How Are LED Strip Lights Designed And Manufactured? - SignliteLED

Whenever the night twilight descends, the LED strip light in the night flows out of the trajectory of the river of stars, window-dropping stars, and treetops winding between such as thousands of meteors crossing, and the building’s wall screen color changes in thousands of colors. The light band softly spills down, gently wrapping every corner, so that the evening breeze brings a romantic color.

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Friends! Have you ever wondered how they produce those LED strip lights that shine beautifully at night? Are you curious about the design and production process of LED strip lights, or would you like to know the manufacturing details, such as DIY or reference when buying? Today, I’m going to tell you more about this interesting LED strip light design and manufacturing process.

What raw materials are LED strip lights made up of?

The raw materials for the production of LED flexible light strips mainly include LED beads, PCB boards, wires, tapes, and so on. Among them, LED is the heart of the strip; the quality of the LED directly determines the brightness and life of the strip. The circuit board is like the blood vessels of the strip, responsible for transmitting power to the LED; wire is the current from the controller to the LED medium; tape is like the protector of the strip and can be firmly fixed to the strip to ensure that the LED strip installation is solid.

About LED lamp beads and tape, my last article has a detailed introduction; interested friends can click to understand.

How to Choose the Right LED for LED Strip Lights
How to judge and choose the quality of led light strip adhesive tape？

What is an LED strip light PCB?

Here we come to understand another important material for LED strip lights: PCB boards.

A PCB board for an LED strip light is a flexible circuit board, also called an FPC circuit board (flexible printed circuit), which is a kind of circuit board made of flexible material with the characteristics of being bendable, lightweight, high-density wiring, and so on. It can be bent, curled, and adapted to complex space layouts.

The main constituent materials of FPC include substrate, conductive material, adhesive, and cover film. Each material plays an important role in the performance and function of FPC to meet the needs of different circuit designs. The following are the common layers of FPC:

1. Base layer (Base Film): Usually polyimide (polyimide, referred to as PI) or polyester (polyester, referred to as PET), the thickness specification of 1/2mil, 1mil, and 2mil is commonly used; 1/2mil and 1 mil are commonly used.

2. Copper foil layer (Copper Foil): calendered copper (RA Copper) and electrolytic copper (ED Copper) are two kinds of thickness specifications for 1/3 oz, 1/2 oz, 1 oz, etc. Calendered copper (RA) is made of copper plate; after many repeated rolls, its crystallization is flaky in organization, and electrolytic copper (ED) is made through a special electrolysis machine in the round cathode drum in continuous production. In general, the FPC needs dynamic bending selection of calendered copper (RA); the FPC only needs 3-5 times bending (assembly bending) selection of electrolytic copper (ED). Electrolytic copper for the conductive properties and cost advantage; most of the current light boards use electrolytic copper.

3. Adhesives: epoxy resin, used to bond the copper foil to the substrate, providing strength and durability; acrylate adhesives, used in some special applications, to provide better flexibility and chemical resistance.

4. Cover Layer: the same material as the base layer, insulation, solder resist, and protection; commonly used thickness of 0.5mil.

How to choose a PCB board for an LED strip light?

The PCB board of the LED strip light has single and double panels; the single panel usually has two thicknesses of 0.07 mm and 0.11 mm. It should be noted that, if the use of white cover film, the thickness of the single panel will increase by 18 um; double-sided boards usually have three thicknesses of 0.11 mm, 0.12 mm, and 0.2 mm. Similarly, if a white overlay film is used, the thickness of a double-sided board increases by 36 um. In some special applications or high-end products, the thickness of the FPC may reach between 0.3 mm and 0.55 mm to meet higher mechanical properties, electrical properties, or thermal management requirements.

The copper thickness of a PCB usually refers to the thickness of the copper layer of the laminate, which is generally expressed in ounces per square foot (oz), such as 1 oz, 2 oz, etc. If the copper thickness increases, the electrical conductivity should be better, and the current-carrying capacity is also stronger, but copper itself is a precious metal. 2 oz of copper thickness is more expensive than 1 oz because twice the amount of copper is used; the cost will rise.

