How to Install a Waterproof Power Supply(A STEP TO STEP GUIDE)

1. Know Your Power Supply Type Before You Wire

Waterproof power supplies come in two fundamental types, and mixing up their wiring rules will cause immediate failure.

Constant Voltage (CV) Power Supplies – Output a fixed voltage (12V, 24V, or 48V DC). Used for LED strips, water pumps, cameras, and any load that expects a stable voltage. All loads must be connected in parallel.

Constant Current (CC) LED Drivers – Output a fixed current (e.g., 350mA, 700mA) and adjust the voltage within a range. Used for high-power LED luminaires, floodlights, and COB arrays. LEDs are connected in series, and the total forward voltage (Vf) of the LED string must fall within the driver’s output voltage range.

Important: This guide assumes standard on/off operation; it does not cover dimming control wiring, which is a separate topic for drivers that support it.

Always verify the input voltage (AC side) and the output specifications printed on the label before making any connections.

2. Wiring Diagrams: Parallel for Constant Voltage, Series for Constant Current

Wiring Parallel Loads (Constant Voltage)

Connect all positive (+) terminals of your loads to the positive output wire of the power supply, and all negative (-) terminals to the negative output wire. Each load receives the full output voltage, and the total current drawn is the sum of all load currents.

Typical setup for 24V LED strips:

• Power supply output (+) → multiple strip (+) terminals

• Power supply output (-) → multiple strip (-) terminals

• Avoid “daisy-chaining” long strips in series; each strip should see 24V directly, or use power injection points to combat voltage drop.

Critical rule: Never exceed 80% of the power supply’s rated wattage to allow headroom and extend lifespan. For a 100W unit, keep total continuous load at or below 80W.

Wiring Series LED Strings (Constant Current)

For a constant current driver, LEDs are wired in a single loop: the driver’s positive output goes to the first LED’s anode (+), that LED’s cathode (-) connects to the next LED’s anode, and so on, with the last LED’s cathode returning to the driver’s negative output. Current is the same through all LEDs, and the driver automatically adjusts the voltage to match the sum of all LED forward voltages.

Before connecting:

• Add up the typical Vf of all LEDs in the series. The total must be within the driver’s stated constant current region (e.g., 30–60V DC).

• Never connect LEDs in parallel directly to a constant current driver; current sharing will be unpredictable and can burn out LEDs.

Wiring polarity is absolute. Reversing even one LED connection in a series string will result in no light and potential driver damage. Use a multimeter to verify polarity before powering up.