LED Strip Lights

Data Sheet

LED Strip Lights: The Ultimate Guide

LED strip lights are a versatile and energy-efficient lighting solution that has revolutionized both residential and commercial spaces. Whether you’re illuminating a living room, highlighting architectural features, or setting the mood in a workspace, LED strip lights offer flexibility, aesthetic appeal, and functionality. In this guide, we’ll dive into the details of LED strip lights, their types, features, and how to choose the best option for your needs.

What Are LED Strip Lights?

LED strip lights, also known as LED tape lights, are flexible circuit boards embedded with surface-mounted light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These strips can be cut to size, connected to form longer runs, and are designed to be installed in areas where traditional lighting would be too bulky or impractical. They are popular for both functional and decorative lighting due to their slim profile, wide range of colors, and ease of installation.

Types of LED Strip Lights: COB, SMD, Neon, RGB, and Single Color

LED strip lights are an incredibly versatile lighting solution, offering options for various voltages, colors, and protection levels. Whether you’re outfitting a home, commercial space, or outdoor area, there’s a wide range of LED strip lights to choose from, each with distinct features and benefits. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of LED strips available, including COB, SMD, and Neon in 12V, 24V, and 220V, along with color options (RGB and single color), as well as waterproof and underwater variants.

1. COB LED STRIP LIGHTS

What is COB LED Strip?

COB (Chip-on-Board) LED strips feature multiple LED chips closely packed together on a single PCB (Printed Circuit Board). This design eliminates the visible “dots” often seen in traditional SMD strips, offering a uniform, continuous light output. COB LED strips are known for their high brightness and smooth lighting effects, ideal for professional and decorative lighting.

Key Features:

  • Uniform Light Output: No visible hot spots or gaps in light, producing a smooth, consistent light line.
  • High Brightness: COB strips provide more lumens per meter, making them perfect for brighter areas like task lighting or commercial spaces.
  • Compact & Flexible: These strips are flexible and can be bent or cut to fit a variety of spaces.
  • Energy Efficient: COB strips are highly energy-efficient with longer lifespans.

Applications:

  • Under-Cabinet Lighting: Perfect for kitchens and workspaces, offering bright and even lighting.
  • Accent Lighting: Ideal for highlighting architectural features or adding ambiance to rooms.
  • Commercial & Display Lighting: Great for large spaces and retail environments where high brightness and uniformity are needed.

2. SMD LED STRIP LIGHTS

What is SMD LED Strip?

SMD LED strips are made of individual LED chips (such as 3528, 5050, 2835) mounted onto the PCB. These strips are very popular due to their flexibility in terms of brightness, color, and design. SMD LED strips come in various chip sizes that dictate the brightness and power consumption, with 5050 and 2835 types offering higher light output than the smaller 3528 chips.

Key Features:

  • Variety of LED Chips: SMD strips come in different sizes (e.g., 3528, 5050, 2835), offering flexibility in brightness and application.
  • Flexible & Cuttable: These strips are highly flexible, can be easily cut to size, and are available in both indoor and outdoor models.
  • RGB & RGBW Options: For dynamic color-changing effects, you can choose from RGB or RGBW (with an additional white LED chip for true white light).
  • Waterproof Options: Available in waterproof (IP65) or underwater (IP67/IP68) versions, ideal for outdoor and submerged applications.

Applications:

  • General & Task Lighting: 5050 and 2835 SMD strips are commonly used in both general room lighting and task lighting for kitchens, offices, and other spaces.
  • Colorful Lighting Effects: RGB SMD strips create vibrant, dynamic lighting, ideal for entertainment areas, home theaters, and bars.
  • Outdoor & Underwater Lighting: Waterproof SMD strips are great for patios, garden lighting, pools, and fountains.

3. NEON LED STRIP LIGHTS

What is Neon LED Strip?

Neon LED strips are designed to mimic traditional neon lights, but with the added advantages of flexibility and durability. These strips are encased in silicone or rubber tubing, giving them a smooth, continuous light similar to neon glass. Neon LED strips are ideal for both interior and exterior lighting projects that require bright, seamless illumination.

