LED Strip lights are rapidly becoming a favorite choice for home lighting. The advantages of LEDs over traditional incandescent and even halogen bulbs are well-known: they are more efficient, brighter, longer-lasting, generate minimal heat, and are easily controlled and programmed. LEDs come in highly compact packages that are durable and resistant to shock, making them suitable for a range of designs, whether big or small.
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One increasingly popular method is through LED strip lighting. Both commercial and residential spaces benefit from the affordability and versatility of strip lighting. However, buying LED strip lights isn't always straightforward. There are various factors to consider to ensure you select the right type of light for your specific needs. This guide will delve into the important considerations and highlight the main categories of LED light strips.
Types of LED Strips
The LED Strips category encompasses a wide range of options, each suited to different applications. For example, IP65 LED flex strips are ideal for outdoor or wet areas due to their waterproof protective covering. Here's a brief overview of the main types:
- DC LED Flex Strips – These run on low DC voltage (12-24V) and come with adhesive backing for easy mounting. They are customizable in length and offer different levels of waterproof protection.
- AC Plug & Play LED Strip Lights – Ready-to-use strips that plug directly into outlets. They can run for much longer lengths than DC Flex Strips, up to 150 feet.
- LED Rope Light – Encased omni-directional LEDs in standard rope light packaging, well-suited for accent lighting, and are also plug & play.
- High Output LED Strips – Feature mid to high-power LEDs from top manufacturers like Cree, Nichia, and Luxeon, designed and manufactured in the USA with onboard drivers that work with straight 24V DC input.
LEDs/Length
When purchasing LED strip lights, it's crucial to consider the number of LEDs per unit length. Higher LED densities offer brighter output and improved light quality. Manufacturers use different units for measurement, so it's essential to standardize and convert these to determine which strips have the highest number of LEDs per measurement unit.
Note that LED density isn't the only factor affecting brightness and light quality. For instance, LED Rope Lights have higher densities but use low-output LEDs, resulting in spottier lighting compared to Flex Strips. Always check the brightness alongside LED density.
LED Strip Brightness
As LED technology advances, the brightness of LED strips continues to improve. However, not all applications require extreme brightness. For instance, accent lighting on a shelf may not necessitate high brightness levels. Brightness is measured in LUMENS, and the required level depends on personal preference and the specific application.
For accent lighting, 200 Lumens per foot is generally sufficient. For general room lighting, other factors such as light direction, distance, and personal preference need to be considered. Evaluating the Lumens/length along with the LEDs/length will greatly influence the light quality and type emitted.
LED Strip Colors
Our LED strip lights come in both single colors and multi-color options (RGB or RGBW). Single color strips emit only one color, available in: Warm White, Neutral White, Cool White, Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Pink, and Ultra Violet (UV).
The color-changing strips, known as RGB strips, display any Red-Green-Blue combination. They use multi-colored LEDs to change colors according to your preference.
However, RGB lights can't produce white, which is where RGBW strip lights come in. These strips alternate between RGB and white diodes, offering both multi-color effects and a standard white light when needed.
Color Temperature
Color temperature differentiates the various shades of white light an LED can produce, measured in Kelvin (K). Higher temperatures represent cooler colors (blueish hue), and lower temperatures represent warmer colors (yellowish hue).
Tunable white lighting is a growing trend, offering multiple CCT colors on one strip. This type of lighting can switch from 2700K Warm White to 6500K Cool White, requiring a special controller similar to RGB lighting. For more details, check our Tunable Lighting Guide.
Installation of LED Strip Lights
Understanding the installation requirements of LED strips is essential. Some, like DC LED Flex Strips, are installed simply by sticking them onto clean surfaces. However, other installations might be more complex. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Total length of LED strips needed
- Number of breaks or separate strips required
- Power and voltage requirements
- Flexibility of the LED strip lights
- Waterproofing needs
- Additional components such as connectors or extra wires
- Methods for dimming, controlling, or programming the strips
LED Strip Wattage
Knowing the wattage of your LED strips is crucial. This helps in choosing an adequate power supply and understanding the electricity cost. At LEDSupply, we list the wattage per length of the strip, making it easy to calculate the total wattage based on your needs.
You will need a power supply unless you're using plug & play options. It's important to match the input voltage of your strips and to select a power supply with at least 10% higher wattage than your strips' consumption. For more information on power supply calculations, remember that Output Voltage x Amperage = Wattage.
Buying LED Strips at LEDSupply
Understanding the basics of LED strip lights is just the beginning. This guide provides all the essential information to help you choose the best LED strips for your specific application, ensuring your project is a success. For more personalized assistance, feel free to visit our website BLUE DIAMOND or contact us for professional guidance. If you are interested in learning more about outdoor strip lights led lights, contact us today for an expert consultation!
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