DIY LED strip. DIY LED strip installation on the ceiling

To install an LED strip with your own hands, you need to thoroughly prepare. It is worth remembering that this is a complex household appliance consisting of electronic components powered by electricity. And the latter is not something to joke about. Everyone knows what results from careless handling of electric current. Therefore, before installing the LED strip, you should carefully study all the important points necessary for the work.

What you will need

To install an LED strip with your own hands, you may need different components, depending on the type of strip chosen. For example, for a regular low-voltage 12 Volt you need to prepare:

  • power supply or ;
  • Dimmer;
  • profile;
  • connectors;
  • the tape itself.

To mount a high-voltage strip, instead of a driver you need a rectifier (diode bridge). But for color, you need to add an RGB controller to the kit so that you can control color.

A dimmer (light level control) may or may not be used, it all depends on preferences and tasks. However, it is a convenient device that allows you to control the level of lighting, and thereby save kilowatts of electricity.

Possible installation locations

Installation can be done in a variety of locations. The main requirement is the ability to connect to an alternating current source. However, if this is the case, then a network with an alternating voltage of 220 Volts is sufficient.

We list the main installation locations:

  • in the apartment (on the ceiling, in the bathroom, etc.),
  • in the house (same places, plus outside, garage, bathhouse),
  • in the car (in the trunk, interior and even in the headlights).

If we consider each place separately, then we can write a whole instruction of a couple of dozen pages. Ideally, one place is one article. Therefore, in this article we will analyze the basic principles of installation, which will be useful in any case. Let's get started

Installation safety

Safety at work is important. It is worth remembering that working with electricity requires certain skills and knowledge! If the LED strip is powered by a power supply or driver, then the risk of electric shock is minimized.

It is also worth remembering about fire safety. Do not attach the LED strip to the wallpaper; use a profile for installation. I’ll explain why this is necessary. The LED strip heats up during operation, depending on the power. Some specimens heat up to 70 degrees. Paper may not withstand such temperatures and may burst into flames. A metal profile or at least a plastic one will already take on most of the temperature and dissipate it into heat.

It is worth remembering that the LED profile protects the strip from possible mechanical damage.

Most of the tapes used for home installation are fragile. You should treat it with care during installation, especially on the ceiling. The best solution would be to resort to the help of a second person, because... fixing it to the ceiling is a difficult task and second hands, and even third hands, will not hurt.

How to attach

Before attaching the LED strip, the first thing you need to do is mark the installation site. Regardless of the room, along the perimeter of the ceiling in the living room or along the length of the cabinets in the kitchen, a straight line is drawn with a pencil.

Without a drawn line, you will simply stick the tape crookedly, and believe me, it will be visible and not very beautiful!

Fastening is carried out in two common ways:

  • gluing the tape itself to the adhesive base;
  • installation in, which is also attached with glue or screws, dowels, depending on the base.

The first method will be an excellent solution for rooms with normal humidity and a straight, non-rough surface. Otherwise, over time it will peel off and fall off. Some craftsmen add expensive, high-quality glue to the base before installation. This approach has one drawback - the tape cannot be dismantled later without damaging it.

During installation, do not peel off all the protection of the adhesive base at once; this should be done gradually, as you fasten it in place.

The second method is considered more reliable and safe, but at the same time labor-intensive and costly. It is worth noting that when installed in a profile, you can use diffusers; they allow you to get softer light.

After applying the markings and choosing the installation method, you need to decide on the location of the LED strip power supply (the driver is needed to power the entire circuit with electric current). A place in a niche or closet is best. If possible, try to place the driver so that air circulates around it, because... When working, it heats up and generates heat. Warm air must be removed, this will reduce the operating temperature of the power supply and extend its service life.

Once you have decided on a location for the power supply, proceed to installation. The LED strip is attached to the profile with glue and covered with a diffuser. During the process you will have to cut and join the tape. There are no pitfalls in this matter, but there are still some things you need to know. We have already talked about how to properly cut an LED strip, you can read about it. In places where you need to connect, use connectors or soldering. Soldering will be preferable for aggressive environments (streets), because... less susceptible to oxidation. Afterwards all that remains is to connect the driver and the tape with a cable.

The power cable that will connect the tape must be selected based on the driver parameters; it must withstand the consumed load. Be sure to take this condition into account.

It is advisable to attach the connecting cable to the wall in a plastic box that matches the color of the walls. The ideal fastening approach is to groove the wall, lay the cable inside and putty. If this is not possible, then use a plastic box.

