When you have an LED sign or lighting system, there is one key component you will need to make it work: a power supply. It's important that you choose the right one and ensure it's compatible with your LED lighting, otherwise it could cause lasting damage. It's not as simple as plugging your lights directly into the mains either, as the national grid supplies AC, whereas LED lighting is powered by DC. This is why it's crucial to ensure you understand how the power supply works in relation to your lights.
At Vision Lighting, we offer power supplies that work perfectly with your LED lighting system, supplying constant, steady power to your lights. These power supplies ensure that your LED lighting, whether it's a sign or a collection of cabochon bulbs for fairgrounds, remains bright and vibrant, for maximum impact. Our power supplies are also cost-effective to ensure you're not paying over the odds for power that you don't need. Instead, the current is regulated, preventing any power surges or high levels of power that may cause the bulb to overheat. Explore our range of power supply options on our website to find the one that best suits you - our options include different wattages too, to match the scale of your lighting.
We pride ourselves on offering great service and ensuring our customers are always satisfied. That means that if you have any questions about the products we offer or are having trouble choosing the right one, we're always on hand to help. You can get in touch with us by calling +44 (0) 1132 799 745 or emailing us at info@vision-lighting.co.uk with your message. Our dedicated customer support team will get back to you as soon as possible to provide you with the help and support you need.
How To Choose An LED Power Supply
When choosing a lighting system, it's no secret that LED bulbs and LED strip lights are some of the best you can buy. They've gained huge popularity over the years, not just because of the high level of light they emit and the range of colour options but due to their energy-efficient qualities too. This means that you can light a room with LEDs in a colour of your choice and not have to worry about racking up a huge electricity bill. In terms of the output-to-input ratio, LED lights provide a great balance thanks to their minimal power consumption.
Whether you have LED strip lights or bulbs, you will need a power supply that provides a constant voltage that is safe but sufficient. This is because the AC will need to be converted into a DC power supply, in order to safely power the lights. The best way to look at this component is as an adapter that provides the correct current and constant power level. The key to a great looking LED light strip, sign or bulb setup is bright colour and even lighting. A weak power source or intermittent power supply wattage level could lead to your LED lighting being unevenly lit or dull overall.
Depending on whether your lights are situated outside or inside, you will need to make sure that the LED power supply you choose is suitable for use outside. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell which LED power supplies can be used outside, as they're marked with an IP rating. We ensure that we include this rating on all of the products listed on our website so you know exactly what to look for. If it has an IP67 rating, this means that you can use these external power supply units outside and won't have to worry about weather damage or water breaching the casing.
There are other IP ratings to look out for too as these will tell you whereabouts, inside or outside, you can use them. The ranking chart stretches from IP00 to IP69K, and the further up the chart the rating is, the more protection it will feature. So, if a power supply has a rating of IP00, it features no protection against solids or liquids, whereas a power supply with a rating of IP69K is protected from total dust ingress and high levels of water such as a jet cleaner. Understanding how these affect the use is important, as we stock products with various IP ratings. If you're looking at a product with a rating of around IP20, this means it will be safe to handle but not protected against liquids, so we would recommend keeping this away from the bathroom or kitchen area.
Depending on the location that you're looking to install your LED lights, this may change the requirements for your power supply. For example, if you were planning to install LED strip lights in your car, you wouldn't need a power supply as car batteries already use DC. The same can be said for other USB ports as they typically use the compatible DC. Our LED power supplies will also indicate the level of voltage they supply so you can match this up to your LED lights. Using the previous example, car batteries will give off 12V of DC, which means if your lights are compatible with this voltage, they will work. If you have a large number of lights or your sign is large, you may need a higher voltage - potentially 24V, which some of our power supplies can provide.
The design of the supplies has been specifically chosen to ensure maximum safety. Most power supplies will feature surge protection, although the level of which will differ, so it's important to check before you buy. Some will also feature a fully isolated plastic case to prevent electrocution when handling the power supply. Other protections against the current that may be a feature include a short circuit, overload or over voltage.
Our Range Of LED Solutions At Vision Lighting
At Vision Lighting, we stock power supplies from Mean Well, which are known for producing high-quality products. These products have been designed to provide power that is stable and sufficient, ensuring that your LED lights shine at their brightest. The wide variety of options and different wattages available mean that you can pick a power supply that suits your needs. Here are just a couple of the power supplies we stock to give you some insight into our diverse range.
With an IP rating of 67, you can safely use this outside or inside (also safe for use in bathrooms) without the worry of weather damage. It's also able to withstand 300V AC of surge input for up to 5 seconds, meaning that if there is a momentary power surge, this won't damage your supply instantly. Other protection includes the fully isolated plastic case and air cooling convection to prevent overheating. This particular product is available in both 12V and 24V options.
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This power supply is compatible with both Constant Voltage and Constant Current LEDs, due to its constant power mode. It has a great input range of 100-305V AC and is suitable for use outside, thanks to its IP67 rating, making it perfect for signage or building lighting. It also features a dimming function, giving you greater control over the appearance of your lighting. What’s more, our confidence in the quality of this product is proven by our 5-year warranty.
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Get In Touch With Us
At Vision Lighting, we aim to provide only the best-quality products, and when it comes to power supplies, we definitely don't cut any corners. Hopefully, we've helped shed some light on the subject and illuminate some of the unknowns surrounding power supplies. Understanding how they work really is the key to choosing the right one, but if you're still unsure or have other questions, you can get in touch with us. To speak with a member of our team directly, you can call us on +44 (0) 1132 799745 or email us directly at info@vision-lighting.co.uk with your message. A member of our friendly team will get back to you as soon as possible to provide you with the support you need.
If you're looking for additional products such as LED lights, sign lights or sign frames, we've got those too. Within our LED lighting range, you'll find everything from floodlights and ceiling panels to wall lights and T8 tubes. We also stock LED light bulbs, which are a great energy-efficient option for your home, to help you save money on your electricity bill. Explore our website to discover our full product offering and find the one that is right for you. If you need any additional brackets or cables, you'll be able to find those on our accessories page, which features other helpful products you may not know you needed.