LED Controllers

This is the most complicated question in terms of a clear and accessible explanation. We shall try to explain it with examples and comparisons without entering the field of physics of light:

The strength (intensity) of light is measured in candelas (cd).

One 100W incandescent lamp is on with intensity of about 100cd. A fluorescent lamp with power of 20W is also on with the same intensity. One quality LED with power of 15-16W is about 100cd. However, there is a “but”! Unlike old lamps, which are like a point source of light which is on in all directions, the strips present a distributed, focused source and eyes perceive the brightness differently. With the strips, the summed intensity of luminosity for 1 meter is approximately equal to the sum of luminosity of all LEDs but with small strip length (1-2 meters). The longer is the strip, the weaker is the luminosity of the more distant LEDs. For instance, a 4 meter long strip with 60 white LEDs of type 5050, cut into pieces of 1 meter each and distributed on the ceiling of a white-painted room with dimensions 3x3 meters, is perceived as a 120W incandescent lamp. But, in a white corridor, 2 m wide and 5 m long, this strip is on (is perceived) as if there are 3 lamps of the old type of 60W each.

We also mention the colour of the rooms because unlike old lamps, the LED lamps are not on in a wide spectrum thus causing very peculiar perceptions if you use coloured (red, blue, green) LEDs. Avoid using coloured lighting in the kitchen because a tomato lit by green light seems lilac (aubergine). Not to mention that the stage of meat roasting cannot be determined under red light, and when the light is green, the meat appears black. In the living-room, the coloured lighting of the show-cases has a beautiful effect but you will be astonished at the colour of the drinks.

As a whole, we can summarize the following: The designing of LED lighting is a quite complicated task. It is made through dedicated software by designers, or it may be attempted through experiments. For intensity of the white light please assume that the intensity of a regular incandescent lamp divided into 3, is the intensity of the LED strip that can replace it. (A 100W lamp is replaced by a 33W strip).

Yes. The strip LED lighting has the following advantages: it has lower energy consumption (but not 10 times lower as many resources assert; it consumes 3-4 times less energy); it is distributed in the room without shadowing; it can have different colour; it has long life and it is readily subjected to smooth intensity and colour control (for RGB strips). The digital strips can provide light only where you desire and with the colour you prefer. For light effects and advertising, they are the best lighting ever invented.

There are disadvantages as well: The strip has temperature losses. Its installation requires a body. The power supply does not come directly from the mains like standard power supply. A controller is required to change the brightness.

You have to calculate how many are the total watts for your lighting (all strips have a label to indicate how many watts they consume per meter) and you have to look for a power supply source that is more powerful but has the same voltage as the voltage of the strips.

Example: you have lighting with strips: 5050CW-60D-12V, 4 meters long, and strip 3528RR-60D-12V, 10 meters long. For the first strip, it is known to consume 14.4W/m, or 4X14.4=57.6W totally. For the second strip, 4.8W/m, respectively, or 4.8X10=48W totally. For both strips, the total value is 105.6W. Both strips are 12V and can be connected in parallel to one power supply source. You have to look for a power supply source with parameters of 12V/110W, or more powerful.

There is a special feature that is rarely mentioned in spite of its significance: the LEDs consume more electricity when they are hotter. That is why; it is required to use a power supply source that has greater power reserve (or electricity).

Yes, they can, but only with maximum power. It is sufficient to supply them with power from an adapter or a stabilizer.

Yes, they can, but only according to a preset program. We can install such a program to the controller before sending it to you. The type of implemented program is to be agreed. The recording of one program costs 50 BGN VAT included.

More than 100 000 times.

No! Despite that the electronics has a varnish coating, take measures to avoid falling of liquids on the controller. We also offer a water-proof version of the controllers but only upon an order.

This is a mode to supply power to the strips or LEDs that resembles very quick switching on and off. If we change the time for switching on and off, we can control the brightness. Please have in mind that brightness is not really changed but eyes perceive the light in such a way because of the existing time-delay.