The copper thickness of the PCB affects the price of the light board. If the PCB of an LED strip light needs to carry a higher current, for example, power 20 W/m, it may need 2 oz of thick copper to reduce heat and improve efficiency. 1oz copper thickness single panel price is about 0.07 USD/square decimeter; 2oz copper thickness may increase to 0.11-0.14 USD (material + processing fee increase of about 60-100%). Copper thickness increases every 1 oz, then the cost of LED strip PCB may rise 30%-50%.

Although the copper thickness increases the cost, it may be a necessary design choice. If the design does not require thick copper, the use of thick copper is a waste of cost, so the design needs to be combined with the electrical performance, heat dissipation needs, and budget decisions. Currently more PCB boards are used in double-sided boards; single-panel is only applicable to occasions where the brightness is not high and the distance is short; the market share of the use of very little is double-sided boards; double-sided boards are relatively high-priced but more widely used.

How is an LED strip light designed with LED series-parallel combinations?

LED light strips have different LED densities and usually have different numbers of LEDs per meter, which will have different string and parallel combinations. For example, SignliteLED produces strips with 60 LEDs/meter, 128 LEDs/meter, and 140 LEDs/meter. Here we take 60 LEDs/meter as an example to see how LEDs are set up in series-parallel combinations. First of all, the power supply voltage is different; it will have a different series-parallel relationship, a 12V power supply strip, and a series-parallel combination of 3 series 20s; if it is a 24V power supply, the series-parallel relationship is 6 series 10s.

Example: Assuming that the Vf value of the LED is 3V, as shown in Figure 1 below is a 12V power supply circuit, the series-parallel relationship is 3 series and 2 parallel; after connecting 3 LEDs in series, the total voltage of the LEDs in series will be 3V×3 = 9V. The remaining 12V – 9V = 3V is divided by the current-limiting resistor R to ensure that the LEDs work stably and to avoid over-voltage damage. Note that if the number of LEDs in a single string is too large (e.g., 4 in series need 12V), it may lead to no voltage margin for the current limiting resistor, affecting the brightness control.

Figure 2 below is a 24V power supply circuit; the relationship between series and parallel is 6 series and 2 parallel. After connecting 6 LEDs in series, the total voltage of the LEDs in series is 3V × 6 = 18V. The remaining 24V – 18V = 6V is divided by the current-limiting resistor R. Then, by adjusting the size of the resistor R, the voltage is divided by the current-limiting resistor. Then, by adjusting the size of the resistor R value, the current of the LEDs can be changed, thus changing the brightness of the LEDs.

How to calculate the resistance of LED strip lights?

In LED strip lights, the correct choice of resistance is crucial. Ohm’s law (V=IR) is the basic law for calculating resistance. As shown in the diagram below: If we use a 24 volt power supply and each LED requires 3V, then the voltage requirement for a total of 6 LEDs is 18V. Therefore, the voltage across the resistor should be 24V – 18V = 6V. If the current flowing through the circuit is 0.03 Amps, then according to Ohm’s Law, the resistance value is 6V ÷ 0.03A = 200 Ohms.

Another noteworthy issue is the need to consider the power of the resistor to withstand the power formula: P = UI; the resistor’s supply voltage in the above diagram is 6V. If the current flowing through the resistor is 0.03A, then the resistor’s power is calculated as follows: 6V×0.03A = 0.18W. Then we select the chip resistor, which must be greater than 0.18W, after checking the resistor value of , which is 0.125W, while the resistor value of packages is 0.125W. And a package resistance value of 0.25W; if the choice of package resistance value is obviously small, then we need to choose the package resistance. This design resistor can ensure the stability of the current and the resistance of the long-term work of reliability.

