LED strip lights (also called LED tape or ribbon lights) are incredibly versatile — perfect for under-cabinet lighting, TV backlighting, cove lighting, and accent installations. However, choosing the right strip can be confusing with so many options. This guide covers everything from LED density to power supplies.
30 LEDs/m: Basic brightness — good for accent and decorative lighting where the individual LEDs don't need to blend. 60 LEDs/m: Standard — good general-purpose brightness with decent light spread. 120 LEDs/m: High density — smooth, continuous light line with no visible hotspots. 144+ LEDs/m: Ultra-high density — premium smooth light for professional installations.
Single color (e.g., 3000K warm white): Simple, affordable, fixed color temperature. RGB: Red+Green+Blue — millions of colors but white is a mix (not true white). RGBW: RGB + dedicated white LED chip — better white quality plus colors. Tunable White: Adjustable 2700K-6500K — perfect for task areas. Addressable (WS2812B etc.): Each LED individually controllable for animations. Choose RGBW or Tunable White for best results in home settings.
LED strips run on 12V or 24V DC (24V is better for longer runs — less voltage drop). Calculate: Wattage = strip length (m) × power per meter (W/m). Add 20% safety margin. Example: 5m of 14.4W/m strip = 72W + 20% = 85W minimum power supply. Buy a quality UL-listed power supply — cheap ones cause flickering and premature failure.
Solderless connectors: Clips that attach to the strip end — easy but less reliable than soldering. Soldered connections: More reliable — recommended for permanent installations. Wiring: Use 18-20 AWG wire for short runs, 14-16 AWG for longer runs. Always test connections before mounting the strip permanently.
Simple on/off: Standard wall switch. Dimmer switch: Requires dimmable power supply and compatible strip. Remote control: Infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) — convenient but line-of-sight issues with IR. Wi-Fi/App control: Works with Alexa/Google Home — most flexible. PWM dimming: Pulse-width modulation — the best dimming method for LED strips.
Use aluminum channels with diffuser covers for clean, professional look. Clean surface with alcohol before attaching. Don't bend strips tighter than the minimum bend radius (typically 2-3cm). For corners, use L-connectors. Max run length for 12V: 5m. Max for 24V: 10m before voltage drop requires power injection.
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