Low Voltage LED Installation Guide

The key to the success of your low voltage LED installation lies in the choice of materials used to complete your project.

BEFORE YOU START YOUR PROJECT

Regardless of your project, we recommend that you always test your components before starting your installation. Review the labels of each part to make sure that everything is compatible (among other things that all the components are of the same voltage) and that the color of your Strip or other type of light is indeed the one you want. Plug everything in briefly to confirm everything is working initially. If there is a problem, contact us immediately before modifying the product since tampered products are no longer covered by the warranty.

GOOD WIRE IS THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS

It is very important to mention that ALL low voltage wiring that you add to your LED circuit must be Multi Braid (stranded) and preferably made of copper. Solid single strand wiring also known as Solid Core (traditional 14/2, thermostat wiring or doorbell wiring for example) causes poor contact at connection points, creating resistance that damages low voltage components. Use of solid core wire voids all warranties.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT TRANSFORMER FOR YOUR PROJECT

First, your power supply must be used at a maximum of 80% of its capacity. If you have a LED strip that requires 48W of power, we recommend a power supply of at least 60W. A 72W power supply would be just as acceptable since your LED will fetch the power it needs from the power source. The power supply therefore does not impose its power on the LED.

12V OR 24V STRIPS?

Since your LED Strips operate at low voltage, you must avoid causing resistance on the circuit. 24V LED Strips are often preferred in installations that require extensions and connections since the amperage used is lower. Since the voltage is twice that of 12V, the voltage loss is also less significant. 24V circuits also have more capacity. You will find more details about certification requirements for both products later on this page.

 
AVOID VOLTAGE DROP

It should also be noted that the use of quick connectors should be avoided for the same reasons. It is imperative that all connections made to the Strip should be soldered. If you want to add wiring to your project, be sure to choose the correct size (AWG) and take the voltage drop into account. Several voltage loss calculators are available online. Generally, we suggest that you do not exceed 10m of 20AWG wiring on a 24V circuit.

If in doubt, contact our experts before starting your installation.

 Low Voltage LED Installation Guide (PDF)

Lumens, Kelvins and Wattage
Lumens determine the brightness of the single-color LED strip, while the Kelvin degree indicates the shade of white. The lower the Kelvin degree (e.g., 2700K), the warmer (yellow) the light, and the higher (6500K) the cooler (blue) it is. Watts are used to measure power consumption.

They come with a 3M adhesive backing (except for our Sauna LED Strip).

Cut lines on the LED strips
They can be cut (cutting lines are usually every 5 or 10 cm; check the product page for details). Look for copper points or solder joints (often accompanied by scissors) on your strip to identify the cutting point. Generally, 12V strips are cut every 3 LEDs, and 24V strips every 6 LEDs. The more LEDs per meter, the more precise the cut will be.

Certification
They are cULus certified, a recognized and mandatory standard in both Canada and the United States. LED Montreal has its own cULus certification. The maximum transformer output is 96W at 24V or 60W at 12V per output (Class 2 standard). 24V is more popular as it allows for longer lighting lines and provides more consistent lighting when cut and soldered. 12V is preferred for projects with short LED lines as the cut is more precise. Solar panel and battery projects often opt for 12V. The consumption per meter determines the maximum length of the strip per transformer. Check the product page for the chosen product's consumption.

How to make longer circuit
If you need to create lengths that exceed the maximum allowed by the relevant authorities, consider Multi Zone control systems. They allow you to control multiple sets of LEDs simultaneously with a single controller, thanks to their 2.4 GHz wireless signal relay function. With LED Montreal's Multi Zone systems, the possibilities are nearly endless.

Modifications and recommendations
You can connect cut strips (for a shelf project, for example) using multi-strand low-voltage wiring by soldering it to the copper terminals on your strip. Quick connectors are not recommended as they cause considerable resistance in the circuit and are not suitable for installation in aluminum profiles. Keep in mind that you are working with low voltage; too many connections can result in voltage loss and increased resistance in your circuit. Avoid connecting more than 3 lengths of LED in series; prefer parallel circuits. Using a more powerful transformer does not reduce voltage loss.

Although LEDs consume on average 7 to 10 times less energy than traditional lighting fixtures, it is false to think that LEDs consume almost nothing. Indeed, it is not feasible to permanently light under-cabinet spaces with batteries. Battery-powered systems can be an option for events or other sporadic or temporary use.

Heat dissipation
Strips with more than 9W/m must be installed on a surface that can dissipate the heat emitted by the LED chips. We recommend aluminum profiles with a lens that also diffuses the point source effect to provide continuous light for strips with 120 LEDs/m and above.

Recommended power supply
It is recommended to load your transformer to a maximum of 80% to prevent premature wear. So, if your LED strip consumes 48W, we recommend a 60W transformer (mathematical formula: 48 X 1.25 = 60). A transformer is never too powerful for the LED strip; the strip will draw the current it needs. Think of your car with a 220-horsepower engine that can go up to 250 km/h. You won't damage your car if you drive at 50 km/h, but your car may last less if you constantly drive at full speed. For dimmable transformers, we recommend a minimum load of 30% for optimal dimming.

Dimming
Single-color LED strips can be dimmed either 1) using 120V (with a dimmable transformer and a dedicated standard dimmer) or 2) using a low voltage dimming module between the transformer and the strip. Low-voltage dimming is typically done with a controller connected to a handheld or wall-mounted remote.

Multicolor or variable white LED strips must be connected to a controller and are always dimmed via a remote or app. They should not be installed on a standard wall dimmer. They are connected to a non-dimmable transformer only.

iP protection
The iP rating determines the level of protection for your LED strip: iP20 is suitable for indoor use in dry or slightly humid locations. There is no silicone protection. iP65 and iP67 strips are suitable for damp locations and temporary exposure to water.


Some projects where we do not recommend using LED strips:

Pools, docks, fountains, or any other application near water where LEDs would be exposed to prolonged or frequent water contact. iP65 and iP67 standards also mention that waterproofing is certified for a short duration.

Trees, vehicles, docks, boats: remember that these are electronic components designed for permanent installation on solid and stable surfaces; they are not made to withstand shocks and repeated movements.