How to cut or connect the LED strip
This article tells how to cut the LED strip. Depending on the voltage, variety, model of luminous strip may require its own way of cutting. Special markings and tags will help, but even unmarked tape can be easily cut into pieces of the right size.
Today’s LED strip is a printed circuit board that is reconnected to a thin base of elastic type. On one side of this tape are applied to the band resistors limiting type, which allows you to connect this product to a power source or other device. It is also worth noting that the product has pins to which you can solder connection wires if necessary. If you look closely, you can see that through the three different elements there are dashes, which are located across the product. This is the point at which it is possible to separate the tape.
There are also tapes that are self-adhesive, and with their help even a high school student can do the installation. In this case, the installation does not need screws or any other reinforcing materials, it can be firmly fixed due to its base.
How to cut properly diode tape with waterproofing
To shorten the LED board with waterproofing, silicone must be scraped with a knife. This should be done carefully so as not to damage diodes and other circuit elements.
Covered with silicone
Silicone-coated strips may not have marks on the front surface. The scheme of installation of LED chips and tracks is located on the reverse side.
Silicone can be applied to one or both sides of the board. Since the design of the LED strip is the same as that of the standard strip, after removing the silicone, the blocks can be cut with a knife (scissors can damage the contact pads).
- Mark where you want to cut;
- Remove the silicone;
- Cut off the desired number of blocks;
- prepare the ends to install the connector or solder.
After connecting the segments need to isolate the areas of contact pads.
In the silicone tube
IP68 products fit inside the silicone tube. Before cutting one or more blocks, the silicone is removed. A cut is made with a knife (the scissors stretch the material unevenly), the tube is peeled off at the ends. Use sharp scissors to cut the strip and ring-shaped silicone connectors to connect it.
Where to cut the LED strip
We found this video online so you can see how to do it right. Note that only every three diodes need to be cut. For example, if you cut through one, then all the others in the chain will go out at once. Only some strips can be cut through one, here it all depends on the modification, so take it into account.
Please note! The tape should be divided only when the power is off, otherwise you risk causing a short circuit in your home, and it is not worth it, so, be careful.
Also look here is such a video, it’s about another model of tape. All tips can be called sensible, so feel free to trust them.
We decided to show you how to cut the LED strips, depending on the manufacturer:
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Design Features
Regardless of power and type of LEDs used, all tapes are designed for power from 12V to 24V (220V private version is not taken into account).
How to cut?
At the end of each segment there are connecting pads, between which there is a fishing line for the trimmer.
Any strip is a set of segments consisting of three LEDs and one or three current-limiting resistors. The number of resistors depends on how many light-emitting crystals in the LED.
LED 3528 consists of a single crystal, so for each segment is enough of one resistor.
In each element LED 5050 three independent LEDs, each connected through a separate resistor. Note that there can be from two to six contact pads. In fact, to supply these LEDs is enough to two wires, but some particularly pedantic manufacturers for each group of diodes make a separate feed channel, as in the RGB elements.
How to cut a colored (RGB) LED strip
In RGB somewhat different situation, each site of the tape has four pads.
It is important that when the pieces are subsequently joined, each color channel connects to the appropriate pad. Each color has its own power parameters and if the connection is broken, they may fail.
How to cut a 12 V LED strip without marking
Some manufacturers do not put a separating mark on the bearing surface.
Even when there is no separation marking, there will be contact pads between each piece of ribbon, between which you should make the cut. As an exception, there are samples with the location of the contact pads on the side of the substrate.
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Question:
I have a 220v strip with 60 LEDs per meter. If I cut a half meter, will it work? Thanks in advance.
On the network we found this video, with it you can understand how to do it correctly. Note that you only need to cut every three diodes. For example, if you cut through one, all the others in the chain will go out at once. Only some strips can be cut through one, here it all depends on the modification, so take it into account.
Please note! The tape should divide only when off, otherwise you risk causing a short circuit in your home, and it is not worth it, so, be careful.
Also see this video, here we are talking about a different model of band. All tips can be called sensible, so feel free to trust them.
We decided to show you more how the place of the cut of the LED strips may look, depending on the manufacturer:
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How to cut correctly
Each Led ribbon has many short blocks with a number of chips and resistors, depending on the model. LEDs are transparent or white, the current limiters are black. Between the blocks most often there is a mark (dotted line for trimmer and a picture of scissors), by which the strip can be cut.
Warning! If there are no marks on the front side, you should inspect the back side.
On a thin strip it is more convenient to make the cut with sharp scissors. Exception are boards installed in a silicone tube. It must be cut between the two contact pads. When offset, it is difficult to solder the wires to connect to other sections or the power supply.
