Calculating Transformer Wattage For Your Needs:
For example, if your strip uses 5 watts per foot and you need 20 feet, the calculation is:
Total Wattage = 5 watts per foot × 20 feet = 100 watts
Step 2: Add a Safety Margin
To ensure reliability and prevent overload, it's wise to add a safety margin of 20% to your total wattage. This means you will need a transformer that can handle:
Required Transformer Capacity = Total Wattage × 1.2, so 100 watts × 1.2 = 120 watts
Therefore, in this example, you should select a transformer with at least 120 watts capacity.
*Example: a 16.4ft strip is 50 watts x 1.2 = 60 watt driver is needed