Video

Conclusion

Installing an LED strip is not a tricky task and does not require any special skills; it is enough to have basic experience working with electricity: connect a light bulb, replace an outlet. The installation method described in the article is suitable for all types of organizing LED lighting: from organizing multi-level lighting of a suspended ceiling.

The highlight of any renovation will be the lighting created using lighting equipment such as LED strip. It is an original and unusual alternative to traditional lamps and lamps.

LED strip lighting

But in order for such an LED to look impressive and work for the longest possible period of time, you need to know how to mount it yourself. This article will tell you how to install this lighting product.

General installation rules

Despite the fact that today LED strips are quite widely represented on the lighting market, do-it-yourself fastening of them is carried out in a similar way and has general rules.

Note! Having a large assortment of LED strips, these products can be installed on various surfaces in the kitchen, bedroom, living room, hallway and even the bathroom.

LED strip in the kitchen

To attach any type of LED strip to a surface, you must adhere to the following installation rules:

  • LED must be connected exclusively through a special power supply, which reduces the 220 V network voltage to the required level (12 or 24 V). This need is dictated by the fact that all LED products are low-voltage products;
  • since the tapes can be cut into fragments of different lengths, they must be connected to each other using certain connectors and sockets;
  • You should avoid excessive bending of the tape during installation. Otherwise, the electrical component of the product may be damaged;
  • when cutting a product and connecting individual pieces, it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the conductive paths through which the LEDs are powered;

Connecting pieces of LED strip

  • if the segment is more than 4A, experts recommend using good old soldering rather than special connecting elements. In this case, soldering will create a more reliable connection of conductive elements;
  • When organizing lighting in the kitchen or bathroom, you need to choose models that have a high class of protection against dust and moisture. For other rooms, such as the bedroom and living room, you can choose cheaper products with a low moisture resistance class;
  • Before attaching the LED strip, you need to properly prepare the surface: clean it of dirt, dust and dirt;
  • Self-adhesive LED strips can only be used once. In this regard, the length of the LED should be thought out in detail before installation begins. The best solution in this situation would be to pre-mark the installation path of the LED strip on the surface;
  • Serial connection is possible only for five LEDs. Otherwise, the LEDs at the ends will glow less brightly. In the future, this situation will overload the stable plan of the entire lighting system.

Following these rules will allow you to install an LED strip with your own hands and make the lighting in any room (kitchen, bedroom, living room, etc.) impeccable.

The most advantageous installation locations

LED strip can be installed on a wide variety of surfaces. But it will look most impressive in certain places:

  • niches on the ceiling. Here it is necessary to create special boxes. In this case, you will get hidden lighting;
  • on the ceiling or walls using special devices - plastic corners;
  • behind the ceiling plinth;
  • lighting set in the kitchen;
  • niches in the walls, as well as figured partitions.

Now let's take a closer look at the LED installation methods listed above.

Methods for installing lighting on the ceiling

The most common place to install LED strips is suspended ceilings (especially plasterboard). This product can be installed on the ceiling in the following ways:

Note! The methods for attaching an LED strip to the ceiling are similar to placing it on the wall (for example, in a niche in a partition or wall).

  • creating hidden lighting by installing LED in a box;
  • placement of the light source on a special profile;
  • installation of the product on the ceiling plinth.

The most common way to create hidden lighting is using a box. In this case, you need to create a box with a hidden cornice from drywall.

Hidden LED lighting in a plasterboard box

This is a rather complicated implementation method, as it involves creating a box around the entire perimeter of the backlight.
In addition to the box, the LED strip can be installed on a profile, which today can differ both in the material from which it was made and in type. The most popular is the aluminum profile. It is best to choose when installing in the kitchen.

Profiles for LED strip

But a plastic profile can also be used here. This profile is suitable for the bedroom and living room. Modern models, which have increased resistance to temperature changes and moisture, are perfect for installation in the kitchen.
Profiles for LED strip come in three types:

  • corner. Used to create ceiling lighting around the perimeter of rooms. With such a profile, you can create an unusual illumination of the ceiling surface, even if there are various figures on it;
  • mortise More relevant for furniture lighting. They are often used in the kitchen to illuminate the work surface;
  • built-in When installed, it looks three-dimensional, which allows you to play with it in the interior of the premises in a variety of ways.

Another rather original way to attach an LED strip to the ceiling is to install a ceiling plinth. The main advantage of this installation method is the simplicity of the work, on which you will spend a minimum of effort and time. Here you just need to install the plinth at a distance of 8-10 cm from the ceiling.

