Using LED strip as a means of lighting has a number of advantages. First of all, this is saving electricity, ease of installation, the absence of high voltages and other advantages. This type of lighting appeared relatively recently and has already been widely used for various purposes.
An LED strip is a flexible plastic strip on which LEDs are soldered and connected to an electrical circuit. Thus, they are already ready for use and for this you just need to connect the power supply to it.
The main application of the device is to decorate any place with light or spot lighting. Due to its brightness and color, it is used in car tuning, in the interiors of restaurants and cafes, in home individual design.
However, with all the ease of operation and installation, there are features when using this type of lighting. Before you install the LED strip, you need to choose it correctly and decide on the power of the power supply. You also need to know how to properly cut the desired length and connect the power wires. The lines of this article will tell about all this.
Choosing LED strip by glow
Before you make an LED strip, you need to decide what color of glow you need. There is just white light and multi-colored. Ribbon with different colors is marked as RGB (R - red, G - green, B - blue). In the case of the usual one-color version, there are only two contacts, and in the color version there are four. It is worth noting that a multi-colored ribbon can have different glow modes, and a single-color ribbon can have only one.
The choice of the type of LED strip will also affect the performance of the power supply. It must provide the necessary power and polarity of the supply. In addition, the power supply must have a power margin of 20% up.
It is also worth considering that before connecting the RGB LED strip, you need to plan where the controller for it will be. Since it is often controlled by a remote control, access to it must be within line of sight.
Calculation of LED strip and power supply
The density of LEDs per meter of tape can be different. Basically it is within 30, 60 and 120 pieces. There is also a double wide tape for 240 diodes. The method of how to calculate the LED strip for its correct operation depends on this.
For SMD 3528 brand diodes, the power consumption is:
- 60 diodes per meter consume 4.8 watts.
- 120 diodes per meter consume 7.2 watts.
- 240 diodes per meter consume 16 watts.
For SMD 5050 brand diodes, the power consumption is:
- 30 diodes per meter consume 7.2 watts.
- 60 diodes per meter consume 14 watts.
- 240 diodes per meter consume 25 watts.
For all cases, if the length of the tape is more than one meter, it is necessary to sum up the entire load and select the appropriate power supply. For example, if there are SMD 5050 brand diodes on the tape with a density of 60 pieces per meter, and the tape length is 5 meters, then the power supply must be at least 70 watts.
Choice of power supply
To make a high-quality LED strip with your own hands, you need to choose a suitable power source for it. After the power consumption has been determined, you need to decide on the type of power supply. This procedure depends on where the backlight is installed. If the tape will work in harsh outdoor conditions, then you should pay attention to sealed plastic or metal versions. They are completely protected from harmful effects and have a compact size. But for these advantages, you will have to pay a little more.
If the installation site is indoors and there is enough space for installation, it is advisable to choose an outdoor power supply. It, in comparison with the previous options, is larger in size, but its cost is much lower.
There are also portable power supplies that look like phone chargers. They are designed to operate in portable devices that do not exceed a power consumption of 60 watts.
Determining the defensiveproperties
To protect against external influences, the LED strip can be covered on top with a protective layer of silicone or transparent plastic. This applies to those options when outdoor installation is needed. If everything will be mounted indoors, then you can use tapes without protection.
The tape in silicone is suitable for use in corridors, large rooms or other places where both mechanical impacts and the likelihood of liquids are possible. For outdoor use, full protection is required. This tape is a round elastic rod. It has full protection against all influences, including temperature. Therefore, special fasteners may be required before installing this type of LED strip.
How to connect two ribbons together
In order for the diodes to work properly, you need to know how to connect the LED strip correctly. There are two options for this purpose. The first and easiest way, in which you need to purchase special connectors, when using them, you can make a connection in a matter of seconds. The disadvantage of this method is the possibility of contact oxidation and, as a result, power loss.
Another way is more reliable, but requires some skills in handling a soldering iron. The two ends of the tape are soldered with a special solder. In this case, the connection is very reliable. After this procedure, it is advisable to close the contacts with heat shrink tape or special glue. In both cases, in order to know how toconnect the LED strip, do not reverse the polarity of the conductors. They are connected according to the principle "+" to "+" and "-" to "-". It is worth noting that a multi-colored ribbon cannot be combined with a single-colored one. Only tapes of the same type can be summed.
Connecting tape by soldering
Before you solder the LED strip to the power wire or connect two pieces together, you need to purchase the necessary tools and supplies. We will need:
- Low power soldering iron.
