Choosing a Power Supply
Non-Dimmable Power Supplies | ||||||
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Power Supply | SKU | Max Continuous Wattage | Recommended Wattage Load | Output Voltage | Input Voltage | IP Rating |
18W LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-18 | 14.4W | 0-14.4W | ✔ 12VDC, ✔ 24VDC | 100-265VAC | IP67 |
30W LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-30 | 24W | 0-24W | ✔ 12VDC, ✔ 24VDC | 100-265VAC | IP67 |
60W LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-60 | 48W | 0-48W | ✔ 12VDC, ✔ 24VDC | 100-265VAC | IP67 |
100W LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-100 | 76W | 0-76W | ✔ 12VDC, ✔ 24VDC | 100-265VAC | IP67 |
150W LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-150 | 120W | 0-120W | ✔ 12VDC, ✔ 24VDC | 100-265VAC | IP67 |
200W LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-200 | 160W | 0-160W | ✔ 12VDC, ✔ 24VDC | 100-265VAC | IP67 |
250W LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-250 | 200W | 0-200W | ✔ 12VDC, ✔ 24VDC | 100-277VAC | IP67 |
300W LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-300 | 240W | 0-240W | ✔ 12VDC, ✔ 24VDC | 100-240VAC | IP67 |
400W Switching LED Power Supply | AL-PS-N-400 | 320W | 0-320W | ✔ 12VDC, ✔ 24VDC | 120VAC | DRY |
Landscape Transformer 150W | AL-PS-W-150-LLT-12VAC | 120W | 0-120W | ✔ 120VAC | 100-120VAC | IP65 |
Landscape Transformer 300W | AL-PS-W-300-LT | 240W | 0-240W | ✔ 12VAC | 120VAC | IP65 |
Dimmable Power Supplies | ||||||
Power Supply | SKU | Max Continuous Wattage | Recommended Wattage Load | Output Voltage | Input Voltage | IP Rating |
20W Dimmable Power Supply | AL-PS-W-D-20 | 16W | 12-16W | ✔ 24VDC | 90-135VAC | IP40 |
30W Dimmable Power Supply | AL-PS-W-D-30 | 24W | 18-24W | ✔ 24VDC | 100-277VAC | IP67 |
45W Dimmable Power Supply | AL-PS-W-D-45 | 36W | 27-36W | ✔ 24VDC | 90-135VAC | IP40 |
60W Dimmable LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-D-60 | 48W | 36-48W | ✔ 24VDC | 100-130VAC | IP65 |
80W Dimmable LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-D-80 | 64W | 48-64W | ✔ 12VDC, ✔ 24VDC | 100-130VAC | IP65 |
100W MLV Dimmable Power Supply | AL-PS-W-100-MLV | 80W | 60-80W | ✔ 12VDC,✔ 24VDC | 120VAC | Dry |
150W MLV Dimmable Power Supply | AL-PS-W-150-MLV | 120W | 72-120W | ✔ 12VDC,✔ 24VDC | 120VAC | Dry |
200W MLV Dimmable Power Supply | AL-PS-W-200-MLV | 160W | 120-160W | ✔ 12VDC,✔ 24VDC | 120VAC | Dry |
300W MLV Dimmable Power Supply | target="_blank">AL-PS-W-300-MLV | 250W | 180-250W | ✔ 24VDC | 120VAC | Dry |
96W 0-10V Dimmable LED Power Supply | AL-PS-W-96-0-10V | 76.8W | 0-76.8W | ✔ 24VDC | 100-277VAC | IP67 |
When do I need a power supply?
You need a power supply any time your fixture voltage does not match the voltage of your power source. For example, most residential wall outlets supply 110VAC. To run a 24VDC strip light, you would need a power supply to step down from 110VAC to 24VDC.<
What if I already have a low voltage power source?
