The experts at ROBUS guide you through the basics of LED strip selection and installation.
LED strip has been a game-changer in recent times. While you’re probably familiar with the exceptional energy efficiency of LEDs, the advantages of mounting LED diodes on a flexible circuit board are still emerging. Simply put, LED strip is essential to the electrician’s toolkit.
The first step to an LED strip installation
You cannot choose LED strip without having a clear idea of what the result should look like. Can you picture it? Having this defined vision to refer to will make the next steps easier.
Consider the following:
• Where will you be installing your strip?
• Is the location outdoors or indoors?
• Is there potential for water or dampness in this space?
• What kind of ambience are you aiming for? Should it be vibrant and crisp, or soft and atmospheric?
• Will the LED strip be visible or concealed?
• Is there a preference for a continuous stream of light effect?
Once you’ve identified those factors, you’re ready to start the process of selecting your LED strip!
Light effect: dotted or dotless?
Why pick one lighting effect over the other? As a brand, ROBUS has a variety of dotted and dotless strip to choose from, so it’s helpful to understand the difference. Take a look at the table in Fig 1 to understand the benefits of both. The key to deciding between these two options is understanding the location of the fitting and the preferred lighting effect. Once you make your choice, it is time to decide what colour lighting you require.
Colour: over 16 million options
One of the most appealing advantages of installing LED strip is the range of colour variations made possible by LED technology. RGB LEDs alone offer over 16 million possible colours, achieved by blending the primary colours of red, green, and blue – hence the name, RGB.
Prefer a minimalist white aesthetic? While RGB LEDs can approximate a white hue, you’ll need a dedicated white LED chip if you want a pure white tone.
Ingress protection: how exposed is your light fixture?
Different types of LED strip come with different ingress protection ratings (IP ratings) to suit the diverse applications for which the lighting may be used. This is because electrical goods can deteriorate or malfunction when water or dust enters the fixture.
Therefore, if the lighting is to be installed outdoors or in an area prone to water residue (such as a bathroom or bar), a higher-level IP rating is necessary.
Extrusions: one to match every application
Extrusions are solid, semi-hollow, or hollow aluminium casings that can be equipped with high-quality diffusers and mounting accessories. LED extrusions, also known as profiles, prevent damage and dissipate heat. Additionally, they can enhance lighting by providing streamlined effects.
Exposed LED chips are vulnerable to accidental knocks and scuffs from everyday occurrences, and these lightweight extrusions act as an attractive protective shield.
Wattage: what wattage and why?
It’s all down to LED density! Lower wattages are generally more suitable for accent and background lighting purposes, whereas higher output is preferred for functional lighting in areas such as offices and corridors.
When it comes to LED strip, the more LEDs on a strip the more light output is produced. Equally true is that the more LEDs on the strip, the more seamless the light distribution.
Driver: how to choose your power supply
The type of driver you require will depend on the specific LED strip selected, the necessary length, the IP rating and the dimming capabilities required. It’s important to choose the correct driver for your installation because if it has a lower voltage than your strip, there’s a potential risk of fire.
To find out what driver you need you will require the following information:
1. The LED strip voltage
2. The wattage of the LED strip
3. The length of LED strip required
4. Multiplication of the wattage by the length (W/m)
Now you know what voltage driver you need and at what wattage per metre! You can safely pair a driver that has a higher capacity than the LED strip’s power draw.
Please note: you should never use a driver that has a smaller capacity than the max power of your LED strip.
Want to keep learning? You can find out about connectors, controllers, and more in The ROBUS Guide: How to Land Your LED Strip.
Browse or download the ROBUS ‘How to Land Your LED Strip’ guide here
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