How to install a LED strip with your own hands

When I first wanted to do the installation myself, everything seemed very simple. But in the end I had to redo everything, but I photographed the results of my efforts in order to show my mistakes by example. Today I will tell you how to install an LED strip with your own hands on the ceiling or kitchen, I think it will be clear to both the child and the pensioner.

To avoid repeated alterations, carefully calculate the lighting design. If you have any doubts, it is better to once again consult with a specialist. Learn from the mistakes of others, not your own.

Plasterboard ceiling installation video

In the video clip, a colleague will tell you a diagram of how to install it on a plasterboard suspended ceiling. It will show the dimensions of the box and the side for laying the diode tape.

Mounting types

An example of an overhead method, type No. 2

To ensure that LED lighting does not blind and is safe, 3 mounting methods are used. The color scheme of the room plays an important role, light reflects, dark absorbs. My apartment is not located on the sunny side, so the design had to be made light, only the laminate on the floor is dark, it eats up part of the light.

Placement with light reflection

The luminous flux is directed upwards and then reflected downwards. Works well on a white ceiling or stretch. Its role is played by the gloss and matte finish. The ability to reflect light is best checked with a luxmeter on site to find out a more or less accurate percentage of light lost. Here you will also lose up to 50%, if measured by the illumination of the floor. If you want to reduce the percentage of reflection losses, then opposite the led diodes you can paint with reflective paint. Or you can cover it with a colorless varnish with a reflective pigment.

Most often, this method is used when installing on a regular or two-level. The place of installation depends on your imagination. I have seen design projects where the LED backlight is mounted inside the tensioner, the diodes shine through the film, it turns out they shine like stars.

Mounting in an aluminum profile on the wall

The tape is installed in an aluminum or plastic box with a matte diffuser, like LED lamps. Depending on the transparency of the diffuser, you will lose from 20 to 40% of brightness on it. In addition, in a closed volume, the heating of the LEDs will be stronger. The box can be installed on the wall and ceiling.

Ceiling mount

Medium option, part is reflected and passes directly

A compromise between the two previous ones. An overhead aluminum or plastic profile is glued to the wall so that part of the light directly enters the room, part is reflected.

If you are designing the main lighting, and not additional lighting for the chandelier, then it is better to install the second way. Advantage is less loss luminous flux. Matte diffuser delays from 20 to 40%. If you choose a good one, then you will lose only 20% of the light, and with reflection 50%. You can avoid losing 20% ​​brightness if found with a prismatic or fluted reflector. This is used on Armstrong LED lamps, about which I wrote a review. It practically does not reduce brightness and there is no glare.

Installation in the kitchen, video

A colleague will tell you in detail how to mount the backlight of the working area in the kitchen. A surface-mounted aluminum profile with a matte cover is used. Instead of a profile, you can use a plastic cable channel, it turns out 20 times cheaper. In addition, it is not necessary to close the LEDs if the height of the edge of the profile is sufficient to close them from your eyes. The only exception is children. Due to their small stature, they will see diodes if they come close to the kitchen countertop.

An example of a bad installation

A sample of how to fix it is not necessary, it has peeled off in places

Let's figure out how to install an LED strip in the kitchen with your own hands. The need for diode lighting arose due to the fact that a chandelier with led lamps located in the middle of the kitchen, its area is 11 sq.m. The area is large enough, so it has a dining area and a corner sofa bed with a bed. LED lamp is behind my back and I block the light, it turns out a shadow that no longer allows you to clearly see the place of preparation.

I do not recommend turning it on immediately after installation. If there were bumps or stress in the copper base, then heating will help the adhesive layer come off in these places. You can see an example in the photo, turned it on almost immediately, and within 12 hours it fell off in many places. These rules also apply when installing LED strip to illuminate the ceiling.

The diode tape on the coil sometimes bends in waves, it must be carefully straightened. Otherwise, uneven areas will peel off.

Since I did not put it in a box, and the LEDs are clearly visible, these places stand out strongly from the rest, it looks absolutely terrible. Repeated attempts to fix these sections to the surface of the locker did not bring success, it still falls off. Complete dismantling is required, cleaning the surface of the laminated chipboard from the remnants of the adhesive layer, isopropyl alcohol does a good job of this. We buy a good expensive 3M adhesive tape of a suitable width, and stick it on the cleaned base of the tape. Complete with adhesive tape or sold separately activator wipes to increase surface adhesion. Simply put, what would stick to the surface better. Such an activator is quite poisonous, so use it very carefully.