On the LED strip every 50 cm there are joints, in which the individual blocks are soldered overlapping. Cutting off the strip in those places is not desirable (the contact pads are too small). If you still need to cut, the scissors need to replace the soldering iron (solder the joint).
Ordinary 12 V LED strip
A 12 V LED strip consists of blocks with 3 diodes (24 V products have 6 diodes). This means that it can be cut into very short pieces. Cut the product strictly along the dotted lines with sharp scissors.
Important! If this condition is not met, the individual blocks will not fire, and it will be impossible to connect them. Spoiled section will have to cut it off and throw it away.
Cut from the board of SMD 335 and DIP can be in pieces, consisting of 3 diodes.
LED strip 220 volts
LED strips of 220 volts are made of SMD LEDs 3528, 2835, 3014, 5050, 5630, and come in several varieties, different in the scheme of chips. The main difference from products on 220 V. cutting ratio of 0.5, 1 or 2 meters. The number of diodes on a single segment varies from 30 to 120 pieces. Cut a piece of such tape with scissors on dotted lines.
VLUU L100, M100 / Samsung L100, M100
Color RGB strip
The structure of LED boards from RGB and RGBW little different from the design of one-color LED strip. The difference is the number of tracks that conduct current (on multicolor strip there are four or five). On the contact pads are marked “R”, “G”, “B” and “-” (on RGBW strip “R”, “G”, “B”, “W” and “-“). Cut off a piece of such a strip can be the same way as a monochrome. with dotted lines.
When connecting to the power supply and connecting the segments it is important to connect each channel with the corresponding colored pads. If this condition is not met, the light source will fail due to the different power supply parameters of each color.
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How to cut correctly?
The main thing to remember is that it is advisable to cut the tape only through the three LEDs. In this case the distance is from 5 to 10 cm, it all depends on the type of tape itself. In order not to spoil the tape and to make the most correct cutting, you must use only sharp scissors. Only use scissors with a line on the strip. Otherwise you will ruin the device.
Regardless of the type of ribbon in the structure there are segments that include three LEDs. All of these elements have in their composition resistors, the number of which depends directly on how many crystals in the LED.
For example, an SMD 3528 LED has one crystal. So, each individual section will be enough for one resistor. According to the standard, each individual element has three LEDs of its own type. Such elements can be individually connected to a resistor. It is important to know that the contact pads can be in different numbers from two to five or six. In this case, two wires will be enough for the positive power supply design, but some experts connect the power element to each LED.
To summarize
As you can see, having a certain baggage of knowledge, cutting LED strip is not difficult. For backlighting at home it is advisable to use led lighting with a voltage of 12 volts. They do not cause difficulties in installation and are safer in contrast to the high-voltage.
220v. then you must, of course, a device that turns the voltage at home in a constant 12 volts (for some types of tapes. 24 volts) and provides the necessary current. such devices, especially for powering LED strips, are sold. Your individual pieces of tape can be connected to the same power supply in parallel. as long as the total current does not exceed the allowable for your power supply. At my summer house I have 12 volt battery powered LED strip glued to the ceiling. there is no electricity supply connected to the living space, much less to the toilet. Naturally, for convenience, there are also switches.
12 volt cuts 3 LEDs 24 volt cuts 6 LEDs
The LED board is made of sections that can be used as independent light sources. When connecting it is important to know how to cut the LED strip, if the whole product does not fit the size of the place of installation. For this purpose, there are most often marks on the board, the length of the cuts depends on the model. Cut the source with the desired length can be scissors or a sharp knife.
What are the steps of the cuts
Different models of tapes vary in the number of LEDs per meter. There can be anywhere from 30 to 240. Standard 12-volt LED strip is cut in increments of 3 LEDs, 24-volt. in increments of 6 LEDs. For a luminous filament with 220 V, the range of spacing varies in the range of 0.5-2 m. It depends on the brand manufacturer.
In metric terms, the step of the cut will be:
How to cut the LED strip 220 volts?
Unlike low-voltage, 220v tape has a more rigid envelope. It can only be cut into sections at the specific places intended for it. In the carrier board for the cut the manufacturer provides gaps. conductive busbars. Their length can vary in the range of 1.5-2 cm. The frequency of special breaks in silicon depends on the manufacturer and may vary in the values of 0.5-2 meters. For example, in the ecola 220v LED Strip sections for cutting are located at a distance of 1 meter.
Use sharp scissors to make the cut exactly in the middle of the tear.
As a result, you get several light sources that are independent of each other. You can have 30 to 120 LEDs between two rails.
If you make the cut not in the area of the tear, the separated section will not work or there will be a short circuit.
