ᐅ Recommended Connection of 24V LED Strips in Home Automation Systems
Created on: 21 Aug 2017 12:53
S
stefanc84
Hi everyone,
I might be in the wrong forum for my question, but maybe there are some KNX/smart home experts here.
I’m currently considering how to best connect 24V LED strips. There will be a total of about six strips at 36/72 watts each in five different rooms. Probably single-color, warm white, but possibly also RGB(W). I’m considering the following options:
1. KNX bus -> KNX-DALI gateway + 230V mains -> NYM 5x1.5 mm² (approx. 16 AWG) cable -> DALI LED driver (reduces voltage to 24V) -> LED strip
2. Wi-Fi + 24V power supply -> Wi-Fi LED controller -> LED strip
Option 2 would be significantly cheaper since the cheap China Wi-Fi LED controllers cost only around €20. A DALI driver costs considerably more, and the DALI gateway even more so. KNX is available anyway. In our rented apartment, I had good experience with the cheap devices; they work very well controlled via FHEM. But would you install something like this in a permanent installation?
Also, for both options, I’m not quite sure whether the controller/driver/LED driver must be installed near the lighting or if it can be installed centrally in the technical room. Central installation would be preferable, of course. You don’t want visible devices in the living space, and if you install them hidden within the wall, you won’t be able to access them if something breaks. I’m aware that a larger conductor cross-section is necessary to maintain 24V over longer distances. Are there any other reasons to use decentralized drivers?
Surely I’m not the first to plan something like this. What does your installation look like?
Best regards,
Stefan
I might be in the wrong forum for my question, but maybe there are some KNX/smart home experts here.
I’m currently considering how to best connect 24V LED strips. There will be a total of about six strips at 36/72 watts each in five different rooms. Probably single-color, warm white, but possibly also RGB(W). I’m considering the following options:
1. KNX bus -> KNX-DALI gateway + 230V mains -> NYM 5x1.5 mm² (approx. 16 AWG) cable -> DALI LED driver (reduces voltage to 24V) -> LED strip
2. Wi-Fi + 24V power supply -> Wi-Fi LED controller -> LED strip
Option 2 would be significantly cheaper since the cheap China Wi-Fi LED controllers cost only around €20. A DALI driver costs considerably more, and the DALI gateway even more so. KNX is available anyway. In our rented apartment, I had good experience with the cheap devices; they work very well controlled via FHEM. But would you install something like this in a permanent installation?
Also, for both options, I’m not quite sure whether the controller/driver/LED driver must be installed near the lighting or if it can be installed centrally in the technical room. Central installation would be preferable, of course. You don’t want visible devices in the living space, and if you install them hidden within the wall, you won’t be able to access them if something breaks. I’m aware that a larger conductor cross-section is necessary to maintain 24V over longer distances. Are there any other reasons to use decentralized drivers?
Surely I’m not the first to plan something like this. What does your installation look like?
Best regards,
Stefan
S
stefanc8422 Aug 2017 15:34Steffen80 schrieb:
If KNX is already installed, then why ask about wifi Chinese junk? Was that really serious?!Yes, the question was indeed serious.
Of course, I would prefer a wired solution. However, I want to keep the initial costs low. Replacing with KNX/DALI/DMX drivers can always be done later. Especially since the first stage will likely only have a very basic KNX setup with ETS Lite, that is, 20 devices. This will control the roller shutters and maybe a few switchable power circuits. I would rather expand KNX only once I know how much budget is left. Naturally, the wiring from the technical room to potential devices is already being prepared.
I know some will say again, "if KNX, then do it properly." I see it differently. Not everything has to run via KNX. So far, our rental apartment is automated using FHEM and various technologies – working perfectly. Still, where needed, I want as much as possible to be replaceable by KNX.
S
stefanc8422 Aug 2017 15:56Speaking of FHEM:
Since I am so enthusiastic about FHEM and would like to continue using it, my current planning status is that I will use the WIFI RGBWW LED controllers developed in the FHEM forum. These allow control via FHEM, although unfortunately only wirelessly. In further research, I found out that there is no (easy) integration for DALI or DMX available for FHEM.
Costs per controller (minimum prices):
- KNX: 170
- DALI: 70
- DMX: I have no overview yet
- WIFI RGBWW: 15
I also learned that for modern residential lighting, DMX is preferred by some "experts" over DALI and KNX. Therefore, I am now considering whether to prepare DMX-compatible cables instead of NYM 5x2.5 mm² (0.01 inch²). Does anyone know the conductor cross-section of a 5-core DMX cable?
Since I am so enthusiastic about FHEM and would like to continue using it, my current planning status is that I will use the WIFI RGBWW LED controllers developed in the FHEM forum. These allow control via FHEM, although unfortunately only wirelessly. In further research, I found out that there is no (easy) integration for DALI or DMX available for FHEM.
Costs per controller (minimum prices):
- KNX: 170
- DALI: 70
- DMX: I have no overview yet
- WIFI RGBWW: 15
I also learned that for modern residential lighting, DMX is preferred by some "experts" over DALI and KNX. Therefore, I am now considering whether to prepare DMX-compatible cables instead of NYM 5x2.5 mm² (0.01 inch²). Does anyone know the conductor cross-section of a 5-core DMX cable?
S
stefanc8422 Aug 2017 17:00ONeill schrieb:
I wouldn’t choose the hardware solely based on the logic engine. Have you tried Edomi?Yes and no. On one hand, I completely agree. On the other hand, if a wired system costs a few hundred more due to the controllers and then another 1,000€ more for ETS, that’s definitely a good reason to rule out some good hardware right from the start.
No, I’m not familiar with Edomi yet – thanks for the tip! I will definitely check it out.
stefanc84 schrieb:
Yes and no. On one hand, I completely agree. On the other hand, if the wired option costs a few hundred more because of the controllers and then another $1,000 more for ETS, that’s definitely a reason to hold off on buying good hardware at first.
No, I haven’t heard of Edomi so far – thanks for the tip! I will definitely take a closer look. What did you end up deciding?
I'm also trying to figure out the best way to do this.
I have 4–5 rooms where an LED strip will be installed. Warm white to cool white will be enough for me; I won’t be using colors anyway.