LED Strips Light | The Complete Guide

The Ultimate Guide to LED Light Strips

If you’re short on space but want impressive lighting, LED light strips are perfect. Easy to install and versatile, they can be used indoors or outdoors to transform your home. Choose from a variety of colors and lengths at BLT Direct to revitalize your space.

What is an LED Strip Light?

LED strips are a flexible lighting solution that has become very popular recently. Available in various lengths, they can be installed on many surfaces in your home.

You can also order the strips in a variety of colours, depending on the ambience you want to achieve in your space:

• Very Warm White (827 – 2700k)
• Warm White (830 – 3000k)
• White (835 – 3500k)
• Cool White (840/845 – 4000-4500k)
• Daylight (860/865 – 6000-6500k)
• Blue
• Green
• Pink
• Red
• Yellow
• CCT (colour-selectable)
• RGB
• RGBW
• UV 400-405nm
• Violet

Can I dim my LED strip lights?

Yes! You can dim LED strip lights as long as you use the appropriate driver for your lighting.

How to Choose the Right LED Strip Lights?

Choosing the right LED strip lights is crucial for achieving your desired lighting effect. Here are key factors to consider:

1. Brightness (Lumens):
   • Task Lighting (e.g., under-cabinet): 500-700 lumens per meter.
   • Ambient/Decorative Lighting: 100-300 lumens per meter.
2. Color Temperature (Kelvin):
   • Warm (2700-3000K): Cozy, yellowish glow for living rooms and bedrooms.
   • Cool (4000-5000K): Whiter, daylight-like light for kitchens and workspaces.
3. White or RGB:
   • White LED Strip Lights: Ideal for functional lighting with shades from warm to cool white.
   • RGB LED Strip Lights: Perfect for dynamic, vibrant color displays, combining red, green, and blue LEDs to create a wide range of colors for entertainment areas and parties.

Your choice depends on whether you need practical illumination or a colorful, mood-enhancing ambiance.

Flexibility and Size

When choosing LED strip lights, consider their flexibility and size for tight corners or irregular spaces. Opt for flexible strips that bend without breaking. Ensure to check for high quality and reliability, as they provide longer-lasting, flicker-free lighting. Factors to consider include brightness, color temperature, flexibility, size, and quality, all crucial for creating the ideal lighting ambience in your space.

Where can I use LED strip lights?

LED strip lights are highly versatile and can enhance various areas of your home:

Outdoor Areas:

For outdoor spaces, look for IP67-rated LED light strips. For swimming pools and ponds, opt for waterproof IP68-rated strips, safe for depths up to 1.5m.

Kitchen:

Add ambiance and functionality with strip lights under cabinets, transforming your kitchen into a welcoming space for cooking and entertaining.

Bathroom:

Illuminate your bathroom with IP65-rated strip lights, designed to withstand moisture and steam, creating a comfortable environment.

Bedroom:

Personalize your bedroom with strip lights that match your style, offering options from cozy white to vibrant colors like green, available at BLT Direct for all your lighting needs.

What is voltage drop on LED strip lights?

LED strip lights typically operate on either 12V or 24V constant voltage supplied by a matching power source. However, over longer distances along the strip, voltage can decrease, affecting brightness. This voltage drop is generally not very noticeable for most users.

For instance, with a strip longer than 10 meters, the end might drop to around 17V, resulting in up to a 30% reduction in brightness, which may not be ideal for some applications, though typically not an issue in home settings.

If concerned about voltage drop, consulting the manufacturer about the strip’s maximum recommended length can provide clarity on potential brightness effects.