Voltage Compatibility (5V Max):
- Your LED strip requires 5V, so you must use a power adapter that outputs exactly 5V. Using an adapter with a higher voltage (e.g., 12V or 24V) will damage the LEDs.
Power (Wattage) Requirements:
Calculate the total power (wattage) needed for the LED strip based on its
power consumption per meter
and the
length of the strip
. For example:
- If your LED strip consumes 10 watts per meter and you have a 5-meter strip: Total Power=10 W/m×5 m=50 W\text{Total Power} = 10 \, \text{W/m} \times 5 \, \text{m} = 50 \, \text{W}Total Power=10W/m×5m=50W
Your power adapter must provide at least this wattage to run the strip effectively. For safety, it's best to choose an adapter that provides about 20-30% more wattage than needed (e.g., for 50W, use a 60W adapter).
Current (Amps) Capacity:
- Since power (W) = voltage (V) × current (A), you can calculate the current your LED strip requires: Current=PowerVoltage=50 W5 V=10 A\text{Current} = \frac{\text{Power}}{\text{Voltage}} = \frac{50 \, \text{W}}{5 \, \text{V}} = 10 \, \text{A}Current=VoltagePower=5V50W=10A
- Ensure the adapter can supply at least this much current. For a 50W strip running at 5V, you'll need a power adapter rated for at least 10A.
Connector Compatibility:
- Check that the power adapter has the correct connector type for your LED strip or use an appropriate adapter cable.
Length and Number of LEDs:
If the LED strip is very long or has a high number of LEDs per meter, voltage drop can occur along the strip, causing dimming or uneven lighting.
To prevent this:
- Use thicker wires.
- Connect power at multiple points along the strip to ensure consistent voltage delivery.
- Consider splitting the strip into sections with separate power feeds if needed.
Certifications and Safety:
- Use a high-quality power adapter with certifications such as UL (in the USA) to ensure safety and reliability.
Example Scenario
If your LED strip is 5 meters long, with 60 LEDs per meter, and each LED consumes 0.2W:
- Power per meter = 60×0.2=12 W/m60 \times 0.2 = 12 \, \text{W/m}60×0.2=12W/m
- Total power = 12 W/m×5 m=60 W12 \, \text{W/m} \times 5 \, \text{m} = 60 \, \text{W}12W/m×5m=60W
- Current = 60 W/5 V=12 A60 \, \text{W} / 5 \, \text{V} = 12 \, \text{A}60W/5V=12A
You'd need a 5V adapter rated for at least 12A (or a 60W adapter).
If you provide the exact specs of your LED strip, I can help you calculate the specific requirements!
For a 5-meter strip of WS2812B LEDs with 160 LEDs per meter powered at DC 5V, here's the breakdown of the power and current requirements:
WS2812B Power Consumption
WS2812B LEDs typically consume:
- 0.3W per LED at full brightness (all RGB channels at maximum).
This value will be used to calculate the total power.
Calculations:
Total LEDs:
Total LEDs=160 LEDs/m×5 m=800 LEDs\text{Total LEDs} = 160 \, \text{LEDs/m} \times 5 \, \text{m} = 800 \, \text{LEDs}Total LEDs=160LEDs/m×5m=800LEDs
Total Power:
Total Power=800 LEDs×0.3 W/LED=240 W\text{Total Power} = 800 \, \text{LEDs} \times 0.3 \, \text{W/LED} = 240 \, \text{W}Total Power=800LEDs×0.3W/LED=240W
Current Requirement:
Current=PowerVoltage=240 W5 V=48 A\text{Current} = \frac{\text{Power}}{\text{Voltage}} = \frac{240 \, \text{W}}{5 \, \text{V}} = 48 \, \text{A}Current=VoltagePower=5V240W=48A
Power Adapter Requirements:
- Voltage: 5V DC
- Current: At least 48A
- Power: At least 240W
For safety and to ensure stable operation, use an adapter rated for about 50-60A (300W).
Additional Notes:
Power Injection:
- For WS2812B strips with high current needs, you must inject power at multiple points along the strip (e.g., every 1-2 meters). Without this, you'll experience voltage drop, causing LEDs farther from the power source to dim or malfunction.
Wire Gauge:
- Use thicker wires (e.g., 14 AWG or thicker) for power and ground to handle the high current and reduce resistance.
