How to choose the right LED strip

Choose a LED strip is not difficult, if you know for what purposes it will be used and what power it should have. There are many options on the market with different characteristics, so it is worth to understand all the nuances to make high-quality lighting. It matters not only the characteristics of the strip itself, but also the place of installation and personal preferences.

LED strip is ideal for modern interiors.

LED Strip Strip in an apartment for basic lighting

If you need to provide quality lighting with tape in a room, then it is necessary to select it carefully. In this case, the main aspect is the brightness of light. This figure depends on the type of LEDs used, a total of 3 options:

1. SMD3528. The numbers indicate the size of the light element, that is, in this case it is 3.5x2.8 mm. The brightness of one LED is 5 lumens, which is not very much.
2. SMD5050. A larger version, in which the diode size of 5x5 mm provides a luminous flux of 15 lumens.
3. SMD5630.. The most powerful light elements that are available on the market. With a diode size of 5.6x3 mm they give a luminous flux of 18 lumens.

A variety of types of LED strips.

But the brightness of a single diode is not the main indicator, More important is the number of LEDs per meter of strip. It is this and depends on the total power. Here, too, each option has its own characteristics, they must be taken into account:

1. For SMD3528, the smallest number per meter is 30 pieces, and the largest - 240. That is, the total power can range from 150 to 1200 Lumens.
2. The SMD5050 can have up to 120 elements per meter. The maximum power of luminous flux is equal to 1800 Lm.
3. A SMD 5630 limit - 72 LEDs per meter, which gives a light of 1296 Lumen.

The density of the LEDs on the tape.

It is not necessary to choose options as powerful as possible, first you need to determine for what purposes will be used backlight:

1. If you need to illuminate shelves, niches or parts of the room, you should not choose options with a total power per meter of more than 10 watts. This is quite enough to create a comfortable environment.
2. In general lighting of a room or part of it, there are no restrictions on the maximum power. The minimum should not be less than 14.5 watts per meter.

LED strips can be installed on ceilings and walls.

For better distribution of light, you can put diffusers. They will provide more even lighting, but you need to take more brightness.

What to look for when choosing

In addition to brightness, there are a number of factors that also need to be taken into account. All of them affect the operation of the strip:

1. Power supply. It should be selected depending on the length of the used LED strip and the total power of LEDs (it is always specified in the instructions or on the package, so it is easy to calculate). The unit must have a power reserve of at least 20%. For example, if the tape consumes 20 watts per hour, then you need equipment with 24 watts or a little more power.
2. Workmanship. Everyone can assess this point: if the LEDs are soldered crooked or the soldering is sloppy and with overlaps, it is better to look for another product. Also it is necessary to evaluate the characteristics of the resistors, in good tapes use options labeled 151 or 301, in the cheap - 101. It is worth bending the tape slightly to evaluate the elasticity - if it is very soft, then the base and current-carrying tracks are thin, which will have a bad effect on the quality of the light and on the service life.
3. Protection from moisture and dust. This indicator is not particularly important in living rooms, but if the tape is needed for a wet room or outdoors (for example, unheated balcony or terrace), you will need a protected version. In ordinary rooms, tapes labeled IP20 will do, for bathrooms, kitchens and bathrooms is better to use a class no lower than IP44, and for the streets - IP65.
4. Number of colors. For general lighting usually use monochrome tapes, choosing warm light. There are also multicolored variantswhich can alternate between different shades. They are more expensive, but are increasingly used to create a decorative effect. In this case, it will be necessary to additionally purchase a controller to change colors.
5. Type of tape connection. If it is necessary to bind together two or more pieces, it is better to buy products with connectors. These are called special connectors, with which you can join the pieces without special tools. If there are no connectors, you will have to solder the contacts, which is not very easy for those who do not know how to do it.

With the connector, you can connect the LED strip in a minute.

You can control the light with a switch or remote control. The second option is much more convenient, allowing you to adjust the colors and brightness from anywhere in the room.

For to connect the strip you will need copper wire, it is worth selecting by power - for every 10A 1 mm of core cross-section.

Which tape is better for lighting 12 or 24 volt

To choose a variant for the room, it is necessary to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Most often on sale are tapes for 12 volts, but this does not mean that they are better. Here you need to consider a few important points.

