This, already 51 in a row, question with just such a title was asked by the reader Elena. And I continue to publish for the "question-answer" section. Let me remind you that if you have your own answer to a question, then write it in the comments below. I and other readers will be happy to read it.
I quote the question from Elena verbatim:
Good day! In the steam room, the following tapes were used for lighting: on the shelves - SMD LED tape 14.4 in silicone IP68 12V ~ 9 meters; - on the ceiling LED strip SMD in silicone IP68 24 V ~ 6 meters. To turn them on / off, a 10A max dimmer is installed: 120Ts12 / 24 ^ 240W. With an increase in the brightness of the light, ~ on the sixth division on the remote control, the tape on the ceiling starts to blink (quickly turn on and off). Can you please tell me if the dimmer has been selected with sufficient power? If so, how do you fix the problem? Thank!
I reviewed the issue and advised Elena within the framework of my knowledge and qualifications as follows:
Hello!
Since your LED strip is blinking, then there is definitely some problem. If I understand you correctly, then the dimmer is designed for a rated load of 10A. According to the power of LED strips, you use two segments of 9 and 6 m with a nominal value of 14.4 W / m. Accordingly, when calculating the total load on the dimmer, we get the following results: (6 + 9) × 14.4 = 216 W. To convert power into amperage, we use the formula:
I = P / U = 216/12 = 18 A
Accordingly, both tapes, if you connected them to one dimmer, consume 18 A with a permissible load on the switch of 10 A. But further marking confuses - 120C12 / 24-240W, I would like to see this designation on the device itself.
If the tapes are connected differently and do not simultaneously create such a large load on the dimmer, then, among other reasons, one can single out:
- insufficient power of the power supply - the load from the LED strips significantly exceeds the permissible for the source;
- you used a cheap Chinese power supply, in which the real power parameters are much lower than stated in the device passport;
- the contact is broken, as a rule, at the place where the tape is soldered to the wire cores - due to a poor connection, the contact resistance increases, which is the cause of flickering;
- the batteries in the dimmer control panel are dead;
- the operation of the electronic device at a specific position is incorrectly configured.