By Radiant Lighting | 17 Mar 2022 | 0 Comments
What exactly is an LED strip light?
LED strip lights are a relatively new and versatile type of lighting. There are numerous variations but for the most part, an LED strip light has the following characteristics:
- Operates on low-voltage DC power (generally 12V or 24V)
- Contains many individual LED’s mounted on a flexible, narrow (~10mm) circuitboard
- Available in a range of brightness and temperature options
- Comes in a long reel (usually 5 metres) that can be cut to length with double-sided adhesive on the back for installation
Let’s break some of those down
Voltage
Most strip lights are 12V or 24V. 12V is quite common but 24V is better for longer lengths and usually a higher quality. At Radiant Lighting, we exclusively offer 24V as we believe it is the better choice.
Brightness & Colour
With most LED light fittings, there is an option for a warm white or cool white. Warm white is usually 3000K and cool white is approximately 4000K. Read our guide on colour temperature here.
In terms of brightness, it is measured in lumens per metre. Quality strip lights will offer 1000 lumens/m but this is dependant on 2 key factors
- The light output and efficacy per LED emitter
- The number of emitters per metre
The efficacy of the LED is a very important metric as this is reflected as the amount of lumens per watt. A high performing LED should have at least 100 lumens/watt or higher.
The number of emitters is also very important. When you have LED’s that are closer to each other, you can expect less dark spots and a more consistent and even light. The more LED’s per metre will command a higher price so it’s important to select the appropriate density for your project.
It’s important to note the evolution of LED technology with the introduction of Chip on Board (COB) strip lighting. COB technology has led to a dramatic increase in the density of LED emitters. Previously, a high quality strip light would have ~120 emitters per metre and with a diffuser, that would deliver an exceptional, smooth light. However, COB technology has quadrupled the density and our Faze Fusion COB products now offer up to 480 LED’s per metre to provide dot-free illumination.
Flexibility
The biggest advantage of strip lighting is that they are flexible. This means that any length of it can be placed in locations or objects that are not flat or straight as well as creating custom fixtures with various profiles. Some common uses of strip lighting are:
- Cabinetry lighting
- Custom lighting fixtures
- Cove or mood lighting
Installation
Strip lighting comes with double sided adhesive for easy installation. However, for a premium finish, you should consider an aluminium profile for the strip lighting to sit inside. Not only does this house the LEDs, it also comes with a diffuser to create a beautiful, consistent glow that removes the dreaded dotted LED look.
Did you know? When purchasing your strip lighting from Radiant Lighting, we offer a customisation service so you can purchase the exact length of strip lighting required for your project. No longer do you need to purchase a 5 metre roll that you don’t need. Additionally, we can make all the power connections you need using heat shrink and a quality solder. Rest assured knowing that every single length is thoroughly tested before leaving our production facility.
Head on over to the LED strip lighting section and if you need some assistance with selecting the right product for you, then contact our team here - we would love to hear from you.
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