Built to disappear
A good LED driver should never steal the show. This hardwired LED driver keeps a compact footprint so it can be concealed inside a cabinet, behind a crown moulding or valance, or tucked under a counter overhang. The two molded mounting brackets built into the housing let you screw it directly to cabinetry or a solid surface, keeping it secure and off the floor of the cabinet. Its two separate screw-in ports, one for the AC supply and one for the DC output, make connections clear and orderly, which the next person servicing the installation will also appreciate.
Wiring, load and installation
Because the driver is hardwired into line voltage rather than plugged into a power receptacle, the installation must be made by a qualified professional in accordance with your local building code. Its output is 12V DC, rated at 36W (3A). Before connecting your strips, add up the wattage of every segment on the output and make sure the total remains well below the 36W rating: keeping a healthy margin is the recommended practice for optimal performance and a driver that runs cooler. The unit is intended for indoor use only and should be mounted in a dry, ventilated spot.
Strips, colours and dimming
This 12V LED strip driver powers single-colour 12V strips and RGB LED strips; with RGB tape, an RGB controller installed between the driver and the strip handles colour selection and effects. The driver is not compatible with AC dimmers, so it must not be connected to a conventional wall dimmer on its input. To dim a single-colour strip, install a low-voltage DC dimmer on the output side, between the driver and the LEDs. Make sure every product on the output is rated for 12V DC.
Real-world projects
Use one driver to light the full length of an L-shaped kitchen counter, a row of glass display cabinets in a jewellery store, or a built-in bookcase in a living room. Restaurants use hidden strips to backlight bar shelving, salons light their product walls, and homeowners add a soft glow under floating vanities or along stair treads. In every case, the driver stays hidden and the light does the talking.
Technical specifications
Model: HW12V-36W
Type: hardwired LED driver (power supply)
Output voltage: 12V DC
Output power: 36W
Output current: 3A
Certification: cETLus (Canada and USA)
Compatible loads: single-colour and RGB 12V LED strips (RGB controller required)
Dimming: not compatible with AC dimmers; low-voltage DC dimmer on the output
Mounting: two molded mounting brackets
Location: indoor use only