Ceiling plinth for LED strip

Once the installation method (box, profile or plinth) has been selected and implemented, you can begin installing the light source itself.

Installing lighting on the ceiling

Installing an LED strip in the kitchen or any other room in the house will include the following steps:

  • select the type of tape;
  • determine the required backlight length;
  • we purchase all the necessary equipment and materials: power supply, connectors, fasteners;

Note! To make LED lighting controllable by brightness, as well as changing the color of the light flux, you need to purchase a controller and remote control.

Controller with remote control

  • Next, we cut the LED into the required pieces and connect it using a connector or soldering. The type of connector (round or flat) is selected depending on the model of the LED strip;
  • Next, we calculate the power of the LED and, based on the obtained figures, select the type of power supply. Remember that you need to add 20-30% of the power reserve for the converter to the final figure;
  • all components must be assembled according to a scheme that depends on the length of the lighting installation, the presence or absence of a controller, as well as the number of power supplies;

LED strip connection diagram options

  • carefully place the lighting in the box/profile/plinth;

Note! Since the power supply gets very hot during its operation, it can quickly fail. Therefore, it must be placed in such a way that it can be replaced without destroying the integrity of the ceiling structure.

  • After this, the lighting system is connected to the power supply.

Ready-made ceiling lighting

As you can see, illuminating a plasterboard or other type of suspended ceiling is not that difficult. But when working with suspended ceilings, you need to adhere to a certain sequence of work. Here, the backlight is first created and installed, and only then it is masked with a stretch fabric. This option is very difficult to implement with your own hands due to the need for special knowledge and tools (for example, a heat gun). Therefore, when installing a stretch ceiling, it is recommended to contact specialists who will do everything quickly, competently and efficiently.
The actual fastening of such a tape to the ceiling can be done either using a self-adhesive base or using special fasteners or glue. Thus, you can install LED on the ceiling in the bedroom, living room, kitchen, etc.

Installing lighting on kitchen units

LED lighting is very common today in the kitchen. Moreover, LEDs are often used for high-quality and complete lighting of the kitchen work area.

LED illumination of the working area

In addition to the work surface of the sink, stove and countertop, LED strips can be used to illuminate kitchen units quite effectively. In the kitchen, lighting can be installed in the following places:

  • inside hanging cabinets. In this way, the internal contents of the shelves are illuminated with high quality;

Kitchen cabinet interior lighting

  • on top of wall kitchen cabinets or below floor units. In this case, lighting performs only a decorative function;

Headset illumination from below and above

  • illumination of drawers for spoons, forks and other necessary things in the kitchen.

Drawer lighting

You can create any type of lighting here in two ways:

  • Directly stick the tape equipped with a self-adhesive base onto the surface of the kitchen unit;

Installing tape with self-adhesive base on the surface of the cabinet

  • use a mortise or overlay profile. A mortise profile will make the lighting as comfortable as possible for use, but its installation requires a significant investment of time and effort to cut the required hole in the cabinet. The overlay profile is easier to install, but it will stand out a little from the background of the kitchen unit.

Mortise and overlay profile in the kitchen

As you can see, the easiest way to attach the tape in this case is to simply glue it using a self-adhesive surface. All stages of mounting this product will be similar to the previously described installation on the ceiling.

Installing lighting in niches

Today, niches and partitions made of plasterboard are very popular in home interiors. To effectively highlight them against the general background, LED strips are often installed in such niches and structures.

Wall niche lighting

The easiest installation method is used here - on a self-adhesive base. As a result, the installation here, after assembling the lighting installation, looks like this:

  • the surface of the niche must be thoroughly washed and free of greasy contaminants;
  • Next, remove the protective film from the self-adhesive base;
  • carefully apply it to the surface;
  • Next, we align the tape along its entire length;
  • Only when you are satisfied with the result do we press the product firmly.

To avoid peeling off in the future, the base of the tape can be coated with superglue. But in such a situation, in the future you are unlikely to be able to remove the LED without damaging the surface of the niche or plasterboard partition.

Conclusion

You can easily install an LED strip with your own hands on almost any surface in the house. Different options for its installation allow you to create a specific lighting option, saving time and effort. Which mounting method to choose depends only on your desire, as well as the characteristics of the surface. If you take into account the necessary recommendations, you should not have any problems.

How to check the performance of an LED strip We calculate lighting using the luminous flux utilization factor method

Installing an LED strip does not require extensive knowledge of electrical installation, but to do everything correctly and thoroughly, minimal basic electrical engineering is still required.

