Light bulbs and fluorescent lights are becoming passé because of new developments in the light industry. Of course, we refer to the LED strip lights that are more affordable and allow you to minimize your electricity bills. However, powering them up is a little complicated. This article will guide you through how to connect LED strip lights to power supply. All you need are the correct tools and patience. Read on!
LED Strip Lights
LED strip lights are these new and versatile form of lighting. They come in various brightness options and colors and are easy to install in walls or other surfaces. But they usually consist of individual LED emitters mounted on a flexible and narrow circuit board. They operate on low-voltage DC power and have a wide range of colors and brightness.
How to Cut LED Strip Lights
Before we can answer the question: “How to connect LED strip lights to power supply?” let us start by looking at how to cut LED strips down to get the length required. You only need one pair of good and sharp scissors to cut the strip. Before cutting the LED strip lights, it is important to understand the key aspects of this product.
- First, you can only cut the strips at the points that are marked. A line across the LED strip shows these cut-points.
- Second, the cutting distance for LED strip lights varies. For example, those LED strips with 30 LEDs per meter has a cutting distance of 100mm; LED strips with 60 LEDs per meter has 50mm cutting distance; LED strips with 120 LEDs per meter has 25mm cutting distance, and LED strips with 240 LEDs per meter has 15mm cutting distance.
Once you find the cut point, use the scissors to cut directly on it. Again, you can only cut LED strip lights at the specified marks. Cutting them in the wrong place will result in your LED strip lights not functioning.
How to Connect and Power LED Strip Lights
Now, let us answer the question: “How to connect LED strip lights to power supply?” This section of the article will focus on connecting the strips, and the next section will tackle on powering your LED strip lights.
Before anything else, take note that all LED strips have a pre-fitted 2.1mm input socket (input cable C4229). Also, if you cut the LED strips down, you may have to remove the pre-fitted C4229 input socket. There are two ways to connect or link your LED strip lights—using a clip-on connector or making soldered joints.
Clip-on Connectors
These connectors can come in widths of 8mm and 10mm that match most strips. You do not need any tool to fit or connect them. To connect this, here are the steps:
- Ready your LED strip lights and your clip-on connector
- Make sure that the red wire lines up with the (+) or positive mark on the LED strip. Make sure that the black wire lines up with the (-) or a negative mark on the stirp.
- Gently pull back the black locking bar and insert the strip into the slot. Again, make sure that the wires connect to their right markings on the strip.
- Replace the black locking bar into the connector.
- Gently pull the strip to check if it is locked.
- Use an LED driver to power the strips.
- You can connect these connectors to part C4349 to have a quicker powering by a standard power supply.
- Part C4349 is marked with a (+) and (-) on its casing to guide you where to connect the wires, the same with the LED strips.
- Connect both in the proper markings.
- To power the LED strip lights, plug the connector from the power supply into the part C4349.
Soldered Joints
Soldering is a recommended method for a more secure connection. To do this, here are the steps:
- Ready the C4229 input cable and your LED strips.
- Same with the clip-on connectors, ensure that the wires of the C4229 links properly to the same markings.
- Solder both carefully. Then wait for it to harden.
- Gently pull the strip to check if it is now locked.
- Plug the C4229 to your standard power supply.
The Things to Consider
Now that we have answered how to connect LED strip lights to power supply, you must consider a few things for a more quality and long-lasting LED strip lights:
Waterproof and Sticky Backing
Find a waterproof LED strip lights with sticky tape backing for easier installation on flat, clean surfaces like wood, plastic, or metal.
Aluminum Extrusion
Insert them into a quality finish such as aluminum extrusions that can protect your strips, help diffuse the light, and ensure the cooling and long life of your LED strips.
Maximum Lengths
If you are using a 4.8-watts per meter strip, only power a maximum of 10 meters. If you are using a 9.6-watts per meter strip, only power a maximum of 5 meters. This way is to avoid damage to the LED strips.
Required Power Supply
When selecting a power supply, always allow 20% headroom. It means that if your LED strip needs 48-watts, add 20% to it, resulting in 57.6-watts. You then get the next largest power supply, which is 60-watts. Never use a power supply with the same or lesser rate as your strips. Here’s how to learn more about LED Strip Lights.
Conclusion
Now you know how to connect LED strip lights to power supply! All that is left to do is apply the things you have learned if you are planning to set them up in your room or outside your house. Remember, LED strip lights come in different colors and brightness. They also come in different lengths in reels.
Just make sure you familiarize yourself with the steps and guides on how to connect your LED strips to a standard power supply successfully. Once you have done so, your house will be well lit and protected at night.