Heat Management:
- High-power adapters and strips can generate significant heat. Ensure proper ventilation for the power adapter and LED strip.
Lower Brightness to Save Power:
- Running the LEDs at full brightness (all channels at maximum) consumes the most power. If you don't need full brightness, you can reduce it through your controller, significantly lowering power consumption.
Controller Compatibility:
- Ensure your LED controller can handle the number of LEDs (800 in this case). Some controllers have a limit on the number of LEDs they can address.
Example Power Supply:
You could use a 5V 60A (300W) power supply like this:
- Voltage: 5V
- Current: 60A
- Power: 300W
Make sure it is a high-quality, UL-certified supply to ensure safety and reliability.
Let me know if you need further guidance on wiring or selecting a power supply!
Power Consumption per LED
The power consumption per LED varies based on the type of LED and its specifications. While 0.05W/LED and 0.2W/LED are common values for specific types of LEDs, other types of LEDs have different power requirements. Here's a broader list of common types and their power consumption:
Common Power Consumption Values for LEDs
Low-Power LEDs (Single-Color, Non-Addressable)
0.05W per LED
- Found in basic LED strips (single-color or RGB non-addressable).
- Example: SMD 3528 or SMD 5050 in basic configurations.
Mid-Power RGB LEDs (Non-Addressable)
0.2W per LED
- Common in RGB strips where all three colors (R, G, B) share a single power line.
- Example: SMD 5050 with RGB chips, non-addressable.
High-Power RGB LEDs (Addressable)
0.3W per LED
- Found in individually addressable LEDs like WS2812B, APA102, SK6812, or similar.
- Each LED has a built-in driver, increasing power consumption.
Advanced Addressable RGB LEDs (High Efficiency or High Brightness)
0.4W to 0.5W per LED
- Used in advanced strips or high-brightness setups.
- Example: SK9822, or high-output APA102 strips.
COB LED Strips (Chip-On-Board)
8W to 12W per meter
- Continuous lighting with no visible LED spacing.
- Power is measured per meter rather than per LED, as LEDs are densely packed.
UV, IR, or Specialty LEDs
Varies widely:
- UV LEDs: 0.1W to 1W per LED depending on the wavelength and application.
- IR LEDs: 0.02W to 0.5W per LED for remote or sensor applications.
High-Power LED Modules
1W to 3W per LED
- Found in high-output lighting solutions (e.g., flashlights, spotlights).
- Example: Cree LEDs.
How to Identify Power Consumption
If the power consumption isn't specified, look for these clues:
- LED Type: The LED type (e.g., WS2812B, SMD 5050, or COB) provides hints about typical power consumption.
- Datasheet or Specs: Check the manufacturer's datasheet for the exact value.
- Measure with a Multimeter: If safe to do so, measure current draw for a specific section of the strip and extrapolate.
Summary of Common Values
| LED Type | Power per LED | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Color (SMD 3528) | 0.05W | Basic single-color strips. |
| RGB (SMD 5050 Non-Addressable) | 0.2W | Non-addressable RGB strips. |
| WS2812B (Addressable RGB) | 0.3W | Individually controllable. |
| APA102, SK6812 | 0.3W – 0.5W | High-efficiency or high-brightness strips. |
| COB Strips | 8W – 12W/m | Continuous light, no visible spacing. |
| High-Power LEDs (Cree) | 1W – 3W | Used in high-intensity lighting setups. |
When Buying LED Strips:
- Check the LED type and power consumption in the product listing or datasheet.
- If unsure, assume 0.3W/LED for addressable strips (WS2812B, APA102, etc.).
- Always oversize your power supply by 20-30% for safety and reliability.
QuinLED-Dig-Quad
Back to Addressable LEDs section
The QuinLED-Dig-Quad is a Digital LED controller that builds upon the features of the smaller QuinLED-Dig-Uno and has specific features to do larger scale projects while staying compact and offering much of the same features. These features include using an ESP32, screw input and output terminals, high board power handling, onboard fuses, reverse polarity protection circuit and level-shifters it gives you 4 (max 5*) level-shifted outputs for your LED strips and 7 positive and negative terminals run over 5 fuses for easy power distribution and protection to do your power injection runs! Perfect to run a larger number of digital LEDs as easy as possible! It’s also fully compatible with the QuinLED-ESP32 which can be purchased with a board antenna, external or wired Ethernet option!