It is an energy-efficient LED light source and allows you to create exquisite lighting for outdoor, waterproof or indoor applications.

Design features of the tape

Structurally, it is a flexible printed circuit board with white or color LEDs placed on it. The LED placement density is a multiple of 30/60/120 per 1 linear meter. Modifications of LEDs determine the magnitude and color of the light flux (monochrome or multicolor glow (RGB).

LED strips have a width of 8 ÷ 20 m, and LEDs are ≈ 3 mm thick. In addition to the LEDs, resistors are placed on the horizontal plane of the board to limit the current. To create uniform illumination, the block of LEDs and resistors has a multiple uniform distribution, and for convenient cutting into segments there are dividing marks.

Circuit components

The operation of LED backlighting predetermines the use of control devices: power supply, controller and dimmer.

Everything you need to connect

Power supply: The operation of LEDs is designed for direct current with a voltage of 12/24/36 V, and in the network of civil and industrial buildings - alternating current with a voltage of 220 V. Therefore, it is necessary to use an adapting device - a power supply.

Connecting an RGB strip with a controller

Technical characteristics determine the design and parametric parameters of power supplies:

  • If waterproof systems are created, then the power supply must have a similar hermetic design. If the lighting system is of an open type, then the unit is selected unprotected from moisture and dust.
  • Correspondence between the rated voltage of the tape and the power supply.
  • The calculated power of the power supply is determined by simply multiplying the number of meters of connected tape by the rated power of 1 meter plus a power reserve of at least 25%.

Connection diagram

Power supplies are manufactured with standard electrical parameters, so choose the one whose power is equal to or slightly greater than the resulting final value.

Controller: The use of controllers is necessary when creating dynamic and static lighting effects.

Various backlight implementations have led to numerous modifications to the controllers:

  • MIX – for systems with white LEDs of different glow temperatures.
  • RGB – for three-channel control of red, green and blue RGB colors (color change speed, smoothness, backlight color combinations).
  • DMX – for complex systems with numerous light sources (RGB – up to 170 units, white – up to 512 units).
  • DALI – for the Smart Home system.

Connection and installation

If you are installing an LED strip with your own hands, you must take into account the general principles of connection:

  1. The connection is made on one side only.
  2. Connections of several sections are made only in parallel, and only through soldering or connectors. The fact is that all marked LED blocks are connected in parallel, so the voltage is the same for each of them, and the currents are summed up.
  3. Using a powerful power supply designed for the total load, you should connect the sections in parallel using wires with a cross-section of at least 1 mm. If the power of the power supply is insufficient or it is too bulky, then you will have to use several low-power compact power supplies that are connected in parallel to a ~ 220 V network.
  4. Correctly observe the polarity: “+” and “-” for a single-color scheme and “+”, “R”, “G”, “B” for RGB multi-color.
  5. The bending radius should not be less than 20 mm.
  6. The power supply has two groups of contacts: power and low-voltage. Connections to the network are made through wires of a two or three-wire circuit. As a rule, the output on the power supply corresponds to: brown - phase, blue - zero, yellow-green - ground. The location of the phase and zero is not important, and the grounding line may be missing.
  7. Single-color contacts are connected to the low-voltage terminals according to the markings.
    When using dimmers, they are placed in the circuit between the power supply and the LED flight light with similar contact pairs.
  8. The controller is connected to the power supply through its DC contacts. The 4 contacts of the RGB strip are connected to the controller terminals: “+” and alternately “-R”, “-G”, “-B”.

Before installing the LED strip, it is recommended to make a test connection to determine the functionality of the circuit.

Tape installation

You can instantly install an LED strip with your own hands using a simple algorithm:

  • Degrease the mounting surface.
  • Remove the protective film on the tape.
  • Apply the tape and lightly fix it on the surface.
  • In the case of creating a complex aesthetic lighting system, profile structures can be used: aluminum or plastic profile. For high-power LEDs, it is better to give preference to the first option and the higher the power, the larger the profile should be in order to ensure natural cooling.
  • For profile installation, the product is laid on a base adhesive base or glued. In the latter case, it is necessary to avoid getting glue on the LED.

Stages of installation work

The use of LED strip expands design possibilities and makes it quite easy to create sophisticated lighting, which will enhance interior aesthetics and provide significant energy savings.