- Tin based solder.
- Flux.
- Connecting wires.
- A sharp knife for stripping insulation.
First of all, we clean the contacts on the tape. If there is silicone protection, then carefully remove it with a knife. We also clean the wires for soldering. The length of the bare conductor should be approximately one centimeter. Then we take a heated soldering iron and lower it into the flux, and then quickly into the solder. After making sure that part of the solder stuck to the tip, we apply a stripped conductor to it. After this operation, part of the solder should go to the conductor. The next step is to solder the prepared conductor to the corresponding pins on the tape. To do this, a conductor is applied in the right place, and a little flux is applied on top of it. After that, you need to touch the assembly with a soldering iron tip for one second. The result should be soldering the conductor.
Connecting tape with connectors
Before you connect the LED strip to power or another strip using connectors, you need tochoose them correctly and attach them qualitatively. In the case of connecting two segments, you will need a pair of connectors, which must first be soldered together. For soldering, you can use the guide described above.
After the two connectors are ready, insert the stripped edge of the tape into its special slot with the locking buttons open. After that, you need to press these buttons and fix the tape contacts. In the case of a power connection, everything will happen the same way, but with one connector.
In both cases, you must carefully monitor that the polarity of the connection matches correctly. If something is mixed up, then the tape will not burn. But don't be too upset about this outcome, it won't burn out.
How to cut the desired length of ribbon
Before attaching the LED strip, you need to make a segment of the required length. To simplify this operation, the strip with LEDs has a clear location of places for possible cutting. Often these places are every four light elements, but there may be a different cutting ratio. Therefore, we find a suitable place and with a sharp knife or scissors we make an even cut. It should turn out so that at both ends there will be two contacts to which you can connect power.
If the tape has a special protection in the form of silicone or plastic, then before cutting off, you need to clean a small gap. For this purpose, you can use a knife. You have to be very careful not to damagecontacts.
Preparing for installation
Before attaching the LED strip in the selected location, the entire system must be checked for operability. To do this, the entire electrical circuit is assembled on the table and checked. If there are no comments in the work, then you can proceed to inspect the installation site. To do this, you need to make sure that the tape will not be affected by negative factors in the form of liquids and mechanical influences. It is necessary to design the place for laying the tape so that the bending radius is not less than 20 millimeters. Otherwise, strong bending may damage the tape.
Sometimes the LED strip has an adhesive side for installation. It allows you to attach it to any hard surface. But before you do this, you need to clean and degrease this surface with gasoline or acetone. In the absence of funds for installation, you can use double-sided tape or other means.
Features of RGB tape connection
Before you connect this type of LED strip to the power supply, you need to check its operation with a special controller that regulates the voltage. It supplies power to those LEDs that should be lit. When connecting, you need to match all four contacts. On the controller and power supply, all terminals are signed, and this operation is not difficult. If everything worked out, and the tape works in all color modes, then you can proceed to install it on the workplace.
Special plugs andnests. They greatly simplify all the work and allow you to ensure a reliable connection. To do this, a socket with the required number of contacts is soldered to the tape, and the corresponding plug to the power wire.
Installation in the car
Before you install the LED strip in the car, you need to make sure that it is not affected by harmful factors. These can be physical exertion, kinks and increased vibration. To do this, it is usually installed in specially prepared places. For example, it can be a special corner made of plastic or metal that is attached to the case.
In addition to the correct installation location, you need to use a stabilized voltage to power the backlight. To do this, a special electronic stabilizer is connected to the circuit. It will allow you to equalize the voltage to 12 volts when lowering and raising it in the on-board network. This device can be purchased at any auto parts store. Connection instructions are always attached to it, and if it is not there, then the seller must explain everything.
During direct installation and when connecting the power wire, you must remove the terminals from the battery. This action will avoid a short circuit and other unpleasant situations.
General recommendations
This article provided basic tips on how to install the LED strip and connect it correctly. Compliance with these rules will help to avoid in the process, as well as in the future, unpleasant situations in operation.
If you decide to make a spectacular backlight in the car or beautifully decorate certain places in the house, then for this purpose it is better to choose a ribbon with a multi-colored glow. This will allow you to flexibly manage the external design.
White light is more suitable for lighting that should be purely practical. It does not impose additional shades on the surrounding objects and will be more natural.
In conclusion
LED strip is one of the long lasting light sources. It is preferred when low voltage power is required. When it is connected, electric shock is impossible, since it is too small for this. Therefore, such lighting can be used without fear in damp rooms and basements.
