Negative Wires for Parallel LED Strips
Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2017 5:33 pm
I'm working on a large scale LED project and I have a power supply question.
I am using multiple power supply units and I'd like to wire a large amount of strips in parallel and control them with a Teensy 3.1. While the positive wires for each strip should be connected to the power supply unit, the strips must be all be connected via negative wires (in addition to the data wires).
The total amperage will be large (+50 amps). However, each strip will draw only about 4.8 amps. With regard to wiring the negative terminals of all of the LEDs together, what gauge of wire am I looking for? Must I use wires that are capable of handling the full 50+ amps? Is it fine to use a wire size that can handle the load just for each strip?
One answer I've received is that wire sufficient to carry about 4.8amps should be fine, except if there's a ground loop. If that's the case, any advice on how to minimize, if not exclude, this scenario?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
I am using multiple power supply units and I'd like to wire a large amount of strips in parallel and control them with a Teensy 3.1. While the positive wires for each strip should be connected to the power supply unit, the strips must be all be connected via negative wires (in addition to the data wires).
The total amperage will be large (+50 amps). However, each strip will draw only about 4.8 amps. With regard to wiring the negative terminals of all of the LEDs together, what gauge of wire am I looking for? Must I use wires that are capable of handling the full 50+ amps? Is it fine to use a wire size that can handle the load just for each strip?
One answer I've received is that wire sufficient to carry about 4.8amps should be fine, except if there's a ground loop. If that's the case, any advice on how to minimize, if not exclude, this scenario?
Thanks in advance for any advice!