Are you planning to take the plunge and replace your bulb lighting system for a modern, economical and fashionable system? Then your choice has naturally turned to LED lighting, adaptable to all installations, and for a reduced budget! The installation of 24V LED ribbons, for example, is child's play to install, but you must be aware of some technical specificities related to their use. Don't worry, you will have in a few minutes all the keys in hand for an optimal use of your new LED lighting system, safely, thanks to the 220V 24V transformer.
The 220V 24V transformer: as crucial a choice as your LED lighting installation.
The question is not "Do you need a 220V 24V transformer for your LED installation? "The question is not "Do you need a 220V 24V transformer for your LED installation? Indeed, whatever LED installation you have selected, such as a 24V LED ribbon for example, you will need to alter the 220V AC current that is in force in France, to adapt it to the specific characteristics of your new installation. Indeed, LEDs operate on direct current, sometimes with a voltage much lower than 220V. For 24V LED ribbons you will need, not surprisingly, a voltage at the output of the 24V transformer.
More precisely, a 220V 24V transformer is composed of three parts: a first transformer that adapts the input voltage (220V) to a voltage that is tolerable for the LEDs. In the second part comes a diode bridge to rectify the current and convert it into direct current. Finally, the third component is a filter capacitor to regulate the output voltage. Indeed, the LEDs tolerate only a slight variation of this one (0.3V). Some old transformers have an output tolerance of 10V, so be very careful and prefer to invest in newer equipment. Also, some transformers have alternating current output, and you might be tempted to use such a transformer for LEDs stamped "AC adaptable" (AC). Although allowed by the hardware, it is possible that eventually the use of this type of transformer will impact the lifetime of your LED system.
The LED revolution
The invention of light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, in the 20th century was a turning point in the history of lighting. Today they have many applications and are used in public lighting, offices, stores, as well as household appliances. Eventually they could replace incandescent lamps. Some experts even speak of a monopoly of LED lighting by 2035!
Available in several color temperatures: warm white, neutral white and cool white for example, and less fragile than conventional bulbs, they allow you to adapt your installation to all your desires. LED lamps are indeed available for example in the form of very thin ribbons for ultra-fast installation, to fit your wildest ideas: adaptable to corridors, furniture, bars, cabinets ...
For a very personalized rendering. LED is the modern and aesthetic lighting par excellence, not to mention its ecological and economic advantages. Their power consumption is divided by 6 compared to conventional compact fluorescent or halogen bulbs, for an equivalent lighting power. Indeed, LEDs do not suffer any energy loss through heat emission, unlike halogen lamps. Their lifetime is also unbeatable: from 15 to 20 years for LEDs, 10 times longer than the average lifetime of a compact fluorescent bulb. This is because LEDs are much more resistant to successive switching on and off.
If you have decided to change your installation for LEDs, very good choice! You can create the atmosphere that suits you best. LEDs are available for outdoor use, so be sure to check carefully the conditions of use and waterproofing of the equipment before you invest.
Installing a 220V 24V transformer in practice
Two parameters are crucial in the choice of a 220V 24V transformer: not surprisingly for the do-it-yourselfers that you are, these parameters are the voltage and the power in Watts. The output voltage of the transformer must correspond to the voltage of your installation, typically 24V for a 24V LED ribbon for example. For power, you will have to multiply the power consumption of your 24V LED ribbon by the number of meters you plan to connect to the 220V 24V transformer.
So, for a 3 meter long 24V LED ribbon with a power consumption of 72W, you will need a 220V 24V transformer with a maximum power of more than 3*72, i.e. 216W. A 220V 24V transformer comes in a small silent box, which is very easy to install.
Choosing your 220V 24V transformer: a matter of security
Now you have all the keys to a successful 24V LED ribbon installation! The final word will be safety: don't neglect to buy a good 220V 24V transformer, and choose quality. Make sure that your 220V 24V transformer guarantees protection of your system against short circuits, overloads and overvoltages. The maximum temperature that the transformer can withstand must be higher than the temperature of your home and the installation.
Be careful not to use a dedicated 220V 24V transformer indoors for outdoor use. Check the technical characteristics and especially the resistance to humidity if you are looking for a 220V 24V transformer for outdoor use. Finally, we can only strongly advise you to buy equipment validated by the CE standard, to avoid any risk of fire. The choice of your 220V 24V transformer depends on the safety and especially the longevity of your entire LED lighting system.
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