High voltage or low voltage for outdoor light strips?

2024/04led strip light source

Outdoor light strip is a kind of lamp specially used for outdoor lighting and decoration. It consists of one or more flexible lines composed of LED lamp beads, which can be bent and cut as needed to adapt to various shapes and scenes. There are many types and specifications of outdoor lighting strips, one of the important differences is the voltage. So, should outdoor light strips use high voltage or low voltage? In fact, there is no fixed answer to this question. The choice should be based on the specific situation and needs. Next, let’s analyze the characteristics of high-voltage and low-voltage outdoor light strips, and what kind of occasions they are suitable for.


Outdoor high voltage light strip

Features of high voltage outdoor light strips
High-voltage outdoor light strips refer to light strips that use a working voltage of 220V, which is the power supply we usually use at home. High voltage outdoor lights have the following characteristics:

advantage:
Easy to install: High-voltage outdoor light strips do not require additional transformers or drivers and can be directly connected to household power supplies without complex wiring arrangements.
Long transmission distance: High-voltage outdoor light strips can support continuous use up to more than 100 meters without problems of light attenuation or current loss.
High lamp bead density: high-voltage outdoor light strips can have 60 or 120 LED light beads per meter, which are brighter and denser than low-voltage light strips.
shortcoming:
Poor safety: Although high-voltage outdoor light strips have been specially treated to be waterproof, dustproof, anti-corrosive, and anti-UV, there is still a risk of electric shock or leakage, especially in humid or rainy environments.
Difficulty in adjustment: It is not easy to change the color and effect of outdoor light strips with high voltage. It requires a special controller or remote control, which is more troublesome to operate.
Higher cost: Due to higher technical requirements and higher production costs, high-voltage outdoor light strips are more expensive than low-voltage light strips.


Outdoor low voltage light strip

Features of low voltage outdoor light strips
Low-voltage outdoor light strips refer to light strips that use a safe voltage of 12V or 24V, which is the battery power supply we usually use. Low voltage outdoor light strips have the following characteristics:

advantage:
Good safety: Outdoor light strips use low voltage and safe voltage, which can avoid the risk of electric shock or leakage. They are suitable for use in places with dense crowds or children's activities.
Easy to adjust: Low-voltage outdoor light strips can be intelligently controlled through wireless remote control, mobile APP, voice control, etc., to achieve arbitrary switching of colors and effects.
Lower cost: Due to lower technical requirements and lower production costs, low-voltage outdoor light strips are cheaper than high-voltage light strips.
shortcoming:
Troublesome installation: Low-voltage outdoor light strips require additional transformers or drivers, and converting household power to safe voltage requires complex wiring arrangements.
Short transmission distance: Low-voltage outdoor light strips can generally only support continuous use of 5 meters or 10 meters. Beyond this distance, problems of light attenuation or current loss will occur.
The density of lamp beads is low: low-voltage outdoor light strips only have 30 or 60 LED lamp beads per meter, which are dimmer and sparse than high-voltage light strips.


Outdoor light strip scene

High voltage or low voltage for outdoor light strips? Suitable for what occasion
To sum up, whether to use high voltage or low voltage for outdoor light strips depends on the specific occasion and needs. Generally speaking, high-voltage light strips can be selected under the following circumstances:

Requires continuous use over long distances, such as fences, railings, building outlines, etc.
High-brightness and high-density lighting effects are required, such as billboards, signs, signs, etc.
There is no need to frequently adjust colors and effects, just fix one mode, such as white light, warm light, cold light, etc.
 
In the following situations, you can choose low-voltage light strips:

Safety and reliability are required, such as in areas with dense crowds or children's activities.
Flexible and intelligent control methods are required, such as wireless remote controls, mobile APPs, voice control, etc.
There is no need for long-distance continuous use, only short-distance local decoration, such as gardens, terraces, trees, etc.
Of course, these are just some suggestions. You can choose the outdoor light strip that suits you according to your own preferences and budget