What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of 12V S Shape Bendable Led Strip

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If you are considering purchasing lights for or installing a low voltage lighting system, you will likely have come across both 12V DC and 24V DC options. Oftentimes, the price and performance specifications listed will be the same, and you may be wondering, "what's the difference? Which one should I choose?"

 

Waveform Lighting's

In general, the difference between 12V DC and 24V DC is not extremely significant as long as the correct accessories (e.g. power supplies) are chosen.

If you're new to LED strip lights, we recommend choosing 12V DC, because of the shorter distance between cut-line intervals (

If you're looking for maximum efficiency, we recommend choosing 24V DC, because of its lowered potential for

If you're curious to learn more about the technical aspects, read below for more differences:

 

1. 24V is better suited for LEDs.

Despite some of the most popular power supply voltage options being 12V or 24V DC, it's important to remember that (most) individual LEDs are actually 3V DC devices. It is through

Typically, a 12V LED strip is configured with 3 LEDs in series per string. At 3V each, the total LED voltage is only 9V, or about 75% of the total voltage. The remaining voltage is dissipated by a

In a 24V LED system, there is typically enough voltage overhead to allow for 7 LEDs in series per string. At 3V each, the total LED voltage is 21V, or about 88% of the 24V input. In this situation, less than 13% of the voltage energy is wasted as heat energy.

In short, a 24V LED system can actually reduce inherent electrical design inefficiencies by more than 50%.

Waveform Lighting's

 

 

2. 24V requires less conductor gauge.

Electrical power is determined by the equation P = V x I. To maintain the same power (P), if voltage (V) goes up, current (I) must come down by a proportional amount.

As a concrete example, if we keep 48W as our target output, a 12V system will require 4 Amps (12V x 4A = 48W), while a 24V system will only require 2 Amps (24V x 2A = 48W).

Simply put, a 24V LED system will draw half the amount of current as a 12V LED system to achieve the same power level.

Why is this important?

Total current, rather than voltage, determines the thickness and width of copper conductors needed to safely transfer power.

If excessive amounts of current are forced through a small or narrow copper conductor, resistance inside the conductor itself will begin to become significant, and contribute to

All else equal, a 24V LED system can get away with half of the electrical conductor requirements. You can use our

 

 

 

3. Smaller power supplies.

Similar to conductor size, power supply size is also determined primarily by current rather than voltage. Part of this is also influenced by the physics relationship between electrical current and conductor size needs, as much of the internal wiring of a power supply unit is comprised of copper wiring.

Power supply size can be important when working with projects such as LED strip lights in

 

4. Longer linear runs.

In applications such as LED strip lighting, the maximum continuous length of an LED strip is typically dictated by the electrical current that the LED strip copper traces can handle. Therefore, 24V LED strips will typically be able to handle twice the length that a 12V LED strip would, assuming that the power ratings of the two products are the same.

This is true for products beyond LED strips that also have daisy chaining capability.

For example, Waveform Lighting's LED strips have a specified max run length the differs depending on voltage: 

 

Bottom Line

The difference between 12V and 24V is typically insignificant, but if you truly do not have a strong preference for one over the other, hopefully this article has convinced you of the benefits of a 24V system!

Read next: 12V systems have some advantages, too! Read our article about the pros and cons of 12V systems.

