DMX CV LED Driver Technology

How DMX512 constant voltage drivers power and dim single colour, tuneable white and RGBW LED strip in one unit, and how to address, wire and size them.

DMX constant voltage LED drivers from Ltech and Lifud

Overview

What is a DMX CV LED driver?

A DMX constant voltage (CV) driver combines a mains LED power supply and a DMX decoder in one unit. It provides a 12V or 24V output for LED strip and dims each output channel by PWM to the levels it receives on its DMX channels. One driver replaces a separate power supply and decoder, saving space and wiring in the luminaire or ceiling void.

Our range from Ltech and Lifud covers 75W to 150W in slim linear cases. Single channel LM-G1M2 and NFC programmable LM-G1M2F drivers dim single colour strip, the 2-channel LM-G2M2 controls tuneable white, and the 4-channel LM-150-24-G4K3 and Lifud LF-GBD150 drive RGBW strip and also accept DALI-2. All dim down to 0.1%, flicker free, and accept a mains push switch.

Power supply and DMX decoder in one unit
Single colour, tuneable white and RGBW models
RDM for remote addressing and status
NFC programming on LM-G1M2F models
DMX and DALI-2 in one driver on RGBW models

DMX CV range at a glance

Brands: Ltech, Lifud
Output voltage: 12V or 24VDC
Power: 75W – 150W
Channels: 1, 2 (CCT) or 4 (RGBW)
Control: DMX512/RDM, push
Also: DALI-2 on RGBW models
Dimming: 0–100%, down to 0.1%
Input: AC mains

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The technology

How DMX CV dimming works

A DMX controller sends a universe of 512 channels, each with a level from 0 to 255, along a daisy-chained data cable with a 120Ω terminator at the end.

Each driver is set to a start address and uses one channel per output: one for single colour, two for tuneable white and four for RGBW. An RGBW driver at address 10 reads channels 10 to 13.

The driver holds its output at 12V or 24V and switches each channel by high-frequency PWM, so the strip dims smoothly and mixes colours without flicker.

Simplified illustration: each driver reads one channel per output from its start address and dims its 24V output channels by PWM.

Channels

Single colour, tuneable white and RGBW

Choose the driver type to match the strip, and allow the right number of DMX channels for each one.

Feature	Single colour	Tuneable white	RGBW
Output channels	1	2 (warm and cool white)	4 (red, green, blue, white)
DMX channels used	1	2 (dim and colour temperature)	4
Strip	Single colour LED strip	CCT strip	RGBW strip
Our drivers	LM-G1M2, LM-G1M2F	LM-G2M2	LM-150-24-G4K3, LF-GBD150-6250-24

For constant current fittings, see DMX CC driver technology.

Our range

DMX CV drivers compared

Choose the voltage to match the strip, the channels to match its colours, and the power to cover the load.

Model	Output	Max. power	Channels	Control
Ltech LM-75-12-G1M2	12V, 6.25A	75W	1	DMX512/RDM, push
Ltech LM-75-24-G1M2	24V, 3.125A	75W	1	DMX512/RDM, push
Ltech LM-100-24-G1M2	24V, 4.17A	100W	1	DMX512/RDM, push
Ltech LM-75-12/24-G1M2F	12V or 24V	75W	1	DMX512/RDM, push, NFC
Ltech LM-150-12/24-G2M2	12V or 24V	150W	2 (DIM/CT)	DMX512/RDM, push
Ltech LM-150-24-G4K3	24V	150W	4 (RGBW)	DMX512/RDM, DALI-2 DT8, push
Lifud LF-GBD150-6250-24	24V, 6.25A	150W	4 (RGBW)	DMX512/RDM, DALI-2, push

All models dim from 0 to 100%, down to 0.1%, with flicker-free high-frequency PWM.

Benefits

Advantages of DMX CV LED drivers

Why an all-in-one DMX driver is a neat way to control LED strip.

All in one

Power supply and DMX decoder in one slim case, with less wiring and fewer parts.

Colour control

Single colour, tuneable white and RGBW drivers for every type of strip.

Deep, flicker-free dimming

0–100% dimming down to 0.1% with high-frequency PWM.

RDM and NFC

Set addresses remotely by RDM, or by phone app and NFC on LM-G1M2F drivers.

DMX or DALI

The RGBW models accept DMX512 or DALI-2, so one driver suits either system.

Push dimming

A mains push switch gives local control alongside DMX.

Selection & set-up

Choosing and installing a DMX CV driver

Match the voltage: use a 12V driver for 12V strip and a 24V driver for 24V strip.
Size the power: add up the strip load (W/m × length) and allow at least 20% headroom; on multi-channel drivers, check each channel's current too.
Plan the addresses: allow 1, 2 or 4 channels per driver so their address ranges don't overlap, unless they should act together.
Daisy-chain the cable: run screened twisted-pair data cable from driver to driver, with no spurs or star joints.
Terminate the line: fit a 120Ω terminator at the last driver on each DMX line.
Limit voltage drop: on long strip runs, feed from both ends or from several points.

Related technology and products

Complete the system and compare other control methods:

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12 / 24V

Output voltage

75–150W

Power range

0.1%

Dimming depth

1–4

Output channels

Where DMX CV drivers are used

Wherever LED strip needs individual, dynamic or colour-changing control.

Architectural

Facade, cove and feature strip with dynamic colour scenes.

Hospitality

Bars, restaurants and hotels with programmed colour and white scenes.

Stage and events

Strip lighting on sets and stages, run from the DMX desk.

Retail

Shelf and display strip with tuneable white or colour accents.

Museums and galleries

Low-level, flicker-free strip lighting for exhibits.

Exhibitions

Stands and attractions controlled from a central DMX system.

FAQ

DMX CV driver questions

A DMX constant voltage (CV) driver is a mains power supply and DMX decoder in one unit. It provides a 12V or 24V output for LED strip and dims each output channel by PWM to the levels received on its DMX channels, so no separate power supply or decoder is needed.

A driver uses one DMX channel per output channel, starting at its address: one for single colour strip, two for tuneable white (dim and colour temperature) and four for RGBW. For example, an RGBW driver set to address 10 uses channels 10, 11, 12 and 13.

The address can be set remotely by RDM from a compatible DMX controller. On the Ltech LM-G1M2F drivers, a phone app can also set the address, dimming curve and brightness range by NFC.

Some can. The Ltech LM-150-24-G4K3 accepts DMX512/RDM or DALI-2 DT8, and the Lifud LF-GBD150-6250-24 accepts DALI-2 or DMX512/RDM, so the same driver can be used in either system. Both also accept a mains push switch.

Match the output voltage to the strip and add up the strip load in watts (watts per metre multiplied by length), allowing at least 20% headroom. On multi-channel drivers, also check that the load on each channel stays within its current rating.

DMX CV LED Driver Technology