A guide to LED cables
LED Cable Guide: Choose the Right Cables for Your LED Installation
LED cables are the essential connectors that bring your LED lighting projects to life - from simple accent lighting to complex RGB installations and pixel-mapped displays.
Think of it like this: LED cables are like the nervous system of your lighting installation - they carry power and data signals to make your LEDs shine, change colours, and create stunning effects.
📋 WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE:
Why LED Lighting Dominates Modern Installations
⚡ 80% Less Power
Massive energy savings
🚀 Instant On
No warm-up time needed
🔋 Low Voltage
Safer installations
🎨 Customisable
Millions of colour options
🔌 LED Cable Basics & How They Work
LED cables are specifically designed conductors that power and connect LED strip lights and modules. Unlike standard electrical cables, LED cables are optimised for the low voltage and specific current requirements of LED systems.
Primary Functions of LED Cables:
⚠️ CRITICAL PLANNING QUESTIONS:
- What's your LED strip voltage? (5V, 12V, 24V)
- Total current draw? (Amps = Watts ÷ Volts)
- Cable run length? (Affects voltage drop)
- Indoor or outdoor installation? (Determines insulation needs)
⚡ Single vs Twin Cable Selection
Single Core LED Cables
Best for:
- Individual power runs
- Sign making applications
- Event & wedding lighting
- Modular installations
Available Options:
- By the metre or 100m reels
- Standard or LSZH (Low Smoke)
- Various current ratings
Pro Tip: Use LSZH cables in enclosed spaces for safety
Twin Core LED Cables
Best for:
- Direct strip connections
- Letter sign linking
- Clean installations
- Parallel wiring
Available Options:
- Figure-8 insulation design
- Clear twin cables (invisible look)
- Flat or round profiles
Pro Tip: Clear twin cables perfect for letter signs
🌈 RGB, RGBW & Pixel Cable Types
For colour-changing and addressable LED installations, specialised multi-core cables carry both power and data signals.
🔴🟢🔵 RGB Cables (3-Core + Common)
Application: Connect RGB LED strips for colour mixing
Wiring: 4 wires (Red, Green, Blue + Common)
Installation Tips:
- Strip coating at connection points
- Solder to matching pads (R→R, G→G, B→B)
- Maintain consistent polarity
Creates: 16.7 million colour combinations
🔴🟢🔵⚪ RGBW Cables (4-Core + Common)
Upgrade from RGB: Additional white channel for true whites and pastels
Wiring: 5 wires (RGBW + Common)
Benefits over RGB:
- ✅ Pure white output (no colour mixing needed)
- ✅ Better pastel shades
- ✅ More vivid colours
- ✅ Energy efficient whites
Ideal for: Architectural lighting needing both colour and white
✨ Pixel Cables (Data + Power)
Application: Addressable LED strips with individual pixel control
Special Features:
- Carries data signals for pixel mapping
- Push-fit connections available
- Power injection capability
⚠️ Rule: Use power injection cables every 30 pixels to prevent voltage drop
💡 PRO TIP: All multi-core cables are colour-coded to prevent wiring mistakes. Match wire colours to pad labels for foolproof connections!
📐 Cable Size Calculator
Simple 3-Step Cable Selection:
- Calculate current: Amps = Watts ÷ Volts
- Add safety margin: Multiply by 1.25 (25% headroom)
- Check cable rating: Must exceed calculated amps
📐 Real Calculation Example:
LED Strip: 14.4W/m × 5m = 72W total
Voltage: 24V
Current = 72W ÷ 24V = 3A
With margin = 3A × 1.25 = 3.75A
→ Use 5A rated cable minimum
⚠️ Voltage Drop Guidelines:
| Cable Run | 5V System | 12V System | 24V System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5m | 1.5mm² | 0.75mm² | 0.5mm² |
| 5-10m | 2.5mm² | 1.5mm² | 0.75mm² |
| 10-20m | Not recommended | 2.5mm² | 1.5mm² |
Note: Lower voltage = thicker cable needed for same distance
🎯 Quick Selection Guide
30-Second Cable Selector
1️⃣ What type of LEDs?
→ Single colour = Twin cable
→ RGB = 4-core cable
→ RGBW = 5-core cable
→ Pixel = Pixel data cable
2️⃣ Indoor or outdoor?
→ Indoor = Standard insulation
→ Outdoor = Weather-resistant
→ Public spaces = LSZH (Low smoke)
3️⃣ Visibility important?
→ Hidden = Any colour
→ Visible = Clear/white cable
→ Signs = Clear twin cable
📊 Cable Selection by Application
| Application | Recommended Cable | Shop Link |
|---|---|---|
| Under Cabinet | Twin cable, 0.5mm² | View Options → |
| Sign Letters | Clear twin cable | View Clear → |
| RGB Display | 4-core RGB cable | View RGB → |
| Pixel Mapping | Pixel data cable | View Pixel → |
| Event Lighting | LSZH single cable | View LSZH → |
❌ Common Cable Mistakes to Avoid
Undersized cables: Causes voltage drop and dim LEDs
Wrong core count: RGB needs 4-core, RGBW needs 5-core
Voltage mismatch: Always match LED and driver voltages
No headroom: Always add 25% safety margin to calculations
🤔 Need Help Selecting Cables?
Our technical team provides FREE cable selection advice for any project
Email: sales@weloveleds.co.uk
Or call: 0113 418 2920
📚 Related Guides
- Voltage Drop Calculator & Prevention Guide
- How to Solder LED Strips Like a Pro
- RGB Controller Selection & Programming
- Browse All Cables & Connectors
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