It comes as no surprise that LEDs are now the most popular option for illuminating signs. Customers are seeing an increasing number of options as the market develops, including alternatives for fluorescent and neon lights, LED strip lighting and modules, and 12V and 24V power supplies. How do you decide, though? Replacement neon lights are fairly simple to figure out, and fluorescent bulbs have a defined use case, but what about strips vs. modules and 12V vs. 24V power supplies? Let's get to the fundamentals.
At their foundation, LED modules are pretty simple devices. The lighting source is contained in a number of modules that are connected by wires that interconnect and supply electricity to the runs. Because of this, using them in channel letters is relatively simple. When choosing modules, there are a lot of things to take into account, such as color, color temperature, location to prevent hot spots, and how much power is required to guarantee that every letter is lighted uniformly. Fortunately, the technical details needed for a correct installation are typically provided by the makers.
Modules are perfect for huge, illuminated channel lettering and are easily accessible in weatherproof varieties. But when working with tiny lettering and signs, they may encounter problems. LED strip lighting is the answer for these small applications. LED strips are a continuous row of lights on an adhesive backing, whereas separate modules in a series are connected by wires. They are also relatively thin and flexible.
Both 12V and 24V LED power sources are readily accessible. Each has benefits of its own.
Both 12V and 24V LED power sources are readily accessible. Each has benefits of its own.
Usually, intricate designs like logos and delicate serif fonts may be easily highlighted for a halo effect or sandwiched between two sheets of acrylic to create a fully illuminated letter. Once pushed down, the strong adhesive backing holds firmly in place. Additionally, if you need to make a bend that the tape cannot accommodate, most strips let you snap or cut the module. Simply snap the wires apart, solder them, and attach. Although there are some solutions that are suitable for outdoor usage, you should be aware that most LED tape items are not.
It's time to choose power supplies once you've decided on your lighting option and planned out the cable routes. The decision may be as straightforward as whether to buy tape, 12V, or 24V modules. If you've already decided or bought the lights, just obtain what is mentioned.
At this point, it becomes sense to think about your possibilities if you're in the design phase. On the one hand, because of the low voltage and the fact that they are frequently affordable, 12V power sources are usually safer to use in the workplace. On the other hand, a 24V power supply will deliver 100W of electricity as opposed to 60W, allowing you to need less supplies for a given sign. With a 24V supply, you may typically obtain longer runs as well.
While 12V is often adequate, 24V can be a better option if you are creating really huge signage and have long runs. If the power source is not near to the sign, it may make sense for some applications to choose a 24V supply since a thinner-gauge cable can be utilized to link the two.
We'd bet LED modules coupled with 12V power supply if we were to estimate what you'll employ in your next lit sign. Despite the fact that there are 24V power supply and modules available, the majority of the market is 12V-powered. Although there are some fantastic applications for LED strips in signage, these are now more specialized and indoor in nature. But the nice thing about today is that you do have choices.