Key Features:

  • Smooth, Continuous Light: Neon strips provide a uniform, uninterrupted glow without visible LED points.
  • Durable & Flexible: Encased in a silicone sleeve, these strips are highly durable, flexible, and weather-resistant.
  • Waterproof & Weatherproof: Neon LED strips often come with an IP65 rating, making them perfect for outdoor use, including patios, signage, or architectural lighting.
  • Energy Efficient: Despite their brightness, neon LED strips are energy-efficient, using less power compared to traditional neon lights.

Applications:

  • Signage & Displays: Neon LED strips are widely used for creating signage, illuminated letters, and artistic displays.
  • Outdoor & Architectural Lighting: Ideal for outdoor environments like patios, walkways, and building facades.
  • Creative & Decorative Lighting: Use neon LED strips in home décor, event lighting, or to highlight architectural features.

Color Options for LED Strips

  1. Single Color Strips
    • Single-color LED strips are available in a wide range of white tones:
    • Cool White (5000K-6500K): Bright and bluish, perfect for workspaces, kitchens, and bathrooms.
    • Natural White (4000K): A balanced white that mimics daylight and is suitable for most spaces.
    • Warm White (2700K-3000K): A soft, yellowish hue ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and creating cozy environments.
  2. RGB LED Strips
    • RGB LED strips combine red, green, and blue LEDs to create millions of colors. These strips are often used to create dynamic lighting effects such as color-changing, fading, or flashing. RGB strips are ideal for entertainment areas, bars, and event lighting.
  3. RGBW LED Strips
    • RGBW strips have an additional white LED chip, allowing you to switch between vibrant RGB color effects and pure white light, providing greater flexibility for mood lighting or general illumination.
  4. 3-Color LED Strips
    • 3-color LED strips typically include white, warm white, and natural white LEDs in the same strip, allowing you to adjust between different white tones to match the ambiance or activity.

Voltage Options for LED Strips

  • 1. 12V LED Strips
    • 12V strips are ideal for smaller installations, indoor use, and residential lighting. They are highly versatile and commonly used for under-cabinet lighting, accent lighting, and smaller DIY projects. They can be powered by a transformer and are easier to handle for smaller spaces.
  • Applications:
    • Residential Lighting: Under cabinets, shelving, and accent lighting in living rooms and bedrooms.
    • Creative & Ambient Lighting: Custom light designs for parties, artwork, or display cases.
  • 2. 24V LED Strips
    • 24V strips offer higher power and brightness, making them more suitable for longer runs without experiencing significant voltage drops. They are better for larger installations or spaces requiring higher intensity lighting.
  • Applications:
    • Commercial Lighting: Office spaces, larger rooms, or hallways that require more consistent and higher brightness.
    • Outdoor Lighting: Pathway lighting, garden lights, and exterior spaces where you need brighter light and longer runs without losing brightness.
  • 3. 220V LED Strips
    • 220V LED strips connect directly to the mains voltage and don’t require a transformer or power converter. These are suitable for larger installations or places where long strips are needed without reducing brightness over distance.
  • Applications:
    • Large Commercial Spaces: Warehouses, factories, and large shopping centers.
    • Outdoor Installations: Building exteriors, larger outdoor spaces like parks, and extended sign lighting.

Waterproof and Underwater LED Strips

LED strips come in different levels of water resistance, indicated by their IP (Ingress Protection) rating:

  • IP65: Waterproof
    • These strips can withstand water jets and splashes, making them suitable for outdoor and kitchen/bathroom installations. However, they should not be submerged.
  • Applications:
    • Outdoor Areas: Patios, garden lighting, and landscape lighting.
  • IP67: Waterproof and Submersible
    • Can be submerged in water up to a certain depth, making them ideal for pool lighting, underwater fountains, and wet environments.
  • Applications:
    • Wet Areas: Kitchens, bathrooms, or areas prone to moisture.
  • IP68: Underwater Use
    • Fully submersible, perfect for long-term use in water bodies like ponds, pools, or underwater lighting.
  • Applications:
    • Underwater: Swimming pools, fountains, and ponds.

Al-Najm Lighting Trade FZCO