Selecting the correct resistance value can ensure the safe operation of the LED strip to avoid overheating or damage. If the resistor value is too large, it may lead to too little current, and the LED may not be normal light; while if the resistor value is too small, it may lead to too much current, triggering safety issues.

It is worth noting that the actual application may need to consider more factors, such as the effect of temperature changes on the resistance value, the power of the LED, and other factors. Therefore, in practical applications, it is recommended to select the appropriate resistance value according to the specific needs and carry out the necessary tests and adjustments.

In addition, a reasonable choice of resistance can also optimize the performance of the circuit. For example, by adjusting the resistor value, the brightness of the LED can be changed. In some cases, it may be necessary to connect multiple resistors in parallel to spread the current to ensure the stability and reliability of the circuit.

In short, correctly calculating and selecting the right resistor value is critical to the proper operation of LED strip lights. Understanding and applying Ohm’s law can help us better control the circuit and ensure the safe and efficient operation of LED strip lights.

Why are there a different number of LEDs in LED strip lights?

Now on the market, the number of LEDs per meter is different; common specifications are 60, 120, 180, and 240 LEDs per meter. Why are there so many kinds? The main reason is that different customers have different brightness requirements, which include application scenarios, energy consumption, heat dissipation, cost control, and installation effect, etc. The higher the number of LEDs, the higher the brightness should be per unit area.

For example, decorative LED strip lights may not need too high a density; use 60 LEDs per meter to meet it, while functional lighting may require 180 LEDs per meter or higher density. Commercial premises may need to use high-density strip lights to create an atmosphere, while the general family may find a medium density of 120 LEDs per meter is enough.

In addition, the cutting interval may affect the number of lamp beads in the design. The same is 60 LEDs per meter, assuming that every 3 LEDs or 6 LEDs are a cutting point. The length of the two cutting points is not the same; 3 LEDs as a group have a cutting distance of 50 mm, and 6 LEDs as a group have a cutting distance of 100 mm.

Cost is also a factor. More LEDs mean more material cost, and the price may be higher. Different LED densities of light strips to meet different budget consumers. Low density (60 LEDs per meter) is suitable for users with limited budgets, while high density (180 LEDs per meter) is suitable for users who are looking for effect.

The more LEDs, the higher the power may be; the power consumption and heat will increase, so you need to pay attention to the design. A high-density LED strip may need a better heat dissipation design; otherwise, it will affect the service life of the strip.

Installation effect: LED density is high; the light is more continuous and uniform to avoid the emergence of obvious dark areas or light intervals. This is important in places where smooth light effects are needed, such as TV backdrops or display cabinets. And a low-density LED strip may be more flexible in bending installation because the LED spacing is large, and bending is not easy to appear extrusion pressure concentration, such as an S-shaped LED strip.

In addition to buying an LED strip light, you need to synchronize the power of the strip (such as 10W or 20W per meter); high-density strip lights may require higher power supply support.

How to improve the luminous efficiency of an LED strip light?

To improve the luminous efficacy of LED strip lights, the most direct way is to purchase higher brightness LEDs or increase the number of LEDs, but the result is that the cost will also increase more accordingly; after all, the price of high brightness LEDs will be much higher. Usually an LED brightness of 26-28 lm SMD has a price of about 0. USD. If you use 30-32 lm LEDs, the price will be 0. USD. According to the 1-meter with 120 LED calculation, the 1-meter light strip cost increased by 0.12 USD.

Another way to increase the light efficiency is to appropriately increase the number of LEDs in series to reduce the power lost in the resistance. This method relatively improves the efficiency, and the cost does not increase too much.

1. Assuming that there are 120 LEDs with 10W power per meter and a voltage of 24V, and 6 LEDs for a group, then 1 meter of LEDs for 6 series of 20 and each group of LEDs has a current of 10 ÷ 24V ÷ 20 = 0.021A. Looking up the table below the LEDs, the Vf value = 2.77V. We calculated that the voltage value of its resistor is 24V – 2.77V × 6 = 7.38V. Which is consumed in a single resistor on the useless power of 7.38V × 0.021 = 0.155W; all the resistors consume the total useless power of 0.155W × 20 = 3.1W; 3.1 ÷ 10 × 100% = 31%. This results in the luminous efficiency of the LED strip being 69%.

