Quick answer: Add up the wattage of every light and every metre of LED strip that will run from one driver, then choose an LED driver rated higher than that total. For example, 4m of 6 W/m strip is 24W, so it needs a 30W driver. If your total is close to a driver's limit, go up a size. Sensio 24V drivers come in 6W, 15W, 30W, 60W and 150W.
Getting the size right is one of the most common questions about LED drivers. Too small and the driver is overloaded, which can make the lights flicker, cut out or fail early. Too big does no harm. This guide shows you how to work it out in three steps, with the wattage of our most popular lights and strips, worked examples and a quick calculator.
How to work out what size LED driver you need
- List everything that will run from the driver. Every under cabinet light, plinth light and length of LED strip on that one driver.
- Add up the wattage. For lights, multiply the wattage by how many you have. For LED strip, multiply the watts per metre (W/m) by the length in metres.
- Choose the next driver size above your total. A driver must be rated higher than the load on it. If you're close to the limit, or may add lights later, go up a size.
Then check two more things: the driver's pin type must match the lights (2-pin for single colour and TrioTone®, 4-pin for CCT, 6-pin for RGBCCT), and it needs enough ports for every light, or a port expander. Our guide to choosing an LED driver covers pin types and controls in full.
LED driver calculator
Enter your strip lengths and number of lights. The calculator adds up the wattage and suggests a driver size.
LED strip
Lights
Other lights (total watts, from the product page): W
Total: 0W. Enter your lights to see a driver size.
LED strip wattage per metre
| LED strip | Watts per metre | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Polar X, Polar X Duo, Polar X IP65 | 6 W/m | Single colour (2-pin) |
| Razor and Razor X, Delta | 6 W/m | Single colour (2-pin) |
| Polar X Pro, Polar Pro, Ion 5, Ion 8, Razor X Pro | 6 W/m | CCT (4-pin) |
| Flux | 6 W/m | RGBCCT (6-pin) |
| Polar RGBCCT | 5 W/m | RGBCCT (6-pin) |
| Radiant X, Sigma 2, Neutron | 4.8 W/m | Single colour (2-pin) |
| Radiant Pro | 4.8 W/m | CCT (4-pin) |
| Viva 3 | 4 W/m | Single colour (2-pin) |
| Primo 2, Primo X, Dart | 3.6 W/m | Single colour (2-pin) |
See the full range of LED strip lights.
Wattage of popular under cabinet lights
| Light | Watts each |
|---|---|
| Apex TrioTone® | 1.55W |
| Hype TrioTone® | 2W |
| Ark TrioTone® | 2.5W |
| Horizon TrioTone®, Plaza | 3.6W |
| Neo TrioTone®, Astro TrioTone® | 4.8W |
| Connex linear lights | 3W to 16W, depending on length |
The wattage of every light is in the specification on its product page. Browse all under cabinet lighting.
Worked examples
Five spotlights under kitchen wall units
5 Hype TrioTone® spotlights at 2W each = 10W. A 15W driver is the right size, such as the 15W Titan+™ Driver.
LED strip under a run of wall units
4m of Polar X strip at 6 W/m = 24W. Choose a 30W driver.
Spotlights and plinth strip on one driver
6 Hype TrioTone® spotlights (12W) plus 3m of Polar X along the plinth (18W) = 30W. That is right at the limit of a 30W driver, so choose a 60W driver. Both use 2-pin connections, so they can share a driver.
CCT strip you can change from warm to cool
4m of Polar X Pro at 6 W/m = 24W. CCT strip needs a 4-pin driver, so choose the 30W Titan™ Smart Kinetic CCT Driver, or a 30W Titan+ Driver with a CCT Receiver.
Sensio LED driver sizes
| Driver | Sizes | Pins |
|---|---|---|
| Titan+™ | 6W, 15W, 30W, 60W, 150W | 2-pin |
| Titan™ Dimmable (wall dimmer) | 15W, 30W, 60W | 2-pin |
| Titan™ Smart Kinetic (app and voice) | 15W, 30W, 60W | 2-pin |
| Titan™ Smart Kinetic CCT | 15W, 30W, 60W | 4-pin |
| Titan™ Smart RGBCCT | 30W | 6-pin |
| Titan IP44 (bathrooms) | 30W | 2-pin |
| Modus™ Plug-in | 30W | Single colour or TrioTone® |
Shop the full range of LED drivers, or compare every model's ports and controls on our driver comparison page.
Watch: choosing and installing a Titan driver
More help: how to install a 24V LED driver and how to cut, connect, fit and wire LED strip lights.
Frequently asked questions
What size LED driver do I need?
One rated higher than the total wattage of everything on it. Add up the watts of each light, and the watts per metre multiplied by the length of any strip, then choose the next driver size above that total.
How do I work out the wattage of LED strip?
Multiply the watts per metre by the length. For example, 5m of 6 W/m strip uses 30W. The watts per metre are in the specification on each strip's product page.
Can I use a bigger LED driver than I need?
Yes. A driver only supplies the power the lights draw, so a larger driver is fine, and it leaves room to add lights later. The output voltage and pin type must still match the lights.
What happens if the LED driver is too small?
It is overloaded. The lights may flicker, cut out or not come on, and the driver can fail early. Choose a driver rated above your total wattage.
Can I run lights and LED strip from the same driver?
Yes, as long as they share the same pin type, the total wattage stays below the driver's rating and there are enough ports. Port expanders add more connections.
What if my lights add up to more than 150W?
Split them across two or more drivers, each loaded below its rating. For larger projects, our technical team can help with a specification.
Does dimming change the driver size I need?
No. Size the driver for the lights at full brightness.
Still not sure? Contact our technical team with your list of lights and they will size the driver for you.
