An LED strip is a flexible, thin (0.2-0.25 mm) printed circuit board (a dielectric substrate on which conductive tracks are applied) with smd type LEDs installed on it and resistors assembled into modules with a minimum length luminescence (MDS).
LED strips are widely used in lighting architectural elements, home interiors: in kitchens, to illuminate walls, ceilings, furniture, aquariums, skirting boards, niches and so on. They are also used when tuning vehicles: to illuminate the dashboard, interior, car bottom, trunk, etc. Also, LED strips are convenient for creating various elements: advertising inscriptions, figures, and others.
There are many types of LED strips. Consider the main ones:
- LED strips differ in the type of LEDs used in them. The most common LEDs are SMD3528 and SMD5050. Marking SMD means that the elements are attached to the printed circuit board by surface mounting, the numbers indicate the size of the LED (3.5 mm × 2.8 mm, 5 mm × 5mm);
- by the number of LEDs per linear meter of tape, and consequently, by the brightness of the glow, power consumption. There are two types of SMD3528 tapes: 60 pcs. or 120 pcs, and SMD5050 type - 30 pcs. and 60 pcs. respectively. The power consumption of such tapes will be 4.8-9.6 W and 8.6-17.2 W per linear meter. Accordingly, the power supply of the LED strip will be 0.4–0.8 and 0.7–1.4 amperes per linear meter at a supply voltage of 12 volts.
- according to the quality of the elements used, LED strips are divided into professional and strips and economy class. The professional ones use high quality components that undergo a serious selection. Such products serve for a long time and meet all the declared characteristics. Low-quality components have a much shorter service life, low price, and characterize an economical backlight option - the result is an economical LED strip. The price of a professional tape is 5 dollars and more per linear meter (60 diodes) and 10 dollars and more per meter (120 diodes), economy class is about half the price;
- according to the degree of protection against external influences, such as solid particles, dust, moisture, etc. For example, in the name of the tape model, you can see the designation IP20, IP33, IP65, etc., this is the marking of the degree of protection. The first digit indicates the level of protection against dust and solid objects, the second - against moisture. The higher the number, the higher the level of protection. Recommended for outdoor lightinguse moisture-proof, waterproof LED strips that have degrees of protection IP65, IP67 and IP68. There are tapes that can be installed directly under water - to illuminate pools, fountains, embankments, etc.;
- according to the color of the glow: white (warm, cold), yellow, red, blue and green light. Smd tapes of various colors with the help of controllers allow you to emit a wide variety of colors and their shades. There are tapes on which, next to the LEDs of the primary colors, white diodes of cold and warm glow are installed, this combination allows you to reproduce any shades, soft bed tones. Control controllers are available with a remote control;
- according to the color of the substrate: black, white, yellow. The color of the backing does not affect the performance of the tape.
