A Practical Guide to Connecting LED Strips: Series vs. Parallel & How to Choose the Right LED Power Supply

LED lighting has revolutionized interior design across Europe, offering energy efficiency and versatility for homes, offices, and commercial spaces. However, achieving optimal performance starts with understanding how to properly connect LED strips to a power supply. Whether you use series or parallel wiring can impact brightness, reliability, and compliance with EU standards. In this guide, we’ll break down these methods and introduce our EU-compliant indoor LED drivers—engineered to simplify your lighting projects.   

Intrduction: LED Power Supply series parallel and series connection

  1. Series Connection: How It Works & When to Use It In a series circuit, LED strips are connected end-to-end, forming a single continuous path for current flow.

    Pros:

    •*  Uniform brightness across all LEDs due to consistent current.  

    *•  Simpler circuit design, reducing wiring complexity.  

    •*  Ideal for low-voltage applications with fewer LEDs.   

    Cons:

    •  Single point of failure: If one LED fails, the entire circuit turns off .  

    •  Higher voltage requirements (e.g., 12 LEDs at 4V each need 48V).   

    Best For: Smaller installations like under-cabinet lighting or accent strips.   

    2. Parallel Connection: How It Works & When to Use It In parallel wiring, each LED strip connects directly to the power source independently.

      Pros:

      •*  Fault tolerance: If one strip fails, others remain lit .  

      *•  Lower voltage per branch (e.g., 12V for each strip).  

      •*  Suitable for larger installations.  

       Cons:

      •  Potential brightness inconsistency due to current variations.  

      •  Requires precise current regulation to prevent overheating.   

      Best For: Large-scale projects like cove lighting or office illumination.   

      3. Hybrid & Array Configurations: Balancing Reliability & Performance For complex setups, mixed wiring (combining series and parallel) or array-based circuits can optimize reliability:

        •  Hybrid: Groups of series-connected LEDs are wired in parallel. This ensures even brightness while minimizing the impact of failures.  

        •  Array: Multi-path designs allow partial operation even if multiple LEDs fail .   

        4. Why Your LED Power Supply Matters The connection method alone isn’t enough—your choice of power supply determines safety, efficiency, and longevity. For European markets, key considerations include:

          •*  Compliance with EU Regulations: CE, RoHS, and ERP Lot 43 certifications .  

          *•  Voltage Stability: Prevents flickering and extends LED lifespan.  

          •*  Protection Features: Overload, short-circuit, and thermal protection.     

          5. Introducing Our Indoor LED Drivers: Built for European Applications Our GLK Indoor Series is engineered to address the challenges of both series and parallel wiring:

            *✅ Universal Voltage Input (100-277V AC): Compatible with European grid standards.

            ✅* Constant Current & Voltage Modes: Supports series (CC) and parallel (CV) setups.

            *✅ 5-Year Warranty: Backed by extended protection for peace of mind.

            ✅* Compact & Fanless Design: Ideal for noise-sensitive indoor environments.

            *✅ Full Compliance: CE, RoHS, and ERP Lot 43 certified –

            Featured Product:

            •  GLK Indoor Power Supply: Optimized for hybrid LED configurations. Explore Now     

            7. How to Choose the Right Power Supply

              Follow this checklist to match your LED driver to your project:

              1.  Calculate Total Power: Sum the wattage of all connected strips.  
              2.  Verify Voltage/Current Needs: Series = higher voltage; parallel = higher current.  
              3.  Prioritize Safety Certifications: Look for CE marks and ERP compliance.  
              4.  Test Scalability: Ensure the driver can handle future expansions.   

              Pro Tip: Use our Power Supply Calculator to simplify sizing.  

              Conclusion: Power Your LED Projects with Confidence Whether you choose series or parallel wiring, the right LED power supply ensures reliability, efficiency, and compliance. For European designers and installers, our GLK Series delivers the precision and protection needed to bring your lighting visions to life. Ready to Upgrade?

              ➔ Explore Our Indoor LED Drivers

              ➔ Contact Our Technical Team 

              Ask For Quotaion and More Details

              We will contact  you within 2 days once got your messages, please pay attention to the email suffix “@szgrowling.com“.