What if you find the LED strip too thick for the installation space? This will obviously mess up your lighting plan, as you won&#;t be able to fit the fixture into the narrow space. So, to avoid such situations, LED strip widths are a crucial consideration.
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LED strips are available in a wide range of sizes/widths. The single-row LED strips usually have widths ranging from 1mm to 15mm. In contrast, the multiple-row LED strips can be as wide as 120mm. Considering the width of the LED strip is essential to ensure proper heat dispersion, flexible installation, etc. Besides, the size of the LED chip or SMD is an important factor for LED strip width.
Here, I have brought you a complete guide on the available LED strip width for different types of LED strips, their power consumption, and more. So, without any further delay, let&#;s jump into the discussion-
What Do You Mean By LED Strip Width?
LED strip width or LED tape width refers to the physical width or thickness of the LED strip lights. In these flexible light fixtures, LED chips are arranged on a printed circuit board or PCB, which gives it structure. So, LED strip width basically indicates the width of the PCB. It is usually measured in millimeters (mm) or inches (inch). The width size varies for different brands, yet the most common widths are- 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm. However, based on the width, LED strips can be of two types-
Why Is It Important To Consider LED Strip Width?
The width of the LED strip is a crucial consideration because it has a direct impact on the heat dispersion process. Besides, there are some other reasons for which you should consider the LED strip width. These are as follows-
Heat Dispersion: LED strips generate heat while operating. Passing this generated heat in the LEDs to the PCB and thus to the surrounding environment is essential to keep the fixture cool. In this case, having a wider LED strip acts as a heatsink to absorb and distribute heat away from the LEDs. Compared to narrow PCBs, wider ones work more effectively. To learn more about this topic, check out LED Heat Sink: What Is It and Why It&#;s Important?
Size of LED Chip: The size of the LED chip must fit the PCB of the LED strips. SMD numbers determine the chip size. For instance, an LED strip of SMD means the chips have a width of 5.0mm and a length of 5.0mm. So, to fit a 5mm wide LED chip, the width of the PCB or LED strip must be greater than 5mm. If your strip width is smaller than the size of the LED chip, it obviously doesn&#;t make any sense. Usually, SMD LED strips have a width of 10mm or higher. However, it&#;s a concern of the manufacturers to take care of the compatibility of the LED chip with the strip wide. Nevertheless, you should have some basic idea of different LED chip sizes as they impact the light output. The point to remember is that bigger LED chips need wider PCBs. Check this for details- Numbers and LEDs: What Does , , and Mean?
Density of LEDs and Circuit Layout: Wider PCBs allow for a denser arrangement of LEDs and circuits. This is particularly important for RGB and RGBW LED strips, which require multiple channels (4 or 5) to operate correctly. A wider PCB can accommodate these additional circuits, ensuring proper functioning and enhancing the overall light output and color mixing capabilities. For more on the principles of RGB LED strips, read What is RGB Lighting?
Installation Space: If your installation space is very narrow, fitting a wider LED strip can be difficult. So, it is essential to check the width of the LED strip to ensure it fits in the space where you want to install it. Besides, for corners or edges, narrow strips are more suitable as you can easily bend them.
Visual & Light Output: Wide LED strips are more visible, especially when lights are turned off and you have not hidden them. This can be visually unpleasant. In this case, you can go for the narrow LED steps that are not very visible.
Using Aluminum Channels: When you are adding aluminum channels or silicone diffusers to your light strip, the width of the fixture is a crucial consideration. Adding aluminum channels provides a soft and even light output, but if the strip width is not perfect, you will face issues while setting it up. In this case, you need to consider the inner width of the channel to the PCB of your LED strip. For instance, you can&#;t pass a 10mm LED strip to a 5mm aluminum channel or silicon diffuser. For more information about LED aluminum profiles, read Ultimate Guide To Aluminum Profile For LED Strip.
