LED Strip Lights have become a buzz word in the lighting industry, due to the multitude of uses, huge technological advancements and ability to replace nearly any other type of legacy lighting products like incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, neon and more. This article will go over the various things you need to know about LED Strip Lights, why you might use them, how to use them, industry terminology, along with tip and tricks along the way. So let’s get started.

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What is an LED Strip Light?

LED strip lights are versatile, flexible forms of lighting that consist of multiple individual LED emitters mounted on a narrow, flexible circuit board. Here are some of the key characteristics of LED strip lights:

• Construction: Made up of many LED emitters mounted on a flexible circuit board.
• Power: Operate on low-voltage DC power (typically 12V or 24V).
• Color and Brightness: Available in various colors and brightness levels, both fixed and variable.
• Length: Usually sold in reels of up to 16 feet (5 meters) and can be cut to size at specific intervals.
• Mounting: Equipped with pre-applied double-sided adhesive for easy mounting on various surfaces.

What is the Color Rendering Index (CRI) and Why is it Important?

CRI measures how accurately a light source displays colors compared to natural daylight, with a maximum score of 100. Early LEDs had a CRI around 60, which meant colors appeared dull or distorted under LED lighting. However, modern LED strip lights have much higher CRI ratings, typically over 90, meaning the colors they render are very close to natural light. This is essential for environments where accurate color representation is important, such as retail, hospitality, and residential settings.

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Types of LED Strips

LED strips come in various forms, defined by the size and configuration of the LED chips:

1. Single-Color LED Chips: Earlier LEDs produced only single-color led strip light.
2. Multi-Color Chips (RGB, RGBW, etc.): Today’s LEDs can have multiple diodes (e.g., red, green, blue) in a single housing, allowing them to produce different colors and temperatures.
3. Smart Pixels (e.g., WS2812, APA102): These LEDs contain microprocessors that allow individual control over each pixel, enabling dynamic color changes along a single strip, it is addressable led strip light.

Anatomy of an LED Strip

An LED strip light is usually around half an inch (10-12 mm) wide and up to 16 feet (5 meters) long. The strip can be cut to length using scissors along the designated cut lines, which are typically spaced every 1-2 inches.

• LED Density: Densities vary, usually from 18 to 36 LEDs per foot (60 to 120 LEDs per meter). The density affects light distribution and overall brightness.
• Adhesive Backing: The strip typically includes a pre-applied adhesive backing for easy mounting.
• Flexibility: The flexible circuit board allows LED strips to be installed on curved or uneven surfaces.

Determining LED Strip Brightness

The brightness of LED strips is measured in lumens, which indicates the amount of light emitted. A high-quality LED strip should provide at least 450 lumens per foot (1500 lumens per meter).

Factors affecting brightness include:

1. Light output and efficiency per LED emitter
2. Number of LEDs per foot
3. Power draw per foot

For accurate brightness, always look for an LED strip light with a specified lumen rating. Beware of low-cost LED strips claiming high brightness; these may overdrive the LEDs, causing premature failure.

LED Density and Power Draw

• LED Density: The number of LEDs per foot affects light distribution. Higher densities (like 36 LEDs per foot or 120 LEDs per meter) provide more uniform lighting.
• Power Draw: Power draw is an indicator of the amount of power consumed by the strip. A good LED strip usually draws at least 4 watts per foot (15 W/meter). To avoid overdriving, divide the wattage per foot by the LED density per foot; ideally, LEDs should not exceed 0.2 watts each.

LED Strip Color Options

LED strips are available in a variety of colors, including:

1. White: Comes in various shades, from warm white (2700K) to cool white (6500K). The color temperature (CCT) and color rendering index (CRI) are important metrics. CCT measures how “warm” or “cool” the light appears, while CRI measures how accurately colors appear under the light source.
2. Fixed and Variable Color: Includes single-color options (like red, blue, green) and color-changing options (RGB strips) that mix different colors to produce a wide range of hues.

Input Voltage and Power Supply

LED strips are commonly available in 5V, 12V, or 24V. The voltage you choose depends on the length and type of strip. For example, 24V strips allow for longer runs with minimal power loss, making them popular for large installations. Always match the voltage of your LED strip to the power source to ensure optimal performance.

The power supply must match the voltage requirements of the strip and have enough capacity to support the total power draw.

• Calculating Power Draw: Multiply the strip’s power draw per foot by the total length in feet.
  For example, a 5-foot strip consuming 4 watts per foot requires: Power=4 Watts/ft×5 ft=20 Watts\text{Power} = 4 \text{ Watts/ft} \times 5 \text{ ft} = 20 \text{ Watts}Power=4 Watts/ft×5 ft=20 Watts

Power Consumption

LED strip lights typically list their power consumption in Watts per Meter (W/m). To calculate the total power needed, multiply the strip’s power consumption by its length. For instance, a strip rated at 14W/m and measuring 5 meters will consume 70W in total. It is essential to choose a power supply that provides more power than the strip consumes, usually around 20% extra, to ensure safety and durability.

Power Source

Selecting the correct power source depends on the voltage and wattage of your LED strip. For example, a 24V strip consuming 70W would need a power supply that provides at least 96W (with a safety margin). Some power supplies may also specify their output in amps, and you can calculate the required amperage by dividing the wattage by the voltage. for more power supply news, read How to Connect LED Strip to Power Supply?