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If you are considering purchasing lights for or installing a low voltage lighting system, you will likely have come across both 12V DC and 24V DC options. Oftentimes, the price and performance specifications listed will be the same, and you may be wondering, "what's the difference? Which one should I choose?"Waveform Lighting's LED strips , for example, are available in both 12V DC and 24V DC.In general, the difference between 12V DC and 24V DC is not extremely significant as long as the correct accessories (e.g. power supplies) are chosen.we recommend choosing 12V DC, because of the shorter distance between cut-line intervals ( 1 inch for 12V vs 2 inches for 24V ). This gives you more flexibility in cutting the LED strips to your desired length.we recommend choosing 24V DC, because of its lowered potential for voltage drop read below for more differences:Despite some of the most popular power supply voltage options being 12V or 24V DC, it's important to remember that (most) individual LEDs are actually 3V DC devices. It is through configuring the LEDs in a particular parallel vs series combination, that the voltage of an LED system can be made to match a particular power supply voltage.Typically, a 12V LED strip is configured with 3 LEDs in series per string. At 3V each, the total LED voltage is only 9V, or about 75% of the total voltage. The remaining voltage is dissipated by a current limiting resistor . Since the resistor does not contribute to illumination, we can conclude that in a 12V LED strip, approximately 25% of the electrical energy is dissipated as waste heat.In a 24V LED system, there is typically enough voltage overhead to allow for 7 LEDs in series per string. At 3V each, the total LED voltage is 21V, or about 88% of the 24V input. In this situation, less than 13% of the voltage energy is wasted as heat energy.In short, a 24V LED system can actually reduce inherent electrical design inefficiencies by more than 50%.Waveform Lighting's ABSOLUTE SERIES LED modules , for example, take advantage of this fact and utilize 5 parallel strings of 7 LEDs in series each to achieve a 24V, 35 LED PCB layout.Electrical power is determined by the equation P = V x I. To maintain the same power (P), if voltage (V) goes up, current (I) must come down by a proportional amount.As a concrete example, if we keep 48W as our target output, a 12V system will require 4 Amps (12V x 4A = 48W), while a 24V system will only require 2 Amps (24V x 2A = 48W).Simply put, a 24V LED system will draw half the amount of current as a 12V LED system to achieve the same power level.Why is this important?Total current, rather than voltage, determines the thickness and width of copper conductors needed to safely transfer power.If excessive amounts of current are forced through a small or narrow copper conductor, resistance inside the conductor itself will begin to become significant, and contribute to voltage drop and heat generation. In very extreme cases, this can even lead to electrical fires.All else equal, a 24V LED system can get away with half of the electrical conductor requirements. You can use our voltage drop calculator to make sure you are still using sufficient conductor gauge for your LED strip projects.Similar to conductor size, power supply size is also determined primarily by current rather than voltage. Part of this is also influenced by the physics relationship between electrical current and conductor size needs, as much of the internal wiring of a power supply unit is comprised of copper wiring.Power supply size can be important when working with projects such as LED strip lights in under cabinet installations where there may be space constraints.In applications such as LED strip lighting, the maximum continuous length of an LED strip is typically dictated by the electrical current that the LED strip copper traces can handle. Therefore, 24V LED strips will typically be able to handle twice the length that a 12V LED strip would, assuming that the power ratings of the two products are the same.This is true for products beyond LED strips that also have daisy chaining capability.For example, Waveform Lighting's LED strips have a specified max run length the differs depending on voltage: 16-ft (5 meters) for 12V , and 33-ft (10 meters) for 24V The difference between 12V and 24V is typically insignificant, but if you truly do not have a strong preference for one over the other, hopefully this article has convinced you of the benefits of a 24V system!

It is a great debate: What should it be, 12V LED vs. 24V LED strip?

Depending on your project, you might want to use a 12V or 24V LED system. Here is our guide to show you which one is best for your next low-voltage lighting design.

Buy 12-volt strips here.

Buy 24-volt strips here.

When to use 24V vs. 12V LED strips?

The 12V vs. 24V lighting systems debate has been out there for a long time, and this is irrelevant to LED color options or the white color temperature.

The difference between 12V and 24V LED strip types available on the market is significant, but one of the most important decisions you'll need to make is whether to go with a 12V or 24V strip for your low-voltage lighting project. Here are the main considerations when choosing your LED strip:

Maximum run length for 12 vs. 24 Volt LED strip 

When it comes to 12 Volt vs 24 Volt LED strips, one of the main differences between the two is the fact that the 24V strips can be run for longer distances than the 12V strips can due to voltage drop. Voltage drop is the gradual decrease in voltage along a circuit due to the resistance of the copper conductors. Because 24V LED tape requires a lower current (see the next paragraph) for an equivalent power output, its voltage drop is proportionately less. Therefore, if your project requires a very long run of LEDs from a single power connection, we would recommend that you use 24V strips. However, for some projects 12V LED strip is more appropriate (for example, automotive or marine applications).

Advantages of using 12V LED Strips

Let's start with the 12v LED strip lights. These little powerhouses are perfect for projects that require shorter cutting increments due to spatial issues. So, if you're working on a tight space like your car or boat, 12V is the way to go. Plus, they come with their own integrated power supply unit, making installation a breeze. No extra power supply? No problem!

Advantages of using 24V LED Strips

On the other hand, we have the 24V LED strips, the giant siblings of the lighting family. They excel in projects that require longer distances. Thanks to their higher voltage, you can run these bad boys for quite a stretch without worrying about pesky voltage drops. And the icing on the cake? You can use thinner wires, which are not only cheaper but also easier to handle. Talk about being efficient!

Compatibility and Polarity of 12v vs. 24v LED Strip

1. Compatibility and Polarity

12V LED Strips:

• Voltage: 12V LED strips are designed to operate at a lower voltage. This makes them suitable for smaller applications or situations where lower power consumption is desired.
• Polarity Considerations: Ensuring correct polarity is equally important for 12V LED strips. Connecting them with reversed polarity can lead to inconsistent or non-functional lighting.