How Wide Are LED Strip Lights
The width of LED strips varies by brand and also depends on the type of LED strip and the size of the LED chip. The common widths for LED strips are 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm. Below are the most common widths available for different categories of LED strips and their corresponding chip sizes (SMD):
1. Single Color LED Strip Width
Single-color LED strips are also known as monochromatic LED strips. These are the most common and basic variants of LED strips. You will find them in a wide range of sizes based on the SMDs. Here are the most common sizes available for single-color LED strips-
Single Color LED StripsSMDWidth SMDmm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mmSMD 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 8mm, 10mmSMDmm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mmSMDmm, 8mm, 10mm, 15mmSMDmm, 8mm, 10mmSMD 8mm, 10mmSMDmm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm SMDmm, 15mm2. Tunable White LED Strip Width
If you are looking for color temperature adjustable LED strips, tunable white LED strips are surely your best choice to go for. These strips usually have a 10mm width that offers better heat dispersion. Yet you will find 5mm strips with small LED chip sizes if you want a thinner option. Here are the available wide of tunable white LED strips-
For more information about tunable white LED strips, please read the articles:
Tunable White LED StripsSMDWidth SMD 10mmSMDmm, 10mmSMD 10mmSMDmmSMDmmSMDmmSMDmm, 10mmSMDmm. 10mmCOB Tunable WhiteThree wire 10mm3. Dim-To-Warm LED Strip Width
Dim-to-warm lights give you warm color temperature adjustability. These lights are excellent for residential spaces to create a warm and cozy ambiance. The most common width of dim-to-warm LED strips are as follows-
For more information on the principles behind dim-to-warm technology, please read the article &#;Dim To Warm &#; What It Is and How Does It Work?&#;
Dim-To-Warm LED StripsSMDWidth SMDmmSMDmmCOB Dim-To-Warm12mm4. RGB LED Strip Width
RGB stands for red, green, and blue. RGB LED strips can create up to 16 million hues by combining these three primary colors. These chips usually come in wider PCBs, as SMD is mostly used for RGB strip lighting. This is because SMD has three diodes in one housing, which makes them ideal for RGB. However, due to the large LED chip size, the LED density is not much in these chips. If you need a more dense solution, SMD is an ideal fit; it can be as narrow as 5mm.
RGB LED StripsSMDWidth SMD 10mm, 12mm, 20mmSMD 5mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mmSMDmm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm5. RGBW LED Strip Width
RGBW stands for red, green, blue, and white. RGBW LED strips are special because they have an extra white chip along with the regular red, green, and blue ones. This extra white chip helps create a wide range of colors and a clearer white light. These LED strips usually have a broader base and use a type of LED called SMD. These LEDs are great for RGBW strips because they can fit all four color diodes into one package. However, because these LED chips are bigger, there are fewer LEDs per foot on the strip.
We have two kinds of RGBW LED strips: one with all four colors in one LED (RGBW 4-in-1), and another type where the white and the RGB LEDs are separate (RGB+W). This gives you more options to choose the right lighting for your needs.
RGBW LED StripsSMDWidth SMD (RGBW 4 chips in 1 LED)10mm, 12mmSMD(RGB) + SMD(W)10mm6. RGBTW(RGB+Tunable White) LED Strip Width
RGBTW stands for Red, Green, Blue, Tunable White. RGBTW LED strips are advanced due to an additional tunable white chip that allows for adjusting the white light&#;s color temperature. This flexibility enables the creation of a vast spectrum of colors and more precise control over the white light settings. These strips typically utilize larger SMD LEDs, which accommodate all five diodes in one unit, making them versatile for various lighting needs. However, the size of these LEDs means there are fewer per foot along the strip.
We offer two types of RGBTW LED strips. The first features a 5-in-1 LED, integrating RGBTW into a single chip, enhancing color blending and consistency. The second type, RGB+White White + White, has separate chips for RGB and two shades of white, providing more control over the intensity and temperature of the white light. This variety ensures you can select the ideal lighting for any environment.
