LED Lighting 101, Articles On Strip Lighting
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07, May, 2025
Written by Marty Lemke | A Leader in LED Technology
When it comes to LED lighting, good design often means keeping the focus on the light itself —not the components behind it. Power supplies, while essential for stepping down voltage and protecting your LED strips, are not meant to be seen. It’s critical to consider power supply placement during the design phase of your strip lighting project as most people choose to hide them for aesthetic reasons- to create cleaner installations, and to avoid visual clutter. We’ll explore smart and safe ways to conceal your power supply while staying compliant with safety codes, ensuring a sleek, professional finish, and without sacrificing performance.
The Basics of LED Power Supplies and Their Role in Strip Lighting
An LED power supply, often called a transformer, converts standard line voltage (120VAC) power from your wall outlet into a lower, usable voltage—typically 12VDC or 24VDC—for LED strip lights. This step-down process is essential for powering your strips safely and effectively. Power supplies do more than just deliver electricity—they also help protect your lights by acting as a buffer against voltage fluctuations on the AC side. This helps to prevent damage and extend the life of your LED strip lights.
Proper placement and ventilation of your power supply is essential. To meet electrical codes and maintain safety, power supplies must have enough space around them for airflow. This ventilation helps dissipate heat, allowing the system to stay cool and run efficiently.
Types of power supplies and drivers
- Constant Voltage: Constant voltage power supplies maintain a fixed voltage while supporting variable loads—ideal for most LED strip lights.
- Constant Current: Constant current drivers, on the other hand, deliver a fixed current and are better suited for high-powered or specialty LEDs with a consistent current requirement.
Factors to Consider When Planning to Conceal Power Supplies
When concealing a power supply, it’s important to balance aesthetics with function and safety.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind:
1. Accessibility for Maintenance and Service: While it might be tempting to tuck your power supply out of sight, sealed behind a wall or in the ceiling, electrical codes require that it remains accessible for future maintenance or replacement. Just because you can hide it behind a panel or in a ceiling doesn’t mean it’s the best option. Always plan for access.
2. Ventilation and Heat Dissipation: Power supplies generate heat, and like most electronic components, they perform best when kept cool. Poor ventilation can lead to overheating, reducing the lifespan and reliability of your system. Ensure there is at least 3 inches of clearance on all sides of the power supply, except the side that is mounted, to allow for proper airflow and heat dissipation.
3. Distance to LED Strips (Voltage Drop Concerns): The greater the distance between your power supply and the start of your LED strips, the greater the voltage drop which can cause dimming or uneven lighting of your strip lights. To avoid voltage drop, size the wire gauge appropriately keeping in mind the total load, the wire length, and whether the wire is in-wall rated—especially if it runs through inaccessible areas. Use a voltage drop calculator or reference a voltage drop chart (such as those from NEC) to determine the correct wire size. Whenever possible, keep the power supply close to the lights to reduce wire cost, simplify troubleshooting, and improve overall system performance.
4. Environmental Conditions: When determining the location for the power supply, always ensure the power supply is rated for the environment it will be located in. Keep in mind exposure to moisture, extreme heat, or extreme cold when selecting your power supply location. For example, most standard power supplies won’t function reliably in unconditioned spaces that drop below -40°F. Installing the unit in a climate-controlled area helps ensure long-term reliability. Again, just because it can be installed somewhere, doesn’t mean it's an ideal location.
Assessing Your Space for Optimal Power Supply Placement
Choosing the right location for your power supply is a key step in designing a safe and easily maintained LED lighting system. Here are some common placement options and tips to help you plan—especially during remodels or new construction.
Common Locations to Consider:
- Inside or above cabinets and closets
- Above drop ceilings*
- Between or below floor joists
- Inside junction boxes or dedicated enclosures
- In attics or basements
- Between ceiling joists
*Commercial drop ceilings or plenum spaces may have stricter cable requirements. Always install according to code or consult a licensed electrician.
Each of these spots offers concealment potential while keeping the power supply relatively close to your LED lights—minimizing wire runs and the risk of voltage drop.
Tips for Planning Power Supply Placement:
- Plan ahead during new construction—it's the ideal time to conceal wiring and power supplies, keeping in mind that the power supply must remain accessible. Placing the power supply on the opposite side of a wall and using in-wall rated wiring helps keep the distance short and the installation clean and efficient.
- Avoid areas where water can pool or collect, such as basements prone to flooding or outdoor areas without protection.
- If placing the power supply outdoors, install it under an overhang or in a weatherproof enclosure for protection against the elements.
- Keep the power supply as close to the LED fixtures as possible. A shorter wire run reduces voltage drop and makes troubleshooting easier.
- If a long-distance run is unavoidable, remember that 120VAC travels more efficiently over long distances than low-voltage DC. In these cases, consider placing the power supply closer to the lights and running AC to it, rather than running DC long distances.
Tools and Materials Needed for Successful Concealment
Power Supply Enclosures or Junction Boxes
Housing the power supply in a UL-listed, properly sized enclosure ensures safety and compliance. These enclosures also help protect the unit from physical damage and environmental exposure.
Cable Management Solutions
Keeping wires neat and secure is key to a clean and professional-looking installation. Use zip ties, plastic wire mold, adhesive clips, wire staples, or conduit to route and organize cables discreetly and safely. Please note that flexible cords can’t be used as permanent wiring unless the cord is listed for such use.
Fasteners and Mounting Hardware
Mounting your power supply properly is just as important as hiding it. Many power supplies come with slotted mounting tabs—if yours does, opt for panhead screws with heads smaller than the slot opening. This allows you to easily slide the power supply on and off during installation or maintenance.
Pro Tips for a Clean, Safe Installation
Label and Organize Wires
Neatly organized wiring isn’t just about aesthetics—it makes future troubleshooting and maintenance much easier. Always label wires clearly and plan your cable management with the assumption that someone else may need to service the system down the line.
Know When to Call a Licensed Electrician
Even though LED systems operate on low voltage, proper installation still requires electrical knowledge. If you’re unsure about wiring, unfamiliar with electrical codes, or simply not comfortable with the work, it’s best to hire a licensed electrician. Following the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local building codes is essential for a safe and compliant installation.
Final Thoughts
Concealing power supplies for LED strip lighting isn’t just about keeping your setup looking sleek—it’s about planning ahead to ensure performance, safety, and long-term reliability. From choosing the right location, ensuring proper ventilation, and making sure the power supply remains accessible for future maintenance; to understanding voltage drop and environmental limitations, every detail matters. Whether you're working on a residential remodel or a commercial installation, thinking through your power supply placement early in the project can save you time, money, and headaches down the road. With the right tools, smart planning, and a solid understanding of electrical basics, you can create a lighting system that’s not only beautiful but built to last.
