10 Metre LED Strip: Power Supply, Voltage Drop and Wiring Guide

A 10 m LED strip is the standard reel length used in lighting installations — decorative and functional alike. In this article we cover the types of LED strip available on 10-metre reels, their technical parameters, the rules for cutting and joining, and the criteria for choosing a strip for a specific application.

Why LED strips are sold on 10 m reels

The 10 m reel is the industry production standard for 24V LED strips. The length follows from the electrical parameters — with a single-end feed the voltage drop over 10 m is already clearly visible (10-20% brightness loss at the far end of a 24V strip), which is why a 10 m reel is fed from both ends. For 12V strips the maximum length without noticeable brightness loss is 5 m.

10-metre reels are more economical per linear metre than shorter lengths. For B2B purchases strips are also available on 20 m and 50 m reels (to order), but 10 m is the most universal format — enough for most rooms and easy to transport.

Types of LED strip on 10 m reels

LED strips differ in LED type, density, power and functionality. Below is an overview of the types available in the 2K-Trade range.

Technical parameters — what to look at

When choosing a 10 m LED strip, four parameters are key: supply voltage, power per metre, LED density and IP rating.

Supply voltage: 12V vs 24V

24V DC strips are the professional standard. Compared with 12V strips they draw half the current at the same power, which means lower losses in the cables and longer runs without brightness loss. All strips in the 2K-Trade range operate at 24V DC.

Power and brightness

The power of an LED strip is given in watts per metre (W/m). For a 10 m reel the total power is the power per metre multiplied by 10. For example, a 14.4 W/m strip on a 10 m reel draws 144 W in total — the power supply must be rated at least 144 W + 20% headroom (173 W). In practice a 200 W power supply is chosen.

LED density

Density is measured as the number of LEDs per metre (LED/m). Higher density gives a more even line of light, but also higher power and price. Strips below 120 LED/m may show visible “dots” of light — especially with a clear diffuser. COB strips (320+ LED/m) give a perfectly even line with no visible points.

IP rating

For indoor installations (living rooms, offices, corridors) IP20 strips — without an additional protective coating — are sufficient. For bathrooms, kitchens, terraces and the outside of a building, IP65 (silicone coating) or higher is required. IP67/IP68 strips are used in installations submerged in water (pools, fountains, aquariums).

Cutting an LED strip — rules and cut points

LED strips may only be cut at the marked cut points — copper lines on the PCB (usually marked with a scissors symbol). The spacing of the cut points depends on the strip type:

• SMD 2835 120-140 LED/m — every 25-50 mm (every 3 LEDs)
• SMD 2835 192 LED/m — every 25 mm (every 3-4 LEDs)
• COB 320 LED/m — every 25-33 mm
• RGB 60 LED/m — every 100 mm (every 3 LEDs)
• Digital WS2811 — every 50-100 mm (every 1-3 LEDs)

Cutting outside a marked point damages the circuit and disables the section. Use sharp scissors or a craft knife.

Joining LED strip sections

After cutting the strip to length, sections are joined in one of two ways:

Solderless connectors (mechanical)

Plastic clips with metal contacts that press onto the pads of the strip PCB. No soldering needed. Available as straight (strip-to-strip), corner (90 degrees) and strip-to-wire versions. Drawback: they can loosen under vibration and have slightly higher contact resistance than a soldered joint.

Soldering

A more durable and reliable connection. Requires a 25-40 W soldering iron with a fine tip, flux-cored solder (0.5-0.8 mm) and a little experience. Soldering time on a single pad should not exceed 2-3 seconds — longer heating damages the LEDs and the PCB laminate.

Powering a 10 m reel — wiring diagrams

Powering a 10 m LED strip requires the right power supply and the right wiring layout. Below are the three basic layouts:

Single-end feed (up to 5 m)

The power supply is connected at one end of the strip. Current flows in one direction. Suitable only for runs up to 5 m — beyond that there is a visible brightness drop at the far end of the strip (10-20% for 24V strips).

Dual-end feed (up to 10 m)

The power supply is connected at both ends of the 10 m strip. Current flows from both ends towards the centre, eliminating the brightness drop. Requires running the feed cable to both ends — often done as a cable loop behind the profile or ceiling.

Parallel feed (over 10 m)

Each 5 m section is fed independently from one power supply through a splitter. The best solution for long installations (20 m, 30 m and more). It eliminates voltage drop and allows individual sections to be replaced without dismantling the whole installation.

