How to choose and install an LED or LED strip ribbon?
Effective and almost invisible, LED ribbons are very successful. They can indeed light all the rooms of the house, and even the exteriors, and offer an infinity of possibilities. Discover all possibilities offered by lighting by LED ribbons.
LED ribbon: a very trendy decorative light
Functional and subtly decorative, the LED ribbon is a must of the lights. Very bulky, this type oflighting Slides into the smallest spaces to discreetly illuminate a room or a piece of furniture. Its very original shape and intense and adjustable light offer great freedom of creation. A LED light strip can indeed be used to create very original light sets. Thus, the Best LED strips are sometimes used to light up elements of the architecture of the house, such as a frame or a beautiful staircase. They can also subtly illuminate furniture, such as a library or dressing room. The LED strips are also fully modular, since they can be cut and assembled according to needs.
What are the different types of LED band?
Very versatile, LED banners adapt to all situations, and are available in several models. here are the Different types of LED strips.
Interior LED ribbons
They are undoubtedly the most widespread of all, and the most basic. THE Interior LED ribbons are used on a daily basis in the house, to create light points in non-humid rooms: bedrooms, living room, entrance, dressing room, etc.
Outdoor LED ribbons
More resistant, the LED light strips for outdoor are designed to be waterproof with water and foreign bodies. THE Best LED bands for outside Can therefore be used without danger to light up a terrace, a garage entrance, or even why not a wet room. Remember to buy an LED strip with a protection index adapted to the constraints it will have to undergo.
12V LED ribbons
THE Best low -voltage led ribbons are very energy efficient and produce practically no heat. The electricity of the network being of an intensity of 230V, the 12V LED ribbons must be linked to a 12V-220V transformer. They are generally recommended for a lighting length of about 5 meters.
24V LED ribbons
More powerful, the 24V LED ribbons have the advantage of being able to be twice as long without losing in light intensity, up to 10 meters. They are therefore to be favored to enlighten a large area these models must also be connected to a 24V-220V transformer.
220V LED ribbons
Very easy to use, 220V LED strips Do not require the use of an additional transformer, since the voltage of the house's electrical sockets suits them. They are therefore simply equipped with a male sheet, to be plugged directly into your wall outlet.
Connected LED ribbons
To go even further, better LED bands have recently appeared: connected lights. THE Connected LED ribbons offer many additional options, which are not available on ordinary LED bands. They are connected to a smartphone, through an application. This allows you to control remote lighting, wifi or Bluetooth. Several additional parameters can also be adjusted remotely, such as temperature,light intensity, or the color of the lighting. In addition, interesting programming options allow you to Create a 100% custom lighting system with your connected LED light strips.
What are the criteria for choosing an LED banner?
This wide variety of models deserves more detailed in the characteristics of each, to be sure of Choose the best LED banner.
The lighting color of the LED ribbon
LED technology allows you to benefit from a wide range of lighting colors. Some LED banner models are dimmable, and allow the user to choose from an infinity of colors. Using a simple remote control (or a smartphone for connected models) it is therefore possible to choose the color of the light. For certain specific uses, especially for decorative purposes, fully blue or entirely red LED strips are also available. The white LED strips are however relatively versatile thanks to the different lighting temperatures available. Thus, cold white, particularly intense, is ideal for a work room or for effective lighting from exterior. Warm white is warmer, and is more suitable for sifted lighting in the living room or in a bedroom.
Protection sign
I'protection sign (IP + two digits) is a Primordial choice criterion for the safety of your LED ribbon light installation. IP is made up of two figures:
- The first concerns resistance to water projections.
- The second concerns the intrusion of foreign bodies inside the product, which are frequent outdoors.
The LED light bands designed for the outside are surrounded by a plastic sheath, to ensure perfect protection.
LED strip length
Even if they are tall to adapt to their support, the LED strips are sold in different lengths. This very economical system prevents you from buying a too long LED ribbon and having to get rid of the surplus. For example, you find Cheap LED ribbons in a roll of 10 or 20 meters, which are suitable for most uses. Note, however, that you can always use the remaining length for a future installation.
The aluminum profile: for a more resistant and aesthetic LED light strip installation
Light LED strips can be fixed in different places in the house and the garden, including in areas where they may be visible and dazzling, or simply to be damaged or trampled. To avoid this kind of inconvenience, accessories have been specially designed to protect or camouflage LED bands. THE aluminum profiles allow the ribbon to hide so that it lights up a piece indirectly, without ever dazzling the inhabitants. The light is then reflected in the direction of the profile or support, in order to create non-dazzling indirect lighting. Aluminum profiles are also used to camouflage and protect LED strips. This is particularly the case for lighting a staircase: a profile is placed over the LED ribbon, in order to protect it from the weight of pedestrians that take the steps. It's'essential accessory for discreet and durable lighting with LED bands.
What accessories for LED light banners are sold on Silumen.com?
All cheap LED strips can be completed by several accessories to light up each part in a optimal way.
LED strips connectors
Essential for Adapt luminous LED ribbons to all configurations, including the most atypical, LED banners connectors Simply allow you to connect two lights between them without any welding. You can add their respective lengths to obtain a luminous LED ribbon with the desired length, activated by a single remote control or switch.
LED band transformers
The transformer is a Master part of your light installation of LED ribbons. It's the LED ribbon transformer which will modify the electrical intensity of your walls (230V) to make it compatible with your 12V or 24V LED ribbons.
RGB remote controls and controllers
To take full advantage of the advantages of the light LED bands, you can connect these to remote controls and RGB controllers, which allow you to adjust the light according to your needs of the moment. Thanks to them, you can change the intensity of the lighting, or the color of the light emitted by inexpensive LED ribbons.
