how to chain three light bulbs cost-effectively to a power adaptor

Using Arduino General Electronics
#1

Dear all,

I want to deduce the length of wires used to connect three light bulbs to a power adaptor in a room.

The power adaptor is a 48VDC 2A device plugged into the wall power outlet.

The power consumption for each light bulb (LED) is 25W at 0.6A.

I have two methods for connection. I like to know which method works cost-effectively. And why?

See the attached image.

Thanks a lot.

Michael

connection.001.jpg
connection.001.jpg1024×768 110 KB

#2

Hi,

Is the only variable cost the length of wire required?

Must the solution work for any configution of the 3 bulbs and the power supply within the room?

Is this a 2 or 3 dimentional problem? If 3 dimensional, must the wires run against the walls?

Paul

#3

The important thing is to get thick enough wire for the current it has to take, which
means once you know the lengths of the runs and the current each run takes you
sit down with ohms law and determine the max acceptable resistance for each run and
then the max acceptable resistance-per-unit-length of the wire.

You also separately have to check that the wire can take the current without overheating.

The first calculation is to avoid the bulbs being too dim due to resistance in the wire,
the second to avoid the wires being too bright!

#4

Hi,
Is the power supply designed specifically for LEDs or is it a regulated constant 48V supply.
What are the specifications of your LEDs.

Both very important things to considered BEFORE connecting anything up.

Tom....... :slight_smile:

#5

from costs point of view

do the three bulbs need to work simultaneously or do you want to switch them separately?

lights that are off save the most money.

#6

Method#1 and Method#2 are the same, both are parallel.
Method#2 may take less wire.
What voltage are the bulbs? AC or DC?

#7

Half here are suggesting solutions for actual incandescent light bulbs, the rest want to know which LED (s)?

I want to know precisely what you're powering I'm guessing you bought screw in 110/240vac bulbs complete with driver for the led ... if so you can't place them in series...

#8

Neither method wil work for bare LEDs. Either wire them in series and use one current regulator or use a current regulator for each and wire the current regulators in parallel. If you put parallel LEDs on a single current regulator they will not share the current evenly and some might overheat and die, dumping more current on the other two.

With a fixed voltage supply the 'current regulator' can be as simple as a current limiting resistor.

#9