Average prices for installation and installation

You have learned an approximate list of works, now it remains to make a decision whether to install it yourself or invite a master. I will give a table of average prices for installation work. The cost may vary depending on the region.

Now a reader has contacted me, one company has calculated the main lighting project for an apartment with an area of ​​105 squares. The cost was 600 thousand rubles. it looks like a high-end lighting project, like in the presidential suite. Although the client was interested in the project that was optimal in terms of price and quality. Organizations can sell you an Italian design profile at a huge price and prestigious components. Be careful, consult independent experts.

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Your feedback and questions

Tape 12 V, 14.4 W/m. 5 meters consume 2 A. It should be 6 A. I will swear with the store. In another store, I measured the current before buying - also 2 A on the reel, although the tape is like 14.4 W / m. In the city of Petrozavodsk, Ketai guano is everywhere :(

Expert answer 01/18/2016 at 17:10

If it is 24 watts at 5 meters, and not 72W, then this is a hoax from the manufacturer or store. Junk is steamed. If the tape is 12 volts, then the power is calculated at a voltage of 12 volts. Current times voltage. Soon I will have a section of store reviews, where you can deceive and reveal.

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How to install LED strip yourself

October 21, 2014

The use of LED strip as a means of lighting has a number of advantages. First of all, this is saving electricity, ease of installation, lack of high voltage and other pluses. This type of lighting appeared relatively recently and has already been widely used for various purposes.

LED strip is a flexible plastic strip on which LEDs are soldered and connected in electrical circuit. Thus, they are already ready for operation and for this you only need to connect the power supply to it.

The main application of the device is the decoration of any place with light or spot lighting. Due to its brightness and multi-coloredness, it is used in car tuning, in the interiors of restaurants and cafes, in individual home 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 an LED strip by glow

Before you make an LED strip, you need to decide what color 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 may have different modes glow, and monochrome - only one.

The choice of the type of LED strip will also affect the characteristics 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 located. Since it is often controlled from the remote control remote control, then 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 diodes of the SMD 5050 brand on the tape with a density of 60 pieces per meter, and the tape length is 5 meters, then the power of the power supply must be at least 70 watts.

Selecting a 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 open power supply. He, compared to previous options, larger in size, but its cost is much lower.

There are also portable power supplies that are similar to phone chargers. They are designed to operate in portable devices that do not exceed a power consumption of 60 watts.

Determining the protective properties

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 method 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 to properly connect the LED strip, you need not to 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.

Ribbon connection by soldering

Before soldering the LED strip to the power wire or connecting two segments to each other, you need to purchase necessary tools and expendable materials. We will need:

• Low power soldering iron.
• Solder based on tin.
• Flux.
• Connecting wires.
• 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. For this, a conductor is applied in 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.

Tape connection with connectors

Before you connect the LED strip to power or another strip using connectors, you need to choose them correctly and attach them with high quality. 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, care must be taken to ensure that the polarity of the connection matches correctly. If something is mixed up, then the tape will not burn. But do not be very upset with this outcome, it will not burn out from this.

How to cut the desired length of tape

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 special protection in the form of silicone or plastic, then before cutting it off, you need to clean a small gap. For this purpose, you can use a knife. You need to act very carefully so as not to damage the contacts.

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 connecting RGB tape

Before connecting 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 and sockets can also be used to connect the power supply. 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 a 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, which is attached to the case.

In addition to the right place for installation, 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. It always comes with instructions for connecting, and if not, then the seller must explain everything.

During direct mounting and when connecting the power wire, it is necessary to remove the terminals from the battery. This action will avoid short circuits and other unpleasant situations.

This article provided basic tips on how to install an 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.

For lighting, which should be extremely practical, white light is more suitable. It does not impose additional shades on the surrounding objects and will be more natural.

Finally

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 safely used in damp rooms and basements.

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How to fix the LED strip when organizing lighting of different types

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

LED strip lighting

But in order for such a led to look spectacular and work for the longest possible period of time, you need to know how it is fastened with your own hands. This article will tell you how to fasten this lighting product.

General installation rules

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

Note! Having a wide range of LED strip, this product can be installed on various surfaces in the kitchen, bedroom, living room, hallway and even the bathroom.