2. Let’s look at the 120 LEDs 10W per meter to change the efficiency of the number of series: 8 LEDs for a group, then the circuit of the series for the 8 series 15 and each group of lamp beads current: 10 ÷ 24 ÷ 15 = 0.028A; check the table below. 28 mA corresponding to the value of the Vf = 2.8 V, we calculated the value of the resistor voltage: 24V – 2.8V × 8 = 1.6V, which is consumed in the resistor on the useless power: 1.6V × 0.028 = 0.045W. All the resistors consumed by the total useless power are 0.045 × 15 = 0.675W, consumed in the resistor on the power ratio: 0.675 ÷ 10 × 100% = 6.75%, resulting in the light-emitting efficiency of the strip being 93.25%.

From the above two sets of calculations, it can be seen that 8 LEDs in series are more efficient than 6 LEDs in series; efficiency increased by about 25%, and multi-LED series light efficiency increased. But there is a problem to be noted, that is, to consider the LED strip voltage drop problem. LED must be selected with a small Vf value so as to ensure that after a long distance there is enough voltage margin for the LED to work properly. In addition, with the use of this multi-LED series with a length of 5 meters, it is best to increase the complementary power. Otherwise, it will lead to no voltage margin on the current limiting resistor, affecting the brightness of the back end of the strip.

High luminous efficacy LED strip lights with energy saving, long life, high brightness, environmental protection, and flexible design advantages have become the mainstream choice of modern lighting, especially suitable for the pursuit of high efficiency, aesthetics, and sustainability for the user.

SignliteLED has been committed to improving the luminous efficacy of the LED strip light. 128 LEDs/m is the development of our customers with high luminous LED strips. Compared with the similar 120 lm/m in the market, the luminous efficiency reaches 180 lm/w; the luminous efficiency has been effectively improved by about 25%, which is one of the best-selling products at present.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of LED strip light manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

How are LED Strip Lights Manufactured?

The manufacturing of LED Strip Lights is a delicate process, watch our LED Strip Lights Manufacturing video to understand the entire LED Strip Lights manufacturing process.

What is the appropriate working temperature of an LED strip light’s LED?

In daily use, the surface temperature of an LED strip light is not hot (about 50℃ or less) as a reference standard. If the temperature is too high, you need to troubleshoot the heat dissipation conditions or reduce the intensity of use. An LED strip with a working temperature between 40 ℃ and 60 ℃ is appropriate; this range is based on the strip’s internal electronic components and materials set by the temperature resistance so as to ensure that the strip works stably and maintains a good lighting effect and service life.

Factors affecting the temperature of the LED strip

Power and brightness: The power and brightness of the LED strip light will directly affect its operating temperature. The higher the power, the greater the brightness of the strip, and the heat generated at work will increase accordingly.

Use of the environment: the use of the LED strip light environment will also have an impact on its temperature. Using the strip in a closed or poorly ventilated space is likely to lead to heat buildup, which will increase the temperature.

Installation: The installation method of the LED strip light and the design of the heat dissipation system are also important factors affecting the temperature. Reasonable installation and wiring can ensure even heat dissipation of the strip and avoid excessive bending or folding of the strip so as not to affect its thermal performance.

Excessive temperature will lead to accelerated light decay and shorten the life of the LED strip. LED junction temperature (chip temperature) generally does not exceed 85 ℃ ~ 105 ℃ (specific to the manufacturer’s specifications shall prevail); high temperatures will accelerate the light decay. The life of the LED is usually related to the temperature; for every 10℃, the life of the LED may be correspondingly reduced by 10%. So it is very important to control the temperature within a reasonable range. Manufacturers generally give the maximum operating temperature; for example, some LED strips may be labeled with a maximum of 60°C or 70°C, but in practice it is recommended not to exceed 55°C to maintain stability and life.  