Features of 12 V

It is not difficult to find a power supply or battery for this voltage, which is why it is popular. If there is no way to connect to the mains, this option will be the only option. But it has other advantages:

1. If you need to cut the tape, this can be done in about 2,5-5 cm, it all depends on the model. But there are products in which the cutting lines are in 1-2 cm. This allows you to precisely fit the pieces to the niche, so you don't have to think about where to put the extra tails and leave some of the space unlit.
2. Low voltage is safe for people. Even if a child or adult touches the bare contacts, there will be no danger to life. In children's rooms, it is better to put this option.

Variants for 12 V are most common.

The main disadvantage is the high currents. Because of this, the voltage is lost along the length and the ends of the tape usually do not burn as brightly as the beginning. It is possible to wire both sides, but this will greatly complicate the work and increase costs. You can not use pieces more than 5 meters, which is also inconvenient, you will have to put such segments and energize in parallel.

Read also

Ways to use LED strip for interior decor

 

Features of 24 V

The service life of this type is much longer than that of its 12 V counterpart. This is primarily due to the fact that 24 V ribbon is made only by serious manufacturers who are committed to quality. It is impossible to find a cheap version. The advantages are as follows:

1. The current is half as much. This reduces length losses and you can use pieces of 10 m, which is much more convenient when lighting rooms. This allows you to run a smaller cross section of wire, which reduces costs.
2. Uniform glow along the entire length. This is also due to the low current required for power, the difference in brightness at the beginning and at the end of the tape is almost imperceptible.
3. Cutting multiplicity - from 10 to 20 cm, so it is worth to determine the length in advance, so that it did not turn out that there will be a surplus or on the contrary, will stick out an extra piece.
4. Due to its brightness and durability, 24 V tape is more suitable for general lighting. This makes it possible to dispense with chandeliers and spotlights.

A 24 V strip is much better suited for general lighting in a room.

Minuses - the electric shock will be more sensitive, but also not life-threatening. If one LED burns out, then the whole section will stop burning, with a segment length of 10 to 20 cm this is very noticeable.

How to choose depending on the type of room

Select lighting for the room should take into account simple recommendations. It is not necessary to make the same lighting everywhere, as different rooms have different lighting requirements and conditions of use. Remember the following:

1. For the living room or hall should choose a powerful multicolor strip with the ability to adjust the modes and brightness. A 24 V variant is better suited.
2. In the kitchen, a waterproof version that can withstand splashing is used. When illuminating the work area to use dim lighting, for general lighting choose options more powerful.
3. General lighting in all rooms without the use of chandeliers and spotlights to do with one-color bright strip. Special diffusers can be used for even light.
4. In bathrooms and bathrooms, it is important to choose the correct brightness. Use options with water protection at least IP44, as there is often high humidity.
5. In children's rooms LED strip is often used to decorate the interior. But it can be used to illuminate the play area or create a dim light for the night, reducing the brightness to a minimum.

An example of the use of LED strip in the living room.

If you need to make general and decorative lighting with LED strips, it is easier to put two options. At 24 V for standard light, and at 12 V to create a variety of effects.

From the video learn what LED strips are on aliexpress

Rating of the best manufacturers

You should not buy products from unknown manufacturers, as they serve for a short time and often the stated characteristics do not correspond to the actual. It is better to choose one of the proven brands with a good reputation:

1. Elektrostandard. A manufacturer that has all variants of tapes with different classes of protection against moisture. Prices depend on the number of LEDs per meter and the type of product.
2. Gauss. A company that makes quality strips. The products have a warranty, it is easy to choose the right solution for any room.
3. Feron. Produces options for 12 and 24 V, the prices are not very high, but the quality is good.
4. Jazzway. The products do not stand out, but are not inferior to most analogues in quality. Prices are average.
5. Navigator makes inexpensive tapes for different voltages. Quality is not bad, although there are some complaints about the sloppy soldering and fragile basics.
6. LEDcraft. Russian manufacturer, whose prices are slightly higher than the Chinese product, but the quality is better.

LEDcraft tape burns brightly and lasts a long time.

It is difficult to make an accurate rating of LED strips, because each manufacturer has pros and cons. But if you choose the products of the brands listed above, there are likely to be no problems.

To select the LED strip should take into account the recommendations from the review and find products from a well-known manufacturer. The main thing is to understand the peculiarities of use, calculate the required power and correctly install lighting.