Colour temperature — how to choose

Single-colour (mono) strips are available in three colour temperatures:

• 3000 K (warm white) — a cosy, relaxing mood. For bedrooms, living rooms, restaurants, hotels.
• 4000 K (neutral white) — natural, clean light. For offices, kitchens, bathrooms, commercial spaces.
• 6000 K (cool white) — energetic, technical light. For garages, workshops, warehouses, industrial spaces.

CCT (Correlated Colour Temperature) strips allow the colour temperature to be adjusted between 2700 and 6000 K with a controller. This is the most flexible solution — one light source adapts to the time of day and the mood.

LED strips in the 2K-Trade range

The full range of LED strips is available in the LED strips category. Selected models on 10 m reels:

• LED strip 140 LED/m 24V SMD-2835 IP20 — a universal strip for linear lighting, 4.8-14.4 W/m
• LED strip ECO 120 LED/m 24V SMD-2835 IP20 — an economical option for decorative backlighting
• LED strip Hi-Eff 192 LED/m 24V SMD-2835 IP20 — high brightness for main lighting
• LED strip COB 320 LED/m 24V IP20 — an even line of light without dots
• LED strip CCT 120 LED/m 24V SMD-2835 IP20 — adjustable colour temperature
• LED strip 140 LED/m 24V SMD-2835 IP65 — silicone-coated, for damp areas and outdoor mounting in a profile
• LED strip RGB 60 LED/m 24V SMD-5050 IP20 — decorative colour lighting
• Digital LED strip WS2811 60 LED/m 24V IP20 — addressable, for dynamic effects (see the LED strips category)

To run LED strips you also need LED power supplies of adequate power and drivers for LED strips (for RGB, RGBW, CCT and digital strips). Feed cables can be found in the power cables category.

The most common mistakes when buying a 10 m LED strip

1. An undersized power supply — a power supply rated equal to the strip power (e.g. a 100 W supply for a 96 W strip). The supply runs at 100% load, overheats and fails. Always choose a power supply with 20-30% headroom.
2. No dual-end feed — feeding a 10 m strip from one end. The last 2-3 m will be noticeably dimmer. A 10 m run needs a dual-end feed.
3. Skipping the aluminium profile — a strip glued straight onto a surface (e.g. wood, plaster). Without a profile the strip overheats (which noticeably shortens its life), peels off and looks unprofessional.
4. The wrong controller — buying a single-channel controller for an RGB strip (3 channels needed) or a 12V controller for a 24V strip. Always check the voltage and the number of channels.
5. Daisy-chaining reels — connecting two 10 m reels one after the other (20 m in total from one feed). At 20 m the voltage drop is catastrophic — the last metres barely light up.

Frequently asked questions

Can I cut an LED strip to any length?

An LED strip can only be cut at the marked cut points (copper lines on the PCB, usually every 25-100 mm). Cutting anywhere else damages the circuit and disables the section between the cut and the next cut point.

Which power supply for a 10 m LED strip?

Power supply rating = (strip power per metre x 10 m) x 1.2. For example, for a 14.4 W/m strip: 14.4 x 10 x 1.2 = 172.8 W. A 200 W power supply is chosen. The power supply voltage must match the strip voltage (24V DC).

Does a 10 m LED strip light evenly?

With a single-end feed — no. At the far end of a 10 m reel the brightness drop can be 10-20%. For even brightness use a dual-end feed (from both ends) or a parallel feed (each 5 m fed separately).

How much electricity does a 10 m LED strip use?

Consumption depends on the strip power. A 9.6 W/m strip on a 10 m reel draws 96 W. Running 8 hours a day, that is 0.77 kWh/day, or about 23 kWh/month. At an electricity price of 0.30 EUR/kWh the monthly cost is about 6.90 EUR.

Can LED strips be dimmed?

Yes. Single-colour strips are dimmed with a PWM dimmer (pulse-width modulation). RGB and RGBW strips need an RGB/RGBW controller with a dimming function. CCT strips are dimmed with a two-channel CCT controller. All these devices are available in the drivers for LED strips category.

Summary

The 10 m LED strip is a universal format for most lighting installations — from subtle decorative backlighting to the main lighting of commercial spaces. Key points when choosing: power per metre (W/m) determines brightness, LED density (LED/m) affects the evenness of the light, and the IP rating defines resistance to moisture. For runs over 5 m a dual-end or parallel feed is mandatory.

The full range of LED strips, power supplies and accessories is available in the LED strips catalogue. Need help choosing a strip for your project? Contact the 2K-Trade technical department.

Author: MB 2K-Trade