The following chart is a set of LED temperature and life test data for reference:

LED light strips: Try to avoid using them in confined or high-temperature environments. If it is outdoors, ambient temperature variations may also have to be considered. Better heat dissipation measures are needed, and the installation is paired with aluminum profile heat sinks; Also note that LED strip lights may be a safety hazard if they are installed near flammable materials with high temperatures, and this is when you need to ensure that the heat dissipation and the installation location are safe.

To effectively reduce the temperature of the lamp bead, the power settings should be reasonable; with high-power lamp bead working current, the temperature will also rise. So the working current of the lamp bead is strictly controlled to within 30 mA, which is the most ideal. In addition to choosing 2OZ thick copper above the LED strip, the heat dissipation effect will also be strengthened.

Summary

Flexible strip of surface mounted light-emitting diodes LED strip lightComponent typeLED • strip lightFirst producedEarly s

An LED strip, tape, or ribbon light is a flexible circuit board populated by surface-mount light-emitting diodes (SMD LEDs) and other components that usually comes with an adhesive backing. LED lamps have been widely adopted in personal, professional, and hobbyist environments for their aesthetic, functionality, and flexibility. Traditionally, strip lights had been used solely in accent lighting, backlighting, task lighting, and decorative lighting applications, such as cove lighting.

LED strip lights originated in the early s. Since then, increased luminous efficacy and higher-power SMDs have allowed them to be used in applications such as high brightness task lighting, fluorescent and halogen lighting fixture replacements, indirect lighting applications, ultraviolet inspection during manufacturing processes, set and costume design, and growing plants.

Design

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Variables in strip lighting consist of water resistance, color, adhesives, choice of SMD, driving voltage, control type, and whether it is constant current or constant voltage layout.

Uncoated LED tape is not considered to have any resistance to water ingress, but may be rated with an ingress protection code as IP20 for some physical ingress resistance. Such tapes are generally low voltage and safe for skin to touch but can be shorted by fine metal objects. Water resistant strip lighting is covered in a heat conducting epoxy or silicone to protect the circuitry from direct contact with water, and can be rated IP65, IP67, or with suitable sealed connections IP68. Both coated and uncoated LED tapes have a two sided adhesive backing to stick to walls, desks, doors, etc.

The most common design differences are in how individual LEDs are controlled, specifically differences in color and whether or not each LED is addressable.[1]

• Single color, non-addressable: Every LED on the strand is a single white colour, typically ranging from K to K in color temperature, or any of several monochrome colors covering the range of the visible spectrum (generally from 400-700 nanometers in wavelength).[2]
• Dynamic tunable white (often described with CCT), non-addressable: Allows the user to adjust the color temperature output from a single strip light. They are manufactured with alternating LEDs of different color temperatures, so half of the LEDs are a lower temperature and half are a higher color temperature, allowing the strip to produce any specific color temperature between the two color temperatures of the LEDs.[3]
• Multicolor, non-addressable: Each LED is capable of displaying red, green, blue, or all three (white), driven by three input power rails. All the LEDs display the same colour at any one time, but the colour can be manipulated by varying the voltage applied to each of the three power inputs.[citation needed]
• RGB, addressable: Multiple colours and addresses. Each LED has its own chip meaning they can be individually triggered for chasing, strobing, colour changing, and other customizable effects.[4]
• RGBW, non-addressable: The combination of single color and multicolor (4 LED-chips) in a single module
• RGBCCT or RGBWW: The combination of dynamic tunable white and multicolor (5 LED-chips) in a single module