The board is perfect for driving 4 (5*) ws2812b “neopixel”, ws2811, sk6812, TM1814 or other type of 5v, 12v or 24v addressable LED strip!
The board is supported in the current versions of WLED and ESPixelstick or anything else that runs on an ESP32!
*The pre-assembled has an extra level-shifter output Q1R, this is normally meant to drive a Relay Trigger but if not used for that it can be used as a 5th LED channel
QuinLED-Dig-Quad-AE v2 Pre-Assembled
Board Article Index
Of the QuinLED-Dig-Quad there is a DIY version (you buy the components and build it yourself) and a Pre-Assembled version. Each differ slightly in function so below sections will be divided. Some articles might seem double or the same because of it!
Pre-Assembled version
Pre-Assembled boards for sale!
-
pre-assembled specifications
(4 channel digital LED controller with easy power injection and protection)
DIY version v3 released
QuinLED-Dig-Quad DIY specifications
(4 channel digital LED controller with easy power injection and protection)
Shared articles
QuinLED-Dig-Quad QuinLED WLED Installer (https://install.quinled.info)
QuinLED-Dig-Quad Wiring guide
Dig-Quad relay guide
What diameter cable do you need | What fork terminals will fit the Dig-Quad
- For v1 – Adding 24v Compatability (old, not needed for current DIY v3!)
DIY and Pre-Assembled versions
There are 2 versions of the QuinLED-Dig-Quad, the DIY version you can build yourself and the pre-assembled version you get fully ready to go including pre-flashed with the newest available version of WLED! That way you can just screw in the cables and get started, no soldering required!
The Pre-Assembled version also adds a few features above the DIY version such as an individual level-shifter per output channel and the custom DC-DC circuit which accepts 5v-24v in for both main power and 5vEXT power allowing for even easier configuration vs the DIY version.
Introducing Ethernet boards
To buy the QuinLED-ESP32, please go here
Ethernet combined with certain Home Automation and LED projects can be a worthwhile upgrade over using WiFi. WiFi isn’t as always as usable as you’d like. Maybe you have a crappy provider router or live in a very WiFi congested area. Another possible reason is that you want to run real-time LED shows, streaming a large amount of pixel data using E1.31 or Artnet which can sometimes overwhelm WiFi, especially if we’re talking multiple boards running at the same time. For these situations, where WiFi is not 99.9% reliable, I’m introducing a custom Eternet ESP32 variant, built on top of my recently introduced QuinLED-ESP32 development board and adding Ethernet to it!
These Ethernet version carry all the upgrades that come with the QuinLED-ESP32 board (Like USB-C!). Since we make everything in house, we’ll also have a much better hand at quality control then currently possible with buying externally made Mini 32 boards.
And the best news, ESPhome and WLED both support Ethernet already and work perfectly, so you can use it with your favorite software out of the box! It doesn’t matter if you are buying a board to go onto one of my QuinLED controllers or are going to use it for your own project, if you are looking for a Ethernet enabled ESP32, this might be the board you’ve been looking for!
Ethernet board can only go on top of QuinLED-ESP32 and always comes bundled with one!
Pre-production version
Ethernet board features
The Ethernet board will only be sold combined with an the custom QuinLED-ESP32 board and the pins all pre-soldered. Although the Ethernet is an add-on top board, I don’t feel comfortable selling it as a separate upgrade option without an the QuinLED-ESP32 because of the pinout involved and the custom features it uses from the underlying board, you need this exact match to make it all work.
There isn’t too much to write about the features of the board, it carries all the features of the regular QuinLED-ESP32 board but adds a 10/100 Mbit RJ45 Ethernet port on top of it! The board features it’s own 5v -> 3.3v Linear regulator and draws power through the QuinLED-ESP32 onboard PTC fuse. That means that if you power the QuinLED-ESP32 either using the 5vIN pin on the bottom of the board both the ESP32 and the Ethernet board will be provided with power.
Ethernet cable length has been tested up to 50m without issues, I am current assuming the signal will remain fine up to the specified 100m distance with decent CAT5e Ethernet cable.
No it does not have POE support! 😉
Ethernet Pin out and limitations
The LAN8720A Ethernet Transceiver chip is used and interfaces with the ESP32. This is done over 10x GPIO pins of the ESP32 with a tightly optimized layout to work perfectly together with the QuinLED-ESP32 board.
