LED lighting is a great way to create beautiful and aesthetically pleasing areas. It is also very energy efficient and long lasting, which means you can save money in the future. To make the most of this, it is important to learn how to wire LED lights correctly.
First, you will need to decide how you are going to wire your lights. Whether you want to mount them on the wall, use a switch or simply wire them directly into your power source, there are many different options available. Once you have decided what type of wiring is needed, it is time to start assembling your LED light kit.
Wiring Straight Through The Panel
To wire your LED lights straight through your electrical panel, start by securing the white (positive) wires on each strip with spade connectors. You will then need to connect these wires to your switch box, as per the diagram below.
Next, you will need to run your white (positive) wires down to the bottom of the panel where you will have the black ground wire. This is where the fuse will be located.
You will need to crimp the wires together, making sure that they are well-connected and insulated. This will prevent you from getting an electric shock.
Once you have the wires connected to your switch, you will need to make sure that they are plugged into a power source correctly. This is easy to do with a battery or a 12V outlet, but be sure to check near the wires to see if you have a positive (+) or negative (-) symbol on each wire before connecting them.
Connecting To A Relay
When you are putting your LED lights in a controlled space, it is best to use a relay to control the power. This will help to ensure that the lights work properly and don’t turn off or on too quickly.
For example, if you are using them in a kitchen or bathroom, then the lights will need to be turned on and off at a consistent rate. This will help them to work efficiently and keep the area clean.
You will need to choose a switch that is capable of handling the current your LED lights are drawing, which is generally 15amps. You will need to wire the LED light strips into the switch in such a way that they are protected from short circuits, which can damage the strip.
You will also need to connect the wires on each strip from the switch to your power supply, either in a series or parallel fashion. The LEDs should be wired in series to ensure that you get the maximum voltage output from your power source, but if you are using them in a more compact space, then it might be easier to wire them in parallel. This will minimize the amount of wires that need to be connected and will allow you to wire your lights more easily.