RGBW LED StripsSMDWidth SMD (RGBW 5 chips in 1 LED)12mmSMD(RGB) + SMD(Warm White) + SMD(White)12mmWhat Is The Thinnest LED Light Strip?
The thinnest LED light strip available is the single color LED strip, which has a minimal thickness of just 2mm. Below is a table that outlines the thickness of various types of LED strips for easy comparison:
Single Color LED Strip2Tunable White LED Strip4RGB LED Strip5RGBW LED Strip10RGBTW (RGB + Tunable White) LED Strip12If you need very slim LED strips, check out our Ultra Narrow LED Strip series. These strips are perfect for places where you want lighting that is barely noticeable but still bright. For more details and to view our products, visit our Ultra Narrow LED Strip Series.
Are All LED Strip Lights The Same Width?
No, LED strip lights come in different widths. Some are very thin for small spaces, while others are wider for more light and color choices.
LED Strip Widths For Most Popular SMDs & Their Properties
If you get deep into the internal scheme of LED strips, you will find numerous LED chips arranged throughout the PCB of the LED strip. These chips are the crucial component that emits light. The LED chips come in different sizes, and SMD numbers indicate it. For larger chip sizes, the width of the LED strip also increases. So, if you need very narrow LED strips, go for smaller chip sizes or SMDs. Below, I will discuss the available LED strip width for the most popular LED strips- , , and :
How Wide Are LED Strip Lights?
A LED strip light contains LED chips 5mm wide and 5 mm long. These chip sizes are popular for RGB LED strips. However, you can also find them on single-color LED strips or others. As the chips used in these LED strips are wider, the PCBs used in these fixtures are also wide. So, LED strips come in thick sizes. Regarding power consumption, these strips use more energy than the ones with smaller chips. It takes 0.24 watts to run a LED strip of density 60 LED per meter. As an example, a meter LED strip consumes 14.4 watts. The power consumption and width also vary based on the number of rows each strip has. The common width of LED strips are as follows-
Variants of LED StripsWidth Single Row LED Strip 10mm, 12mm, 15mmDouble Row LED Strip 15mmTriple Row LED Strip 32mm or 58mm wideFive Rows LED Strip 58mm wideEight Rows LED Strip 120mmHow Wide Are LED Strip Lights?
LED strips refer to the strip lights that are 3.5mm wide and 2.8mm long. These chips are circular in shape and use less energy than LED strips. This makes them more energy-efficient. However, LED strip lights are popular for monochromatic or single-color LED strips. Besides these chips are also used in RGB LED strips. The available width of LED strip light includes-
Variants of LED StripsWidth Smallest LED Strip3.5 mmSingle Row LED Strips8mm or 10mmDouble Row LED Strip15 mmTriple Row LED Strips20mmQuad Row LED Strips28mmHow Wide Are LED Strip Lights?
LED strips are rectangular-shaped LED chips with 2.8mm width and 3.5mm length. As these chips are small in size, LED strips can be narrow in shape. The thinnest LED strips are 3.5mm wide. These are widely used for medical and thermal applications. However, these LED strips are less heat dispersion friendly compared to and LED strips. To avoid overheating issues, add aluminum profile accessories to enhance LED heat dissipation. The available width for LED strips is as follows-
Variants of LED StripsWidth Thinnest LED Strip3.5mmSingle Row LED Strip5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mmDouble Row LED Strip15mm, 20mmTriple Row LED Strip16mm, 22mm, 32mmQuad Row LED Strip28mm, 30mmFive Rows LED Strip64mmNote: The width of the LED strips may vary for different brands.Do Wider LED Strips Consume More Energy?
A wider LED strip doesn&#;t necessarily mean it will consume more energy. It depends on the LED density, size of the chip, its quality, and power supply. However, bigger LED chips consume more energy. For instance, a LED strip of 10mm consumes more energy than a LED strip of the same width. Again, if the density of two LED strips has the same density and power supply, but one is 5mm and the other 10mm, it doesn&#;t mean the wider one will use more energy. In this case, the width of the LED strip is not directly related to power consumption.
