Every Prime Light Boxes unit needs a power supply to run its LEDs, and there are two related decisions to make: how it connects to power, and how you'll control brightness. Getting these right mostly comes down to the size of the unit and where it's installed.
Plug-In Power Supplies
A plug-in power supply is a standard AC/DC adapter: one end plugs into a regular wall outlet, the other end connects to your light box with a simple DC barrel connector. It's the easiest option to install — no electrician required — and it's a great fit for smaller light boxes and light panels installed near an accessible outlet. Plug-in supplies are not available in a dimmable version.
A standard plug-in AC/DC power adapter — the simplest option for smaller light boxes and panels.
Hardwire Power Supplies
A hardwire power supply (also called an LED driver) connects directly to your building's electrical wiring through screw terminals, rather than plugging into an outlet. Hardwire drivers are more reliable and last longer than plug-in adapters, and they're available in both non-dimmable and dimmable versions. This makes hardwire the better choice for larger units, and it's our recommended option for backlighting Onyx & Stone panels, where the added reliability and higher output really matter.
A hardwire LED driver — wired directly into building power for larger, more demanding installs.
Adding Brightness Control
Dimmable hardwire drivers pair with a standard wall dimmer for built-in brightness control. But you're not limited to that route: both plug-in supplies and non-dimmable hardwire drivers can still be paired with our Dimmer with Remote & WiFi ($55), which adds adjustable, app- and remote-controlled brightness on top of either setup. So you're never locked out of dimming just because your light box shipped with a plug-in or non-dimmable driver.
Which Should You Choose?
For a small light box or light panel near an outlet, a plug-in supply is the simplest choice. For larger units, multi-panel installs, or anywhere backlighting Onyx & Stone, go with a hardwire driver — dimmable if you want brightness control built in from the start, non-dimmable if you don't. Either way, if you decide later that you want adjustable brightness, our remote & WiFi dimmer accessory works with both plug-in and non-dimmable setups.
All of our power supplies are UL/CSA certified, matching the same certification standard as the light boxes themselves. You can select your power and dimmer options directly when configuring a size on our Fabric Light Box or Backlit Acrylic Light Box pages, or check our FAQ if you're not sure which setup fits your space.