LED strip in the kitchen

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

• led must be connected exclusively through a special power supply that lowers the mains voltage of 220 V to the desired 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, it is necessary to connect them to each other using certain connectors and connectors;
• excessive bending of the tape during installation should be avoided. Otherwise, the electrical component of the product may be damaged;
• when cutting the product and connecting individual pieces, it is necessary to observe the integrity of the conductive paths with which the LEDs are powered;

Connecting pieces of LED strip

• if the segment is more than 4A, experts recommend using not special connecting elements, but good old soldering. In this case, soldering will create a more reliable connection of conductive elements;
• organizing lighting in the kitchen or in the bathroom, you need to choose a model that has a high class of protection against dust and moisture. For other rooms, such as a 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 from 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 even before installation. The best solution in this situation, there will be a pre-marking of the installation path of the LED strip on the surface;
• serial connection is only possible for five led. Otherwise, the LEDs at the ends will glow less brightly. In the future, this situation will lead to an overload of the stable plan of the entire lighting system.

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

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 get a hidden backlight;
• on the ceiling or walls when using special devices - plastic corners;
• for the ceiling plinth;
• lighting headset in the kitchen;
• niches in the walls, as well as curly partitions.

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

Ways to install lighting on the ceiling

The most common place to install an LED strip is suspended ceilings (especially plasterboard). On the ceiling, this product can be installed in the following ways:

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

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

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

Hidden LED lighting in a drywall box

It's pretty hard way implementation, as it involves the creation of 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 may 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.

Profile for LED strip

But a plastic profile can also be used here. This profile is suitable for the bedroom and living room. Modern models that have increased resistance to temperature extremes and moisture are perfect for installation in the kitchen.
There are three types of profiles for LED strip:

• angular. Used to create ceiling lighting around the perimeter of the premises. 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 create work surface illumination;
• embedded. When installed, it looks voluminous, which allows you to beat it in the interior of the premises in a variety of ways.

Another rather original way to fix the LED strip on the ceiling is to install a ceiling plinth. Main advantage this method installation is the simplicity of work for 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

After the installation method has been selected and implemented (box, profile or plinth), you can proceed with the installation of the light source itself.

Ceiling lighting installation

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

• choose 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 in terms of brightness, as well as changing the color of the light flux, you need to purchase a controller and a remote control.

Controller with remote control

• then we cut the led into the necessary pieces and connect it with a connector or by soldering. The type of connector (round or flat) is selected depending on the model of the LED strip;
• then we calculate the power of the led and, according to the figures obtained, 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;

Options for connecting the LED strip

• carefully place the backlight 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 that, the lighting system is connected to the power supply.

Finished ceiling lighting

As you can see, lighting a plasterboard or other false ceiling is not so difficult. But when working with stretch 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 by a stretch fabric. With your own hands, this option is implemented very problematic 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 very fastening of such a tape on the ceiling can occur both with the help of a self-adhesive base, and with the use of special fasteners or glue. This way you can install the led on the ceiling in the bedroom, living room, kitchen, etc.

Setting the backlight to kitchen set

Very often LED lighting is found in the kitchen today. And often led is used for high-quality and full lighting of the working area of ​​​​the kitchen.

LED illumination of the working area

In addition to countertop sinks, stoves and countertops with LED strips can effectively illuminate the kitchen set. In the kitchen, lighting can be installed in the following places:

• inside hanging cabinets. Thus, the internal contents of the shelves are qualitatively highlighted;

Kitchen cabinet interior lighting

• on top of wall-mounted kitchen cabinets or on the bottom of a floor set. In this case, the lighting performs only a decorative function;

Illumination of the headset from below and above

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

Drawer lighting

There are two ways to create any type of lighting here:

• directly stick the tape equipped with a self-adhesive base on 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 backlight as comfortable as possible for operation, but its installation requires a significant investment of time and effort to cut the desired hole in the cabinet. The overlay profile is easier to install, but it will stand out a little against the background of the kitchen set.

Mortise and overhead profile in the kitchen

As we see, the most in a simple way fastening the tape in this case will simply be gluing it with a self-adhesive surface. All stages of mounting this product will be similar to the previously described installation on the ceiling.

Installation of lighting in niches

Today, drywall niches and partitions are very popular in the home interior. To effectively highlight them against the general background, LED strips are often installed in such niches and designs.