Using LEDs for lighting has many advantages, the main ones being energy savings, ease of installation, and the absence of high voltage. LED strip (SL) is a thin flexible strip up to 5 m long with soldered LEDs. It is possible to extend the tape to an unlimited length or cut it into small pieces; it can be given almost any geometric shape. Such characteristics determine wide range of its applications in creating lighting design. Backlighting is used when creating advertising, for lighting buildings, swimming pools, interior lighting, etc.

Despite the simplicity of the device and installation, SL has a number of nuances that you need to familiarize yourself with before installing it.

Selecting LED strip and power supply (PSU)

SL there are single-color (red, green, yellow, blue or white) and multi-color (universal) RGB. Color and smoothness of glow LED RGB strip is changed by remote control. When choosing a color, start from the final goal: if you need to create spectacular lighting in your home or car, then it is better to choose an RGB strip. This makes it possible to easily manage the external design. White light will help create practical lighting.

The type of trunk line affects the choice of power supply and its characteristics. The power supply must provide the required power and power polarity, with a power reserve of 20%.

Before connecting the RGB strip, determine controller mounting location. To be able to control the remote control, access to this place must be within sight.

The density of diodes per 1 m of LED strip can be in the range of 30, 60 and 120 or 240 diodes (dual).

With a SL length >1m, the entire load is summed up and the appropriate power supply is selected. For example, if the line contains SMD 3528 diodes, density 60 pcs/m, length 5 m, then the power of the power supply must be at least 24 Watts.

After determining the power consumption, you should select the type of power supply. If the SL will work in outdoor conditions, then you should choose sealed plastic or metal power supplies. They are compact and completely protected from harmful factors. But these benefits come at a price.

If the power supply will be installed indoors and there are no restrictions on its dimensions, then it is advisable to choose an open power supply. This will help you save on your purchase. There is also portable power supply, the power consumption of which does not exceed 60 W.

For outdoor installation, it is recommended to use SL coated with a layer of silicone or plastic. LED strip coated with a protective layer of silicone is recommended for use in corridors, bathrooms, large rooms, etc. Please pay special attention that for outdoor use, full protection is required.

How to install LED strip

Two tapes can be connected to each other connect in the following ways:

  1. Using special connectors. The advantage of this method is its ease of execution, but there is a high probability of contact oxidation and loss of power.
  2. Connecting the ends of the line using a low-power soldering iron, after which it is recommended to cover the contacts with heat-shrink tape or glue specifically designed for this purpose.

When soldering tape necessary:

  • Carefully clean the contacts with a knife.
  • Dip a well-heated low-power soldering iron into the flux, and then quickly into the solder; attach to the stripped conductor.
  • Next, solder the conductor to the contacts on the tape: attach it to the desired place, putting a little flux on top.

In both options, polarity must be observed for correct connection. It is worth noting that only a tape of the appropriate type can be extended - multi-color RGB cannot be combined with a single-color one.

Connecting LED strip using connectors

When connecting 2 sections of SL you will need a couple of connectors, pre-soldered together (see above). The stripped edge of the tape must be inserted into a special connector slot with the locking buttons open and the lock must be tightened. At one end of the trunk line there is usually already a connector installed for connecting to the power supply.

If there is a need to reduce the length of the SL, then this should be done at a special cut site with a sharp knife or scissors. If there is a special coating (silicone, plastic), then before cutting it will first need to be carefully cleaned in the area of ​​the cut.

After cutting a single-color SL, there will be 2 contacts (“+” and “-”), and when cutting a multi-color RGB, there will be 4 contacts: +V, G, R, B.

Before fastening check the system for functionality. When choosing an installation location, make sure that the SL will not be subject to mechanical damage, and the bending radius will not exceed 20 mm.

SL is glued to the surface using an adhesive layer on the back side. The layer is covered with a protective coating, which must be removed immediately before gluing. If the LED strip is installed in a place subject to mechanical stress or does not have an adhesive layer, then you can additionally use superglue or double-sided tape. Before gluing, it is recommended to degrease the surface with gasoline or acetone.

Features of connecting LED RGB strip

A multi-color RGB LED has 1 common “+” (black wire) and the other 3 are “-” of each color: R (red), G (green) and B (blue). RGB LED has 3 LEDs, by mixing the colors of which you can create any color.

When connecting RGB you need to match all 4 contacts. All terminals on the controller and power supply are marked.

To install and operate a multi-color RGB strip, you need a controller that is connected to the power supply (“+” with “+”, “-” with “-”). The connection is made using a connector, the contacts of which are connected to the controller - “+” with “+”, and the contacts R, G, B are connected to the controller terminals.

