The logic behind exterior lighting wiring and voltage drop will shed light on some of the most common mistakes made in the market. This is because this is the technical aspect that answers the question of why lights are dim. Let's elaborate on this topic.
What is the logic behind exterior lighting cabling?
The most stable solution for minimizing voltage drop in exterior facade projects. 24 Volt LED Bar Models The system is built around this. Therefore, exterior facade products generally operate with 24V DC electricity. Since low voltage can cause voltage drop, there are very important points to consider in cabling.
Cabling and Grouping Planning
Front lighting project while linear lighting LED products should be grouped according to architectural requirements, panel placement, and ease of installation. Then, a power supply should be calculated for each group. For example, only 15 meters of linear LEDs and a panel can be placed around the parapet on the roof. This is one group. If 20 meters of linear LEDs and a panel can be placed in the cable shaft on the front facade, this will also be one group.
Let's continue with our example. If 1 meter of linear LED has a power of 10W, then the power consumption for the roof will be 15 meters x 10W = 150W. Therefore, a higher-end 200W 24V DC power supply will suffice here. For the facade, the power consumption is calculated as 20 meters x 10W = 200W. A 350W 24V DC power supply is needed here. Now you have completed your planning:
- Group-1 (Roof): 15 meters of LEDLine and 1 x 200W 24V DC power supply.,
- Group 2 (Front Facade): 20 meters of LEDLine and 1 x 350W 24V DC power supply.
To determine the total amount of energy you need What is Watt (Power)? You can review the basic calculation principles in our guide.
Why Choose a Parallel Connection?
So how will the wiring be done? For information on splicing cables together and safely connecting luminaires, see [link to wiring diagram]. How to Connect a Bar LED? You can also review our article. You must connect linear LEDs in series. Linear LEDs, which have cables at both the input and output, should be connected in series according to your grouping plan. Then, the main power cable should be run according to the cable cross-section selected based on the distance between the first LED and the panel. This cable undertakes the task of supplying power between the power supply and the first LED. Now let's move on to the parallel power supply logic:
Take the cable from the first power supply and connect it to the other series in a skipped manner. LEDLine products You need to connect them in between. This way, you've created a parallel jumper power supply for LEDs that are already connected in series. You can hide all these wires invisibly in the concealment space behind the LEDs. In this way, you've powerfully powered linear LED products with both series and parallel connections. In other words, you've multiplied the power supply points.
As a result, this cabling method prevents voltage drop. Thus, there will be no dimming of light towards the end over long distances. Since every point provides light with the same intensity, you will obtain uninterrupted linear light. In addition, thanks to the parallel connection, in case of a malfunction, the faulty part does not affect the others. In case of a malfunction, only that faulty part turns off. This means that fault detection is easy.
Relationship Between Distance and Cable Cross-Section
We mentioned that the distance between the panel and the LEDs should be as close as possible to prevent voltage drop. However, if the cable cross-section is thinner than necessary, voltage drop will occur and the light will dim. To avoid voltage drop, you must choose the correct cable cross-section. According to standards, it is necessary to stay within the %3 voltage drop limit. This is known as the safe zone. We don't want to make the subject mathematically complicated, but you can use calculation programs for this. If the cross-section resulting from the calculation is a fractional number, you should choose a cable with a larger cross-section. Thus, we have answered the questions of what voltage drop is and how it affects lighting, and how to prevent loss in light intensity. Now let's look at other points you need to pay attention to.
Points to Consider During Cabling in Facade Lighting Projects
- Voltage Drop: As mentioned above, you should pay attention to the mounting grouping, distances, and cable cross-sections. For high-quality on/off facade lighting, you should work with professional electrician teams to ensure uninterrupted and homogeneous light. This will ensure a successful installation and long-lasting use.
- What type of cable should be used?: You can choose TTR cable type. This cable has a multi-strand structure. Therefore, it is flexible and facilitates installation. Since it is a copper conductor, conductor losses are minimal. The outermost PVC insulation protects the copper cable. However, we still recommend adding extra protection to the exposed parts with piping for exterior applications.
- Use of Cable Trays and Protective Pipes: Our linear LED models have a concealment space on the back. This also gives the product a cable channel feature. You can also hide the mounting brackets in this channel. However, if there is a gap between the linear lights, the cables will be exposed. In addition, the main power cable between the panel and the first LED should not be left unprotected. Therefore, you will need to use a separate cable channel or piping in some places.
- Oxidation and Insulation Problems at JointsFuture oxidation may prevent energy transmission. Professional applications should be used at cable splices. For exposed cable connections... solder If you don't want to, we recommend using terminal blocks, securely applying insulation tape, and using heat-shrinkable tubing.
- Incorrect Polarity Connections: DC electricity has positive and negative power supplies. Generally, the positive cable is red and the negative cable is black. You must connect the cables color-matching. Incorrect connections can cause short circuits, trigger the power supply to protect itself, or even malfunction.
If you have read and taken notes on the correct panel wiring details, then you can proceed to our main guide for LED driver selection. Exterior On/Off Lighting: Professional Project Design Guide You can return to our article.
Don't let the LED lights on your building facade dim! Incorrect cable cross-section selection and faulty grouping can turn your entire lighting investment into a visual disappointment. To achieve an even and uninterrupted line of light throughout your building, you must rely on mathematical voltage drop calculations. Contact us today for a project-specific cabling plan, cross-section calculation, and installation support; don't leave your lighting to chance.