Wall niche lighting

It uses the easiest way to install - 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 washed well and cleaned of greasy contaminants;
• then remove the protective film from the self-adhesive base;
• carefully apply it to the surface;
• then we align the tape along its entire length;
• only when the result satisfied you, we strongly press the product.

To avoid further peeling off, the base of the tape can be smeared 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 drywall partition.

Conclusion

LED strip can be easily installed with your own hands on almost any surface in the house. Different options for its installation allow you to create a specific version of the backlight, saving time and effort. Which method of fastening to choose depends only on your desire, as well as the features of the surface. If you take into account the necessary recommendations, you should not have any problems.

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Useful materials
Add a comment Cancel reply

The use of 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 one appeared relatively recently and has already been widely used for various purposes.

The LED strip is a flexible plastic strip on which LEDs are soldered and connected to an electrical circuit. Thus, they are already ready for operation and for this you only need to connect the power supply to it.

The main application of the device is the decoration of any place with light or spot lighting. Due to its brightness and multi-coloredness, it is used in car tuning, in the interiors of restaurants and cafes, in individual home 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 an LED strip by glow

Before you make an LED strip, you need to decide what color 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-colored ribbon can have only one.

The choice will also affect the characteristics 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 located. 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 diodes brand SMD 3528 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 diodes of the SMD 5050 brand on the tape with a density of 60 pieces per meter, and the tape length is 5 meters, then the power of the power supply must be at least 70 watts.

Selecting a power supply

In order to do it qualitatively, you need to choose the right one 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 open 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 are similar to phone chargers. They are designed to operate in portable devices that do not exceed a power consumption of 60 watts.

Determining the protective properties

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 method 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 to properly connect the LED strip, you need not to 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.

Ribbon connection by soldering

Before you tape to the power wire or connect two segments to each other, you need to purchase the necessary tools and supplies. We will need:

• Low power soldering iron.
• Solder based on tin.
• Flux.
• Connecting wires.
• 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.

Tape connection with connectors

Before connecting the tape to power or another tape using connectors, you need to choose them correctly and attach them with high quality. 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, care must be taken to ensure that the polarity of the connection matches correctly. If something is mixed up, then the tape will not burn. But do not be very upset with this outcome, it will not burn out from this.

How to cut the desired length of tape

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 special protection in the form of silicone or plastic, then before cutting it off, you need to clean a small gap. For this purpose, you can use a knife. You need to act very carefully so as not to damage the contacts.

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 connecting RGB tape

Before connecting 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 and sockets can also be used to connect the power supply. 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 onto the tape, and the corresponding plug is connected to the power wire.

Installation in a 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, which is attached to the case.

In addition to the right place for installation, 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. It always comes with instructions for connecting, and if not, then the seller must explain everything.

During direct mounting and when connecting the power wire, it is necessary to remove the terminals from the battery. This action will avoid short circuits and other unpleasant situations.

This article provided basic tips on how to install an 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.

For lighting, which should be extremely practical, white light is more suitable. It does not impose additional shades on the surrounding objects and will be more natural.

Finally

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 safely used in damp rooms and basements.

The cut end of the LED strip usually takes the form you see in the photo. The number of pads depends on the type of tape. For example, the RGB tape in the photo has four contact pads and a separate conductor must be soldered to each of them.

To obtain high-quality soldering, it is imperative to prepare the surfaces to be soldered by covering them with a layer of solder. After watching the video, you will see that tinning LED strip pads is not a difficult job.

The contact pads of the LED strip are no exception, and before soldering wires to them, they must also be tinned, as shown in the photo.

Next, you need to tin the ends of the wires. To do this, you must first cut them into pieces of the desired length and remove the insulation from the ends. The color of the insulation of the wires does not matter, it's just that when wires with different colors of insulation are used, it will not be necessary to continue to deal with their continuity with a multimeter. It is difficult to remove the insulation a couple of millimeters and tin the wires. Therefore, the insulation is removed by 8-10 mm, and after tinning the ends of the wires, they are cut with side cutters to a length of three millimeters.

Now it remains to attach the tinned ends of the wires to the contact pads and, in turn, touch each pad with a soldering iron tip with a drop of solder for a couple of seconds to get soldered, as in the photo. After soldering, you need to carefully examine whether drops of solder have touched adjacent pads. To be sure that there is no short circuit between adjacent sites, it is advisable to use a multimeter.

