How To Install Led Strip Lighting Buying Cutting Connecting

Govee and Phillips Hue are likely the most popular brands of strip lighting, and with good reason. Both companies make Bluetooth-controlled RGB (red green blue) lights that are completely customizable. You can even sync multiple strips to match one another. Micomlan makes inexpensive strip lighting that syncs with music! If the lights will be anywhere near moisture or outside, go waterproof. Hitlights makes a great option. If you want something thicker and bolder than the thin light strips, Corsair makes some fascinating strip lights. If you only want plain white LEDs, save yourself some money by skipping the addressable RGB lights.

You can install strip lighting on wood, plastic, metal, or vinyl. Basically, any smooth surface will work. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/b/b7/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-2Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-2Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/b/b7/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-2Bullet1. jpg/v4-728px-Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-2Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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<br />\n</p></div>"} Do not install strip lighting on textured surfaces, like orange peel or painted drywall. The adhesive will peel off over time. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/3/3f/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-2Bullet2. jpg/v4-460px-Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-2Bullet2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/3/3f/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-2Bullet2. jpg/v4-728px-Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-2Bullet2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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The light strips come in a single piece, but it can be kind of awkward to stick big sections all at once. Undoing and reapplying the adhesive will make it less effective, so don’t rush it!

You can use an extension cord if you need to, but it’ll be easier if you just start close to the outlet you want to use. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/2/2d/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-4Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-4Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/2/2d/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-4Bullet1. jpg/v4-728px-Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-4Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

<br />\n</p></div>"} Don’t worry if there’s a minor bend or gap. So long as the vast majority of the strip is sticking to a clean surface, it’ll stay in place.

If you need to work your way around a corner, go slowly and do your best to fully press the strip’s adhesive into the joint where the edges meet. It’s okay if it isn’t perfect, it’ll still stick. If you find yourself sort of falling off track with the strip, just gently push it back to the center line where you’re installing the lights. This stuff tends to be pretty forgiving to work with.

If you don’t want the controller to be visible, stick it somewhere inconspicuous.

These connectors are not universal, so only purchase connectors from the company that made your strip lights. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/8/85/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-8Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-8Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/8/85/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-8Bullet1. jpg/v4-728px-Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-8Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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For most LED diffusers, you install an adhesive track then put your LED lights inside and pop the diffusion cover into the track. Some of them are adhesive strips that lay directly over the lights on the surface. You 100% do not need diffusers if you’re using the strips for bias/backlighting. The nodes are only noticeable if they’re exposed.

You can even buy addressable RGB smart bulbs if you want your ceiling lights to sync with your LED strips! {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/e/e0/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-10Bullet1. jpg/v4-460px-Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-10Bullet1. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/e/e0/Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-10Bullet1. jpg/v4-728px-Install-LED-Strip-Lighting-Step-10Bullet1. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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If you’re planning on using multiple strips or cutting LEDs into smaller strips, you can generally wire them to the same power source.

For example, if you’re installing a 25 ft (7. 6 m) length of lighting that requires 5. 12 watts per foot: 25 watts x 3 ft = 128 watts total. Remember that the measurement will vary depending on where you live. Check carefully to see if it’s watts per meter or watts per foot. If the product label lists the total wattage, divide it by the total number of feet or meters in the reel. For example, if the strip is 5 ft (1. 5 m) long at 24-watts: 24 / 5 = 4. 8 watts per foot.

For example, using a 25 ft (7. 6 m) strip: 128 total watts x 1. 2 = 153. 6 watts. The power supply should offer at least 153. 6 watts, or else the lights won’t work. Add 20% to the estimate to ensure the lights stay on: 153. 6 watts x 20% = 30. 72 watts. Then, 153. 6 watts + 30. 72 watts = 184. 32 total watts. Many online retailers have a handy calculator you can take advantage of to ensure you get a compatible power supply.

For example, if you have 12V LEDs that use 128 watts of power: 128 / 12 = 10. 66 amps. To test LED strips, touch the multimeter’s leads to the LED’s copper dots. Make sure it is set to A for amps.

If you’re planning on powering different LED strips separately, get power supply adapters for each one. Remember to calculate each one’s power requirement, since they may be different. If you have dimmable lights, select a power supply that is also dimmable. You could also place a dimmer switch between the power supply and the LEDs. Another option is to hardwire the LED strips to your existing electrical supply with a hardwire power supply. The installation is tough and potentially dangerous, so call a certified electrician for assistance.

Although you have to buy these connectors, they make setting up modern LEDs straightforward. They are very handy for joining LED strips or power sources. If you don’t have the appropriate connectors or don’t wish to use any, you could solder the strips together instead.

If your LED strip doesn’t already have a connector, use a clip-on connector first, then attach it to a screw-on connector. One way to connect multiple LED strips to a power supply is through a strip splitter. It has several plugs on one end for the LED strips. The opposite end fits on the power supply plug. Test your LED strips. If they don’t light up right away, check that all of the positive and negative wires align.