thing, so I was hoping you could take a quick look and see if it makes sense.

I've reviewed the drawing you kindly provided, and everything looks good and reasonable.

Hopefully, this makes sense, if not, let me know! I will most likely put 3 modules on one panel and 2 on a separate one, but I am making the basic assumption that even if I put all 5 on the same panel using the same power supply, it should be ok, as the power supply is 24v, 60W, 2.5A, which seems to cover the minimum requirements for 5 modules, plus a bit extra - is it ok?  

Yes, the power capacity appears to be perfectly fine for this installation. The only thing to be careful of would be to make sure that the wires used to connect the modules have sufficient thickness. Generally, if you're just connecting a single module, you should be fine with 20 AWG or thicker.

Is it okay to use an inline switch sold as a 12V switch, as long as the amp rating is high enough? I found some that say 2 amp max at 12VDC, and one that says suitable for 5-24V but doesn't mention amps... They're all very basic barrel jack connected on/off switches that look identical, but I've read conflicting information online about this issue, mostly regarding the possibility of arcing with higher voltage, so I thought I'd better ask even though most people say it's ok. I'm guessing the current that will go through the switch will only be the 420mA / 10W for a single module though, given how it will be set up.  

There should not be any significant safety issues here, but we would recommend checking with the switch manufacturer to ensure that operation at 24 volts would be permissible. I believe that both the arc voltage, as well as current ratings, would both be of concern here.

Not too bothered about having to replace the switches if they break, but I don't want anything bad to happen to the LED modules. And I'm assuming that connecting and disconnecting the modules via just unplugging any of the connecting wires between the individual module and PSU while it's all switched on is a bad idea? This sort of thing is generally frowned upon, hence my idea about adding inline switches for each module for some brightness control... Sorry if any of these are silly questions, I'm learning this on the fly! 

There should be no issues with the modules, as long as they are not suddenly flooded with voltage or current.

As for the A19 style bulbs, does the article you linked basically mean it's always unsafe to use E26 bulbs in an E27 socket, even when they are compatible with 240V AC?

That is our assessment based on the dimensions and input voltage levels.

Would it be safe to use a NorthLux E26 bulb with a B22 (bayonet socket) to an E26 adapter at 240V? (E27 to E26 doesn't seem to be a thing...) Given that the product page says it's compatible with 240V AC, I assume I wouldn't have to use a step-down transformer or anything?  

Yes, the product is compatible with global input voltages and will operate with 240 volts AC despite having an E26 base.

Do you know if NorthLux bulbs (the D50 version anyway) conform to the M1 lighting standard at all? 

Unfortunately, our D50 products do not conform to the MIUV metamerism requirement for UV fluorescence. As such, you will see our conformance is limited to ISO 3664:2000 and not any of the later standards.

Do the lights emit anything into the UV range at all, or are they closer to the M2 UV-excluded type lights in that respect? Doesn't help either that the bridge guide uses M1 standards and photoshop uses M2 when the paper the guides printed on is full of OBAs.

All of our products do not emit any UV (defined as < 400nm) except for our realUV products.

Except for our ABSOLUTE SERIES LED products, the LEDs are based on a royal blue 460 nm emitter with phosphor downconversion, so virtually no energy is emitted below 430 nm or so.

I saw the section about white rendering on the Absolute series product page, does this mean they can activate the OBAs in paper and textiles, at least somewhat? 

You are correct that the ABSOLUTE SERIES LED products do have some potential to excite OBAs to improve white rendering. This is due to the underlying emitter being based on a violet emitter which peaks at 420 nm. You'll notice, though, that this is still well within the visible range of the spectrum and does not produce enough ultraviolet energy to provide meaningful improvements to MIUV rendering.

One thing you may want to look into is the realUV LED strip or floodlights​ in combination with our existing visible wavelength range products to improve UV rendering. Unfortunately, we don't have any test data or full solutions here, but this may be worth experimenting with on your end.

LED strip lights for under-cabinet lighting: 12V or 24V?

We are installing LED strip lights for an under-cabinet application. There are two 8-sections that are approximately 10 feet apart, for a total of 16 ft. Should we use a 12V or 24V setup?

Both 12V and 24V LED strips should work fine, as long as the corresponding power supply voltage is selected.

For your setup, however, 24V may be preferable as it will reduce the risk of voltage drop (lower brightness at the far end of the LED strip). Since you do have a 10-ft span between the 8-ft LED strip segments, the 24V might be a better option.

To further reduce the risk for voltage drop, we would recommend using sufficient wire gauge for the 10-ft wire span. For example, see our 16 AWG wire (PN 7098) available here.

The only significant downside of the 24V versions would be the longer intervals between cut lines. The 12V versions can be cut every 1 inch, while the 24V versions can be cut every 2 inches.

For further reference, we recommend referencing the following:

LED strip power supply capacity with dimmer

I have two reels of your 2700K 12V 95 CRI LED strip lights. I will be using the entirety of both reels, so a total of 33 feet, which based on my calculations, will require 178 Watts at 12V (5.5 watts / ft x 33 ft). I plan on connecting the system to a wall-dimmer to reduce the brightness. If I don't ever plan on exceeding 50% on the dimmer setting, can I get away with using just one power supply, even though it can only supply a max of 120 watts @ 12V?

