As current flows through a LED strip, the copper traces that carry it have resistance. That resistance causes a small voltage drop for every metre of strip. Over short runs it is imperceptible. Over longer runs it becomes visible as the strip dims progressively toward the far end from the driver. 24V strips are significantly more resistant to voltage drop than 12V — one of the key reasons Lumily specifies 24V as standard.
The Practical Thresholds
For most Lumily strips at standard wattages, visible dimming typically begins beyond 5 metres on a single run from one end. Beyond this threshold, power inject from the far end or split the run into two independently powered sections.
How to Fix It
Power injection is the simplest solution. Run a second set of wires from the driver to the far end of the strip, connecting to the strip's end terminals. The strip now receives full voltage from both ends and drop is eliminated. For very long or high-wattage runs, centre-feeding — connecting the driver to the middle of the run — can effectively double the maximum run length.
Size Your Driver Correctly
Always size with at least 20% headroom above the calculated load. A driver running at 60–70% of its maximum will run cooler, last longer, and perform more consistently than one pushed to its limit.
Not sure which driver you need? Read our driver sizing guide — or contact our team and we'll spec it for you.