Yet, as I said before, the power consumption of the LED strip with a bigger chip is more than that of a small chip. But the difference is minimal. For instance, a and a LED strip with a density of 60 LED/meter, the energy consumption is as follows-
LED Chip TypePower Draw Per ChipPower Draw Per Meter (60 LED Strip).2 Watts12 Watts .24 Watts14.4 WattsThe average LED strip&#;s difference per meter is just over 2 Watts. Though it will affect the power draw, it won&#;t really show up in long-term cost calculations.
Besides, the density of the LED strip is a major consideration regarding power consumption. The LED strip is highly dense; it has more LED chips to power. As a result, it consumes more energy. That is, an LED strip of 10mm width with 60LED/meter will consume more energy than a 10mm width LED strip of 30 LED/meter.
Application Of LED Strip: Narrow Vs. Wide Width Strips
Depending on the thickness or width, LED strips can be narrow or wide. The narrow LED strips are excellent for accent lighting, whereas wide-width LED strips are best for general lighting. They have versatile applications; these are as follows-
Narrow Width LED Strips
Narrow-width LED strips are the thinner strips that have a slim and compact size. They can be 1mm to 6mm in width. The slim structure of these LED strips works excellent for tight spaces and corner installation. You can use them to enhance the visuals of your interior creatively. The major plus point of using these LED strips is that they are highly energy efficient. But the drawback here is that due to minimal width, the heat is not easily dispersed away from the chip as there&#;s not much space in the PCB. That is why you should attach the narrow strips to the heat sink, like an aluminum profile or some other heat-dissipating material, to ensure the strips don&#;t get overheated.
ProsConsIdeal for subtle lighting applicationsApplication
Wide Width LED Strips
Wide LED strips are the ones with thick or wide PCBs. They can be 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, or as wide as 120mm! The single-row LED strips are not very wide, but there are multiple-row LED strips available that can be very wide. The advantage of using wide LED strips is that they have a good heat dispersion system. The heat produced with the LED chip is evenly distributed throughout the PCB and thus keeps the fixture cool. So, with these LED strips, you won&#;t face overheating issues that can keep your strip running longer.
ProsConsBetter heat dispersionApplication
LED Strips 10mm VS 12mm Width
When selecting between 10mm and 12mm LED strips, your choice will largely depend on the specific needs of your installation. Below is a comparison highlighting key aspects to help you decide which width is better suited for your requirements:
Width10mm, narrower for easier installation12mm, allows for higher power and denser LEDsEase of InstallationMore convenient, fits more aluminum profilesRequires specific profiles for optimal fittingPower HandlingStandard power suitable for general useHigher potential power for increased brightnessLED DensityStandard densityHigher density, results in more uniform lightingFAQs
What is the thinnest LED light strip?
Ultra-narrow LED strip of 1mm width is the thinnest LED strip in the market. You can use them in any tight or narrow spaces. The slim-fit size and flexibility allow you to install these thin LED strips to corners by bending them to the desired shape. You can further use them for highlighting artwork or other creative projects.
How wide are LED strip lights?
The width of the LED strip depends on the type of strip and SMDs. They can be as narrow as 2mm for small-size LED chips. Again, LED strips can be as wide as 28mm or even 120mm. In this type of strip, multiple rows of LEDs are arranged to give a wider structure; this is why they are also known as multi-row LED strips.
For more information, please visit 5mm Ultra Thin Flexible Led Strip.
Are all LED strip lights the same width?
No, all LED strip lights don&#;t have the same width. Based on the type of LED, size of chip, LED density, etc., there are a variety of widths available for LED strips. They can be as thin as 1mm or as wide as 12mm. The multiple-row LED strips can be as wide as 120mm.
Does the width of an LED strip matter?
