I want to install LED strip lighting behind crown molding in my office. In my particular install, I'm using 3 strips of SMD 5050 RGBW LEDs, which draw about 72 W per strip. From what I can gather, people are using one of three kinds of power supplies:
- plug-in type wall warts
- panel-mount LED drivers like the Meanwell LPV series.
- Enclosed power supplies like the Meanwell NES series.
I don't believe there exists a magnetic transformer that can drive and control RGB or RGBW LEDs, but perhaps I'm missing a fourth option?
If I hire a professional to do this work (I'm not; I'm doing it myself, but I want a "professional" job that will pass inspection), what method would they use to drive my LEDs? The first two require multiple drivers since none are rated more than 100W or so. The latter method uses a power supply that's meant to be enclosed in a larger assembly; it's not meant to just hang out on top of a cabinet with exposed 120V input terminals.
So what are professionals doing when they install these systems? Do they install multiple 120V outlets spaced out behind the crown (or other feature they're accenting), and use multiple plug-in type drivers? Do they use an enclosed power supply which they then place within an enclosure of some sort? Do they fudge it, and just tuck the enclosed driver somewhere out of sight or where they think someone won't be likely to touch a live terminal?
I'm obviously not the first person to install LED accent lighting, but there's a dearth of info on the web as to how to install it, and actually respect Code at the same time.