While we completely understand the the logic behind this, the LED strips and power supplies do not work in this manner. The LED strips operate at a fixed power, voltage and current, so there is no way to adjust this, even if the LED strips are used with a dimmer. As such, you will need two separate power supplies for your two LED strip reels.

We know this is counter-intuitive, so below is a technical explanation of why this is the case.

If you operate the LED strips at a 50% dimmer setting, you will indeed get 50% of the brightness and use only 50% of the power. This is accomplished via a mechanism called PWM (pulse-width modulation). In PWM, the light output is actually "chopped up" into short bursts of on/off periods.

During the "on" period, the LED strips operate at 100% power, and during the "off" period, the LED strips operate at 0% power. The power supply adjusts the perceived brightness level by adjusting (i.e. "modulating") the proportion of "on" vs "off" time. Even at a 50% dimmer setting, the LED strip will draw its maximum power during 50% of the time period, and will cause the power supply to exceed its power capacity.

Below is on the product page, you will find the wiring diagram for the multiple power supplies connected to a single dimmer switch:https://store.waveformlighting.com/collections/power-supplies-and-dimmers/products/triac-dimmable-power-supply-for-led-strip

LED strip layout for cove lighting

I have a room with dimensions 15' x 15' and vaulted ceilings that go to 17'. I would like to line the perimeter of the room with LED strip lights. There is a "cove" space for lighting and I will utilize this space to install the LED strips. What layout and parts would you recommend for a dimmable setup?

Our LED strip lights sound like a great fit for an indirect lighting application. Assuming room dimensions of 15' x 15' and that you want to install LED strip lighting along the entire perimeter, this would require a total of 60 feet of LED strip lighting.

Each 16.4 reel of LED strip lights requires a separate TRIAC dimmable power supply. To cover 60 feet, you will likely want to use 4 reels and 4 power supplies. Each power supply can be connected to the same wall-dimmer as shown below:

Finally, inputting room dimensions and ceiling height into our calculator below, we can confirm that the 60 feet of LED strip will provide more than sufficient levels of brightness for all activities.

Power supply and voltage selection for a long run of LED strip lights

I need to install a 19-ft run of LED strip lights am confused about whether I should pick 12 or 24 volts.

The LED strip spec sheet for the 24 volt version says it can have a max length of 32 ft, but when I calculate out the wattage for the 19-ft run, it comes to 105 watts, which exceeds the power capacity of the 24 volt power supply (96 watts). Your 12 volt power supply has a capacity of 120 watts. Should I choose the 12 volt versions instead?

In terms of the run length and power draw question, there are two separate limitations that we will need to consider.

First, the 12 volt LED strip lights to have a recommended max run length of 16.4 feet. Exceeding this 16.4 ft maximum length may lead to safety risks, resulting from the excess heat generated by the higher levels of electrical current that a longer run length would require. While the 19 ft run does not exceed the 16.4 ft limitation by much, we would nonetheless not recommend exceeding this length for safety reasons.

On the other hand, as you mention, the 24 volt LED strip lights can safely be used at a 19 ft length, as their maximum run length specification is 32.8 ft.

(The reason for the higher max-run length specification is that the 24 volt versions operate at half the electrical current, which is the limiting factor).

Secondly, we will want to take a look at the power draw and capacity of the power supply units. The 24 volt TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply has a maximum capacity of only 96 watts, which is unfortunately insufficient for the power draw needs of a 19 ft length of LED strips lights. The reason for this specification is to allow for installation as a Class 2 power supply, which is a commonly designated electrical code rating.

Although the 12 volt version of the TRIAC Dimmable Power Supply has a capacity of 120 watts and could theoretically power the entire 19 ft length, due to the maximum run length mentioned above, this would unfortunately not be a recommended option either.

This may not be a convenient solution, however, for maximum safety, we would recommend installing separate sections that do not exceed 16.4 ft, or depending on the flexibility of the installation, modify the run lengths to two runs of 16.4 ft each. Alternatively, a third-party 24 volt power supply with a capacity of 105 watts or higher may also be an option.

How to wire and power a long LED strip run (100 ft+)

I am looking to install LED strip lights across a 100 ft section. How many power supplies do I need, and should I use 12 volts or 24 volts?

Our recommendation is to set up six separate LED strip runs of 16.4 ft each. We would recommend our 24 volt LED strip lights, and each of the 16.4 ft runs should be powered by a TRIAC dimmable power supply. All of the power supplies can be connected to a single wall-dimmer so that the entire 100 ft section can be controlled from a single dimmer switch.

If you're wondering why we need a separate power supply for each 16.4 ft run, see our article below which should provide some additional insights, as well as some third-party options:

Which is safer - DC 12 volts or 24 volts?

Do 12 volt LED strip light systems also have lower shock risk than 24 volt? I have heard that "it's not voltage that kills, it's current" - in which case the 12 volt LED strips would appear more dangerous given that it has twice the amperage.

