ToughButterCup Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Morning all. It's Friday! ? I smile to cover the embarrassment of not knowing what the cable that connects the LED strip to the driver is called. You know- I hope - the thin red and black stuff. Should it be solid or stranded? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 I have used stranded speaker cable for this as it is flexible and was spare. Also it is white so doesn't stand out if exposed. I would be interested to know what is "proper" though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 ? I'm tempted too. But I know I'd get the polarity wrong when I need to Swap the driver (...thanks @bitpipe) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitpipe Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 I recall our electrician just soldering some white two core cable to the end of the strip and wiring the other end into the transformer. Stranded i suspect as its more flexible (was put in at first fix) and easier to solder. In my experience, solid has a habit of snapping off at the end. @ProDave is the qualified person here! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Speaker wire is probably what you want. I would just look in one of my boxes of cable and see what I have. A common misconception is "it's only 12V I can use a bit of bell wire" but the fact it is lower voltage means it's higher current. Pretty irrelevant for led strips but I have seen some horrors where people wired strings of 12V MR16 halogen lights with inapropriate cable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 You can buy the correct cable and the connectors for this and it makes connections a doddle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 1 minute ago, PeterW said: You can buy the correct cable and the connectors [...] DickHead (@AnonymousBosch ) walks into an electricians and asks for "Erm that two core cable stuff for connecting drivers - no transformers - to LED strips" "Well, sir would that be [ @Onoff @ProDave @Jeremy Harris babble - white noise, - feel like a pratt ] or perhaps simple bell wire?" " I dunno " I need to connect the transformer (some 12s, some 24 s to the LED- maximum length of cable, 2m, maximum lenght of LED 2m ) in such a way as I can swap out the driver when it decides to throw a hissy fit. I know what to use to connect the two core cable to the end of the LED strip. This section of the cable will be burried in the plaster, so I need to be sure to use red and black cable so I get the polarity right. Whats the CORRECT cable called ? Please. Pretty please. I just want not to look and sound like a right numbskull when I go to my suppliers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 @AnonymousBosch 2 core cable here Grippa connectors here I get all my stuff from them, buy the profiles and the strip - even the trade stuff is very good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 (edited) If you just need wire.... 0.5mm^2 red and black speaker cable.. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-METERS-2-X-0-5MM-Red-and-Black-Speaker-Cable-Auto-HIFI-Boat-speaker-wire/152132141794?hash=item236bc842e2:g:feQAAOSw-dBTv8Um&redirect=mobile If you need connectors each end these will be specific to the make of LED fitting. Edited December 6, 2019 by Temp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Screwfix also have red & black.. https://www.screwfix.com/p/nexans-speaker-cable-2-core-x-24-strand-25m-black-red/8895t 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 Thanks lads. 29 minutes ago, Temp said: [...] If you need connectors each end these will be specific to the make of LED fitting. Priceless stuff you learn here, priceless. Guess what I'd already gone and done ....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Got a link to the LED and transformer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandAbuild Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 We've had to power up two 5m lengths of 12v LED strips, where the driver is 4m away from the start of each LED strip. I used 2 core 1.5mm stranded wire https://www.screwfix.com/p/nexans-round-flexible-cable-3182y-2-core-1-5mm-x-25m-white/186fk which is a bit OTT but I was concened it might be carrying quite a high current. It's quite thick to thread through the loftspace but works fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 1 hour ago, Temp said: Got a link to the LED and transformer? Yes - LEDspace ( thanks to @PeterW) Its the profile selection that takes the time - almost too many to choose from Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Davies Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Is red and black actually “correct” to use? Not that it really matters and nobody is going to be bothered for an application like this but my understanding is that by the regulations the normal brown and blue colour codes apply: blue for the earth-referenced voltage (often, but not necessarily, negative) and brown for the other one. I'm moderately but not completely sure that just using ordinary lighting cable wouldn't be “wrong”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 (edited) Good question. Some LED transformers come with 4 wires pre-fitted. These typically use Blue and Brown for the Neutral and Live, and Red and Black for the output to the LED. A few use a pair of white wires for the output to the LED. Examples Red & Black https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/led-drivers/1314709?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-PLA_UK_EN_Displays_And_Optoelectronics-_-Led_Lighting_System_Components|Led_Drivers-_-PRODUCT_GROUP&matchtype=&pla-448230579044&s_kwcid=AL!7457!3!243856786484!!!g!448230579044!