Power injection is easier to plan on paper than to add after everything is mounted. Treat it as part of the original wiring plan, including the cable route and the protection for each feed.
Start with the layout and load
List the pixels on each run, their voltage, the expected current, the planned brightness, and the cable distances. Use the specifications for those pixels rather than a fixed rule about injecting every certain number of nodes.
Long cables and their connectors add resistance. Under load, the voltage at the pixels can be lower than at the supply. Moving power closer to the load or adding an appropriately designed feed can help keep the pixels within their operating range.
Draw the power paths
- Mark the supply and controller locations on your layout.
- Identify where each pixel section receives power.
- Plan suitable wire and connectors for the current and distance.
- Include correctly rated fuse protection for each added feed.
- Label the feeds and document which power supply serves each section.
Keep supply boundaries clear
Do not join the positive outputs of independent power supplies unless the equipment and electrical design explicitly allow it. Multiple-supply installations need a deliberate plan for power boundaries and grounding.
Injection does not increase a controller's data capacity or repair a weak data signal. It also does not remove connector or wire limits. Check the complete circuit, including any power paths that remain through the pixel string.
Verify before installation
Build and test the planned arrangement on the bench using its actual cable lengths. If the power paths or protection are unclear, send us the layout, pixel models, and controller details before assembling the feeds.
Mattos tip: Plan the power feeds alongside the pixels, with every cable and fuse accounted for.
Keep learning
Read the full Mattos guide · Browse all Tips and Tricks
Technical references
Adapted from the Mattos Designs lighting-tip series. Need help with your setup? Email Support@Mattosdesigns.com with your equipment details.