The following pins are used for the integration and cannot be used in your projects:
| ESP32 GPIO | Function |
|---|---|
| GPIO_5 | Power IC Enable trigger (3.3v High for On) |
| GPIO17 | Clock Signal (from ESP32) |
| GPIO18 | Ethernet (PHY_MDIO) |
| GPIO19 | Ethernet (TXD[0]) |
| GPIO21 | Ethernet (TX_EN) |
| GPIO22 | Ethernet (TXD[1]) |
| GPIO23 | Ethernet (PHY_MDC) |
| GPIO25 | Ethernet (RXD[0]) |
| GPIO26 | Ethernet (RXD[1]) |
| GPIO27 | Ethernet (CRS_DV) |
Please make sure to avoid using these pins!
Some other useful information:
- Type is LAN8720A
- Clock is taken from the ESP32 internally and connected over GPIO17
- The onboard regulator is turned off by default, send a High signal over GPIO5 to turn on the board and with it the Ethernet chip
- Physical address of the chip is 0
Pre-production version
Compatibility with older version Dig boards
You might have noticed that some of the pins mentioned conflict with pins available on the QuinLED-Dig-Uno_v2 or QuinLED-Dig-Quad_v1. Because of this new versions where introduced (with some upgraded features), please see the following article detailing the exact limitations for your configuration.
Example configurations
Here are some examples configurations to help you along!
ESPhome
For ESPhome you can use these configuration values.
ethernet:
type: LAN8720
mdc_pin: GPIO23
mdio_pin: GPIO18
clk_mode: GPIO17_OUT
phy_addr: 0
power_pin: GPIO5
WLED
Since WLED 0.12 the QuinLED-Ethernet is included in the Ethernet version! After booting WLED, connect to it’s WiFi access-point, go to WiFi settings and on the bottom of the page select the “QuinLED-Ethernet” and press save&reboot. This should automatically turn on the LAN module and it will ask for a DHCP address to which you can then connect!
When you custom compile WLED, please use the following settings:
-D WLED_USE_ETHERNET
-D PHY_ADDR=0 -D ETH_PHY_POWER=5 -D ETH_PHY_MDC=23 -D ETH_PHY_MDIO=18
-D ETH_CLK_MODE=ETH_CLOCK_GPIO17_OUT
Arduino Espressif32 ETH library
To use the Ethernet feature in your own custom Arduino code, please use the following settings:
ETH.begin(
(uint8_t) phy_addr, # 0
(int) power, # 5
(int) mdc, # 23
(int) mdio, # 18
(eth_phy_type_t) type, # ETH_PHY_LAN8720
(eth_clock_mode_t) clock_mode # ETH_CLOCK_GPIO17_OUT
);
End conclusion
Ethernet can bring stability back to your Home Automation or LED setup where wireless was failing before. Because of the complexity of these modules, just like the QuinLED-ESP32 itself these modules will only be sold pre-assembled and as mentioned above, combined with an ESP32 board! Please visit the buying page here if you’d like to purchase one (thank you!).
QuinLED-ESP32
Back to Addressable LEDs section
Because I was unsatisfied with the quality of the generic ESP32 boards that come in the D1 Mini32 form factor at some after starting to offer pre-assembled QuinLED-Dig-Uno and QuinLED-Dig-Quad boards I decided to design my own and basically start producing it in house where I have full control over all components and final quality!
This has become the QuinLED-ESP32 board which is now available in three variants, the AB (Antenna Board), AE (Antenna External) for when you need a bit more range or better signal and the ABE (Antenna Board + Ethernet) which adds a top board to form a stack which has a 10/100Mbit Ethernet port on it so you can hardwire your projects!
Next to that my custom design adds a USB-C port, PTC fuse protection, onboard USB-to-serial programmer with auto-reset circuit, 800mA LDO with robust capacitor network, etc.
QuinLED-ESP32-AE with external antenna connector
Board Article Index
QuinLED-ESP32 specifications
(custom ESP32 board for controllers or projects!)
Special versions
QuinLED-ESP32-ABE (Ethernet version) information
QuinLED-ESP32-AE+ (Touch, IR, Microphone, Micro-SDcard, 3x LED channel)
Also perfect for generic usage!
Although my ESP32 boards are mostly known for coming with the QuinLED-Dig-Uno and QuinLED-Dig-Quad boards, they also work perfectly as a stand-alone ESP32 modules! Especially if you are looking for an External antenna or Ethernet version it can often be hard to find one readily available in this form factor.