Of course, the width of the LED strip matters. It isn&#;t just about LED visuals or the appearance of the fixture; the width of the LED strip has more to deal with. For instance, a wider LED strip has a better heat dispersion facility. In contrast, you need to use a heat sink or aluminum profile for narrow LED strips as they are not good at heat dispersion. Again, when you use a diffuser with LED strips, its inner width must match the width of the LED strips to fit in. Besides, the size of the LED chip is also related to the LED strip width; bigger chips require a wider PCB, and they consume more energy. In this way, energy consumption is also indirectly related to LED strip width.
Is the SMD and width of the LED strip the same?
No, the SMD and width of the LED strips are not the same. SMD stands for &#;Surface Mounted Diode.&#; It indicates the size of the chip used in the LED strip. For example, an SMD LED strip means that the LED chip within the strips has a size of 2.8mm x 3.5mm. In contrast, the width of the LED strip refers to the width of the PCB in which the LED chips are arranged. Now, the relation between SMD and the width of the LED strip is that, for a greater SMD number, a wider LED strip is required. For example, an SMD LED strip has a width of 5mm; you can&#;t fit it to an LED strip that has a PCB of 2mm width.
What is the standard LED width?
The standard LED strip width varies for different applications. For tight spaces or aesthetic visuals, you may need narrow strips of 2mm or 3mm. Again, for large installations, you might look for wider or multiple-row LED strips that can be 120mm thick.
What sizes do strip lights come in?
LED strips come in different sizes. Length-wise, it usually comes as 5 meters per reel, but it can be as long as 60 meters per reel or above. However, considering the width, LED strips usually have a width of 2mm-12mm. But still, they can be as narrow as 1mm or wider as 120mm.
How wide are and LED strips?
LED strips are usually wider than the LED strips as they are composed of bigger chips. The width of LED strips is 10mm, 12mm, and 15mm. However, the multiple-row LED strips can be up to 120mm (eight-row) width. In contrast, LED strips are available in a width ranging from 3.5mm to 64mm.
The Bottom Line
The width of the LED is essential to ensure your fixture fits the installation space properly. If you have a very tight and congested space to mount LED strips, try our Ultra Narrow LED Strip. They have a width ranging from 2mm-5mm and are highly energy efficient. However, when using these fixtures, you must attract a heat sink or aluminum profile to ensure proper heat dispersion. But with wide LED strips, you won&#;t need to worry much about this factor.
Whatever LED strip width you are looking for in your lighting project, LEDYi is your ultimate solution. We have a wide range of LED strips that will meet your requirements. Besides, we also offer customization, ODM, and OEM facilities. So, contact us ASAP to get your desired LED strip width!
Flexible LED strip lights are used all over the world in various industrial, commercial and residential projects. LED strip lighting is popular among many Architects and Lighting Designers due to the improvements in efficiency, color options and brightness. The biggest draw is how easy they are to install. Their flexibility, low-profile and helpful accessories make them the most popular LED strip for the at home DIY types. With these LED strips, a homeowner can design like a professional with the right supplies and just an hour or two.
There are many options for LED strip lights with no simple &#;one size fits all&#; standard to go by. This LED Strip Resource Guide will educate newcomers and experts alike on finding the best LED strip lights for the job and how to use them while overcoming common installation hold-ups.
This Guide will educate newcomers and experts alike on finding the best LED strip lights for the job and how to use them while overcoming common installation hold-ups.
LED strip lights, also known as LED tape lights or LED ribbon lights, are known for their low-profile size and flexibility. Efficient LEDs sit on a 10mm wide circuit board, offered in 3ft to 16.4 ft lengths. Flexible LED strip lights have many features that make them easy to use in a variety of situations:
Cut-to-size &#; Cutting LED strips is very simple thanks to the cut lines along the strips. At each cut point there is a black line with copper solder pads that sit on each side. The copper solder pads make it so each strip piece is addressable even after being cut. This makes it possible to connect LED strips together or connect the strip in a different area of your home.
Flexible LED strip with Adhesive &#; The LED strips have a 3M adhesive backing for simple mounting options. The low profile, flexible strip has a peel-off backing which exposes the 3M adhesive, making for a simple peel-and-stick install.
