What is a Reed Switch?

A reed switch is an electrical switch operated by a magnetic field. It consists of a pair of contacts on ferrous metal reeds in a hermetically sealed glass envelope.

What is a Reed Sensor?

A reed sensor consists of a reed switch encapsulated inside an enclosure with a cable attached. Lightdream reed sensor contacts are normally open and closed when a magnet is present. As the magnet moves away from the reed sensor the contacts open. The term “reed switch” is commonly applied to reed sensors and Lightdream uses both terms.

What is a Controller?

A controller acts like a hub in the lighting system. It receives signals from the reed sensors, and acts on those signals by turning on or off the output.

Can a reed switch be used without a controller?

No.
The contacts are not designed for the current that LED lights use and would soon fuse in a closed position.

What is the difference between the DC and AC Controllers?

The AC controller will switch mains power and has a built-in timer that will switch off the power automatically after a preset period. The AC controller has two channels and each channel can operate independently from the other. It is like having two controllers in the one unit. The timer settings apply to both channels.

The DC Controller is a single channel controller for DC voltages up to 24V. 12/24 VDC are the standard voltages used for LED lighting.

What is the difference between the LD1400 and the LD1401 reed switches?

They are identical except the LD1401 has a flange at one end. This is to allow the sensor or magnet to be placed in a 10mm hole and be flush with the surface. The LD1400 has no flange and is designed to be fully concealed. The sensor is placed into a 10mm rebate in the carcass and the magnet placed in a 10mm hole in the door.

What parts do I need?

This page will help you decide.

How do I connect up LED strips for a number of shelves?

Connect all LED strips in parallel and connect the (+) side of the LED strips to the (+) output of the controller and the (-) side of the LED strips to the (-) output of the controller. You are limited to the number of LED strips by the power supply wattage.

What is colour temperature?

LED strip colour temperatures range from 2700 to 5000K+.
2700 – 3000K is similar to incandescent globes at the lower end to halogen lights at the upper end.
3500-4200K is a cleaner white light and is seen in commercial spaces such as offices and shopping centres and is becoming more common in residential for task lighting.
5000K is a bluer light approaching daylight.
Be aware that descriptors such as warm white, soft white, bright light, cool white, neutral white, natural white, pure white and daylight are often applied to different values of colour temperature and should be used as a guide only.