24V LED Flex & Power Now Available at Inspired LED

Since opening our doors back in 2009, Inspired LED has made our mark on the lighting industry with a supply of reliable, easy-to-use 12V DC products. From LED panels and flexible strips, to power supplies and connectors, we have long specialized in basic DIY systems for homes and businesses.

However over time, as our company and our clientele have evolved, larger projects have required us to explore outside the box, pushing into the world of 24V. And what began as a series of one-time solutions for specific customers has grown in the past few years to become an important part of our business.

So, as of this week, we are excited to announce that we are officially adding a line of 24V products to our inventory. What does this mean for you as a customer? More options, of course! But how will you know which products to use for which applications? And how can you ensure you continue to order the correct parts for your 12V system?

Not to worry! Our sales team has worked closely with our web developers to organize pages, and label products to make purchasing a smooth and simple process. Read on to learn more about the latest addition to the Inspired LED shelves…

 

So what’s the difference between 12V and 24V products?

Voltage is a measure of electrical potential- it can be thought of as the force which pushes” charged particles, usually electrons, to flow through an electrical conduit. This force is measured in volts (V). Current is a measure of the flow rate of this electrical charge, measured in amperes (A). And power is the product of voltage and current as measured in watts (W).

So a 12V system pushing 1A produces 12W of power. A 24V system would only need to push 0.5A in order to produce 12W. By increasing the voltage from 12V up to 24V, we reduce the amount of current necessary to achieve the same output, and also increase the distance that the light can travel before dimming out. A stronger current means when using our 24V 240ohm LEDs, up to 232 inches can be powered from one end, or 464 inches powered from the center before the same level of voltage drop is achieved.

 

What kinds of 24V products are available?

While our 12V products can be differentiated by brightness level according to the spacing of their LEDs (more diodes closer together means a brighter light), our 24V LED flex is manufactured a little differently. Rather than changing the number of LEDs on each strip to increase or decrease brightness, our engineers instead sought to maintain a more even distribution of light (important for brighter 24V applications) by keeping the same number of LEDs and simply adjust the resistor value for each of these light strips.

In laymen’s terms, a resistor is a component responsible for restricting the flow of current. Properly selected they allow us to tune the amount of power that our LEDs receive. The higher the resistor value, the more limited current, and the dimmer the LEDs will become as a result. Thus, our 24V 240ohm flex (named for its resistor value) produces around 240 lumens per foot, while our 24V 100ohm flex produces nearly 500 lumens in the same distance.

Just like our 12V products, different brightness levels are better suited for different applications. And the brighter the LEDs the more power will be required to keep them running. So along with our 24V flexible strips we offer a 3.75Amp plug-in power supply, a 96W E-Series Dimmable Transformer, and a 150W or 300W Magnetic Dimmable Transformer in 24 volts.

 

Where should I use 24V lighting?

Because it has a higher voltage, 24V LED strips are better suited to larger jobs with longer runs of light. One of the most common applications is in cove ceilings or soffits. This method of subtle, indirect lighting has increased in popularity over the past few years, especially in new homes. Inspired LED’s new 24V flexible strips are ideally suited for this type of system. The higher voltage significantly reduces the risk of voltage drop, while brighter diodes provide a more even wash of light on walls.

Chances are, if you’re looking to light an office building or commercial space, you’ll want to go with a 24V system as well. The larger square footage and the need for brighter task lighting means a good deal of light will be required. While careful planning and plenty of power supplies may allow 12V LEDs to achieve the desired effect, it will be far more efficient and likely more cost effective to select 24V products.

 

What about product compatibility?

As a rule of thumb: the input voltage for an LED product must always match the output voltage of your corresponding power supply. To put it plainly, if you’re using 12V LEDs make sure you’re using a 12V power supply. If you’re using 24V LEDs, make sure you’re using a 24V power supply.

There are many intermediate products including connectors, controllers, and cables which are designed work with both 12V and 24V products. But it is important to check the specifications on these items to make sure they can handle both the voltage and wattage required for your project. Some smaller components are only built to withstand 12 volts. The use of incompatible components can dramatically reduce the lifespan of your lighting system, causing burnouts and even fire hazards. So be sure to do your research, and always double check power requirements before installing!

 

At Inspired LED, we strive to continue to meet the growing needs of the low-voltage lighting industry. With the addition of 24V LEDs, we are excited to be able to provide our customers with more products and more versatile lighting solutions than ever before!


For more information on this and other new products from Inspired LED, visit our website www.inspiredled.com. Have a specific question about 24V LEDs? We’re happy to help! Send us an email at orders@inspiredled.com or give us a call at 480-941-4286.