28 AWG Ribbon Cable, Max Wattage

[jeeep]

Hi,
I would like to control 40 LED modules using a ribbon cable that is 28 AWG - 50 conductor. Each module uses 12 volts @ 30mA. Is this fine or is this too much for ribbon cable?

Each LED Module has 4 LEDs running at 30mA

Thank you

 

[(*steve*)]

Yes, 12V at 30mA would be fine for that cable.

See here.

I presume you're using 40 leads to go to individual modules, and the remaining 10 as common ground.

Are the LEDs in series or parallel. If they are in series it's all OK. If in parallel, then you would want to ensure the ribbon cable was not coiled up or otherwise unable to radiate heat.

 

[jeeep]

Thank you. So based off of that table I am allowed 1.4 amps per wire?

 

[55pilot]

Thank you. So based off of that table I am allowed 1.4 amps per wire?

NO. Not 1.4A per wire!

1.4A per cable, yes, as long as you allow the cable to dissipate heat.

---55p

 

[jeeep]

Thanks. I'm actually using 48 of the 50 so 48x.03 = 1.44 ....whew! thats a tight fit

 

[(*steve*)]

Are you driving 1 LED per wire (with 2 wires left for ground return)?

Will any of these diodes *always* be turned on at the same time? If so, you should connect them in series -- it will reduce your current required by 'n' (where n is the number in series)