Led strip lights generally need a led driver from which they draw their power. In this section we will go through how to connect an RGB Led strip light to a led driver
Led strip light markings
Let’s take a few examples, you just need a little understanding of RGB led strip light labelling. They should always be clearly marked. RGB strips come in different colours and can be RGB only or have a white LED circuit (W). As a newcomer, there are also models with RGB and CCT in one, i.e. adjustable white tint from warm to cold.
RGBW led strip light markings
Look for the markings on the LED strip where you can see + and R, G, B and W. The markings are always at the cut-off points.
Typically, in factory connections, the colours of the wire are as follows:
- + = black
- R(ed) = red
- G(reen) = green
- B(read) = blue
- W(hite) = yellow/white
RGB+CCT led strip light markings
Find the markings on the LED strip where you can see + and R, G, B, WW and CW. The markings are always at the cut-off points.
Typically, in factory connections, the colours of the wire are as follows:
- + = black
- R(ed) = red
- G(reen) = green
- B(read) = blue
- CW(cool white) = White
- WW(Warm white) = yellow
Connecting the RGB LED strip light to the power supply
Next, we will discuss the different types of led drivers and control devices and how to connect them to the LED strip. These led drivers and control devices have two different types of connection:
- Using your thumb or a screwdriver, press down on the quick connector to open the connector and push the wire into place. The wires lock when you release the connector.
- Unscrew the connectors, insert the stripped wires and tighten the screws.
RGB LED strip light wiring – Power supply markings
The mains power is connected to the led driver with plug connected to the L and N terminals or a fixed cable.
The LED strip has 4 or 5 wires. 4 means RGB and 5 means that the LED strip has RGB+W, i.e. a separate white light.
To connect the led strip, read the markings on the driver, which should show one of the following:
- +, R, G, B, W
- +, -1, -2, -3, -4
- +, -1, -2, + , -3, -4
The RGBW wires still go in the same order. If there is an extra + connector in between, it is simply bypassed. The meaning of these numbers is always shown in the transformer manual, but:
- -1 = R
- -2 = G
- -3 = B
- -4 = W
+ connecting the wire in the right place is the most important thing!
If the colours go to the wrong connectors, i.e. red lights up e.g. green, just change the positions of the coloured wires. The tape will not break.
Test that the wires are in place by tugging on them. Put the plug in the wall and the lights should come on.
RGB led strip light connection to DALI transformer
RGB and RGBW, as well as RGB+CCT led strip lights can be controlled by DT8 DALI drivers Most of the new DT8 converters have the possibility to use them in different control modes and the programming is done in a DALI system, which tells you which Led strip is connected to the transformer. If the programming is wrong, the colours will go wrong from the buttons.
Connecting an RGB led strip light to a ZIGBEE driver
For Zigbee transformers, you should be careful that it is an RGBW Zigbee driver. Although the driver is a 4 channel driver, it is programmed for either CCT or RGBW and you cannot use them crossed. In ZIgbee driver, the wire markings are either numbers or letters.
RGB led strip light connection to RF led driver
In VaLO RF transformers, the same driver works for monochrome, CCT or RGBW LED strip lighting. Intelligence and control comes from the selected button. In VaLO RF RGB transformers, the wire markings are usually in numerical form.
LED driver + control unit (RGB, RGBW or RGB+CCT)
In these cases, driver is connected directly to the INPUT + and – terminals of the control device and the LED strip light OUTPUT RGBW or CCT to their respective terminals. Be careful here, as the driver must be at the same voltage as the led strip light, i.e. 24V driver if you are using a 24V led strip light.
The receiver often says 12-36V intput, but it doesn’t know what’s connected behind it, so it always lets through an input voltage similar to the input voltage.
Connecting an RGB led strip light to a DALI receiver
RGB and RGBW, as well as RGB+CCT led strip lighting can be controlled by DT8 DALI receivers. Most of the new DT8 receivers have the possibility to use them in different control modes and programming is done in a DALI system, which tells you which Led strip is connected to the controller. If the programming is wrong, the colours will go wrong from the control buttons.
Connecting an RGBW led strip light to a DALI receiver
As with the DALI driver, the wiring sequence is the same. Just note that the receiver also has an INPUT which is for the LED transformer. In a DALI system, the receiver is programmed in RGBW mode.
Connecting an RGB+CCT led strip light to a DALI receiver
RGB+CCT led strip lighting is similar to RGBW, but note that the warm (WW) and cold (CW) wires are often crossed. So be careful and see what the wiring order is on your LED strip light. The receiver is programmed in RGB+CCT mode in a DALI system.
Connecting an RGB led strip light to a ZIGBEE receiver
RGB and RGBW, as well as RGB+CCT led strip lighting can be controlled by ZIGBEE receivers. There are different types of Zigbee receivers. You can find receivers with RGBW control ONLY, or newer more versatile Zigbee receivers, where you can select with a dip switch which LED strip of light is connected. These are Monochrome, CCT, RGBW, or RGB+CCT.
Connecting an RGBW led strip light to a ZIGBEE receiver
As with the ZIGBEE transformer, the wiring sequence is the same. Just note that the receiver also has an INPUT which is for the LED driver.
Zigbee can only be CCT, RGBW or RGBCCT at a time, so be sure to use the dip switch under the end cap to change the receiver to the correct position, i.e. FIRST UP and SECOND DOWN.
Connecting an RGB+CCT led strip light to a ZIGBEE receiver
As with the ZIGBEE driver, the wiring sequence is the same. Just note that the receiver also has an INPUT which is for the LED transformer.
Zigbee can only be CCT, RGBW or RGBCCT at a time, so be sure to change the receiver’s dip switch under the end cap to the correct position, i.e. MULTIPLE DIP switches UP.
Connecting an RGB led strip light to an RF receiver
In VaLO RF receivers, the same controller works for monochrome, CCT or RGBW LED strip lighting. Intelligence and control comes from the selected button. In the VaLO RF RGB controller, the wire labels are usually in numerical form.
The VaLO RF product family DOES NOT SUPPORT RGB+CCT led strip lights!