where to switch a 12v LED circuit?

[neilinmk]

Hi all. new to this and hoping someone can pity on me!
I've bought a LED light tape kit which comes with a 3pin 12v transformer.

I plan to put the LEDs to back-light a mirror on the wife's bedside table (she looks better in dim light!!!!

The transformer will plug straight into a normal 3 pin socket but that's behind the bed so I need to wire in a switch. so here's my question, do I need to have the switch on the 240v side (between the socket and the transformer) , or could I put a 12v 20amp toggle switch between the transformer and the LED tape. the second route would be much neater if it worked technically. so to be clear, the transformer would be permanently plugged in and live, but power would be switched on the 12v dc side of the circuit.

thanks guys

 

[Zdb]

What about a remote controlled socket outlet?

 

[neilinmk]

Hi. Thanks. Ive already bought the led kit. If i could do a simple switch I'd prefer that to a remote control, especially as we'd lose it!

 

[Bobster]

Transformers tend to get warm when left powered up with an open secondary. However with the size of it, probably not an issue.

Both would work.

 

[neilinmk]

Great. Thank you.

 

[shaun1]

Also make sure the transformer/PSU is located somewhere where it can get some airflow around it, and its not trapped behind the bed.

 

[Taylortwocities]

You could put the switch in either the mains or ELV side of the LED power supply.
IKEA (and others) have the switching on the ELV side. As an electrician, my training tells me that switching the 230V power off is better and safer.

 

[neilinmk]

I agree, my instinct was to want to switch everything off but then I saw a backlit Mirror in John Lewis where the switch was on the ELV side. Thanks guys.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I wouldn’t want to fly off on holidays leaving a “made in China to the lowest cost” power supply plugged in.

 

[MJPD29]

Switch on 230 side