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[Solved] WS2812b: Choice of cabling for power?
(@pho)
New Member
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 2
Topic starter
November 25, 2014 4:11 AM
Hi
I've got a small but maybe not unimportant question that I don't seem to find any conclusive answer for anywhere else online... I've been tinkering with Arduino for a while and will be stepping it up to the next level by doing the Openelec/Ambilight setup as described here on T4A.
However I am wondering about the appropriate choice of wiring for the power to the leds. Up untill now I've been tinkering with simple jumper wires and small circuits on breadboards that obviously don't pull TOO much current. But when I will have finished the setup I will be driving upwards of 200 leds. I saw that in the article even more are used (290) and was wondering what an appropriate wire gauge is to run the power to a LEDstrip setup of that size. I have a 60W/5V/12A power supply ready for the job, but running that kind of power over one of those flimsy jumper wires doesn't SEEM like a good idea? Or am I being too cautious and is it just fine?
(@hans)
Famed Member Admin
Joined: 12 years ago
Posts: 2864
November 25, 2014 8:55 AM
Hi Pho!
Very valid question and thanks for taking the effort to ask this in the Forum!
With 5V 12A and an assumed length of app 6 M, you'd need 00 AWG cable - according to this online calculator.
Which according to American Wire Gauage Wiki (and this calculator) should be a pretty thick cable (9mm or 0.36").
I typically use a witre that's pretty thick, but not THAT thick, say 3mm (5V 10A - 8 AWG), and the cable handles it just fine.
Obviously cables should not get warm.
The size I'm guessing now, since I'm not near my equipment (traveling) right now ...
(@pho)
New Member
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 2
Topic starter
November 27, 2014 12:01 AM
Thanks for that clear answer!
I did the install yesterday and landed on 183 leds, using 2,5mm2 copper cabling. Everything's working great. Thanks for your fantastic tutorial by the way! :-)
(@hans)
Famed Member Admin
Joined: 12 years ago
Posts: 2864
November 27, 2014 1:37 AM
Thanks Pho! And you're most welcome!
Glad to see it's working as expected
and thanks for posting the photo! Awesome!