SK LED identifies planning errors as cause for LED strip failures

Technical issues with LED strip lighting, such as dimming at the ends of strips or flickering, are often caused by poor installation planning rather than defective products, according to SK LED. Kevin Arlinghaus, managing director of the Gummersbach-based specialist retailer, identifies three primary causes for these common complaints.

First, voltage drop occurs due to long supply lines. Because LED strips operate on 24V DC, high current flow over long distances can lead to significant voltage loss. For example, a 12-meter line with 1.5 mm² wiring can cause a loss of nearly 6%, resulting in visible brightness reduction or color shifts in RGB strips. Using thicker cables, such as 4 mm², can mitigate this.

Second, undersized power supplies lead to premature failure. Using a power supply that exactly matches the total load causes the unit to run at its limit, generating excessive heat. Experts recommend a 20% power reserve to ensure longevity.

Third, incompatibility between dimming components, such as using Triac-dimmable power supplies with PWM controllers, can cause flickering or humming.