The growing popularity of LED strip lights in both residential and commercial applications can be attributed to their versatility and easy installation. However, when it comes to making the right choice, it is essential to understand the key differences between high-voltage and low-voltage LED strip lights.
Let's further examine the safety, cost, installation, packaging, lifetime, and usage scenarios in this article.
When considering LED strips for your project, one crucial factor to weigh is the voltage rating. LED light strips generally fall into two main voltage categories:
High Voltage (110 volts or greater)
Each category has its unique advantages and applications, and understanding the differences between the two will help you make an informed decision based on your specific project lighting needs.
Table of Contents:
What Are High-voltage LED Strip Lights?
What Are Low-voltage LED Strip Lights?
Safety: High-voltage vs Low-voltage
Cost: High-voltage vs Low-voltage
Installation: High-voltage vs Low-voltage
Packaging: High-voltage vs Low-voltage
Lifetime: High-voltage vs Low-voltage
Where to Use High-voltage and Low-voltage LED Strip Lights?
Making the Right Choice: Factors to Consider
High-voltage LED strip lights are powered by 110V or 220V, which are standard household voltages.
Allow for longer runs without significant voltage drop, making them suitable for large installations.
Deliver higher brightness levels, providing excellent illumination for commercial and outdoor applications.
Offer robust construction and durability to handle higher voltages safely.
Commercial and industrial lighting: High voltage LED strips are often used in warehouses, factories, and commercial spaces where bright and reliable illumination is essential.
Outdoor lighting: These strips are well-suited for outdoor applications such as architectural lighting, landscape lighting, and perimeter lighting.
Large-scale installations: High voltage LED strips are ideal for large installations, such as airport runways, sports arenas, and parking lots.
Low-voltage LED strip lights operate on DC12V or DC24V, working at significantly lower voltages.
Home lighting: Low voltage LED strips are perfect for accent lighting in residential spaces, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Architectural lighting: These strips can be used to highlight architectural features, adding an aesthetic touch to interiors.
Signage and displays: Low voltage LED strips are commonly used in signs, displays, and retail applications to draw attention to products and promotions, and more.
The 110 and 220V voltage used by high-voltage LED strip lights poses potential safety hazards in certain risky applications.
Requires specialized installation expertise due to higher voltage levels.
Requires professional electricians for complex installation requirements.
Operate on safer voltages, usually
12V
or
24V.
Reduced or eliminated risks associated with high voltages.
Suitable for direct contact and installations in wet environments.
The upfront cost of high-voltage LED strip lights is comparable to low-voltage options.
Overall cost may be lower as high-voltage strips can support longer installations with a single power supply.
Usage cost for costumer’s is higher due to higher energy consumption.
Similar upfront cost to high-voltage LED strip lights.
Overall cost may be higher if multiple power supplies are needed for longer installations.
Usage cost for customer’s is lower due lower energy consumption, thus more savings for the customers in the long run.
Installation is straightforward but it is powered directly by a high-voltage driver.
Requires professional electrician expertise for safe and efficient installation.
Relatively easier to install as they come with connectors and adhesive backing for quick installations.
Electricians, Contractors, Professionals, and Homeowners can install them without extensive electrical knowledge.
Blends well and can be integrated into traditional lighting systems and installations.
Compatibility considerations may play, however, this is straightforward and easy to follow.
Packaging typically offers longer rolls, ranging from 50 to 100 meters per roll.
Suitable for larger-scale projects with continuous lighting needs.
Come in rolls of 5 to 10 meters, suitable for smaller-scale and medium projects.
Consider voltage drop limitations beyond 10 meters for longer installations. Limitation can be mitigated with various installation options.
Generally have a shorter service life due to higher voltage levels.
Service life is typically around 10,000 hours.
Warranty coverage from manufacturers are also shorter
Wear and tear is faster
Offers a longer service life, ranging from 30,000, 50,000, 70,000 hours and up.
A more durable option for extended use.
Warranty coverage from manufacturers range from 3 years to 15 years
Due to make and energy consumption, wear and tear is relatively slower
Ideal for larger lighting projects that require longer lengths and higher brightness levels.
Commonly used in architectural lighting, commercial signage, outdoor building facades, and stadium lighting.
Versatile and suitable for various lighting projects, including residential environments and architectural lighting.
Used for ambient lighting, general lighting, task lighting, and decorative purposes.
Adding style, functionality and fun in a wide range of areas of applications:
Kitchen Lighting
Living Room
Bedroom
Bathroom spaces
Retail and Office Spaces
Outdoor and landscape lighting
Tradeshows and Events
Under Cabinet Lighting or Woodworks
Arts and Crafts
Signages
Shelves and Display showcases
Cove and coffer lighting
Bar lighting
And more
Consider the size
Scope of your lighting project
Determine the most suitable voltage option
Prioritize safety
Choose the voltage option
Align it with your installation requirements and environment
Look for energy-efficient LED strip lights
High energy efficiency rating of A or A+ to reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact
Consider the work involve
The level of expertise required for installation
Choose accordingly to available resources
Opt for reputable brands
Look for LED strips that were tested for quality i.e. UL, LM-79, LM-80, TM-21, test certified, etc.
Check specifications that meets your project requirements
Check for available on-shelf lighting needs
Review if there is an option to customize the LED strips when needed
:
Select the color temperature and color options
Check for available output specs that match your requirement
Evaluate the length of your lighting run
Choose the voltage option that maintains consistent brightness
Summary Table of Aspect of Low Voltage vs High Voltage LED Strips:
Aspect
High-voltage LED Strip Lights
Low-voltage LED Strip Lights
Working Voltage
110V or 220V
DC12V or DC24V
Safety
Potential safety hazard
Safer voltage rating
Cost
Similar upfront price
Overall cost lower due to supporting longer LED strips + Lower usage cost for customers
Installation
Requires professional electrician
Relatively easier to install without extensive electrical knowledge
Durability
Durable, but less resilient to voltage fluctuations
More resilient to voltage fluctuations, with built-in voltage regulator/surge protectors for compatible drivers
Lifetime
Generally around 10,000 hours (1 yr)
Longer service life of 30,000, 50,000, 60,000 up hours (3,5 yrs and up)
Packaging
Generally 50-100 meters per roll
Typically 5-10 meters per roll
Usage
Ideal for larger lighting projects, commercial, architectural, high ceiling
Versatile, suitable for various lighting projects, residential, medium scale commercial installation, arts and crafts, signages, etc
As a general rule, you should keep your voltage as low as possible for your project. This saves on cost, decreases risk, and makes installation easier. Keeping voltage down can be done in a handful of different ways (some discussed here) but the overall theme of those suggestions is to decrease run length. A simple example is to take a run (let’s say for example, 50 feet), and to split it into two runs (25 feet each) by placing the power source in the middle instead of at one end.
It’s hard to make hard rules on limited project information, but as a very general guide, the below run lengths and voltages are suggested by the HitLights technical support team. (Note : HitLights does not currently stock high voltage strip lights, but our team will be happy to advise you on what to look for should your project require them)
Length
Ideal Voltage
Any Special Considerations
Up to 32 feet:
12V Rated LED Strips
More than 32 feet is possible with splitting the load into sections
32 feet - 100 feet
24V Rated LED Strips
More than 100 feet is possible with splitting the load into sections
More than 100 feet
110V or High Voltage LED Strips
If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us at customerservice@hitlights.com or give us a call at 1 (855) 768-4135. Our team of expert engineers and electricians are here to assist you every step of the way!
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*Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only.
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