24V LED Strips:

• Voltage: 24V LED strips operate at a higher voltage, which allows for longer runs of lighting without experiencing significant voltage drop. They are preferred for larger installations.
• Polarity Considerations: Like with 12V strips, it's crucial to ensure correct polarity for 24V LED strips. Incorrect polarity can lead to uneven lighting or non-functioning segments.

2. Connectability of LED Strip Lights:

12V LED Strips:

• Connectability: While 12V LED strips can be connected to extend lighting, they are generally more suitable for shorter runs due to the lower voltage. Longer runs may experience more noticeable brightness drop towards the end of the strip.

24V LED Strips:

• Connectability: 24V LED strips are excellent for creating longer runs of lighting without experiencing significant brightness drop. They are ideal for large installations where a consistent brightness level is crucial.

Amperage required &#; How much power can you put through your LED controller?

LED controllers are typical rated according to their maximum current. Since 24V LED strips require less current than equivalent 12V LED strips, 24V LED strips are superior in terms of demands when connecting them to a controller. You can power twice as many feet of 24V LED strips using the same controller receiver based on its current rating.

Cut length

When choosing between 12V vs. 24V LED strip lighting, the cut length is an essential factor to consider. 12V LED strips usually have half the distance between cut points compared to a 24V strip. This can be important for some applications, such as bathroom niches, under cabinet lights, or display monitor backlighting where you would prefer to cut to a very accurate length of strip. If your project requires a longer run of strip lights, 24V tape will be more suitable. 24V LED strips are perfect for applications where you don't have to worry about tight spaces.

To summarize the difference between 12V and 24V strip...

• 24 Volt lighting systems are what we recommend in most applications unless there is a particular call for a 12V power source or cut length constraints.
• Higher voltage systems = less current load on the LED strip PCB and supply wiring.
• When running longer lengths, such as in the case of long linear outdoor lighting applications, 24V strips would mean fewer power supplies and connections.

 

Buy 12-volt strips here.

Buy 24-volt strips here.

 

Frequently asked questions

Q: Does voltage determine the light output of the LED strip?

A: Many people believe that the voltage affects the lighting fixture&#;s brightness but the reality is that there is no difference in brightness between a 12V and 24V LED strip light; the voltage does not determine the light output.

Q: Are 12V And 24V strip lights compatible?

A: No, 12V strips can get excessively hot within a few seconds of being connected to a 24V power supply unit. Simply put, connecting 24V to the 12V LED strip copper pads could cause the LEDs to burn out due to over-voltage.

If you try to do the reverse and connect a 24V LED strip to a 12V system, it will either not turn on at all or have a dimmed appearance. This applies to any 24V lights on a 12V system, not just to LED strips. We always advise verifying that the power supply's requirements for the voltage match the voltage of the LED strip.

Q: 12V vs. 24V LED tape light &#; Which is better?

A: You should now have a good understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of 12V vs. 24V LED strip lights. If the cut length isn't a concern, 24V strips are ideal because you can spread them further. If your project requires shorter cutting increments due to spatial issues, 12V strip should be your go-to option.

Using a 24V LED strip vs. 12V can dramatically reduce the amount of wiring required, saving you money in the process. Increasing the voltage causes a reduction in the current flowing through the system, meaning you can use thinner wires that are less expensive. And you require fewer supply connections for the same size installation.

Q: Are all LED lights low voltage?

A: LED lights come in two versions: a line-voltage version that can be directly operated on a 120V mains supply and a low-voltage version that can be operated on a 12V or 24V power supply. Line voltage LED lights come with their own integrated power supply unit, so they can be connected directly to an outlet without any extra power supply needed. 12V and 24V lighting systems need a transformer or LED 'driver' for operation. But this is not necessarily a disadvantage &#; they have high efficiency meaning a longer lifespan, and you won't be dealing with hazardous voltages.

Q: Are all LED light strips compatible?

A: LED strip lights are a great way to light up a space, but not all LED strip lights are compatible with one another. Even though you can easily connect two LED strip lights together, it is important to ensure that the voltage of the strips is the same and that the polarity is matched.

Q: Can you connect LED lights together?

A: Yes, you can connect LED lights together. They can be linked in series or parallel depending on your specific setup and requirements. It's important to ensure that the voltage and polarity of the LED lights match to create a seamless and functional lighting system.

Q: Are all LED lights 12 volts?

A: The answer is no &#; and in fact most of our LED strips are 24V. We carry a few models in 12V, and then there is our Visive range which is 48V LED light strip for very long installation. Each has its own pros and cons.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of 12V S Shape Bendable Led Strip. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.