How to Install Concealed Lighting? LED Strip, Profiles and 12 V vs 24 V
Short answer
Concealed lighting is indirect lighting in which only the light is seen, not the light source itself. It is created by placing LED strip or LED bar in aluminium profiles in ceiling coves, niches, under shelves and on stair treads; 24 V is preferred on long runs because voltage drop is lower, and the driver is sized with about a 20 percent power margin.
Concealed lighting adds depth and warmth to a space: the ceiling looks higher, the wall wider, and the eye sees only the light, not its source. Done right, it is the most effective type of lighting; done wrong, it is the one that draws the most attention.
Where is it used?
- Ceiling coves: Soft general light by lighting the ceiling from below.
- Niches and wall recesses: Accents on decorative objects and textures.
- Under shelves and cabinets: Task lighting on the kitchen worktop.
- Stair treads: Safe guidance.
- Bedheads, TV units, behind mirrors: Ambience.
LED strip or LED bar?
| LED strip | LED bar (in profile) | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Flexible tape | Inside a rigid aluminium profile |
| Mounting | Stuck into a profile | Ready-made profile, mounted directly |
| Use | Curved and long runs | Straight runs, under shelves, niches |
Our LED Line100 products are supplied as LED bars in profiles, with 12 V and 24 V options.
12 V and 24 V
As voltage falls, current rises; on long, thin copper tracks this leads to voltage drop and loss of brightness at the end of the run. A 24 V system draws half the current for the same power, so it gives more even light on long runs. 12 V is sufficient for short under-shelf applications.
Choosing the driver
- Multiply the power per metre by the total length (example: 14 W/m × 10 m = 140 W).
- Add a margin of about 20 percent (140 × 1.2 ≈ 170 W).
- Match the voltage (12 V/24 V) and the dimming requirement (Triac, 1-10V, DALI).
- Put the driver in a ventilated, accessible place; drivers closed into a suspended ceiling overheat and cannot be reached when they fail.
Common mistakes
- Strip without a profile: the LED dots are visible and heat shortens the lifetime.
- Feeding a long run from one end only: the end of the run stays dim; feed from both ends if necessary.
- Keeping the cove too narrow: a sharp, patchy line of light on the ceiling.
- Mixing colour temperatures: concealed light should be the same as, or slightly warmer than, the general lighting.
Conclusion
In concealed lighting, the result is determined not by the light source but by the installation detail: profile, diffuser, voltage and cove dimensions. You can explore our concealed lighting products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should concealed lighting use 12 V or 24 V?
24 V is preferred for long runs: it draws a lower current for the same power, so voltage drop is reduced and there is less loss of brightness at the end of the run. 12 V is sufficient for short applications.
Why should LED strip be used inside a profile?
An aluminium profile dissipates the strip's heat and extends its life, while the diffuser hides the LED dots and creates an even line of light.
How is a driver chosen for LED strip?
Multiply the strip's power per metre by the total length and add a margin of about 20 percent. For example, 10 metres of 14 W/m strip = 140 W; a driver of at least about 170 W is chosen.
How much space is needed for a cove light in a suspended ceiling?
Enough distance must be left between the strip and the ceiling for the light to spread across it; very narrow gaps create a sharp, patchy line on the ceiling. The dimension is set in the installation drawings according to the cornice or plasterboard detail.