&gclid=CjwKCAiAlajvBRB_EiwA4vAqiBjcwAYuXAuSTLcWupBLaDa8c9_zxDSwP5aH7y6xnNez7IjKBjWLOxoCFmUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds White: https://www.amazon.co.uk/LED-Driver-Transformer-240V-Interference/dp/B00BMBKHC2 In the regulations.. Mains voltages (eg 240V) are "Low Voltage" or LV LCD voltages (<50V) are "Extra Low Voltage" or ELV. Not sure if this is current but.. https://electrical.theiet.org/media/2063/bs-7671-2018-corrigendum-dec-2018.pdf It says.. Quote Control circuits, ELV and other applications Line conductor L Brown, Black, Red, Orange Yellow, Violet, Grey, White, Pink or Turquoise Neutral or mid-wire N or M Blue I believe both of the wires between the LED controller and LED lamp should be treated as line conductors so you could use any of those colours. Edited December 6, 2019 by Temp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted December 7, 2019 Author Share Posted December 7, 2019 Thanks. Very helpful. So, its pick a colour then innit? I quite like violet ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Walker Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 On 06/12/2019 at 07:47, AnonymousBosch said: Morning all. It's Friday! ? I smile to cover the embarrassment of not knowing what the cable that connects the LED strip to the driver is called. You know- I hope - the thin red and black stuff. Should it be solid or stranded? LEDs need DC not AC and hence the "transformer" need to both drop the voltage and convert to DC. In cheap transformers this might just be a bridge rectifier (simple AC:DC convertor) LED strips normally have a visible + or - sign BTW The word "transformer" is normally used as a term for voltage changes in the AC domain only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 As LEDs are DC, polarity is important, so if getting white cable, one needs to have a maker on one side of it, or it just becomes a pain (unless the rectification is done at the lamp end). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted December 7, 2019 Author Share Posted December 7, 2019 20 minutes ago, Adrian Walker said: [...] BTW The word "transformer" is normally used as a term for voltage changes in the AC domain only. ? Thanks Its also the case that the "thingamajig" that takes a/c and makes it DC sometimes also called a driver isn't it? Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted December 7, 2019 Author Share Posted December 7, 2019 12 minutes ago, SteamyTea said: As LEDs are DC, polarity is important, so if getting white cable, one needs to have a maker on one side of it, or it just becomes a pain (unless the rectification is done at the lamp end). And thats why I'd prefer to use cable with red and black strands. How would I know if the retification is done in the LEDs themselves (... more expensive I bet?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Walker Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 2 minutes ago, AnonymousBosch said: And thats why I'd prefer to use cable with red and black strands. How would I know if the retification is done in the LEDs themselves (... more expensive I bet?) It's highly unlikely that the rectification is done in the LED strip. Post a photo of 6'/150mm of your strip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 11 minutes ago, AnonymousBosch said: How would I know if the retification is done in the LEDs themselves 7 minutes ago, Adrian Walker said: It's highly unlikely that the rectification is done in the LED strip Yes, very unlikely, but who knows what happens in the mind of electrical engineers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Davies Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 17 hours ago, Temp said: LCD voltages (<50V) are "Extra Low Voltage" or ELV. Not sure if this is current but.. https://electrical.theiet.org/media/2063/bs-7671-2018-corrigendum-dec-2018.pdf It says.. It also says for DC power circuits: Quote Two-wire unearthed DC power circuit Positive of two-wire circuit L+ Brown Negative of two-wire circuit L- Grey Two-wire earthed DC power circuit Positive (of negative earthed) circuit L+ Brown Negative (of negative earthed) circuit (2) M Blue Positive (of positive earthed) circuit (2) M Blue Negative (of positive earthed) circuit L- Grey (2) M identifies either the mid-wire of a three-wire DC circuit, or the earthed conductor of a two-wire earthed DC circuit. So, as I said for brown and blue but with grey for negative if it's not earthed. Personally, I think I'd just use ordinary 2-core 1mm² lighting cable, brown for positive, blue for negative. If the “transformer” says the output is unearthed (or it doesn't take an earth on the input side) then it would be slightly better to sleeve the blue in grey. I haven't looked, can you even get 2-core solid cable these days? I assume you can get flex for plastic pendant lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Davies Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, AnonymousBosch said: Its also the case that the "thingamajig" that takes a/c and makes it DC sometimes also called a driver isn't it? Why? I seems to me that regarding LED power supplies the word “transformer” is (ab)used to mean something with a constant (¹) voltage output whereas “driver” is used to mean something with a constant current output. (¹) albeit perhaps very ripply voltage, but anyway, not functionally current limited. Edited December 7, 2019 by Ed Davies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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