We get all the excitement associated with this article in particular. Today, we have decided to narrow it all down. This guide is the ultimate edition of all the possible things you need to know about LED strips.
This guide will take you through everything from types of LED strip lights to how they can be assembled. Plus, if you are an absolute rookie in this field, the guide is the best way to get you started. Educating through the whole LED strip lights story that changed the era of lighting.
How do LED strip lights work?
A major difference between traditional LED bulbs and LED strip lights is their look and work. Unlike enclosed within a single bulb-like body, the LEDs are distributed on a strip. A strip that you can stick to practically anywhere.
The LEDs on the strips are connected in series order. This means that in case of any excessive load of voltage/current coming through the strip, only one LED will take the fall and save the rest. Another reason why LED strips are preferred over LED bulbs these days is.
Different types of LED strip lights
From LEDs that blink to the LEDs that can be programmed, there are several types of LED strips available today. Plus, if you are more towards the customization side, you can also get programmable LED strips. Technology has indeed evolved a lot from ordinary filament bulbs.
The programmable LED strip lights often come with the mobile phone or RC support. In this way, all you need to do is to provide power to the LED strips. The rest of the flashing and all can be programmed directly with the gestures of your hands.
LED strip guide: Which LED Strip Types will suit you best?
This is one of those questions that we get quite often. Well, we know a lot about different types of LED strip lights, but we just can’t simply suggest the type of strip most suitable. The fact that whether or not an LED strip light is suitable or not depends upon you.
There could be several expectations in your regarding how the LED strips should perform. In this case, it is better to research the available options. Quality, programming, durability, etc., are factors you should consider while finalizing the best-LED strip for your space.
Are LED strips just a trend?
We highly doubt this. If you had asked this question a decade ago, we would have answered yes back then. But considering the growth of LED strip lights throughout the globe, this is not just a trend anymore.
Suppose we look carefully at the growth of LED strip lights recently. The strips are doing the same thing Led bulbs did to the filament very long ago. Users are quite satisfied with the output they get from the strips. Also, the strips are very handy and give a more aesthetic look to the surroundings.
RGB vs LED: Finding the better option
Perhaps the debate you were looking for from the very start of this topic. This is an eye-opener for those who consider LED strip lights a trend. Technology has allowed us to even move forwards from the traditional LED light strips. We are finally in the era of RGB-backed LED light strips.
Compared to traditional LED strips, the RGB strips are all about class and combination. Within a single diode, you get three core colours of lighting.
Red, Green, and Blue. This makes the RGB strip lights a perfect fit for customization of your space just the way you want.
Before discussing the LED strip light story, it is time for something important. As a rookie, here are a few detailed steps to successfully install the LED strip lights. Both RGB and the traditional ones,
- Taking accurate measurements for installation
Think about it for a minute, and you buy the LED strip lights of your choice. There are different types of LED strip lights available and you buy about 15m of LED strip lights.
But when you get back, you conclude that 22m of the LED strip is required to set it up just the way you want. This is why taking the exact measurement is important.
- The game of LED strip density
The LED strip density on its own doesn’t impact the performance of the LEDs. But one important factor is influenced by the LED strip density itself. The quality of the LED strip light as a whole.
A strip light with more density is regarded as a higher quality one than the rest. Why? Well, many benefits come with higher LED strip density. The strip will easily stick and have more resistance to current/voltage leaking in case of an overload.
- Does diode density affect the strip’s performance?
Yes, the density of the diode influences the performance of the LED strip on the whole. Three core variants of diodes are used in different types of LED strip lights available today. The 5050, 3528, and 2835. The 3528 is the most commonly used class of light-emitting diodes.
The 5050 LED chip is the one having the highest brightness. But in terms of power accusation, these chips are also at the top of the list. This makes the 3528 an idea choice. The chip has a moderate size (3.5mm width, 2.8mm height) and performs exceptionally well.
- Don’t forget to stick the strips firmly.
Now that you have the perfect LED strip lights for your space, all that is left is sticking. Take off the protective covering from the back of the Led strip. This will expose the sticky surface; you can simply stick the LED on the desired surface.
But there are two things you need to make sure of before that. First, check if there is any kind of debris on the wall, as it can cause issues with the strip sticking. And second, make sure that the power inlet is at an accessible position for the strip.
What if the LED strips are not working?
If you are sure that all the connections you have made are correct, then there is possibly some issue with the LED strip itself. But considering that this might be your first or second try connecting the strips, there are solid chances of rookie mistakes.
Some of the most common types of such mistakes revolve around the connection aspect. During customization, the connections within the LED strip can get disrupted. As the LEDs are connected in series orientation, it can disrupt the whole working of the LED strip.
Reconnecting LED strips
But let’s just say that you have made some errors with the connection. Or the connection within the strip is broken at some point. How will you identify it? If the connection is broken at some point, there’s a pretty neat technique to check.
If let’s say, the LEDs are not working from a certain point onwards, and it indicates that the connection is broken at that point. You can claim a warranty or get a new LED strip. Or you can simply restore the broken connection. The LED strip will work perfectly fine once the connection is restored.
Here are some proven ways through which you can restore the connection within LEDs,
- Soldering
In electronics, soldering is considered the ultimate technique for connecting components. The amount used to connect electronic components would have been too much to bear financially, even for the small computer boards.
Plus, there is a whole another level of customization and ease that is associated with soldering. It is better to learn the basics of soldering from online tutorials.
Once set to solder, simply reconnect the separated segments of the LEDs and voila. The strip light will be back in action.
- Connectors
But we get it; learning to solder and reconnect two joints is not a piece of cake for everyone. Don’t worry, there is a less straining and durable option as well. There are different types of LED strips available in the market today. As a result, the manufacturers also provide connectors for connection issues.
The connectors can be placed at the point of junction and break and will reconnect the LEDs. The connectors can also be used to connect multiple LED strip lights. Just make sure that you are connecting the connectors in the right order. Changes in polarity can disrupt the normal working of LED strips.
Power Distribution for LED strips
Is that even an issue? Well, from the data we have gathered so far, it is. Most first-time LED strip light users don’t care much about the voltage/current rating. They believe that the strips come with some sort of voltage regulator built-in. Sadly, guys, that is not always the case.
The working voltage rating of different LEDs differs based on the manufacturing unit. But the most common power rating is 12V or 24V fixed. So, connecting a 12V LED strip light to a 24V power socket won’t be a good idea.
Are there dimmable LED strips in the market as well?
As a matter of fact, dimmable LED strips are also available in the market. These LED strips are gaining more and more popularity throughout the globe. Why? Well, these LED strip lights are considered the perfect fit for living rooms of all sorts.
Just imagine you are tired of flashy lights that are too bright to handle. Simply dim the LED lights and enjoy the peaceful ambience around. This has caused an uproar in the sales of these LED strips on a global level. You can also program certain variants of such strip lights.
Protecting the LEDs from damage
In the end, all left to guide you is how to keep the LEDs away from damage. Again, different types of LED strip lights require a different level of care. For example, there are LED strips in the market that are waterproof and withstand quite some wear and tear.
But this can be labelled as an exceptional case as most LEDs don’t have such a level of resistance to damage. Just make sure that there is no unwanted moisture accumulated in the room. Also, it is better to stick the strips to a place where there is no chance of unwanted interaction.
Final Note
This concludes our ultimate guide regarding LED strip lights and how different types of Led strip lights address multiple features. Do more research on the topic, and you will be all set to manage the LED strip placement in your space on your own!