For marine and RV installations that already have a good, clean, regulated 12VDC or 24VDC power source, you will not need a power supply. You must make sure the power source voltage matches the input voltage of the fixture you are installing, as some of our products are not available for low voltage applications. It's also important to make sure the fixture and power source are both DC (direct current), or both AC (alternating current), as DC current is not compatible with AC current.
I already have a low voltage power supply. Can I use that instead of buying yours?
When selecting a power supply for our LED lights, we highly recommend using our power supplies as they have been tested to work well with our products. However, other power supplies may work as well. Make sure the watt capacity of your power supply is sufficient for your project and that the output voltage of your power supply matches the voltage required by your light fixture. We are not responsible for warranty claims resulting from incorrect power supplies
It’s important to note that any driver included with a fixture cannot be substituted for a different driver. Drivers are a separate component from the power supply and are required for the fixture to operate correctly. Low voltage fixtures which include a driver, such as our round recessed lights, will also require a power supply in addition to the included driver. These drivers are matched specifically to our products - using a different driver will not work and can damage your fixture.
What's the difference between ELV, MLV, and controller dimming?
When using a standard dimmer switch with a dimmable power supply, the dimming occurs on the line side of the power supply. There are two types of dimming commonly used by standard, line-side dimmer switches: Forward Phase (Leading Edge), and Reverse Phase (ELV). Dimmers work by modulating the signal of the input (line) voltage to reduce the power going to the power supply. ELV (Electronic Low Voltage) or reverse phase dimming, modulates the input power by turning on at the beginning of the signal cycle, and turning off in the middle of the signal cycle. MLV (magnetic low voltage) is a type of forward phase dimming. Forward phase dimmers modulate the input power by turning on in the middle of the signal cycle and turning off at the end of the signal cycle. MLV power supplies must be paired with an MLV compatible dimmer switch and are only compatible with strip lights. Using MLV style components with non-MLV products will cause damage and poor performance.
Recommended dimmers for both MLV and ELV include:
Controller/PWM dimming is different from forward phase or reverse phase dimming because the dimming occurs on the low voltage side of the power supply. That's why it is used with our non-dimmable power supplies. All dimming is done through the controller, not the power supply. .
Recommended products:
Are your power supplies UL listed?
Please see the chart above for the certifications for each of our power supplies.
Some of your power supplies appear to plug into wall outlets. How do I wire that into a dimmer or light switch?
If allowed by local electrical codes, to hardwire your power supply you can cut the plug off, strip the wires back and hardwire it to your light switch. This will not invalidate the UL listing or warranty.
What's the difference between a driver, a power supply, and an amplifier?
- Driver: A driver limits the current and voltage for a single light fixture, ensuring that the individual LED fixture receives the appropriate amount of power without exceeding its limitations.
- Power Supply: A power supply, in this context, is a device capable of accommodating multiple fixtures. It maintains a constant voltage, such as 12 volts DC or 24 volts DC, allowing for the addition of multiple lights. Each power supply has a specific wattage output capacity. The size of the power supply required for your project will be determined by the total wattage of the lights (or load) being connected to the power supply.
- Transformer: Transformers simply transform a voltage down to a specified level. Since power supplies and drivers both transform voltages (albeit to different levels), they are both technically transformers. The term transformer is more commonly used when referring to the power supply in a low voltage system.
Does the power supply have to be mounted immediately next to the fixture(s)?
No, the power supply does not need to be mounted directly next to your fixture/light. When mounting your power supply in a remote location, it is important to make sure it is in an accessible location. It also crucial to make sure your extension wire is the correct gauge to avoid/reduce voltage drop. Our LED lighting products will operate normally with up to a maximum of 3% voltage drop. If you measure your voltage drop to be higher than 3% at the end of one of your wire runs, you will need to either shorten your wire length, or use a thicker wire gauge (or both). If you are unsure on how to proceed with your wiring, we recommend consulting with a certified licensed electrician to determine the correct size wire for your application.