The common voltages of LED strips are 12VDC and 24VDC, and their prices are the same. When you are ready to purchase LED strips, you may have questions, what is the difference between 12VDC strips and 24VDC strips? Which one should I choose?
LEDYi generally provides both 12VDC and 24VDC LED strips. Under normal circumstances, the difference between a 12VDC LED strip and a 24VDC LED strip is not too big, as long as you choose the correct power supply.
If you need a shorter cut length, we recommend choosing a 12VDC LED strip. For the LED strip with the same LED quantity, the cut length of the 12VDC LED strip is half of that of the 24V LED strip. This gives you more flexibility to cut the LED strip to the length you want.
If you need a longer linear run and higher luminous efficiency, we recommend choosing 24VDC LED strips.
If you’re curious to learn more about the technical aspects, read below for more differences:
Table of Contents Hide
1 12VDC LED strip with shorter cut length
2 12V LED strip has a wider range of application scenarios
3 24V LED strip, longer linear run
4 24V LED strip can be higher efficiency
5 24V LED strip requires less conductor gauge
6 Smaller power supplies for 24V LED strip
7 Conclusion
8 Related Posts
12VDC LED strip with shorter cut length
Most individual LED chips run on 3VDC power regardless of whether they are mounted on a 12V strip or a 24V strip. In fact, the same LED chip that works on a 12V strip could also be mounted on a 24V strip. What makes the difference is how the strip circuitry is designed.
LED Strips are wired in groups of LEDs. The size of the
group depends on the voltage of the strip. A 12V strip has 3 LEDs, and a 24V strip has 6 LEDs or 7 LEDs, even up to 8 LEDs. The cut lines are located between the groups. Therefore, the smaller each group of LEDs, the closer together the cut lines can be.
For example, see the diagrams of 12V and 24V strips below:
A lower voltage 12VDC strip with closer cut lines may be good if your installation has many corners with short lengths. This can help to minimize the “dark” zone at the corners.
To get the advantage of the Long Run of the 24VDC LED strip and the shorter cutting length of the 5VDC LED strip, we have developed Mini Cutting LED Strip, 1 LED per cut at 24VDC.
12V LED strip has a wider range of application scenarios
On the other hand, 12 VDC is a common voltage, so LED strip compatibility may eliminate the need for additional power supplies. For example, if you are installing lights in a vehicle, a 12 VDC LED strip light can often be directly connected to the existing electrical system. While there are certainly exceptions to this, and it is important to check your existing system before making a purchase, 12V LED strips can offer a more convenient installation solution in many cases.
I believe that after reading this article, you and I have come to the same conclusion that the advantages of 24VDC LED strips are far more than 12VDC LED strips. If possible, especially in large lighting projects, please use 24VDC LED strips.
SUNSHINE manufactures high-quality LED strips and LED neon flex. All of our products go through high-tech laboratories to ensure the utmost quality. Besides, we offer customizable options on our LED strips and neon flex. So, for premium LED strip and LED neon flex, contact SUNSHINE ASAP!