Quick answer: To specify kitchen lighting, choose the lights and strip for each area, match the pin type (2-pin single colour, 4-pin CCT, 6-pin RGBCCT), add up the wattage and pick a 24V driver rated above the total, plan where the driver sits and how it is controlled, check IP ratings for wet areas, and leave the mains connection to a qualified electrician. This guide is a checklist for kitchen fitters and designers working with Sensio.
Good lighting is often the last thing fitted and the first thing a customer notices. This specification guide sets out what to decide, in order, so the lighting goes in once and works first time. Every product fact here comes from our product pages, and the links take you to the detail.
1. Plan the lighting by zone
| Zone | Typical choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under wall units (task) | Polar X COB strip in a profile, or under cabinet spotlights | COB gives a continuous line with no dots on a gloss worktop. See under cabinet lighting. |
| Handleless rails | Razor X in the Edge™ profile | Edge-lit strip for routed channels. |
| Plinths and kickboards | Plinth lights, or Razor X 4mm in the Accent™ profile | Accent fits 16 to 18mm plinth boards and strips 5mm wide or less. Viva 3 is IP54 for plinths where mops and spills reach. |
| Wall unit tops and coving | Polar X or Polar X Pro | See LED coving lighting ideas. |
| Inside cupboards, larders and drawers | Strip or cabinet lights with a door sensor | See sensors. |
| Shelving and display | Affinity™ Magnetic Track | Lights and controls click on magnetically and can be moved later. |
2. Choose the light colour and control type
- Single colour: warm (3000K), natural (4000K) or cool white. 2-pin.
- TrioTone®: choose warm, natural or cool white on the light when you fit it. 2-pin.
- CCT: the customer adjusts from warm to cool white at any time. 4-pin.
- RGBCCT: full colour plus adjustable white. 6-pin.
The strip, its connectors and the driver must all have the same pin type. Every Sensio light is CRI 90+. See our colour temperature chart.
3. Measure runs and check cut points
- Free-cut strips can be cut anywhere: Polar X, Polar X Pro, Polar X Duo, Polar X IP65, Razor X 2mm and 4mm, Razor X Pro, Primo X and Radiant X.
- Other strips cut at marked points: Razor every 25mm, Polar Pro every 31mm, Viva 3, Sigma 2 and Ion 5 every 50mm, Primo 2 every 100mm.
- Polar X and Polar X Pro run up to 25m without the light fading at the far end.
- Use 1500mm interconnecting leads to bridge gaps between cabinets or doorways, and 50mm corner connectors to turn corners.
Full detail: can you cut LED strip lights? and LED strip connectors explained. For repeat or volume work, TrueFIT cuts and solders every run to your lengths with a 48-hour turnaround.
4. Size the driver
- Add up the wattage of every light and every metre of strip, at full brightness.
- Choose a driver rated higher than that total.
- If the total is close to the driver's limit, go up a size. For example, a 30W load is right at the limit of a 30W driver, so choose a 60W driver.
- Check the driver has enough ports, or add a port expander.
Typical strip loads: Polar X and Polar X Pro 6W per metre, Sigma 2 4.8W, Viva 3 4W, Primo X and Primo 2 3.6W. Our LED strip calculator and driver calculator do the sums.
5. Choose the driver for the control you want
| Control | Driver | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors, push switch or remote | Titan+ | 6W, 15W, 30W, 60W, 150W |
| Mains wall dimmer (leading or trailing edge) | Titan Dimmable | 15W, 30W, 60W |
| App, voice and wireless Kinetic switch | Titan Smart Kinetic | 15W, 30W, 60W |
Never use a Titan+ or Titan Smart Kinetic driver with a wall dimmer. Titan drivers are 16mm deep, so they fit behind kickboards and above wall units. Plan where the driver sits, keep it accessible, and plan the cable route back to it.
6. Add sensors and switching
- Door sensor: cupboards, larders and wardrobes, on single or double doors.
- PIR sensor: plinths and walk-in spaces. Wire it between the driver and the lights, or use a wireless PIR where there is no cable route.
- Hand wave (IR) sensor: touch-free on and off, hold to dim, for worktops.
- Wireless sensors: up to 5m from the receiver, battery powered.
- Remote: the Universal Remote Control with a single colour, CCT or RGBCCT receiver.
Wired sensors plug into the Titan+ driver's switch control port. A Titan+ Sensor Adaptor connects more than one sensor. See which LED light sensor do you need?
7. Check IP ratings for wet areas
- Standard strips, clips and leads are IP20, for dry areas only.
- Viva 3 is IP54, splash resistant, for plinths.
- For bathrooms, Polar X IP65 is suitable for zones 1 and 2 with sealed connections and the driver outside zone 1. Reseal any cut end or fit an end cap.
See IP ratings explained and bathroom zones and IP ratings.
8. Mains connection
Connecting Sensio 24V lights to the driver is plug and play. Any work on mains wiring must be carried out by a qualified electrician. If the lights are to run from a wall switch, the electrician wires the driver into the lighting circuit. Where a socket is available, the driver can plug in with the Driver Lead with Plug. Check current Building Regulations for your project, as notification rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Specification checklist
- Lights and strip chosen for each zone
- Colour and control type agreed with the customer
- Pin type matched across strip, connectors and driver
- Runs measured, cut points checked, connectors listed
- Driver sized above the total load, with spare capacity
- Driver position and cable routes planned, driver accessible
- Sensors, switches or remote chosen
- IP rating checked for any wet area
- Mains connection booked with a qualified electrician
- Installation guides downloaded from each product page
Support for kitchen fitters
- Trade account: trade prices, invoices and hi-res images. Trade orders have a minimum order value of £150 ex VAT.
- TrueFIT: strip and profile cut to your lengths, pre-soldered and kitted, in 48 hours.
- Find a distributor and brochures.
- Installation videos and an installation guide on each product page.
- Free next working day delivery on orders over £90, order by 2pm Monday to Friday.
- 7 year guarantee. See our guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
What size driver do I need for a kitchen?
Add up the wattage of every light and metre of strip and choose a driver rated higher than the total, going up a size if you are close to the limit. For example, 5m of Polar X at 6W per metre is 30W, which is right at the limit of a 30W driver, so choose a 60W driver.
Can I run all the kitchen lighting from one driver?
Often, yes, as long as the total load is within the driver's rating and it has enough ports. Use separate drivers where lights need different control, such as a wall dimmer for the worktop and a sensor for the plinths.
Where should the driver go?
Somewhere dry and accessible, such as behind a kickboard or above a wall unit. Titan drivers are 16mm deep, so they fit in tight spaces.
Do I need an electrician?
For any mains wiring, yes. The 24V side is plug and play, so the fitter can install the lights and leads and the electrician makes the mains connection to the driver.
Can I mix Sensio lights with other brands?
We only guarantee Sensio lights working with Sensio drivers, dimmers and sensors, so keep each installation in one system.
Need help with a specification? Get in touch or call 01977 522020.