Generally, we believe that "shock risk" increases as the voltage increases. At a very basic level, this suggests that 12 volt LED systems would have the lowest possibility of causing an electric shock, while 24 volt would be slightly higher but still relatively low, and 120 volt line voltage would be much higher in terms of the possibility of causing an electric shock.

Shock risk, however, is not the same as the potential to cause bodily harm or injury. The zap from static electricity that you feel on a dry winter day, for example, has a very high voltage of tens of thousands of volts, but does not cause any harm due to the inherently low amount of energy (as you mention, it lacks the "current which kills").

The primary reason lower voltage systems have a lower shock risk, is simply due to the fact that low voltage systems generally lack the voltage potential to overcome the high electrical resistance in our human skin. Therefore, a 12 volt system, even one with a higher amperage rating, is seen as generally lower risk because the 12 volts is usually insufficient to penetrate skin and other objects.

Low voltage systems do have a lower risk, but that is not to say they are risk-free. Please use caution and consult with an electrician when installing any LED systems you are not familiar with.

TRIAC dimmable vs FilmGrade™ power supplies for LED strip

I am looking to purchase the CENTRIC HOME™ LED strip lights in 24 volts (PN 3004.27), and I see that for a dimmable setup, the TRIAC dimmable power supply is recommended. For my setup, I'm looking for a plug-in power supply, and it seems the FilmGrade™ 24V power supply (PN 3092) might work. Is this compatible with the 24V CENTRIC HOME™ LED strip lights? Will it have the same brightness?

The CENTRIC HOME™ LED strip lights are indeed compatible with both the TRIAC dimmable as well as the FilmGrade power supply units. Both power supply options provide the same level of power and brightness, so once installed, you will not see any differences in terms of the light output of the LED strip lights.

The primary advantage of the TRIAC dimmable power supply is the ability to incorporate dimming from a traditional wall-dimmer. This approach will typically require hard-wiring to the in-wall wiring and may require an electrician's assistance. Here is a wiring diagram for this approach.

On the other hand, the FilmGrade power supply units are designed to plug into any standard wall receptacle. This is a great option for less permanent installations where you want to avoid having to deal with any in-wall wiring. Here is a wiring diagram for this approach. Keep in mind that using the FilmGrade power supply will not allow you to use a traditional wall-dimmer. If dimmability is required, you will want to instead incorporate the FilmGrade™ Flicker-Free LED Dimmer (PN 3081), which should be connected between the power supply and the LED strip.

Operating a TRIAC-dimmable LED power supply from wall outlet

Can a Triac-dimmable power supply such as the CENTRIC SERIES LED power supply be connected to a wall outlet and controlled by a wall-dimmer?

Electrically speaking, this could be accomplished. However, this would not be an advisable configuration from an electrical safety standpoint. This is because, in general, a wall dimmer should never be connected to a wall outlet.

Wall outlets are used for a wide range of non-lighting related electrical appliances. If a non-lighting product is inadvertently plugged in and "dimmed" from the wall-dimmer, there may be some catastrophic failures and/or safety issues that arise. For example, a microwave oven is most certainly not designed to be "dimmed" from a wall-dimmer, and could potentially lead to some serious issues.

As an alternative, we would recommend using an in-line PWM dimmer in conjunction with a plug-in power supply.

Putting LED strip lights on the backs of shelves in a three section book case

I am putting lights on the backs of shelves in a three section book case. There are a total of 4 shelves on each section and a section in the middle with one shelf to light. The tape light I choose is 3000 K. The shelves each are all 30 inches with the exception of the one in the middle being 40 inches. Total length of lighting needed is 24 ft. There is about 18 in of jumpers needed between the shelves.

Would you recommend two 12 volt power supplies in 2 parallel 16 ft runs, or one 24 volt power supply in one 24 ft run wired in series?

Generally speaking, our LED strip lights are limited to 16.4 ft per run due to power supply and/or maximum run length constraints. For your installation of 24 ft, you will likely want to install two separate LED runs​, while ensuring that neither run exceeds 16.4 ft.​

Below is a link to one of our layout diagrams which you may find useful in determining the configuration and components needed for this setup:​https://www.waveformlighting.com/layoutmaps/3001_1B

Operating a TRIAC-dimmable LED power supply from wall outlet

Can a Triac-dimmable power supply such as the CENTRIC SERIES LED power supply be connected to a wall outlet and controlled by a wall-dimmer?

Electrically speaking, this could be accomplished. However, this would not be an advisable configuration from an electrical safety standpoint. This is because, in general, a wall dimmer should never be connected to a wall outlet.

Wall outlets are used for a wide range of non-lighting related electrical appliances. If a non-lighting product is inadvertently plugged in and "dimmed" from the wall-dimmer, there may be some catastrophic failures and/or safety issues that arise. For example, a microwave oven is most certainly not designed to be "dimmed" from a wall-dimmer, and could potentially lead to some serious issues.

As an alternative, we would recommend using an in-line PWM dimmer in conjunction with a plug-in power supply.

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