Waterproof or Non-Waterproof &#; LED strip lights are not limited to indoor projects. The waterproof LED strip lights are IP65 rated with a silicone resin material that protects the strip components from dust and moisture. The waterproof LED lights are a little more expensive but are a must for any project that is outdoors or close to water.
12 volt LED lights &#; The LED strip lights need 12VDC power input to run. This will require an AC/DC transformer for in home use, but makes wiring the strips through the house a lot safer. Batteries also output DC power, so it is easy to make a battery powered LED light with these flex strips.
LED flex strips are great for all kinds of projects, but sometimes it is hard to know where to start. Follow this 7 step guide if you are stuck not knowing where to begin. The guide shows the various LED Strip options and and what to plan for in order to make your do-it-at-home LED strip lighting a complete success!
The density of an LED light strip means how many LEDs are in a set area. For LED flex strips, density is measured in &#;LEDs per Meter&#;. The Standard Density strip has 30 LEDs/M whereas the High-Density has 60 LEDs/M. A higher density strip equates to a higher quality, brighter light. The table below shows the differences between the standard and high density strips. Take note of the Lumen outputs as well as the differences in cut lengths and the max run length for each.
Density# of LEDsLumensWattageA Lumen is the measurement of brightness as perceived by the human eye. Thanks to incandescent lighting, most of us use watts to measure the brightness of a light. With LEDs, Lumens are the new standard to describe light output. Lumen output is one of the most important parts of choosing LED strip lights as it will determine the type of light you will receive.
Make sure to note how Lumens are tracked when comparing LED strips brightness . In the above table, strips are labeled as Lumens per Meter. In order to find total Lumen output just find how many Meters you will be running.
Lumen output is one of the most important parts of choosing LED strip lights as it will determine the type of light you will receive.
Different projects require certain amount of brightness to achieve their purpose. My advice would be to always go for the brighter option and add a dimmer. Below is a helpful guide on Lumen requirements:
LED strip color depends on personal preference. RGB LED strips are a good option for those that like some variety and color effects. RGB strip lights are color changing strips that are great for accent lighting all around the home. They use red, green and blue diodes so that they can be mixed to create many different colors. If you are using RGB strips just make sure you use a 3 channel controller from the dimming section of this guide.
There is an Ultra Violet (UV) version of the strips available. This is a great option for UV applications or for making your own black light!
The strips are also available in single colors of: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow and White (-K CCT).
CCT stands for Correlated Color Temperature which is the color temperature of light, measured in degrees Kelvin (K). The temperature rating of an LED strip directly affects what the light looks like. Look at the photos below for reference. Warm White is what we call K which gives off an orange or yellowish appearance. As we increase degrees Kelvin the color changes from yellow to off white to natural white and then to bluish white which is known as Cool White.
So which color do I choose? Look at the below room with Warm White, Neutral White and Cool White Strips. Notice how color temperature of a strip light affects the look of the entire room? This totally depends on personal preference and the overall style and feel you want the room to give off.
Warm White creates an inviting, cozy area. It is generally used in rooms where everyone gathers to visit or relax (living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, etc.).
Neutral or Natural White creates a natural, daylight effect. This is the best selling strip as it mimics natural light and is comfortably used anywhere in the home. This is our most popular strip for under cabinet LED lighting.
Cool White complements contemporary and modern styles, casting a bright, fresh glow. Cool white is great for task lighting as it is a brighter, more focused light. The bright, cool colors are used the most in bathrooms, kitchens and work spaces.
It is best to outline your whole project to see how many feet of strip you will be using total. This gives you an idea of what to buy and the cost to do so. The LED strip lights are available in 3ft. increments all the way up to a full reel (16.4 ft.). It is important to find out if you want to purchase reel lengths and cut them down to size, or if it would be beneficial to have smaller lengths already cut for you.
