Why 24V?
Power is voltage times current. A 10 W per meter strip draws about 0.83 amps per meter at 12V, but only 0.42 amps at 24V. Less current means less voltage drop along the strip. The result: at 24V you can usually feed up to about 10 meters from one end without the far end getting visibly dimmer; at 12V that is around 5 meters. That is why installers choose 24V for ceiling coves, shopfitting and anything longer than a few meters.
Which 24V LED strip do you choose?
- COB, 8 to 10 W/m: even line without dots, CRI 90+, 800 to 1,000 lumens per meter. See the COB LED strips.
- SMD2835, 60 or 120 LEDs per meter: 480 or 960 lumens per meter, efficient and versatile.
- SMD2835, 240 LEDs per meter: about 1,920 lumens per meter for task lighting and high ceilings.
- CCT, RGB, RGBW and RGB+CCT: set the color temperature or color. See the RGB LED strips.
- IP65: for bathrooms, kitchens next to the sink and outdoors under a roof. See the waterproof LED strips.
The right 24V power supply
Always use a 24V DC power supply. Load it to 80% at most: add up the watts of all strips and divide by 0.8.
- 5 meters at 4.8 W/m = 24 W, so a power supply of at least 30 W
- 10 meters at 10 W/m = 100 W, so a power supply of at least 125 W, for example 145 W
- 20 meters at 8 W/m = 160 W, so a power supply of at least 200 W, or two power supplies
For fixed mounting choose a built-in driver; on a table or behind furniture a plug-in adapter; and for damp areas a waterproof power supply. See the LED strip power supplies.
Dimming and control
All 24V strips can be dimmed with an LED strip dimmer or controller between the power supply and the strip. With an RF controller (2.4 GHz) you operate them with a remote or wall panel, with a WiFi controller from an app. For smart homes and building management there are controllers with Zigbee, Matter and DMX. See the dimmers and controllers.
Frequently asked questions about 24V LED strips
Which is better: 12V or 24V?
For fixed installations and lengths of more than a few meters, 24V: less current, less voltage drop, thinner cables. Choose 12V for short lengths, cabinet lighting and existing 12V systems. See the 12V LED strips.
Can I connect a 24V strip to a 12V power supply?
No. At 12V a 24V strip will not light up, or only barely. The other way round, a 12V strip will burn out at 24V. Strip and power supply must have the same voltage.
How long can a 24V LED strip be?
Usually up to about 10 meters per feed point, less at high wattages. For longer runs, feed power at both ends or add a power supply.
Don’t want a separate power supply?
Then a 230V LED strip is an option: it connects straight to the mains, up to 50 meters on a single plug.
Are there complete 24V sets?
Yes, with strip, power supply and connection from 5 to 20 meters. See the LED strip sets.