LED strip designs are available populated with many different types of SMD, not only in different colors and addressable or non-addressable, by different shapes, sizes, and power levels. The most common types of SMD are: , single colour, non-addressable, very low power; , containing three LEDs allowing for RGB and addressable strips as well as higher power levels; , a newer single-color SMD having the same surface dimensions as the but a larger emitter area and a thinner design with an integrated heatsink allowing for higher power levels; /, a newer replacement for single-color SMDs which can operate at slightly higher power levels and have high efficacy. Less common designs may have , , , , or other SMDs. In addition to the LED SMD type, the quantity of LEDs per meter is also an important factor in determining the overall power and brightness.[5]

LED strip lights most commonly operate on 12 or 24 volts of direct current from a power supply, sometimes referred to as a driver. USB strip lights operate on the standard 5-volt direct current used by USB devices. Mains voltage LED strips are also available. These have the advantages of being usable in much longer single runs without a brightness drop along the length, but are less flexible and heavier due to higher voltage and current ratings and thick coatings for shock safety and high IP ratings in their intended outdoor positions, with limited cut points. No separate power supply is needed, although there must be a rectifier between the mains supply and the end of the LED strip.

The most common PCB designs use multiple parallel circuits consisting of passive dropper resistors in series with a certain number of LED SMDs, to operate at a certain current and power level with the expected input voltage. This design is referred to as constant-voltage and is rather sensitive to small variations in input voltage and to the voltage drop that occurs along long lengths of strip when driven from a single power input. Alternative design is the "constant current" design where each parallel circuit of several SMDs includes a small integrated circuit to provide a fixed current to that group of LEDs, within a wide range of applied voltages. This allows the strip to operate at the same power level and brightness along its entire length, or with some variation in the driver voltage.[citation needed]

Any customizations require an LED controller to adjust brightness, color, or individual LED activity. This can be done with an included controller or customized with a microcontroller.[1]

LED strips can also be used to resemble the appearance of traditional neon lights. The LED tape is embedded on the side of a silicone filled, plastic C-channel; the silicone both diffuses the light from the LED tape and directs it out to one side, 90 degrees to the direction the SMD LEDs face. This design allows the lights to be bent in what appears to be the opposite direction to how regular LED tape can be bent, allowing one to spell words and create pictures with it much like neon signs.[6]

Models

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The following is a list of common LED strip models. The IC Control Unit is the "resolution" of control, or the smallest number of LEDs that can be individually controlled in the strip.

LED Strip Models[7] Model Voltage Color Individually Addressable? IC Control Unit (LEDs) IC Control Structure Style WS 5V/12V/24V RGB Yes 1/3 Built-in & External Dual Signal Addressable WS 5V/12V/24V White/RGB/

RGB+W/ RGB+CCT

Partial 1/3/4/6/9 External Single Signal Addressable WSB 5V RGB Yes 1/3/12 Built-in Single Signal Addressable WS 5V RGB/RGBW Yes 1 Built-in Breakpoint Resume WS 24V RGBW Partial 6 External Single Signal Addressable WS 12V RGB Yes 1 Built-in Breakpoint Resume WS 12V RGB/RGBW Partial 3/6 External Breakpoint Resume SK 5V/12V/24V White/RGB/

RGBW

Yes 1/3/6 Built-in Single Signal Addressable SK 5V/12V/24V RGB Yes 1 Built-in Dual Signal Addressable APA102 5V White/RGB Yes 1/3 Built-in & External Dual Signal Addressable APA102/HD107S 5V/12V/24V White/RGB Yes 1 Built-in Dual Signal Addressable APA107 Yes HD108 Yes UCS 5V/12V/24V RGB Partial 1/3/6 External Single Signal Addressable TM 12V/24V White/RGB/

RGBCCT

Partial 3/6/12 External Single Signal Addressable TM 12V/24V RGBW Partial 6 External Single Signal Addressable TM 12V/24V White/RGB Partial 3/6/7 External Breakpoint Resume TM Partial TM 24V RGBCCT Partial 6 External Single Signal Addressable LPD 12V/24V RGB Partial 2 External Dual Signal Addressable LPD 12V/24V RGB Partial 3 External Dual Signal Addressable GS 12V/24V RGB Partial 3/5/6 External Breakpoint Resume GS 12V RGB/R/G/B/

