Choosing A Controller, Dimmer, & Power Supply for LED Strip Lights

An LED strip light controller acts as the command center for adjusting the color, brightness, and other effects of LED light strips. Remote controls and smartphone apps allow you to send commands to the strip controller, which adjusts the voltage and current to the LEDs, altering their brightness and color output.

The easiest way to dim your LED strip lights is to choose a controller that has dimming capabilities. The vast majority of strip light controllers have built-in dimming options, and this allows for a simplified purchasing journey.

There are several types of LED strip controllers: RGB, RGB+W, RGB+CCT, and single color controllers. Your strip light controller must be compatible with whichever strip light you want to control. Otherwise, your controller will not be able to control all the parts of your strip light. For example, if you used an RGB controller on an RGBW strip light, the controller could only control the RGB diodes, not the white ones. 

Additionally, some display options will depend on your strip's functionality. For instance, a controller that can change the individual LED modules of an addressable strip light cannot individually change a non-addressable strip light. Identify the type of LED strip you have and choose a controller that fits those specifications.

Next, you need to decide the display options you want for your strip lights. Depending on your LED strip light, you can change the brightness, color, mode, and color temperature. However, these display options depend on the controller and remote option you choose. Some remotes are simple and have basic controls, while new smartphone apps offer advanced display options like preset modes and music sync. To decide whether a remote or smart app is best for your application, determine what you want the strip lights to do and where or how they’ll be installed. Keep in mind, some controllers can support both remote controls and apps if you aren’t sure which control you want or if you change your mind.

There are a variety of controller types including ones that integrate into hub systems and connect with Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi. If you want your strip lights to integrate into a smart lighting system, choose a controller that is Bluetooth or Wi-Fi compatible.

How Do I Select a Power Supply for My Strip Lights? 

Power supplies are essential for strip lights to function properly. A couple of factors to consider when shopping for the right power supply for strip lights include:

• Voltage: The power supply must output the same voltage as the strip light. Strip lights are designed to work at a specific voltage. Using a 12V strip light on a 24V power supply will cause the strip light to overheat and fail. However, a 24V strip light on a 12V power supply won’t be able to light up. 

• Wattage: Consider the power supply’s wattage in relation to the strip light's wattage. The power supply must have a wattage at least 20 percent greater than the wattage of the strip light. You can calculate this using the equation below. 

For example, this 24V COB strip is 16.4ft long and 3.1 watts per foot. 

The calculation would give you a minimum power supply wattage of 63.55 (see below).

• 16.4 x 3.1 = 50.84          

• 50.84/0.80= 63.55

For the 24V selection of this strip light, we recommend this DiodeDrive 24 VDC Constant Voltage LED Power Supply. 

• Dimmable vs. Non-Dimmable: Decide whether you want a dimmable or non-dimmable installation. Our power supplies indicate whether they are ELV, MLV, or 0-10V dimmable or non-dimmable on the product page. To dim LED strips using a non-dimmable power supply, you’ll need to add a PWM dimmer or LED strip controller between the power supply output and the LED strip input.

• Single Color/White vs. Color-Changing/Tunable CCT: Dimming single CCT LED strips can be achieved using a TRIAC (phase-cut) or 0-10V dimmer with a compatible dimmable power supply. If you prefer to use a PWM dimmer instead, we recommend pairing it with a non-dimmable power supply. For controlling tunable CCT or color-changing strips, you will need an appropriate LED strip controller and a non-dimmable power supply.

Check out this blog for more information on how to choose the best LED strip light power supply.

What Are The Different Ways to Dim My Strip Light With a Power Supply?

There are several ways to dim your strip lights with a power supply. The graphic provides a quick look at different power supply and controller options based on your dimming preferences and strip light type. 

You can use a power supply with a TRIAC wall dimmer or power supply, a 0-10V dimmer, or a PWM controller or wall dimmer. The dimmer must be designed for LED technology because incandescent dimmers can damage LED strip lights. 

TRIAC Dimming 

TRIAC (Triode for Alternating Current) adjusts the voltage waveform to create an average current supplying the needed brightness. If you use a TRIAC wall dimmer, make sure your power supply can interpret the signals to send the right current to your strip lights. To do this, you must use a TRIAC-compatible power supply.

Use a TRIAC dimmer and dimmable power supply to wire your strip lights directly to your 120V wall socket. Most LED strip lights are low-voltage, so to connect them to your home’s main power, convert the 120 VAC into the correct voltage (usually 12V or 24V DC). 

0-10V Dimming 

A second option is to use a 0-10V dimmer with a 0-10V dimmable power supply. Connect your strip light to one of the power supply outputs and the 0-10V dimmer to the low-voltage output wires.

PWM Dimming

If you have a single-color strip light that you want to control the brightness levels of, you can use a DC PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) dimmer. This is installed between the power supply and your strip light.

Yes, it's possible to control multiple LED strips with a single remote, but the strip lights and remote must be designed to do so. Some remotes are designed to control multiple zones or groups of LED strips, allowing you to synchronize their lighting effects or adjust their settings simultaneously. Make sure the remote and LED controller support multi-zone control in order to control multiple strips together. One popular hub system is the Wireless MiBoxer Smart Lighting Ecosystem which allows you to connect various smart lights and control them with one remote. 

To connect LED strip lights to a controller, you generally need to follow these steps:

1. Ensure the controller is compatible with your LED strip type (RGB, RGBW, single-color, etc.).
2. Connect the positive terminal of the LED strip to the corresponding positive terminal on the controller. Depending on the type of LED strip and controller, you also need to connect the RGB or RGBW wires to their corresponding terminals.
3. Connect a power supply to the controller. Make sure the power source can supply the correct voltage of the strip light.
4. Plug in the power supply and test the connection to ensure the LED strip responds to the controller's commands.

These steps might vary depending on the specific controller you have. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Yes, you can control LED strip lights with your phone using a smartphone app. Many modern LED controllers offer Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to connect your phone to the controller and control the LED strips through the app. This provides convenient control over your strip light colors, brightness, and effects.

Addressable LED strips, also known as individually programmable LED strips, require a controller that supports their specific technology. Brands like MiBoxer use a smart app that gives you the freedom to program and control individual strip light LED diodes to create complex patterns and effects.

Not all LED remotes are universally compatible with all LED controllers. You must choose a remote that is specifically compatible with the controller you have. Most strip light controllers will state which remotes or apps they work with. 

Complete strip light kits are available if you want to skip the hassle of finding strip lights, controllers, and remotes that work together. These kits come with everything needed for a strip light installation. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.