The voltage at the contacts of the LED strip does not exceed 24 V, so the soldering point can not be isolated. But, nevertheless, it is better to wrap it with a couple of turns of insulating tape or put on a heat shrink tube, followed by heating with a building hair dryer.

How to cut and connect pieces of LED strip

When mounting and installing an LED strip, it is often necessary to cut it into segments equal to the size of the surface on which it is glued. When organizing the illumination of a room, it is necessary to mount the tape at a right angle, both in the same plane (the corner on the ceiling) and in mutually perpendicular planes (the outer or inner corner of the walls in the room). In this case, as a rule, segments of the LED strip of insufficient length remain, and the question arises, how to connect them together correctly?

How to cut LED strip

The LED strip is thin, elastic and can be easily cut into pieces with ordinary clerical scissors. To cut the tape into pieces with skill, you need to familiarize yourself with its device and electrical circuit.

The LED strip, regardless of its length, consists of many segments connected in parallel, as in the photo. One segment of the LED strip, designed for a supply voltage of 12 V, consists of three housings with LEDs and three resistances. Each housing has three semiconductor crystals of red, green and blue glow colors. Crystals of the same glow color are connected in series, as shown in wiring diagram. To limit the current flowing through the chains of LEDs, resistors R1-R3 are installed in series with them.

If you look at the LED strip from the side of the sticky layer with the peeled off protective film to the light, you can see the current-carrying copper tracks running along. They supply voltage along the tape to each segment.

Now you understand that the LED strip can be cut into many segments, but the cutting step must be equal to the length of one segment. Cutting is allowed in the middle of the contact pads, usually the place of the allowed cut is indicated by a line, sometimes a pictogram in the form of scissors is applied.

How to splice LED strip

In preparation for the installation of the LED strip, its segments of insufficient length may appear. They can be successfully spliced ​​together without prejudice to the operation of the tape as a whole. There are two ways to splice segments of the LED strip, using the LED connector and soldering. You can also connect the tapes by soldering in two ways, directly soldering the pieces of tape together or using additional wires.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the LED strip can only be spliced ​​up to a length of no more than five meters. This is due to the fact that the cross section of the printed tracks on the tape is small and with a tape length of more than five meters there will be a large voltage drop on the tracks. If this requirement is violated, nothing irreparable will happen, just the LEDs at the end of the tape will not glow at full brightness.

Splicing the LED strip by soldering without wires

The technology for preparing the contact pads of the LED strip does not differ from the preparation for soldering wires to them.

The photo shows a ribbon cut with clerical scissors into two parts. Since the contact pads are not oxidized, you can immediately start coating them with solder.

The contact pads on the side of the LED installation are covered with a thick layer of solder and are ready for tape splicing.

At this stage, the preparation of the tape for solder splicing does not end. It is also necessary to cover with solder the contact pads, which are located on the side of the sticky layer. To access them, you need to peel off part of the protective film.

The contact pads that have opened to the eye must also be covered with a thick layer of solder. After that, you can start soldering segments of the LED strip. The photo shows only two contact pads, it is necessary to cover with solder the other two, hidden under the film.

A piece of tape, in which the contact pads were covered on the back side, is superimposed with an overlap of three millimeters on the tinned contacts of the second piece. Now it is enough to warm up the contact pads in turn with a soldering iron tip and the pieces of tape will become one. In the photo you see the result of my work on splicing the LED strip by soldering without wires, the soldering turned out to be perfect. To get a beautiful soldering, the main thing is not to spare rosin.

Splicing the LED strip with wires by soldering

The technology for soldering wires to the contact pads of the LED strip is given above. It remains only to demonstrate an example of this type of splicing.

For the manufacture of a jumper, a wire of any brand is suitable, the main thing is that its cross section is sufficient. Based on the fact that the current consumption of the five-meter brightest SMD5050 LED strip, which has 60 LEDs per meter of length, is 4.2 A, an insulated copper wire with a diameter of 0.8 mm is suitable for splicing any type of tape.

The wire of the required length is prepared and it remains only to tin its bare ends. The length of the jumper wire can be from one centimeter to several meters.

Due to the fact that the contacts for connecting to this type LED strip are connected in pairs, for reliability, it was decided to solder the ends of the wires simultaneously to two contacts. To do this, the ends of the wires were bent at a right angle.

