How to install an LED strip with your own hands: recommendations and installation features

LED strip is an energy efficient light source that is used for indoor lighting or as an original outdoor lighting.

Some use the services of specialized specialists for installation. Many people prefer to install LED strip with their own hands without special knowledge in this area, but you still need to know the basics of electrical engineering at the minimum level.

Tapes in another way are also called duralight, with their help designers embody various original lighting solutions.

Belt design

An LED strip is a flexible printed circuit board that contains white or colored LEDs and resistors. LEDs have multiple density.

Usually products are offered at points of sale about a centimeter wide and up to 3 mm thick. Often they are cut into pieces up to 5 meters long and wound on special coils. Resistors located on the horizontal plane of the structure together with LEDs are needed in order to limit the current.

The color and luminous flux of the structure depends on its modification. Glow can be provided multicolor or monochrome.

The block of LEDs and resistors has a uniform multiple distribution, due to which the illumination comes out uniform. Also on the tape there are dividing marks for the purpose of convenient cutting.

Backlight package

Installation of LED strip and its subsequent use is possible with the use of such ballasts: power supply unit; controller.

LEDs work with constant current voltage 12 to 24 to 36 V, however, in most cases, the indicator is 220 V. For this, a power supply is needed, which plays the role of an adapting device.

The indicators of the power supply are determined by its technical characteristics:

• when creating waterproof systems, you need to use a power supply with a similar sealed design. If you plan to install an open lighting system, then you should choose a unit that will not be protected from dust and moisture;
• the power supply unit must correspond to the rated voltage of the tape;
• The estimated power of the unit can be determined by multiplying the number of meters of tape that will be connected by the rated power of one meter and adding the power reserve to the indicator. It ranges from 25 percent or more.

Power supplies have standard electrical performance, accordingly, you need to choose the one that has equal or slightly higher power in comparison with the resulting final value.

The second device to work - this is a controller. The controller is needed so that you can create static or dynamic lighting effects.

To get this or that backlight option, you should choose a certain controller modification:

• MIX - used in systems with white LEDs and different cross-section temperatures;
• RGB - Needed for 3-channel blue, green and red control. Affects the rate of color change and creates multi-colored backlight combinations;
• DMX - used for complex systems where there are many light sources;
• DALI is a solution for the Smart Home system.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before figuring out how to mount an LED strip, you should understand that it has its own advantages and disadvantages that you need to know.

Key benefits include:

• ease of installation - the flexible board can be easily fixed, since there is an adhesive layer on the back of the tape;
• minimum energy consumption - compared to other electrical lighting devices, such devices consume a minimum of energy;
• duration of operation - if the LEDs are of high quality, then they will last much longer than other lighting devices. And if the structure is correctly installed and the rules of operation are followed, then it will never burn out;
• safety of use - in comparison with other lighting devices, such options can be combined with installation of PVC-based stretch ceilings and do not worry that the material will overheat and, as a result, spoil;
• a wide range of colors - LED strip allows you to embody even the most daring design decisions;
• convenience of processing the product - such a tape can be cut into pieces. Its individual elements can be connected with a soldering iron and other devices. This gives you exactly the kind of lighting you want.

However, such a product has a drawback. To obtain a high intensity light output, you need spend large sums compared to classic lighting fixtures. For this reason, LEDs have never been widely adopted. They are mainly used as decorative additional lighting, but the classic, more affordable option is used as the main source.

Recommendations for use

There is nothing difficult in installing LED strips. How to install this device with your own hands and use it so that there are no problems and it will serve you as long as possible? Recommendations are as follows:

• do not allow mechanical stress on the belt. It will deteriorate quickly if you allow strong bends or press on it;
• use only connectors and connectors made specifically for your tape. They are different for different varieties;
• if you need to connect several parts of the tape, then this must be done so that the supply LEDs and conductive tracks are not damaged;
• if ventilation is poor, the tapes should be attached directly to the fixed aluminum profiles. It removes excess heat, which can negatively affect the resource of the lighting device;
• be sure to pay attention to the product labeling. For example, if the duralight is IP65, then it can be used even at high humidity. Choose one or another option depending on the conditions of use;
• be sure to consider how you will service and repair products in the future. In particular, consider whether you can handle them with a soldering iron if necessary. Both the tapes themselves and the power supplies need to be serviced periodically. Installing a structure under a suspended or suspended ceiling structure may cause inconvenience in the future, therefore, the ceiling will have to be partially disassembled.

As practice shows, duralights are better do not use with glossy ceilings, since the diodes are mirrored in them and it does not look very attractive. And also such a backlight will show everything, even the smallest dirt on the surface.

Do-it-yourself tape installation

You can quickly install the LED structure yourself according to the following plan:

• the surface must be degreased;
• remove the protective film from the tape;
• apply it to the surface and fix it with light efforts;
• if you need to create complex design lighting, then you can use profile structures based on plastic or aluminum. If the LEDs are powerful, then it is better to choose aluminum products. The higher the power, the larger the profile should be;
• when using a profile, the tape is laid on an adhesive base or simply glued. It is strictly not allowed to get glue on the LED.

Despite the fact that duralight is a rather expensive lighting device, it has a large number of advantages over traditional devices. And with the help of LED structures, you can easily make a unique design solution in the lighting of premises and not only.