Yellow/ GoldenYellow/ W

Yes 1 External Breakpoint Resume FW Partial SM Partial SM Partial DMX512 12V RGB Yes 1 DMX

Controllers & Software

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Addressable LED strips interface with many different controllers & software depending on the application.[8] Hobbyists may use open-source software with microcontrollers, while professionals may utilize dedicated controllers which use the DMX communication protocol.[7] Some commonly used open-source softwares include FastLED, WLED, and Arduino.[9] Microcontrollers commonly used for this include ESP32, ESP, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi.[10][11][12]

Beam angle

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Some LEDs are rated as having a 120° beam angle,[13] directed "up", i.e. perpendicular to the mounting surface. 'Side view' or 'edge emitter' SMDs are designed such that light is emitted parallel to the adhering surface (i.e., 90 degree difference to typical tape design). These allow the construction of LED strips which wash surfaces within less space or accent edge profiles such as signage.[citation needed]

Dimming

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LEDs can be dimmed efficiently using pulse-width modulation (PWM).[14] This strategy rapidly switches the LEDs on and off many times per second by changing the voltage from zero to the designed value in an "on-off" fashion.[15] The LED sees its drive as a square wave. The relative width of the on and off portions of the square wave can be varied so that the LEDs are on or off for relatively more or less time to change brightness.[16] Addressable LEDs do this dimming internally given a data signal which specifies which colour LEDs to turn on, while non-addressable LEDs require an external PWM controller.

Usage

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Strip lights are designed for both indoor and outdoor use depending on whether they are water resistant. Since the strip is flexible and can be divided at any point between LEDs, it is extremely versatile and can be used in a number of installations. This versatility has allowed LED Strips to proliferate in a number of notable contexts:[17]

Non-Professional

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During the early s, LED strip lights gained popularity among users on the social media platform TikTok.[18][19]

LED Strip Lights have found significant appeal amongst University Students for the unique colors and diffuse light they provide. Many students use this as an alternative to "the big light".[20]

These lights have been used by gamers to add dynamic and visually appealing effects to their setup. Commonly referred to as "RGB Lights", LED Strips have seen adoption inside computer cases, as bias-lighting, and as faux neon-signs.[21][22]

Professional

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LED Strips have been used as a germicide in commercial applications, particularly popularized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[23] The strips must emit UVC light (200-280 nm wavelength), but have been found to be a safe and effective disinfectant.[24]

LED "Grow Lights" have been used in research settings and greenhouses to increase the light for photosynthesis or to alter the photoperiod. Non-LED Grow Lights are sometimes preferred due to LED's higher initial costs, limited adoption, and lower coverage area.[25][26]

LED Strips have also found use as a stage-lighting instrument. They have been chosen for their ability to create distinct edges, for their dynamic and visually interesting effects, and for their low cost.[27] While the specific strips and controllers used are typically different from home usage, stage-lighting strips share many similarities with their domestic counterparts.

Hobbyist

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The flexibility and energy efficiency of LED strips make them an attractive choice for many hobbyists.[17] Outside of traditional lighting, strip lighting is extensively used in DIY projects or lighted clothing. Examples include computer lighting, costume lights, toys, workspace lighting, monitor and display ambient lighting, and alcove lighting.

LED Strips have recently found popularity as a form of fashion as wearable technology. The ability to power strip lights off of a USB device or battery pack makes them extremely portable and an attractive choice for many designers hoping to integrate new methodologies into their art. Some notable examples include as wearable music-visualizers and as dance harnesses.[28][29]

Many hobbyists appreciate the interoperability of LED Strips with microcontroller setups. This allows the creation of dynamic visual environments which change in response to the states sent by the microcontroller. Hobbyists have used this to change light setups depending on the noise in the room, with a geo-fence to detect when the user is home, and as a scoreboard.[30][31]

Are you interested in learning more about SMD LED strip light? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!