The Ultimate LED Strip Light Guide

LED strip lights are a modern and versatile lighting solution that offer flexibility and energy efficiency. These lights consist of individual LED emitters mounted on a flexible circuit board, making them ideal for various applications. Below are some key characteristics of LED strip lights:

• Made up of multiple LED emitters mounted on a narrow, flexible circuit board.
• Operates on low-voltage DC power.
• Available in a wide range of fixed and variable color and brightness options.
• Shipped in long reels (typically 16 feet / 5 meters), which can be cut to length, with double-sided adhesive for easy mounting.

Anatomy of an LED Strip

LED strips typically have a width of about half an inch (10-12 mm) and can extend up to 16 feet (5 meters) or more. These strips can be easily cut to specific lengths along designated cut lines, typically located every 1-2 inches.

The individual LEDs are spaced along the strip at densities ranging from 18-36 LEDs per foot (60-120 LEDs per meter). The quality and color of the light emitted depend on the individual LEDs used in the strip.

The back of the LED strip features pre-applied double-sided adhesive, making installation easy. The flexible circuit board allows these strips to be mounted on curved or uneven surfaces.

Solar LED Strip Lights Waterproof SMD 5050

Determining LED Strip Brightness

LED strip brightness is measured in lumens and can vary based on several factors, including the efficiency of the LED emitters, the number of LEDs per foot, and the power consumption of the strip. A high-quality LED strip should provide at least 450 lumens per foot (1500 lumens per meter), which is roughly equivalent to the light output of a traditional T8 fluorescent lamp.

Be cautious of LED strips that lack a lumens specification, or those that claim high brightness but might be overdriving the LEDs, leading to premature failure.

LED Strip Light Color Options: White

LED strip lights are available in various shades of white. The two key metrics to consider when selecting a white LED are Color Temperature and Color Rendering Index (CRI).

• Color Temperature (CCT): Measures how "warm" or "cool" the light appears. Lower values (2700K) give a warm, soft glow, while higher values (6500K) resemble bright daylight.
• Color Rendering Index (CRI): Indicates how accurately colors appear under the light. Higher CRI values (90+) are ideal for most lighting applications.

Input Voltage & Power Supply

Most LED strips operate on either 12V or 24V DC. To use them with a standard household outlet, you'll need a DC power supply to convert the AC power to DC. Ensure your power supply has sufficient capacity to handle the total wattage of the LED strip.

How to Connect LED Strips?

To connect LED strips, you can either use soldering or solderless connectors. Soldering offers a flexible and cost-effective solution, but if you're not comfortable with it, many solderless connectors are available for easy installation.

Determining LED Strip Quality

The quality of LED strips varies based on several factors:

• Circuitboard Quality: Higher-quality circuit boards with sufficient copper are essential for handling higher power without voltage drop.
• LED Quality: A higher number of LEDs and superior emitters will ensure better light output and longer-lasting performance.
• Surface Coating: High-quality strips usually include a reflective coating to increase brightness and improve light quality.

What Are the Different Types of SMD Chips?

Surface-Mounted Diode (SMD) chips come in various sizes and configurations, each offering unique benefits in terms of brightness, efficiency, and versatility. The most common types of SMD chips are:

• 2835: This chip is 2.8mm wide and 3.5mm long. It is generally brighter and more efficient than both the 3528 and 5050 chips.
• 3528: This chip is 3.5mm wide and 2.8mm long. It emits less light output compared to the 2835 and 5050, but is known for its high energy efficiency.
• 5050: This chip is 5.0mm wide and 5.0mm long. It produces more light than the 3528 chip and is the only one capable of producing RGB colors.

Indoor and Outdoor Strips

LED strips are classified based on their ability to withstand weather conditions. They are categorized as non-weatherproof, weatherproof, or waterproof. The type of strip you need depends on where it will be installed, with each strip having an IP rating to indicate its resistance to solids and liquids.

Indoor Strips

Indoor strips generally have a rating lower than IP64 and are not designed for use in environments where they may be exposed to water. These strips are ideal for applications such as:

• Under-cabinet lighting
• Above-cabinet lighting
• Pantry lighting
• Cabinet lighting
• Bookshelf lighting
• Stair lighting
• Cove lighting
• Bias lighting

Waterproof indoor strips can be used with aluminum channels and weatherproof accessories for enhanced durability.

Outdoor Strips

Outdoor strips typically have a rating of IP64 and above, making them suitable for exposure to the elements. These are ideal for use in areas such as:

• Landscapes
• Vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Decks and walkways
• Patios
• Gazebos
• Railings

If you require submersible or underwater LED strips, ensure they have an IP67 rating or higher to protect the internal components from water damage.

How to Avoid Voltage Drop?

Voltage drop can occur when the voltage supplied to the LED strip decreases over longer distances, leading to diminished brightness or even malfunction. Here are a few ways to avoid excessive voltage drop:

• Connect power from both ends: By connecting the power to both ends of the LED strip, you can double the maximum run length of your strip light.
• Wire each section back to the power supply: Rather than daisy-chaining LED strips, wire each additional strip directly back to the power supply. This helps to avoid the voltage drop caused by long wiring runs. For instance, if your LED strip has a maximum run of 16 3/8 feet, wire the power back to the supply after each 16 3/8 feet of strip lighting.
• Use a higher gauge wire: You can also use a single, higher gauge wire to run from the power supply and splice each strip into it using a “T” Tap Wire Splice Connector.
• Install an LED amplifier: An LED amplifier amplifies the power from one strip to the next, ensuring that each section receives the appropriate power and extending the maximum run of the LED strips.

About Hongzhun LED Strip Light

At Hongzhun, we have established strategic cooperative relationships with leading chip manufacturers, such as USA Bridgelux, Netherlands Philips, Germany Osram, and Sana Optoelectronics. Our LED strip lights are certified with CB, CE, and ROHS compliance, and have been approved for LM80, LM79, IK08, and IP65 standards. These high-quality products have been exported to over 150 countries worldwide, including the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Oceania. 

For more information, feel free to Contact Us.