LEDTASKtapeINST
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
and Voltage Drop Charts
Problem
Typical Cause and Action
LED Tape does not turn on -
no lights
• Circuit breaker at electrical box is OFF or has tripped
• Incorrect wiring, or polarity (+ / -) are reversed. Check every connection and insure that tape is firmly seated in c
onnectors.
• You’re using the wrong power supply, or power supply is not functioning properly. Make sure that you are using the
correct 12V or 24V power supply.
LED Tape overheats
• Heat is not being properly mitigated by channel mounting. Certain tape wattages require a mounting channel.
• Incorrect voltage pairing of LED power supply and tape. If you are powering a 12V tape with a 24V power supply, this
can cause overheating and lead to failure of product.
• Installation where ambient temperature is too high. Proper thermal management is crucial to the successful operation
of your LED tape application. We recommend the following tolerances: -4° - 122°F (-20° - 50°C)
Fixture randomly flickers and
may shut off unexpectedly.
• Connectors are not securely connected. Insure that tape is firmly seated and in contact with metal contacts within
connector.
• Use of soldered connections may cause flickering and will void warranty. If you have soldered leads - re-trim tape at
cut marks and use proper connectors.
• Incorrect power supply type used - make sure that the choice of magentic or electronic is correct for your tape.
Brightness shifting
• Power supply is over-loaded and is overheating. An over-loaded power supply will trip the internal auto-reset repeat-
edly, turning the system on and off.
If all else fails
• We’re here for you! Call our technical service reps at (866) 671-0811 or write to: [email protected]
12V Wire Voltage Drop
Wire
Gauge
10W - .83A 20W - 1.7A 30W - 2.5A 40W - 3.3A 50W - 2.1A 60W - 4.2A
20 AWG
18 ft.
9 ft.
6 ft.
5 ft.
4 ft.
3 ft.
18 AWG
34 ft.
17 ft.
11 ft.
8 ft.
6 ft.
5 ft.
16 AWG
54 ft.
27 ft.
18 ft.
13 ft.
10 ft.
9 ft.
14 AWG
86 ft.
43 ft.
29 ft.
21 ft.
17 ft.
14 ft.
12 AWG
134 ft.
68 ft.
45 ft.
34 ft.
27 ft.
22 ft.
10 AWG
199 ft.
99 ft.
66 ft.
49 ft.
39 ft.
33 ft.
Guide to Voltage Drop
• Determine load size. If load is 35W -
round up to next load at chart at left, i.e.
40W.
• Determine distance from power supply to
load. It is assumed that the distance is no
longer than 20 feet.
• We recommend using a heavier gauge
wire. This is the ‘safest choice’ and usually
eliminates excess voltage drop.
24V Wire Voltage Drop
Wire
Gauge
10W - .83A 20W - 1.7A 30W - 2.5A 40W - 3.3A 50W - 2.1A 60W - 4.2A 70W - 2.9A 80W - 3.3A 90W -
3.75A
100W -
4.2A
20 AWG
85 ft.
43 ft.
27 ft.
21 ft.
17 ft.
14 ft.
12 ft.
11 ft.
9 ft.
8 ft.
18 AWG
134 ft.
68 ft.
45 ft.
33 ft.
27 ft.
22 ft.
19 ft.
17 ft.
15 ft.
14 ft.
16 AWG
215 ft.
109 ft.
72 ft.
54 ft.
43 ft.
36 ft.
31 ft.
27 ft.
24 ft.
22 ft.
14 AWG
345 ft.
174 ft.
115 ft.
86 ft.
69 ft.
57 ft.
49 ft.
43 ft.
39 ft.
36 ft.
12 AWG
539 ft.
272 ft.
181 ft.
135 ft.
108 ft.
90 ft.
77 ft.
68 ft.
61 ft.
56 ft.
10 AWG
784 ft.
397 ft.
263 ft.
197 ft.
158 ft.
131 ft.
112 ft.
98 ft.
97 ft.
82 ft.