Dimming

LED strips can be dimmed using various methods, such as Triac, 0-10V, or Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). PWM is the most common method, adjusting the brightness by rapidly switching the LED on and off. To ensure compatibility, ensure that your dimmer, power supply, and LED strip use the same dimming method.

Connecting LED Strips

LED strips can be connected to a DC power supply or to another strip (daisy-chaining). Options for connection include soldering or using solderless connectors.

Aluminum Channels and Heatsinking

• Aluminum Channels: Used for mounting and diffusing light, not strictly necessary for thermal management. They improve the appearance of lighting installations and may help dissipate heat but are primarily for aesthetics.

Dimming and Color Control

LED strips are dimmable using either:

1. Phase-Cut Wall Dimmer: Used in traditional residential/commercial applications.
2. DC Low-Voltage Dimmer: Used for color-changing applications or temporary installations.

Determining LED Strip Quality

To ensure quality, consider:

1. Circuitboard Composition: Look for high-quality circuit boards with sufficient copper material (at least 2 oz, preferably 4 oz) to handle higher power and reduce voltage drop.
2. LED Quantity and Quality: High-quality LED strips should specify stringent controls on LED emitters and avoid overdriving LEDs.
3. LED Strip Surface: High-quality strips often have a white coating to enhance reflectivity and light output.

Choosing the Right LED Strip Light

When selecting an LED strip, consider the installation environment, desired brightness, and light quality. For indoor use, most strips will work fine, but brightness levels should match your needs. Outdoor installations require weatherproof strips with a minimum IP65 rating for splash resistance, or IP68 for full water submersion.

 1) IP Ratings

• Understanding IP Ratings: IP ratings indicate the level of protection against solids (like dust) and liquids. An IP rating consists of two numbers:
  • The first number (0-6) shows protection against solids.
  • The second number (0-8) shows protection against liquids.
• Choosing the Right IP Rating:
  • Indoor use: IP20 or lower is sufficient for most indoor environments.
  • Outdoor use or areas with moisture: Look for IP65 or higher, depending on the exposure level.

An IP65 rating means the strip is splash-proof, suitable for most outdoor environments. For harsher conditions, such as dust, wind, and water submersion, opt for IP67 or IP68-rated strips.

 2)LED Brightness

• Determine Desired Brightness: The brightness of LED strip lights is measured in lumens. Most good-quality LED strips provide around 1500 lumens per meter. For areas where dimmer or softer lighting is desired, choose LED strips with fewer lumens.

 3)Wrap-Up

LED strip lights offer versatility, efficiency, and customization for a wide range of applications. Whether for indoor accent lighting or outdoor installations, selecting the right type, brightness, color temperature, and power source ensures your project achieves the desired aesthetic and functional results.

 Indoor vs Outdoor Strip Lighting

• Outdoor Lighting: If you’re using LED strip lighting outdoors, make sure it’s water-resistant to withstand rain, frost, and other environmental factors. Look for a high IP rating to indicate good protection against dust, dirt, and water. The IP68 LED strip is recommended for outdoor applications.
• Indoor Lighting: For indoor use, you can opt for LED strips with lower IP ratings. The IP20, and IP40 LED strips are popular options for indoor installations.

White vs. Colored Strip Lighting

• White LED Strip Lighting:
  • Comes in various shades like warm white, natural white, and cool white.
  • Tunable white LED strips allow you to adjust the color temperature from warm to cool.
• Colored LED Strip Lighting:
  • RGB Strip Lighting: Offers a wide range of colors, ideal for decorative purposes, displays, or children’s rooms.

Smart LED Strip Lights

• Control with Smart Technology:
  • If you want to control your LED strips using smart home systems (like Google Nest or Amazon Echo), opt for smart LED strip lights. The OCTO WiZ Venom is a good choice for smart controllable strip lighting.

How Much LED Strip Lighting Do You Need?

• Measuring Your Space:
  • Measure the area where you plan to install the lights to determine the length of LED strips you need.
  • LED strips are mounted on a thin circuit board, so to cover wider areas, you may need multiple strips placed side by side.
  • If you’re unsure about the amount of LED strip lighting needed, use an LED strip calculator for an accurate estimate.

Summary

To choose the best LED strip lighting:

• Consider where it will be used (indoor vs. outdoor).
• Check the IP rating for appropriate protection.
• Decide on the brightness level based on lumens.
• Choose between white or colored options, or even tunable white.
• Look for smart features if you want remote control capability.
• Measure the space to determine the correct length of LED strips.

Conclusion

LED strip lighting has evolved significantly, offering versatile and energy-efficient lighting solutions for a variety of applications. From different types of LEDs, color temperatures, and IP ratings to factors like voltage, power consumption, and dimming, LED strip lights provide flexibility in design and installation. Understanding the principles of CRI, brightness, smart features, and the type of environment where the lights will be used ensures optimal performance and aesthetics. With advancements in technology, LED strip lighting now balances eco-friendliness with high-quality light output, making it a preferred choice for both residential and commercial use. 

Now that you have a good idea of what an LED Strip Light is, how to use it in various installations, it’s time to get started on making your dream come to light. If you have any specific questions on your installation, need help selecting the proper products, or help with your next project, please feel free to contact us at info@abrightled.com or WhatsApp at 0086.136.7024.0273.