You can even easily make it a POE enabled solution by adding a little POE extractor block, making it one of the most affordable “POE capable” Ethernet boards on the market today!
Specifications
Model Number 12V 5A and 5v 12a Compatible Brand/Model: None
Brand Name Deongaree
Certification CE
Origin Mainland China
Description
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Features:
- AC Input: 110/220V±10%
- DC Output: 12V 5A and 5v 12a
- Power: 120W
- Shell Material: Metal case / Aluminum case
- Safety Compliance: CE
- High price-effective, reliability with industry standards
- Built-in over voltage, over current, and short circuit protection
- Working Temperature: 0~40C
- Storage Temperature: -20~60C
- Ambient Humidity: 0~95% Non-Condensation
Package:
- 1 x Power Supply Adaptor
94.4% Positive Feedback | 123 Followers
Description
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WLED Digital Light Strip Controller WIFI DC5-24V Support WS2812 2811 SK6812 And Other RGB RGBW Light Strip 800 IC Can DIY hot
Product Name:WLED Strip Light Controller
Model No.:GL-C-008WL
Voltage: DC 5-24V
IC Quantity: 800 Max
Total Current: 10A Max
Size: 894823.5mm
Operating Temperature:-20-45°C
Supported Strip: WS2811, SK6812, SM16703P, WS2812B, etc
4MB ESP8266 Chip: Can be upgraded with official WLED firmware.
Control method: The Gledopto WLED light strip controller uses the WLED app for control, with support for wireless control and remote control via Wi-Fi interface.
Dynamic modes: The WLED app has over 100 dynamic modes to choose from, suitable for a variety of application scenarios such as birthday parties, wine tastings, and evening relaxation.
DIY modes: In addition to built-in modes, the Gledopto WLED light strip controller supports custom modes so users can DIY multiple modes according to their preferences.
Light strip compatibility: The Gledopto WLED light strip controller supports up to 800 light strip ICs and is compatible with a variety of light strips, such as WS2812B, SM16703P, SK6812, WS2811, etc., providing users with flexible choices.
Application scenarios: The Gledopto WLED light strip controller can be widely used in a variety of places such as homes, businesses, entertainment, exhibitions, etc., to create different atmosphere effects and make life more colorful.
1pcs* WLED Strip Controller
1pcs* User Manual
1pcs* 3cm Stricker
Buyer Questions & Answers (2)
What's the brand of this product?
- The brand name of it is centechia.
Description
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Pay Attention:
WR01RF /LM091 Fit C01W C02W C03W C04W C05W
WR02RF /FUT007 Fit C01W C02W
Features:
The controller is adopted by the most advanced PWM control technology, and has memory function ( The light status will keep same as the status before you tum off the light ). Wireless and 4G controlled by "Tuya Smart" APP.
Parameters:
Product Model: C01W-C05W / WR01RF WR02RF
Input Voltage: DC12V~24V (5.5*2. 1mm).
Output: Total Max. 15A. ( 7.5A/Channel – Single Color, CCT ) ( 6A/Channel – RGB, RGBW, RGBCCT ).
Working Temperature: -20~60°C.
Communication Mode: WiFi-IEEE 802. 11b/g/n 2. 4GHz.
RF: 2.4GHz.
Please Note:
Please use "Smart Life" APP or "Tuya Smart" APP to control those controller.
Attention Please:
- Please check whether the input voltage of the constant voltage power supply is in accordance with the controller, and please check the connection of both the cathode and anode.
- The working Voltage is DC12~24V, the controller will be broken if the voltage is higher than 24V.
- Non-professional user cannot dismantle the controller directly, otherwise, it may cause fire and electric shock.
- The working temperature is -20~60°C. Do not use the device to direct sunlight, moist and other high temperature area.
- Please do not use controller around the metal area and high magnetic field, otherwise, it will badly affect the control distance.
6.When the device load to 15A, wire diameter must be over 1.5mm2.
Specifications
- Hign-concerned Chemical None Certification CCC
- Origin Mainland China Item Type Strip
- Brand Name Viktorovna
Description
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Buyer Questions & Answers (1)
- Is for RGB (3 wire Pixel led ) ?
- Is for RGB (3 wire Pixel led ) ?