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Getting to Know LED Strip

2152 Views 0 Liked Posted on: July 4th 2018
By: Ben Kowalski

What is an LED Strip?
   
LED strip lighting is fast becoming one of the most popular lighting solutions for homes, businesses, and gardens. It's actually very simple, but very clever. An LED strip consists of a self-adhesive backing to which LEDs are placed at regular intervals. The most common LEDs per metre are 30, 60 and 120. Once it's connected to a driver, the whole strip is then illuminated to produce a forward light that is truly timeless. Some of you may hear the word LED and think £££, however, they are actually very affordable, reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on all important adult things like bills. 
   
What makes this style of lighting so popular is its endless possibilities. Strip lighting can be bent around furniture, fitted behind TVs and even around swimming pools. There are millions of different colour options from standard white to colour changing and digital pixel tape that will leave you amazed. The numerous levels of brightness, colour options and wattages make LED strips very versatile – but we've narrowed it down to some of the most common uses of the LED tape:
    
  • Perfect for above and under kitchen or bathroom cabinets
  • Mounted behind TVs and speaker systems
  • Gardens, pathways, and driveways
  • Kick panels and skirting
  • Lighting bars, display cases, and cupboards
  • Ceiling coving
  • Around doors, windows, stairs, and floors
  • Under roof soffits
     
Conservalite Profile
    

Things to Consider Before Choosing LED Tape
   
  1. Is LED strip light the perfect solution for the job you are completing? 
  2. Where is the strip going to be placed – will it be used indoors, for task lighting, outdoors or accent lighting?
  3. To utilise all of the benefits of LED tape, you should always install on a sound, clean and dry surface.
  4. If the lighting is going to come into contact with water, you must choose IP rated options.
  5. Tapes are available with IP20, IP33, IP65 and IP67 ratings. Find out more about weatherproof ratings here.
  6. Have you got space to conceal the driver and wiring?
  7. How would you like to control your lighting? Via remote, switch or sensor?
  8. A LED strip can produce stunning lighting effects, however, it depends on the number of LEDs per metre, wattage, colour, the angle and position it's installed.
  9. All LED lighting including strip lighting should be installed by professionals!
   

IP Ratings Explained
IP20/IP33 – This IP Rating is not waterproof! Typically it can be used anywhere indoors such as ceiling coves, bedrooms, display cabinets, wall washers and living rooms. Wherever indoors you choose an IP20 or IP33 rated tape, it should be dry and dust free. Not suitable for use in bathrooms!
   
IP65 -  When it comes to standard lighting, you may hear IP65 is more than suitable for outdoors – true. However, with LED strip it is very different. We recommend using IP65 rated tape in bathrooms, kitchens or where it may come into contact with slight water.
  
IP67 – We only recommend using LED tape outdoors with an IP67 rating or higher. The lighting is protected against water ingress with a silicone gel which covers the LED chips. Perfect for use in gardens, paths, and driveways.
       
                              IP Ratings Chart
     

Getting to Know the Basics
   
  • The tapes listed on our website are between 12 and 24V meaning they require a constant current driver.
  • The driver converts mains 240V to 12V/24V.
  • Most tapes available in bespoke lengths from 1 metre.
  • Tapes can be supplied in specific lengths i.e. 1 metre, however, can be cut every 50mm for even the smallest projects.
  • More than one LED strip can be controlled from a single driver.
  • When selecting the driver, ensure you chose one which will have at least 10% over the wattage of the LED strip. For example to power 2 metres of 9.6W per metre tape, you should select a driver 25W and above.
    
LED Chip Types
   
LED Chip Width(mm) Length(mm)
2835 2.8 3.5
3528 3.5 2.8
5050 5 5
                      LED Chip Types
   
Recommended Use for Different LED Chips
    
3528 – The 'middle man' 3528 LED chip is the most common type of chip used in LED strip lighting. It provides a subtle light ideal for many domestic installations. Suitable for task or ambient lighting where people may be close to the light. Also perfect for ceiling coving, stairs and around windows.
   
5050 -  This is the largest of the 3 chips most commonly used in LED tape. It's usually around 40% larger than the 3528 diodes and has a higher light output. That's why we recommend using this type of strip lighting for commercial or domestic lighting. Perfect for high ceilings, outdoor lighting or covering a larger area.
   
How the Number of LEDs Per Metre Effect the Lighting
    
It might not seem that important how many LEDs there are per metre on your strip light, however it can completely change the light output including brightness and lumens. We've included some of the most common ones below, and given a guide for where you may want to use what strip.
   
30 LEDs – If you are looking for a soft ambient glow, 30 LEDs per metre is the perfect tape. Use in kitchen kick plates or low ceiling coves.
60 LEDs – With double the amount of LEDs per metre as the 30, this tape is much more suited for task lighting, bar tops, stairs, doorways and under kitchen cabinets.
120 LEDs – Typically used in high ceiling coves, outdoors, paths, driveways and signage.
    
                           LEDs Per Metre
    
Choosing the Right Power Supply
   
Now you've got to know all about the LED strip lighting itself, you have to know a little about how to power it. You need to convert the mains 240V to either 12 or 24V, and this is where our drivers come in. We list a wide range of transformers that will convert the voltage from 4W all the way up to 200W. The specification of the driver you will need all comes down to the total amount of wattage of the strip you are trying to power. For example, if you are running 5 x metres of 9.6W LED strip, you will need a driver 52W and above. The driver must always be at least 10% higher than the total wattage required.
Tag: Information
Posted in: Arc LED, Home Improvement, LED Strip Lights
Author: Ben Kowalski

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