How to choose a 12 V/24 V LED power supply? A detailed guide to the Mean Well ELG, Mean Well XLG and EAGLERISE series available from 2K-Trade

LED power supply 24 V, the right PWM controller and a well-matched LED profile form the trio that determines whether your stretch ceiling will delight clients with even lighting for years to come. At 2K-Trade we rely exclusively on Mean Well (ELG and XLG lines) and EAGLERISE. This article – rich in key phrases such as “24 V driver”, “LED controller” and “LED profile for stretch ceiling” – walks you step-by-step through planning the power, control and mechanical routing of LED strips with our GAMMA 20 profile.

First: a branded driver equals stable brightness

Cheap, no-name power supplies often promise high wattage but in practice their efficiency drops within months, dimming the LED strip. Mean Well ELG and Mean Well XLG maintain efficiency above 90 %, feature OVP/OCP/SCP protection and come with a 5-year warranty. For budget-sensitive projects we recommend EAGLERISE with a 3-year warranty and PF ≥ 0.95.

Next: what exactly is in 2K-Trade stock?

✅ Mean Well ELG 75-300 W – top efficiency (up to 94 %) and both voltage and current adjustment.
✅ Mean Well XLG 25-320 W – compact housing, constant-power mode, full IP67.
✅ EAGLERISE 60-240 W – solid quality at a fair price, ideal PF ≥ 0.95.
✅ PWM controllers from 2K-Trade – from a simple RF remote to the multi-channel Mi-Light controller with a mobile app.
✅ LED profile GAMMA 20 – aluminium channel with space for strip and DF-G.20 diffuser, giving a flawless line of light without “hot-spots”.

Then: what to check when selecting a 24 V driver?

✅ Power (W) – add at least 20 % headroom to the total strip load.
✅ Efficiency (%) – the higher it is, the cooler the driver and the smaller the aluminium profile required.
✅ PF – a power-factor ≥ 0.95 cuts reactive-energy costs.
✅ IP67 – enclosure rating essential for bathrooms, spas or kitchens.
✅ Dimming options – ELG-AB, XLG-AB and Mi-Light controllers support 10 V PWM for smooth brightness transitions.

ELG, XLG or EAGLERISE – which line fits your project?

✅ ELG: top efficiency (up to 94 %) and two potentiometers (V + I) – precise tuning of long runs.
✅ XLG: housing up to 25 % shorter – fits into a narrow LED profile in a cornice.
✅ EAGLERISE: the best price-to-quality ratio up to 240 W.

Worked example: GAMMA 20 profile + LED strip 14.4 W / m

Living room 18 m², ceiling perimeter 15 m of strip (14.4 W / m) → total load 216 W. Add a 25 % reserve (54 W) and you get 270 W. Ideal choices are Mean Well ELG-300-24A or Mean Well XLG-320-L. If budget is critical, use two EAGLERISE 150 W 24 V units on separate circuits – no brightness throttling, full output retained.

Five steps to a trouble-free install with 2K-Trade LED profiles

✅ Mounting the GAMMA 20 profile – anchor every 33 cm, then stick the LED strip in.
✅ Star wiring – power each section with its own 2 × 1.5 mm² cable.
✅ Two or more drivers – for loads > 300 W split the circuit across several ELG or XLG units instead of dimming output.
✅ PWM controller Mi-Light – place between driver and strip for 5 %-100 % smooth dimming.
✅ 30-minute burn-in test – run the system at full power before stretching the membrane.

Case study #1 – loft-style kitchen with GAMMA 20 profile

14 m of 12 W / m strip, two Mean Well XLG-150-A drivers + Mi-Light WL5 controller. By splitting the circuit each profile glows equally, and the compact XLG units fit in the beam above the island.

Case study #2 – “Oceanic Lagoon” spa zone

30 m² graphics ceiling, three Mean Well ELG-240-24AB in a distributed layout. The Mi-Light FUT036 D controller delivers relaxing dim-down scenes, while the GAMMA 20 profile with DF-G.20 diffuser hides the LED line behind a milky plane.

Case study #3 – “Colour Castle” playroom

Budget project: 20 m of 9.6 W / m strip split over two EAGLERISE 120 W 24 V drivers. A 2.4 GHz RF controller lets staff quickly dim lights for movie time. The GAMMA 20 profile gives the installation a neat, safe finish.

FAQ – frequently asked questions

Can I dim the LED strip with a regular PWM controller and remote?

Yes. All Mi-Light and RF controllers sold by 2K-Trade operate in 24 V PWM mode and provide flicker-free 5-100 % dimming.

How many drivers do I need for a 25 m² ceiling?

Depends on strip load. At 14.4 W / m it is ~360 W, so use two ELG-240-24A or three EAGLERISE 150 W 24 V units, separating circuits every ≈ 5 m.

Which LED profile suits a COB strip?

The GAMMA 20 profile with the flexible DF-G.20 diffuser eliminates hot-spots even with dense COB LEDs.

Is a driver rated IP67 sufficient for a bathroom?

Yes, as long as it is installed out of direct water jets or in an IP54 box. The driver itself is resin-potted and moisture-resistant.

Summary – reliable power, control and LED profile from 2K-Trade

If you demand top efficiency and full control, choose Mean Well ELG with a Mi-Light controller. When compactness matters, go with Mean Well XLG. For budget projects EAGLERISE is ideal. All drivers pair perfectly with GAMMA 20 profiles and our PWM controllers, forming a complete, trouble-free LED lighting system for stretch ceilings.