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LED Tape and LED Strip Lights
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Using LED tape - also known as LED strip lighting or ribbon lighting - is an incredibly adaptable and flexible method of installing awesome LED lighting effects in your home. All you need to do is stick the self-adhesive tape onto your walls, cupboards or any surface you choose, and once you turn on the power, the entire strip will light up. The other great thing about LED tape is that it is relatively cheap, and can be suitable for almost any environment, including the home, office or commercial environment. Let’s take a closer look.
Unleash the power and flexibility of LED tape
As we discussed in the intro, LED strip lights are incredibly adaptable. You can install them indoors or out, in any room, and in any colour. You can also get your lights in different ambience, brightness, and any other lighting option you can think of. Simply put, if you want to change the mood, look and feel of a room or area, LED tape light can help.
Everything you need to know about LED strips
So, the big question is - what are LED strip lights and how do they work? The vast majority of LED tape options you will find on the market today come in 5-metre reels, with each strip featuring a special cut point that you can use to cut them down further. You will also need a constant-voltage driver, which is a transformer that converts voltage to match the 12-volt requirements of the LED tape. As an example, if you buy a length of 5 metres, you could cut it down to five single metre lengths, three and two-metre lengths, or even two 2.5 metre lengths. Each strip needs to have a driver attached, although a single driver can power more than a single strip. As long as the wattage of the strips is under 90% of the driver wattage, it will be perfectly safe. Next, let’s take a look at some of the ways you might use this kind of strip lighting.
Where can you use LED tape?
There are many popular uses of LED strip lighting. You might find them in kitchen or bathroom cabinets, either above or underneath - perhaps even on the inside. Some people like to put them in skirting boards, other use them in the coving of their ceilings. Do you have a bar area at home? Or even run a bar as a business? If so, LED tape strips could offer you a fantastic look that is eye-catching as much as it is practical. As we discussed, you can also use strip lights outdoors so you could use your lighting to brighten up your pathways and driveways, as well as your porch area and doors. And finally, you aren’t restricted to using LED tape as typical lighting. It also looks fantastic on TVs, stereo systems, and any other large entertainment device you might have in your home.
What do I need to do before buying LED strip lights?
If all this sounds good, be careful that you don’t rush into buying a 100 or so metres of LED tape. Yes, it will look fantastic, but only if you plan properly. You’ll need to consider where you will put every last piece of tape, and decide on what you need it for. As an example, are looking to provide basic ambient lighting to your kitchen, or do you need accent lighting for a living area? Maybe you need your strip lights for specific tasks, such as making it easier to read or cook in the kitchen? Bear in mind that there is a broad range of strip light outputs to consider - some have more LEDs on the strip than others, for example. Furthermore, if you plan on using your strip lights in the kitchen or bathroom, be careful to check the IP rating, as this will determine whether or not it is suitable for splashing or use around water and wet areas. The standard strips are IP33, which are best for dry areas, while the higher grades - IP67, for example, come with a silicone coating that protects it from getting wet.
How big are LED strip lights?
Another issue to consider is the size of your LED lights. As a rule, you will find that the vast majority of LED tape lights come equipped with two different sizes of LED. There is the 35:28 range, which is 3.5 mm x 2.8 mm LEDs, and provides simple, ambient lighting that is suitable for most domestic situations. Then there are the brighter, larger LED lights. These are 50:50, or 5 mm x 5 mm, which are almost double the size of the standard lights. These are best used in ceilings or outdoors and are also often found in commercial environments.
How should I arrange my LED tape lights?
There are a few things to consider when placing your LED lights in a strip. First of all, will you need to hide the strip itself, and the driver and wiring? How will you turn the strip on or off - there are plenty of options, so feel free to get in touch with Simple Lighting to discuss your needs. You will also need to think about the position of the lights. The actual light effect produced will vary according to the size, angle, and distance of the strip, so be careful to choose the right sized LEDs for your needs, as we briefly touched on above. So, plan your LED strip carefully, but as a final warning - make sure you get a professional, qualified electrician to install them.
Conclusion
There are a huge variety of reasons why you might want LED tape lighting - and many different options to buy. If you need any help with finding the right solution for your home or commercial property, get in touch with us at Simple Lighting. We will assist you with your decision.