You can see the result of soldering wires to the contacts of the LED strip in the photo. The second end of the wire is also soldered to the second segment of the LED strip. If rosin was used as a flux for soldering, then its residues at the soldering point can not be removed, since rosin is a dielectric. Although rosin absorbs moisture, but in this case it does not play a role. To give soldering a beautiful appearance, rosin from the tape can be removed with a brush dipped in alcohol.

The segments of the LED strip are securely connected, and now it can be mounted on a plane by bending it at any angle.

The LED strip must not be bent at a right angle. After installing the jumper from the flexible wire, nothing now prevents you from installing the tape under any internal or external corner of the walls.

to power supply or controller

A powerful power supply is a metal box with perforations that serve to circulate air in order to remove heat from radio components and a terminal block with screws. To increase the efficiency of heat dissipation, an air fan is often placed inside the power supply. There is usually a plate on the case, which indicates the designation of the unit and its main technical characteristics.

Near each terminal screw there is always a marking for correct connection wires. To supply voltage to a monochrome LED strip, it is enough to solder the wires to it using the technology described above, slip them under the washers and tighten them with screws. For a more reliable connection of wires, twist the tinned ends into rings.

Scheme for connecting a monochrome LED strip to a power supply

Terminal markings indicate the following. L( phase) and N (zero) terminals for connecting to mains voltage 220 V. FG - ground terminal. G, G and G - three terminals interconnected in the block for connecting the negative output (-) of the tape. Terminals V+, V+ and V+ are also interconnected in the power supply and serve to connect the positive output (+). As a rule, these symbols indicate the conclusions of other types of power supplies.

The photo shows the wiring diagram for connecting a monochrome (can only light in one of the colors) LED strip to the power supply. As you can see, there is nothing complicated. The length of the tape should not exceed five meters. If you need to connect several tapes to the power supply, and there are only two terminals on it, then all wires of the same polarity coming from the LED strips are connected to one terminal with the appropriate marking.

When connecting a power cord with a plug, the brown and blue wires can be interchanged, since it is not known where the phase will be, and where the zero will be, it all depends on how the vika is inserted into the outlet. The green/yellow ground wire of the plug cord must be connected exclusively to the ground terminal. If there is no yellow-green wire in the cord, then the ground terminal can be left free, but this will be a violation of safety regulations. This will not affect the performance of the LED system.

Scheme of parallel connection of segments of LED strips

Sometimes there is a task of backlighting when you need to connect a lot of short LED strips to the power supply, remote friend from each other, for example, when illuminating a shop window or pictures hanging at a distance from each other. In this case, there is no need to pull wires from each piece of tape to the power supply. One or more main pairs of wires are laid, to which short conductors from the ribbons are then connected.

Attaching the wires coming from the ribbons to the main wire can be done in any way. The most reliable is twisting followed by soldering, but in this case it is preferable to connect using connectors or terminal blocks. This will simplify the task of repair, in case such a need arises, during the operation of the LED system.

The photo shows an example of connecting segments of an LED strip using Wago-type terminal blocks. Wires of blue and white insulation are main, single-core. The black wires go to the LED strip. If an RGB LED strip is installed, then you will need to lay four main wires and apply four Vago terminals per branch.

It should be noted that Vago terminals, depending on the type, are designed to connect wires of a certain diameter. For example, the terminals in the photo are designed to connect wires with a diameter of 0.5 to 2.5 mm. If the wire is thinner, then there will be no reliable contact, and it will simply be impossible to insert thicker than 2.5 mm. The stranded wire, before inserting it into the Vago disposable terminal, as in the photo, must be tinned so that it becomes like a single-core wire or a special tip is pressed onto it, otherwise it will be impossible to insert it into the terminal.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to place the LED strip according to a complex pattern when installing the backlight, for example, when illuminating a cabinet or a showcase. In this case, you can use the tape itself as the main wires by soldering the leads of the tape segments directly to the contacts of one of the tape segments. The total length of all segments with this method of connection should not exceed five meters.

When creating lighting with LED strip from segments of different power, they can be connected in series and in parallel in any combination. For example, connect a 12 W SMD3014 LED strip meter in series with a 4.8 W SMD3528 strip, and connect another 12 W SMD3014 strip two meters long to it. The main thing is not to forget, when switching on in series, about the limitation of the total length of 5 meters.

