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LED Strip Power Supply Calculator

Calculate total wattage and amperage for LED tape projects. Includes automatic 20% safety headroom and wire gauge (AWG) recommendations to prevent voltage drop and fire hazards.

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About

Installing LED lighting involves more than sticking tape to a wall. The primary cause of LED failure or dimming is an underpowered driver or inadequate wiring. This tool calculates the precise power requirements for a specific run of LED tape, automatically factoring in a 20% headroom safety margin. This buffer prevents the power supply from running at 100% capacity, which significantly extends its lifespan and reduces heat generation.

Voltage drop is another critical factor in low-voltage electronics. As current travels through a wire, resistance converts some energy into heat, resulting in lower voltage at the end of the strip. This calculator suggests the appropriate American Wire Gauge (AWG) to minimize this effect, ensuring consistent brightness from the first diode to the last.

led power wattage calculator electrical safety voltage drop led install

Formulas

The total power consumption Ptotal is derived from the linear power density Plinear multiplied by the length L, with an applied safety factor k (typically 1.2 or 120%).

Preq = Plinear × L × 1.20

To determine the current I required for the power supply (PSU), we apply Ohm's Law relative to the system voltage V (12V or 24V).

I = PreqV

Reference Data

Chip TypeDensity (LEDs/m)Power (W/m)Lumens (lm/m)Efficacy (lm/W)Common Use Case
3528302.418075Accent Lighting
3528604.836075Under Cabinet
35281209.672075Task Lighting
5050307.236050Cove Lighting
50506014.472050Primary Room Light
2835606.0600100High Efficiency
283512012.01200100Bright Task Light
56306018.01800100Commercial Display
3014606.0600100Side Emitting
301412012.01200100Architectural Detail
RGB-5050307.2N/AN/AMood Lighting
RGB-50506014.4N/AN/AWall Washing
RGBW-50506019.290045Color + White
COB32010.01000100Dot-free Linear
COB48015.01500100Premium Linear
22161208.470083High CRI/Studio
221624016.8140083Photography

Frequently Asked Questions

Running a power supply at 100% capacity generates excessive heat and degrades the internal components rapidly. A 20% buffer ensures the PSU operates within its optimal efficiency curve and handles transient spikes without tripping.
No. Supplying 24V to a 12V LED strip will instantly burn out the resistors and diodes. The voltage of the power supply must match the voltage rating of the LED tape exactly.
Yes. DC voltage drops over distance due to wire resistance. For longer runs (over 5 meters), you need thicker wire (lower AWG number) or a 24V system to prevent the LEDs at the far end from appearing dimmer than the start.