At this stage, draw out your project. Plan where the strip lights are needed, how they will be connected, and if they will all come back to the same power supply or have separate power supplies. This step helps greatly as you progress through the next few steps.
What type of power do the LED strips need? The LED strips always need 12 volt DC input.
That is the easy part, the next step is finding the wattage. With the below chart, this should not be too terrible if you have already chosen your strip density and your total length.
If you are running more than one power supply just note the length of strip that will be running off each to find the power supply size you will need.
LED Power Supply Options:
This is where the sketch from before will come in handy to start considering where you will be running all the strips. Was the plan to run all the strips together in a long run? If your total length needed is over the maximum run length of the strip (32.8 ft. for SD and 16.4 ft. for HD) then you will need to run parallel wires from your power source to the separate strips.
As our sketch shows, sometimes you will want to power strips coming from different directions into one common power supply. In this instance you will already be running parallel wires.
Wiring LED strips when you are dealing with multiple reels of strips can be tough but we have a powering and wiring guide that you can follow to map out your LED strip light setup.
Wiring Accessories: LED Strip connectors and splitters
Connecting LED strips will be necessary for any strip project. We have some helpful accessories and guides to complete any LED strip connection.
Soldering wire and your own connections? Make sure to follow our soldering guide and our recommended wire for the strips is found here.
How to Connect LED Strips without soldering? Our EZ Click Strip Connectors work great for connecting strips end to end, running gaps in between LED strips or running around tight corners. Our full LED strip connector guide shows how to use these to make connections that will come in handy for any strip project.
How to connect multiple LED strips to one power source? LED strip splitters make it possible to plug multiple strips into one power supply with ease! Strip splitters are available with 2, 3 or 4 output channels.
LED strip lights are typically dimmed with in-line pulse width modulation dimmers. These dimmers go on the 12 volt side of the system and wire in between the strips like shown.
PWM dimmers are popular as they can work with any transformer or battery source, they do not need a power supply that is listed as dimmable. PWM dimming offers smooth control from the dimmest to brightest settings. They are affordable and easy to set up, making them the top option for dimming LED strip lights.
These simple dimmers are available in both WiFi and Remote Control options. The WiFi compatible dimmers work straight from a smartphone app and can be voice controlled with Google Home or Amazon Echo (Alexa) devices.
Some homeowners already have a central dimming system for their areas. In these cases, the owner wants to control the lights with the AC dimmers they already have in place. If you want to use an AC dimmer like this then you will need a dimmable power supply as described here.
RGB Controllers (WiFi / Remote / Bluetooth) &#; If you have a color changing RGB LED strip then you NEED a 3-channel RGB controller. These controllers control the Red, Green and Blue channels to mix colors and create the color changing effects of the strip. Without this unit, your RGB LED strips will not operate correctly so always remember to purchase one if you are using the Multicolor LED strips.
The adhesive on the LED strip lights is very helpful in mounting but sometimes there is more to be desired. As with most adhesives, it does not bond well with some surfaces and may need to be reinforced over time. In these situations, use one of the following:
Mounting track is another great option for those that want a professional finish. These aluminum extrusions house your light strips and have everything you need to mount. The LED strips adhere to the bottom of the track with a UV protected lens that slides over the top to diffuse the light.
Follow this guide to mount your LED strips properly!
Since this post has been written, we have come out with some very new LED strip tech called COB LED Strip lights. These light strips are very similar to the LED Strip lights we go over in this post with slight upgrades. The new strips eliminate hotspots on your LED Strip, delivering a smooth line of light and also run at 24V as they are brighter than even the high density 12V strips! Click below to learn more and see if these strips work better for you!
This is a lot of information for sure. If you are brand new to LED strips than your head is likely swirling with information and you are left with more questions. If this is the case ask yourself these simple starting questions which should help you work through the above guide to find the best LED strip lights and parts for you! If you still need some help feel free to use our LED Project Tool and our helpful Strip Tech Team will get you fitted with just the right LED Strips for you!
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit IP68 Silicone Neon Flex.