After developing the tape mounting scheme, it is necessary to determine the cross-section of the wire to connect it to the power supply. If the current consumption of the LED strip is not known, then it can be determined by table based on the type of LEDs and their number, installed per meter of length.

How to connect LED strip
to the power supply from the computer

The cost of powerful switching power supplies for a voltage of 12 V and 24 V, with a load current of more than 5 A, designed to power LED strips, often exceeds the cost of the strip itself.

But it is possible to completely avoid or reduce the cost of creating an LED system if you use a power supply from desktop computer. It is not difficult to find a morally obsolete computer system unit with a working power supply in your back room, with friends or at work.

The photo shows one of a large family of power supplies, extracted from a desktop computer. The computer power supply is a finished product and can be successfully used to power other devices, including powering an LED strip. All power supplies have a standard range of voltages given in the table, and differ only in the allowable load current.

Several dozen wires of different colors come out of the power source, but the same voltage is output to the wires of the same color, as shown in the table.

There is always a label on the power source that indicates its maximum power and admissible current loads for each voltage. Although the power supply in question is designed for a load power of 400 W, the load capacity of the +12 V circuit is only 16 A (12 V × 16 A \u003d 192 W), which is enough to power almost any system led lighting or backlight.

How to force turn on the computer's power supply

If you insert the power cord plug into the socket and turn on the switch on the power supply unit, the unit will not start working until it receives a control signal from the motherboard, which is given when you press the "Start" button on the system unit. Therefore, to start the power supply, you need to emit a control signal from the motherboard.

To do this, it is enough to close pin 16 (POWER ON green, in some PSU models it is gray) with pin 17 (common GND black wire), as shown in the photo. If the connector has 20 contacts, then contacts 14 and 15 are closed to each other, to which wires of the same colors are connected. The contacts are located on the side of the connector retainer.

The jumper can be made from a piece of copper wire with a diameter of 1 mm, bent in the form of the letter P, as shown in the photo. Then insert into the connector pins.

If the power supply is no longer going to be used in the computer, then a more reliable wire connection can be made. To do this, you need to remove the insulation from them for a length of 1-2 cm, wrap one wire around the other with one turn and then solder it with solder. The connection can not be isolated, since it already has electrical contact with power supply box.

How to connect a 12V LED strip to a computer power supply

Before installing the LED system, it is necessary to check the operability of the power supply. no output load impulse blocks networking is not recommended. To do this, you need to connect a load to any of the connectors on the wires, to the contacts connected to the black and yellow wires, and apply a 220 V supply voltage to the unit. Any light bulb used in a 12 V car is well suited as a load. For example, from a headlight, having a power of about 60 W and consuming a current of about 5 A. If the light bulb shines at full brightness and the fan impellers in the power supply rotate quickly, then the unit is in order. If you have a multimeter, to be sure, you should measure the output voltage. If the light does not shine, then the unit is faulty and needs to be repair. If the impeller rotates slowly or noisily, the fan must clean and grease.

There are more than four pin connectors in the computer power supply, as in the photo. It is most convenient to connect the LED strip to these wires, since they are long and if the LED system consumes a lot of current, you can connect to several connectors, or by biting off them, solder the wires going to them directly to the contact pads of the tape. To connect a 12 V LED strip, you only need yellow and black wires.

Connecting the power supply to the LED strip is best made detachable. This is useful in case of modernization or repair of the lighting system. If there is a counterpart (male) for a four-pin connector, then it is enough to solder its yellow and black wires directly to the contact pads of the tape.

If there is no mating part of the standard connector, the yellow and black wires must be cut off from the connector. After that, they can be soldered to the controller connector, in case of connecting an RGB tape, use any other connector designed for the current consumption of the tape or solder directly to the pads of the tape or splice with the wires coming from the tape.

Before connecting by soldering or twisting, the wires must be stripped of insulation and tinned with solder. Next, the wires are twisted together, the protruding ends are cut off, and soldered with a drop of solder. Bare areas are closed in advance with an insulating tube put on them or covered with insulating tape.

How to connect a 24 V LED strip to a computer power supply

The technology for connecting an LED strip designed for a 24 V supply voltage does not differ from connecting a strip designed for 12 V. The only difference is in the color of the wires to which you need to connect.

