When selecting LED strips, you’ll commonly see two voltage options: 12VDC and 24VDC. While both are widely used and typically priced the same, each has specific advantages depending on your project needs.
At Berix-tech, we offer both 12V and 24V LED strips. The main differences are:
✅ Choose 12VDC if you need shorter cut lengths
12V strips have shorter cut intervals compared to 24V strips with the same LED density. This allows for finer adjustments and greater flexibility—ideal for detailed or compact installations.
✅ Choose 24VDC for longer runs and better efficiency
24V strips can run longer distances with less voltage drop and typically offer better luminous efficiency. They are ideal for large-scale or linear lighting setups.
Why 12V and 24V LED Strips Use the Same LED Chips
Although individual LED chips typically operate at around 3VDC, both 12V and 24V LED strips use the same type of LED chips. The difference lies not in the LEDs themselves, but in how the strip is wired internally.
LED Grouping and Circuit Design:
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12V LED strips: LEDs are wired in groups of 3, with each group dropping 9V (3V x 3 LEDs), plus the remaining voltage dropped via a resistor or constant current driver.
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24V LED strips: LEDs are wired in larger groups of 6, 7, or even 8 LEDs per group, depending on design.
Each group of LEDs is connected in series, and groups are connected in parallel along the strip. The cut points (trim lines) are located between these groups.
Practical Implication:
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12V strips: More frequent cut points → Better flexibility in length customization.
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24V strips: Fewer cut points, but better voltage stability over long runs (less voltage drop).
⚡ What is Voltage Drop in LED Strips?
Voltage drop is the gradual reduction in voltage as electricity travels along the length of an LED strip. This causes LEDs farther from the power source to appear dimmer than those at the beginning.
🔍 Why Does Voltage Drop Happen?
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Electrical Resistance: Every wire, including the copper traces on LED strips, has resistance.
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Longer Distance = More Resistance: The farther the current has to travel, the more resistance it encounters.
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Less Voltage at the End: This resistance “uses up” some of the voltage, so LEDs at the end receive less voltage and become dimmer.
💡 Real-World Effect:
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Short strip: Even brightness.
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Long strip: Noticeable brightness loss at the far end.
Especially in 12V systems, this becomes a problem if the strip is longer than ~5 meters without extra power injection.
🔋 How Does Higher Voltage Help?
Using a higher voltage (like 24V instead of 12V) reduces the effects of voltage drop. Here’s why:
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Power = Voltage × Current (P = V × I)
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For the same power, a higher voltage means lower current.
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Lower current = less voltage lost to resistance.
🧠 How LED Strips Are Wired:
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LED chips (3V each) are grouped in series (e.g., 3 for 12V strips, 6–8 for 24V strips).
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Each group includes LEDs + resistor, and groups are connected in parallel.
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The total voltage drop across a group = strip voltage (12V or 24V).
So, a 24V strip has fewer groups for the same length, meaning less current per segment and less voltage drop overall.