LEDs have been in use since the 1960s, initially serving primarily as status indicators due to their low power consumption. However, the beginning of the 21st century brought a tremendous development in LED technology, leading them to be widely adopted as an alternative light source, surpassing the performance of other lighting sources.
Various types of LED strips are available in the market for lighting installations. LED strips are a popular choice due to their energy efficiency and the ability to create beautiful light sources that add harmony and coherence to spaces.
LED strips are available in different voltage variants, with the most popular models operating at 12 or 24 V.
Types of Strips
Currently, the following types of LED strips are available in the market:
SMD Strips - characterized by discrete clusters of LEDs of different sizes, depending on the type of strip. For example, SMD5050 denotes LEDs with a size of 5mm x 5mm, while SMD2835 has LEDs sized 2.8mm x 3.5mm. These are not the only sizes available on these strips.
COB Strips - stand out with a higher number of LEDs, exceeding even 800 LEDs per meter, protected by a covering material along the entire length of the strip. This feature allows us to distinguish COB strips from SMD strips at a glance. COB LED strips are more modern and gaining popularity. They provide a smooth and uniform light dispersion, irrespective of the type of cover, distinguishing them from SMD strips where visible light points occur due to the gaps between LEDs.
In addition to the specific arrangement and size of LEDs on the strip, the color is also a crucial aspect. Therefore, LED strips can be divided into various types, taking into account the colors of the LEDs:
CCT Strips - Equipped with LEDs emitting white light, both warm and cool. By adjusting these two types of LEDs, typically in the range of 2700 to 6500K, lighting from any natural light spectrum can be achieved. Of course, natural light during the day may exceed 6500K, but it does not make a significant difference to the human eye.
RGB/RGBW Strips - These strips have LEDs in red, green, and blue colors. Their operation is similar to CCT strips, but by adjusting the intensity of individual LEDs, practically any color can be achieved. There are also RGBW strips, which add white light-emitting diodes, improving the quality of displayed colors, and RGB+CCT strips, combining features of RGB and CCT strips, providing the best color reproduction.
A slightly different type of LED strips are digital strips – the latest type of LED strips, having addresses on individual parts of the strip. This allows programming individual segments of the strip to emit different colors. They are commonly used in TVs, emitting backlight adjusted to the content displayed on the edges of the screen.
When choosing the appropriate type of LED strip, it is essential to remember that each type requires a different number of wires. Therefore, before making a purchase, it is necessary to ensure that the right wires are selected according to your needs.
Installation and Power Supply of the Strip
It is recommended to install each LED strip in an aluminum profile to efficiently dissipate the heat emitted by the LED strip. The use of such profiles is crucial because it not only extends the lifespan of LED strips but also influences how the light is emitted. The profile shape determines the direction of light dispersion, while the type of cover affects the manner and intensity of the visible light. Transparent, frosted, and milky covers are available, with the latter two contributing to greater light dispersion, resulting in a more harmonious and uniform lighting effect.
The installation of LED strips involves using a self-adhesive tape already mounted on the LED strip. Each strip can be cut, but it should only be done at designated connection points on the strips, usually visible every 2.5 - 5 cm.
To properly operate an LED strip, two basic electronic components are needed: a power supply and a controller (although there are also power supplies with built-in control) or just a power supply if the strip control involves only turning on and off without brightness adjustment.
It is essential to match the power supply capacity to the supported LED strip and monitor voltage drops, which may occur, especially when connecting a long stretch of strip from only one side. Power should be selected with at least a 10% margin. In general, for strips longer than 5 meters, it is recommended to power from both ends, avoiding connecting wires from different sides. At the same time, it is crucial not to connect these ends, as it creates a ground/inductive loop, generating radio interference.
Lastly, it is crucial to highlight a significant issue that even electricians can overlook, namely the proper selection of the cross-section of wires leading between the power supply and the LED strip. When choosing, the voltage, length of the cable between the power supply and the strip, and the power of the LED strips are crucial. Incorrect wire selection is equivalent to a significant voltage drop and a high risk of fire.
Proper Selection
It is essential to remember to appropriately select the LED strip for protection. For places prone to moisture, strips protected against water contact should be chosen, with a gel layer providing the strip with a protection rating, e.g., IP65. In other cases where protection is not necessary, as the strip is used in home conditions, a strip with the lowest protection, i.e., IP20, is sufficient.
When choosing, attention should also be paid to the color rendering index, commonly denoted as RA. The higher the number, the better the reproduction. Cheap strips usually have RA>80, while higher quality strips have RA>90. Another aspect that differs between strips is their width, with 10mm being the most commonly encountered width, although narrower and wider strips are also available.
Application in Automation
LED strips are now an integral part of many apartments and houses, especially those where advanced lighting automation is employed. By dimming the light phase in conjunction with LED strips, it is possible to create various lighting scenes, allowing for subtle emphasis on the character of the rooms. In addition to standard LED strips installed in kitchens, LED strips can be installed and controlled behind cornices, drywall partitions, or placed on shelves or around furniture.
Regarding different types of LED strips, we mentioned those with LEDs of different light colors, both warm and cold (CCT). Such strips are used in creating automated lighting that adapts to the time of day, commonly known as "circadian lighting." In practice, this means using warm light in the morning and evening, conducive to relaxation, while during the day, we are surrounded by cooler light that stimulates us, helping to maintain concentration. Transitions between these colors are smooth and occur according to natural changes in lighting in our region, depending on sunrise and sunset. Although this is a relatively new trend without full confirmation in science, it is assumed that such lighting can positively impact our health and help maintain a natural circadian rhythm.
For every type of LED strip, there is the possibility of controlling them using dedicated applications or pre-configured user scenarios. An interesting example, in the case of RGB strips, is programming them so that when entering an armed building, the strips start flashing red, indicating the need to disarm the alarm. This effect can act as an additional deterrent to potential intruders even before external sirens start alarming about a breach. The use of LED strips in this way is an excellent way to visually signal various conditions or events in the environment, contributing to increased functionality and user convenience.
If you need assistance with designing LED lighting for your project, we are at your disposal and can prepare a complete lighting design, along with providing the necessary components and automation. Feel free to contact us.