Here Suntechlite explains constant current LED strip vs constant voltage LED strip. Content includes 48V CC vs 24V CV; 24V CC vs 24V CV vs 12V CV.
Table of Contents
48V Constant Current LED Strip VS 24V Constant Voltage LED Strip
The luminous of the 48V constant current LED strip at the head is 1000 lm/m, while at the end, 25 meters away, is 900 lm/m. The luminous of the 24V constant voltage LED strip at the head is 1000 lm/m, while at the end, 10 meters away, is 500 lm/m. As shown in the picture below.
Data Table
Feature | ||
Voltage | 48V | 24V |
Power Consumption | 10W/m | 12W/m |
LED Density | 192 LEDs/m | 192 LEDs/m |
Brightness at Head | 1000 Lm/m | 1000 Lm/m |
Brightness at End | 900 Lm/m (minimal voltage drop) | 500 Lm/m (significant voltage drop) |
Maximum Connection Length | 25 meters | 10 meters |
Efficiency | Maintains consistent brightness over longer distances | Loses brightness significantly after 10 meters |
Key Differences
- Voltage Drop: The 48V LED strip works efficiently over long distances, preventing voltage drop and maintaining consistent illumination across 25 meters. Brightness decreases slightly, from 1000LM/m at the start to 900LM/m at the end. Conversely, the 24V LED strip experiences a notable brightness drop after 10 meters, falling from 1000LM/m at the start to 500LM/m at the end. You can learn more about the differences in voltage on LED strips in the blogs below: 5V vs 12V vs 24V LED Strip and 48v vs 12v vs 24v vs 36v LED Strip.
- Power: The 48V LED strip operates at a lower power consumption of 10W/m compared to 12W/m for the 24V LED strip. So 48V LED strip is more efficient for extended installations.
- Connection Length: Compared to 24V LED strips which suffer from voltage loss beyond 10 meters, 48V LED strips can be installed in continuous runs of up to 25 meters while maintaining stable performance.
Takeaway: 48V CC vs 24V CV
For longer installations requiring consistent brightness and lower power consumption, the 48V constant current strip is the better choice. The 24V constant voltage strip is better suited for shorter runs or projects where higher brightness at shorter distances is acceptable.
24V Constant Current LED Strip VS 24V Constant Voltage LED Strip VS 12V Constant Voltage LED Strip
The luminous of the 24V constant current LED strip at the head is 800 lm/m, while at the end, 15 meters away, is 760 lm/m. The luminous of the 24V constant voltage LED strip at the head is 1200 lm/m, while at the end, 10 meters away, is 745 lm/m. The luminous of the 12V constant voltage LED strip at the head is 1200 lm/m, while at the end, 5 meters away, is 798 lm/m. As shown in the picture below.
Data Table
Here’s a detailed comparison table separating Constant Current LED Strips, Constant Voltage 12V, and Constant Voltage 24V LED strips:
Feature | |||
Voltage | DC24V | DC12V | DC24V |
Power Consumption | Lower (e.g., 8W/m) | Higher (e.g., 14W/m) | Moderate (e.g., 12W/m) |
Brightness Consistency | Excellent; minimal drop across long distances | Poor; significant drop after 5 meters | Moderate; drop noticeable after 10 meters |
Brightness at Head | Moderate (e.g., 800 LM/m) | Higher (e.g., 1200 LM/m) | Higher (e.g., 1000 LM/m) |
Brightness at End | Minimal drop (e.g., 760 LM/m at 15m) | Significant drop (e.g., 500 LM/m at 5m) | Moderate drop (e.g., 750 LM/m at 10m) |
Max Connection Length | Longer (e.g., up to 15 meters or more) | Shorter (up to 5 meters) | Moderate (up to 10 meters) |
Efficiency | Highly efficient over long distances | Low efficiency for long runs | Better efficiency than 12V but not ideal for very long runs |
Applications | Ideal for long-distance, uniform lighting | Best for short runs, budget-friendly setups | Suitable for medium-length installations |
Installation Complexity | Moderate; requires current-limiting components | Simple; basic wiring | Simple; basic wiring |
Key Features
- Constant Current LED Strips maintain uniform brightness over long distances. They are therefore more suitable for professional or architectural installations.
- Constant Voltage 12V Strips deliver high brightness but suffer significant voltage drops after short distances, limiting their efficiency in long runs.
- Constant Voltage 24V strips outperform 12V alternatives in both performance and efficiency. Nonetheless these strips face significant brightness drops during long-distance applications.
Takeaway: 24V CC vs 24V CV vs 12V CV
- Use constant current strips for long and uniform installations.
- Opt for 12V strips for short, high-brightness applications with budget constraints.
- Choose 24V strips for medium-length setups requiring a balance of brightness and efficiency.
Long Runs: Constant Current (48V)
A constant voltage strip dims as voltage drops along the run — ours measured 1000 lm/m at the head and fell off noticeably past 10 metres. Keeping a long run even means injecting power partway.
Constant current regulates current instead, which removes that. Our 48V strip held 900 lm/m at 25 metres against 1000 lm/m at the head, so one power feed covers the whole distance.
Short Runs: Constant Voltage
Under 10 metres the extra reach buys nothing — a 24V strip holds its output across that length. Constant current would only add cost.
In between, around 15 metres, 24V constant current measured 800 lm/m at the head and 760 lm/m at 15 metres.