How to connect the segments of the LED strip
LED strips with different designs are increasingly used in the device lighting and illumination systems. In addition to the problem of how to cut, self-installation requires a solution to the connection problem. The most reliable way. soldering, but not everyone has a soldering iron, not everyone is good with it. Most people look for a more affordable and simple method. Most often 2, 4 and 5 pin connectors are used.
Important! Models for strips of 12 and 24 V are not suitable for products with 220 V.
Advantages of using connecting elements (if compared to soldering):
How to cut the LED tape
Now about how to properly cut LED strips of different voltages and types.
12 volts
On the 12 volt LED filament between each group of 3 bulbs marked cut lines.
Here you can clearly see the places to cut through every 3 LEDs.
This tape has a thin coating that allows you to use an ordinary box cutter or scissors. The main thing. the accuracy of work. Tape is cut strictly along the dotted lines, otherwise part of the diodes will fail, and such a luminous device will remain only to throw out.
What to do if there is no line on the LED
It also happens that the manufacturers do not mark where to cut the strip properly. In this case, be guided by the photo above. Scissors put between pairs of diodes exactly in the center, then there should be no problems.
Buy a fuelless generator or turn on your head.
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How to connect the segments of the LED strip
LED strips with different designs are increasingly used in the device lighting and illumination systems. In addition to the problem of how to cut, self-installation requires a solution to the problem of connection. The most reliable way is soldering, but not everyone has a soldering iron. Most people look for a more affordable and simple method. 2, 4 and 5 pin connectors are most commonly used.
Important! Models for 12 V and 24 V strips are not suitable for 220 V products.
The advantages of using connectors (compared to soldering):
- Cannot be used when high current is needed for LED chips;
- Resistance to oxidation;
- The use of non-heat-resistant plastic for manufacturing.
The main criterion for selecting connectors is the width of the flexible circuit board. For example, the SMD 5050 models are not suitable for the SMD 3528 product.
Connectors are divided by the way they are connected:
In the clamp connector when connecting you need to extend the plate and insert the strip until it stops. The contact is made after the plate is pushed into place. The advantages of such a connector. small dimensions in height and width. Disadvantage. it is impossible to see the tightness and reliability of the contact.
This problem is solved by models with a latch, although they also have disadvantages:
- The contact pads of the connector do not always stick close enough to the pins of the board;
- at high power the contacts melt;
- Cannot be used for high-current applications.
The most advanced piercing connectors with pins on one side for ribbon (for power connection) and pins on the other side for wires. Available for exposed and insulated boards. When connecting the strips, the end of the strip is pushed into the connector, and a transparent plastic cover is available to apply pressure. The pins pierce the board, forming a good contact. It is not possible to remove the strip, the state of the contacts is visible through the cover.
Important! Regardless of the type of connector, the board contacts need to be stripped to a shiny finish. When connecting the segments it is important not to reverse the polarity.
Frequent mistakes when using connectors:
If the product is waterproofed, you need to remove the silicone over the contact pads and the adhesive on the back side.
This tape is difficult to push into the connector because of the interference of the silicone on the sides and the adhesive on the back side.
The connector cannot be closed if the contact pad is too close to the chips. In a similar situation, the individual blocks from the strip can be cut off not along the dotted line, but leaving 2 contacts. But one section will have to be thrown away.
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How to connect the cut LED strip?
If you have two strips, you can easily connect them together. There are two ways of splicing a led light:
In the first case you can connect the individual pieces with each other through additional wires, or by soldering directly to each of the contact pads. Consider the wireless splicing method.
Before applying rosin to the contacts, make sure they are not oxidized.
Apply rosin to pads that have not been oxidized. In this case, both the pad on which the LEDs are located and the surface under the protective film on the back side of the tape must be treated. For quality splices, the thickness of solder must be at least 3 mm on each section of the backlight.
The total length of the spliced strip should not exceed 5 meters.
The incoming voltage is designed by the manufacturer to illuminate only to a limited extent. Its value will decrease with the formation of printed tracks of greater length to the end of the tape.
This will cause the LEDs at the end of the backlight to burn less brightly than those closer to the power source.
The easiest way to connect is to use a special connector. To attach an additional section, you should follow the following algorithm of actions:
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To summarize
As you can see, having a certain baggage of knowledge, cutting LED strip is not difficult. For backlighting at home, it is advisable to use led-lighting with a voltage of 12 volts. They do not cause difficulties in installation and are safer than high-voltage.
When you need to lengthen or shorten the LED strip is required to cut into blocks, which can act as individual light sources.
Problems may arise if the strip is not marked in the form of dotted lines and scissors. If they are not available on the back side, you need to be guided by the width of the band around the edges of the tape.
Silicone is more convenient to cut with a knife, the board. with sharp scissors.
Home craftsmen install LED strips in different ways. If you have experience in separating the LED strip, share it in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев.
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