If, after checking for functionality, all color modes of the tape work, you can glue it to the intended mounting location.

Installation of LED strips for ceiling lighting design

When installing plasterboard ceilings It is necessary to take into account some nuances in advance:

  • Provide a place to mount the power supply, since it is quite large and, unlike the LED strip itself, heats up. It is advisable to place the block in a vast but accessible place so that, if necessary, it can be removed without much effort. The power supply should not be clamped on all sides; at least a minimum space for heat dissipation must be provided.
  • Bring out the wires to connect the power supply.
  • The ceiling must be properly plastered, as lighting will highlight defects.
  • Instead of a niche, SL can be glued to a massive plinth or molding. This method of installing lighting is less expensive in terms of labor and finances.
  • In this case, the plinth or molding is glued at a distance of 5–10 cm from the ceiling, and the SL is glued on top of the plinth with an indentation towards the wall from the edge.
  • When connecting a trunk line >5m long, use a parallel connection to the power supply, since a serial connection can burn out the tracks.
  • Used to adjust the light special dimmers with a large range of brightness adjustment.
  • When installing the LED strip on a galvanized profile, use tape to insulate the surface.

Connecting the LED strip to the vehicle's on-board network

Conclusion

LED strip is a durable light source, economical to operate and easy to install. We wish you success in your planned project.

The connection process, as well as the installation of the LED strip, is very important, so treat it responsibly. Think about it, there is nothing complicated - we take the tape, connect it to the power supply and the lighting is ready. But in most cases, LED backlights fail precisely because of improper installation. This is the main reason why we recommend that you entrust this matter to specialists. But if your hands grow where they need to and you want to install the LED strip with your own hands, then take a few of our recommendations that you need to follow for your own good. Read our article and you will save time and money without damaging your device.

How to install LED strip - power connection

The LED strip is supplied in 5 meter sections, wound on a reel with wires soldered at one end. For aesthetic reasons and to protect the soldering area, the tape is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube.

Connection using LED connector

In any case, the tape will have to be cut into shorter pieces. Therefore, it becomes necessary to connect conductors to the contact pads. The easiest and fastest way is to buy a special LED connector. You need to apply the tape to the controller contacts and close the cover. The cost of one connector can be compared with the cost of 50 cm of LED strip; the connector is not as reliable as soldering. Not every master can afford such expenses, especially if you need to connect many pieces of tape.

Connection by soldering

The soldering method allows you to cheaply and reliably connect wires to the LED strip. No matter how difficult it may seem, the main thing is to follow the technology: solder with a heated soldering iron with a small tip 2 mm wide. The cut end of the LED strip must be cleaned of the protective coating. To obtain high-quality soldering, you cannot do without preparing the surfaces to be soldered (coating with a layer of solder). To solder the wires, they need to be tinned by removing the insulation. The tinned ends are applied to the contact pads and soldered with a drop of solder on a soldering iron.

How to install an LED strip - where to glue the LED strip

The LED strip can only be mounted on an aluminum profile. It is strictly not recommended to use wallpaper, drywall, plastic boxes and glass. The fact is that LEDs get very hot during operation. If the heat is not removed, the diodes will overheat and begin to dim. As a result, the quality of your lighting will significantly deteriorate and fail in a short period of time. This process is most noticeable for a sealed tape, since it is coated with a moisture-proof compound that prevents heat transfer.

How to install LED strip - strip length

The length of the connected sections of the tape should not exceed 5 meters. Think about why LED strip is sold in skeins of 5 meters? The manufacturer believes that this is the maximum length that will not interfere with normal operation. The question arises, how to connect a tape longer than 5 meters? A parallel connection is used for this. Each five-meter piece of tape is connected to the power source separately.

How to install an LED strip - what power source is needed?

The power source power must exceed the power of the tape by at least 25%. If you take a unit of the same power, it will work at the limit, which will have a bad effect on its service life. Agree, no equipment can operate at full capacity for a long time without consequences. This is precisely why the safety factor exists - to protect the device from overload. The minimum power difference is 25%, and ideally 30%.

How to install an LED strip - select a controller

The controller is selected only based on preferences for control comfort and the power that it can pass through itself. Its power should not be less than the total power of all connected LED strips. Controllers are wall-mounted, touch-sensitive, miniature with buttons and with remote control.

By connecting the power supply to the controller and the wires to the controller terminals, you can connect the power supply to the network. Depending on the selected controller, color switching will be done on the controller or using the remote control.