Calculate the recommended cable cross-section for installing LED strips, check the voltage drop and compare power supply from one end or both ends.
Enter the power rating, the length of the cable, the distance to the power supply and the cable specifications. The tool will carry out the calculations and tell you the recommended cable cross-section for the project.
Multiple strips and routes · feeding from one or both ends · recommended cross-section
Add a group for each different length or route. If several strips are exactly the same, you can specify several units within the same group.
| Group | Food | Tour | A worse fall | Recommended section | Status |
|---|
| Results by course | Winger A | Winger B | Worst-case scenario |
|---|
Swipe the diagram sideways to view it in full.
Dual power supply: When «Both ends» is selected, it is assumed that the current is distributed approximately 50:% between
each end. This is a suitable approximation when both paths have similar resistances.
The internal resistance of the strip’s tracks cannot be determined from the W/m value alone.
RGB (4 wires): It is assumed that the common positive is present and that the R/G/B returns are approximately balanced; the calculation uses
the common positive plus the return from the colour channel.
Important: The voltage drop is never exactly zero. This tool calculates the cable size so as not to exceed
the maximum percentage indicated. It is for guidance only: you must also check the permissible current, the
protection measures, the temperature, the type of installation, the applicable regulations and the
manufacturer’s specifications. The dual-feed warning is configurable: the actual maximum length depends on the
construction and cross-section of the copper tracks on each strip.
The correct cable cross-section depends on the power consumption of the LED strip, the supply voltage, the installed length and the distance between the power supply and the strip.
To carry out the calculation:
Select the supply voltage: 12 V or 24 V.
Please specify whether the LED strip is a two-wire white strip or a four-wire RGB strip.
Enter the power consumption per metre of strip.
Write down the length of each LED strip.
Indicate the number of strips to be installed.
Enter the length and cross-section of the cable that is soldered to the strip.
Add the distance between the power supply and the start of the strip.
Select whether the strip will be fed from one end or from both ends.
Check the voltage drop and the recommended commercial size.
The calculator selects the trade section immediately above the minimum section calculated. If none of the sections entered meets the set limit, it will display a ‘section insufficient’ warning.
The tool automatically calculates:
Total installed capacity.
The approximate current in each strip.
The maximum permissible voltage drop.
The calculated minimum cross-sectional area.
The recommended shopping section.
The voltage drop along each section.
The difference between feeding the strip from one end or from both ends.
The most suitable power configuration based on length.
With a short strip, it may be sufficient to supply power from just one end. When the strip is longer, supplying power to both ends from the same source helps to distribute the current and reduces the voltage drop within the strip itself.
Powering the strip from both ends does not double the power output. The same power supply feeds both ends of the strip via two correctly sized cable runs.
In sealed strips that cannot be fed from an intermediate source, this configuration can be particularly useful.
The result provided by the calculator is intended as a technical guide for preparing the project. Before installation, you should also check the manufacturer’s instructions, the actual voltage of the power supply, the temperature, the maximum permissible length, the connections, the sealing system and the specific installation conditions.
In swimming pool installations, use components suitable for the environment, ensure connections are properly protected, and ensure that equipment is installed outside prohibited areas.
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