Technical
Power, voltage drop, run length and the engineering behind a reliable installation.
Class 2 LED Drivers Explained for Low-Voltage LED Strip
What the Class 2 marking on an LED driver actually buys you, how the 100 VA ceiling shapes a layout, and how to split a long run across several drivers.
How to Wire LED Strip to a 0-10V Dimmer
How a 0-10V dimmer and driver talk to each other, the wiring step by step, how many drivers one dimmer can handle, and the mistakes that leave strips stuck at full.
Which LED Strip Dimmer Switch Works? TRIAC, ELV, 0-10V, DALI and DMX Compared
The wall dimmer never dims the strip directly. It talks to the driver or controller, and the two have to speak the same language. Here is how to pick the method that fits the job.
Do LED Strip Lights Get Hot? Heat Sinks, Channels and Lifespan
LED strip runs warm, not hot, yet heat is still what decides how long it lasts. How mounting, channels and watts per foot change the picture, and how to check an install.
LED Strip Wire Gauge Chart for 12V and 24V Runs
How far you can run 18, 16, 14, 12 and 10 AWG from the driver to the strip at 12V and 24V, and when a closer driver or a second feed beats heavier wire.
LED Strip Lumens per Foot: How Much Light Each Application Needs
Typical lumens per foot for each application, how to convert from per-meter specs, and a worked kitchen example that turns a target light level into a strip choice.
Why LED Strip Lights Flicker and How to Fix It
Flicker at full brightness, flicker when dimmed, a ghost glow when the switch is off and banding on camera all have different causes. Here's how to tell them apart and fix each one.
LED Strip Not Working After Cutting? A Troubleshooting Guide
A strip that worked on the reel and goes dark after cutting is almost always fixable. Here's how to find the fault with a multimeter and fix it for good.
LED Strip Voltage Drop Explained: 12V vs 24V, Run Length and Power Injection
Why the far end of a run goes dim and warm, and the three ways to fix it, with the arithmetic to check a layout.
Looking for the fundamentals?
The Lighting Guide covers CRI, color temperature, IP ratings, power and control in thirteen reference topics.