LED Strip Lights, some times called LED Tape or even LED Ribbonare a versatile lighting alternative that enable users to produce expert lighting results with minimum effort.

These elastic, self adhesive strips of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) run at 12-volts and will be cut every 5 or 10 cm based on the type of strip purchased. While they use LEDsthey also have much less power compared to outdated fluorescent strip lights and last many times longer, which makes them more cost effective.

LED Lights come in two main forms; rigid led light bar single colour and colour shifting. Single Colour strips can be found in hot and trendy white, and therefore are ideal for creating hidden or subtle lighting. Most clients attach them into the bottom of kitchen cabinets and kickboards, where they make an aesthetically pleasing and practical light, however they may also be applied to accent, highlight or for additional ambience around your house.

Colour shifting strip lights work with a distinctive type of LED which blends red, green and blue (RGB) light at its origin to develop a wide spectrum of colour. These could be used in a number of the same software as a single colour, however allow the user to change between both static and vibrant color options with a range of different control units.

Whenever choosing LED Strips, there are just a few things that will need to be looked at, for example, brightness, chip size, motorist, span and IP rating.

The power/brightness of a strip varies depending on the quantity and size of the LEDs it uses. The LEDs utilized by strip lights are actually a compact version called SMDs (Surface Mounted Devices), that are two chief sizes; small (3528) and large (5050). The amount of LEDs each metre will vary, and, like a rule of thumb, the more the amount of LEDs, the more powerful the strip.

Because these Strips run at 12V DC (Direct Current), they require a unit referred to as an LED Driver, which”steps down” the mains voltage (240V AC). All these can usually be purchased as a member of a strip lighting kit or sold separately. All drivers have a maximum load, which needs to be big enough to deal with the energy intake of these lights.

While strip lights might be purchased by the metre, it’s also likely to shorten their length when required. This is sometimes done by cutting one of those marked”cutting points”

In the end, a splash-proof or waterproof coating also makes led strip lights a suitable alternative for light kitchens, baths and also outdoor areas. Before you select a watertight alternative, it might be worth familiarising yourself with the idea of IPs or even Ingress Protection Ratings.