There are no units in the computer that require 24 V to be powered, but there are units that require +12 V and -12 V to operate. The value of these voltages is indicated relative to the common (black) wire. Therefore, if you connect the LED strip only to the yellow and blue wires, then a voltage of 24 V will be supplied to it. The blue wire is connected only to the multi-pin connector for connecting to motherboard. Yellow is there too.

But unfortunately, the load capacity of the –12 V voltage circuit is much lower than the load capacity of the +12 V circuit. So in the power supply shown in the photo, the load current in the +12 V circuit is 16 A, and in the circuit In only 0.5 A.

The load capacity of the power supply with this connection of the tape will be determined by the minimum current of any of the voltages. In this case, this is 0.5 A. Taking into account the fact that +3.3 V and +5 V voltages are not used, you can safely load the unit up to at least 1 A. A larger load current is quite acceptable, I suppose up to three amperes , but it is necessary for specific model power supply to check experimentally.

About the cross section of the wires of the power supply

The diameter of the copper stranded wires coming out of the power supply is 0.8 mm (section 0.5 mm 2), which allows you to connect a load on one wire up to 3 A. If you need more current to power the tape, then you need to connect an LED strip to more wires of the same color. For example, to power the tape, you need a current of 5 A, which means you need to use two wires, and if you need a current of 15 A, then there are already five wires.

How to connect LED R G B strip to controller

R G B LED strip can be connected without a controller, directly to the power supply. With such a connection, the meaning of its use is lost, it will shine either white or one of the colors with low brightness.

In site articles "Connecting R G B LED strips" and "Repair of the lighting system with LED R G B tape" the issues of connection, the principle of operation and repair of the controller are considered in detail, but the issue of connecting the R G B tape to the controller using a detachable connection is not covered.

If wires with the mating part of the connector installed on the controller are already soldered to the tape, which is rare, then there are no questions. It is enough to articulate the connectors, taking into account the key, and the connection is ready.

I had to connect the RGB tape to the LN-IR24B controller, which has a connector, as in the photo. The pitch between the pins in the connector is 2.5 mm, the pin diameter is 0.7 mm, and the depth is 4 mm. The mating part for the connector was not available.

The connection problem can be solved in three ways. Cut off the connector and splice the wires using the method shear twists, solder wires directly to controller circuit board or choose the right connector.

The best solution is not to compromise the design of the controller, as this will void the warranty, but to pick up a connector. There was a five-pin connector from the VCR board, suitable in terms of geometric parameters. After removing the excess contact, the check showed that the pins entered with a slight interference and were securely fixed in the counterpart. It remains only to solder to its pins, observing the marking of the wires coming from the LED strip. Dressed cambrics will give the soldering a finished look and protect the wires from breaking when bending.

The mounted R G B LED system is ready and can be installed on the Christmas tree, for which it was intended.

Recommendations for equipment placement and installation of LED strip

The LED system is not a system of increased reliability and therefore it is necessary to carry out the installation taking into account the possibility of its complete or partial dismantling in case of failure for repair.

The back of the LED strip is covered with a sticky layer protected by a film. To fix the LED strip on the surface, it is enough to remove the protective film and press the strip to the surface. But if the surface has a large roughness, then the tape will stick poorly and may fall off over time. For reliable fastening on a rough surface, you can first apply a strip of double-sided tape equal to the width of the tape on it, and stick the tape on it.

There are special aluminum profiles that are fixed to the wall with self-tapping screws, and the tape is already glued to the profile. A plastic diffuser is attached to the profiles, which allows you to hide the LEDs and make the luminous flux more uniform. But the cost of profiles often exceeds the cost of the line itself. A special profile can be replaced with a cheap one plastic corner, fixing it on the surface with liquid nails.

When lighting ceilings, the LED strip is most conveniently hidden behind the ceiling plinth. Depending on the design, the LEDs are directed either parallel to the ceiling surface or at an angle to it. To maximize the use of the light flux and obtain uniform illumination of the ceiling, the tape must be placed at a distance of at least five centimeters from it.

When illuminating showcases, shelves or the interior of cabinets, care must be taken that the LEDs do not shine directly into people's eyes. Otherwise, the effect of highlighting will not be complete, and possibly negative, for example, in the case of highlighting a product in a store.

AT powerful blocks Power supplies often install fans that produce an acoustic noise during operation, which usually increases over time. This fact must be taken into account if the LED system is installed in a room where noise can become an annoying factor, for example, in a bedroom. In this case, the power supply is taken out to another room where the noise will not interfere.