The basic rules and mistakes when connecting the LED strip

For decorative lighting or implement additional illumination all LED Strip Light is used more often. And all too often make mistakes that greatly reduce the service life of this type of lighting. In this article I will talk about the main rules and errors related to the installation of LED strip.

Table of contents

Why LEDs fail.

Rule number 1 and error.

Rule №2 and error.

Rule №3 and error.

Conclusion.

Why LEDs fail

In fact, there are only two main reasons why there is failure of the LEDs, as follows:

1. This low-quality LEDs and power supplies.

2. And incorrect installation and connection.

So let's learn how to perform the connection is correct and what mistakes should be avoided.

Rule number 1 and error

Let's begin by considering the wiring schemes tape standard length of 5 meters.

In the above image you see scheme literate and wrong connection of the two five-meter tapes through the power supply to 12 volts. Let's understand why.

So, carrying a decorative connection, lighting tapes can be up to 10 or even 25 meters. So, it would seem, to connect them in series and get it over with. But can not do so, and for this reason:

The maximum length of a single piece of tape is not wasted 5 meters, so as wirings therein is precisely designed for a specific current flow magnitude. If we connect sequentially one five-meter piece LED strip, the load on the first portion wirings will significantly exceed calculated.

This will lead to non-uniformity of luminous diodes in length and quickly burn out.

Here's another circuit is connected properly, LED strips with a single and a pair of power supply:

In this case, the right to be as one-way and two-way connection. And two way communication should be applied on a mandatory basis at a power belt above 9.6 W / m. Of course, this increases the cost of such coverage, because you want to use a lot of extra cable, but the quality and service life of the lighting to compensate for this deficiency.

Rule and error №2

LED strip is compulsorily attached to the aluminum profile which acts as a heat sink.

When using LEDs, except the luminous flux also generate a significant amount of heat and due to overheat the light output begins to drop due to the degradation and destruction of the diode.

And it turns out that the tape, which could easily last you for more than 5 years, without heat removal after six months or a year out of order. And the presence of aluminum radiator diodes can work at normal temperatures.

Note. Particularly prone to overheating LED strip, on which diodes silicone coated protective film. In such a tape, heat transfer is carried out only through the substrate, and if you paste it on the wood or plastic, the rapid overheating of such a tape is provided.

Rule and error №3

Also important to consider is the choice of the power supply LED strip.

Remember, the power supply must be 30% stronger than the total capacity of the connected LED strips therethrough.

Only such a power reserve will allow the device to function reliably and for quite a long time. And if you install the unit, which is called on the nose, he will constantly operate at the limit, which will significantly reduce its lifetime.

Calculate the required power supply unit is very easy, for example, you purchased a tape 15 meters with 4.8 watts per meter. It turns out, the total capacity will be equal to:

4.8 * 15 = 72,

Now we take the margin of 30% and we get our power supply unit will be equal to 93.6 watts.

conclusion

By following the above rules and eliminating errors, you can create a beautiful decorative lighting in your room, which will serve you for a long time without any unpleasant surprises.

If the article was useful to you, then put his finger up and thank you for your attention!