The installation steps of a luminous LED ribbon
The LED strips are simply sold in rollers, in order to leave you total freedom as to their use. They can be installed in several ways quite easily, with ordinary tools. For fix a cheap led strip in a room in the house, you have to bring yourself (depending on the model):
- Cutter
- Cutting pliers.
- Of a suitable transformer. Calculate the total power of your installation in order to choose the necessary transformer.
- A screwdriver.
- Of a power connector with a sector outlet.
Start as always by cutting the electrical arrival of the part to secure the work. Take carefully the measurements to determine the tape length required to light the area. Then cut your LED light ribbon to facilitate its fixing on the support. However, keep a small margin of security, for example for possible angles which may have distorted your calculations. For Cut your LED strip, just take a cutting pliers and make a clear and straight cut in the indicated places.
Then switch to electrical connections, and connect your ribbon to its connector. For a waterproof ribbon, start by clearing the ribbon from its protective sheath using a cutter, to facilitate connection. Be careful not to cut a weld. Connect the transformer by following the marking and the colored system of the cables. Connect the power cord, then the connector that will connect it to the LED light banner. You can then slide the ribbon into its connector, or connect it with its H connector in the case of a 220V ribbon. Once these steps are finished, your ribbon is ready to be connected to the sector. You can add a protective cache to protect the other end of the ribbon.
Finally go to fixing the LED banner. You will have two main solutions:
- Set the ribbon directly to its support (ceiling, furniture, etc.), for example using an adhesive.
- First install an aluminum profile, then fix the LED headband inside it.
When everything is finished, restore the electric current and check that everything is working properly. You can then pair your smartphone in the case of connected ribbons, or simply use the switch for an ordinary cheap LED banner.
How to connect several LED strips?
This is one of the greatest advantages of luminous LED ribbons: they can be cut and connected to them endlessly. If you have several cheap LED strip drops, you can for example make a long headband to light up a new room. For Connect two LED bands between them, you have two solutions: weld them with each other using a soldering iron, or use quick connectors (watertight in the case of external use).
Weld LED ribbons
If you have a soldering iron, this manipulation is relatively simple: a tin on the connectors wires and on the copper plates of your ribbon are sufficient. Then put your welding iron on a tin point of the first ribbon, and approach the second ribbon so that the two spreads are melting and mixing. Remember to secure your weld with thermoretracable sheath, which you can heat with a thermal shutter or a hairdryer, taking care not to heat the lighting too much.
Quick connectors
If you don't feel comfortable with the welding, you can simply use quick connectors provided for this purpose. They contain contact points, in which you will only have to connect each of your ribbons respecting the polarities.
Where to install a LED light band?
Very discreet but also formidably effective, LED strips can be installed in many rooms in the house.
The LED ribbon in the dressing room
The privileged location for extra-flat lights: dressing room. The light LED bands will enlighten this cramped space effectively. Completely adaptable, you can fix them at the level of each storage to illuminate the smallest corners of the dressing room. In this way, no shadow comes to obscure the storage modules, and each shelf, wardrobe or drawer can benefit from efficient lighting. This is much easier to find your clothes there. For this space, think of Buy a bright led headband for neutral white shade wardrobe, so as not to distort the color rendering.
Install a LED banner in the living room
LED headbands can also be very useful to light up living rooms, such as the living room. They can also use you to design practical and very aesthetic lighting systems. Fixed at the angle of a ceiling, they come for example illuminating the whole room to create general lighting. Light can thus be modulated: sifted or colorful lighting for your evenings with friends, and a more lively white light for meals or to clean up in the room. For a more discreet effect, do not hesitate to add aluminum profiles, which avoid the risk of dazzling. LED bands can also light up more subtlely, for example by being installed in a piece of furniture. They are perfect for lighting the interior compartments of a library or a window, or simply storage shelves.
The LED band in the bathroom
In the bathroom, the LED banners offer significant brightness without occupying ground space. The space is often restricted, and the installation of a ceiling lamp or recessed lights is not always possible or desirable. Efficient lighting is however essential in this space very frequented by the whole family and sometimes devoid of windows. The installation of LED strips adapted to the ceiling will therefore come to create a light enough to prepare, make up, or give the children the children safely. You can Set LED strips above the bathroom mirror, on the ceiling, and even why not inside your storage furniture, to easily find the products you need. Remember to buy a neutral white LED strip. Closer to natural light, it faithfully restores the colors and is notably more suitable in front of a mirror.
Fix a LED light strip on a staircase
The stairs need efficient but space -saving lighting. This passage area is very frequented but also relatively dangerous. To light and secure a staircase while bringing a nice decorative effect, think of the LED bands. These can be installed on the ceiling, along the stairs, or even at the level of each step for an even more original decoration effect. The latter method also ensures reinforced security and will drastically decrease the risk of falling. Of the RGB LED ribbons Can however sift the light or bring a touch of color to create a warm atmosphere. They can also be used to elegantly light up an external staircase, provided ofBuy an appropriate LED strip.
LED light strip in the kitchen
In the kitchen, the light LED strips can be used to create functional lighting for the preparation of meals, or simply as a main lighting. The ribbon is then fixed to the ceiling, for example along the stop of the walls. In a little bright kitchen, a neutral white LED strip is of the best effect, and makes the preparation of meals much more comfortable. LED light bands can also be placed in strategic places, such as a worktop. Fixed in terms of credenza, they create an interesting decorative effect by highlighting the furniture. They are perfect in a kitchen with a modern design. Fixed under high furniture, they can also create a point of light to cut, mince or cook with precision and safely.
Fix a LED light strip in the bedroom
LED ribbons can also light the room, as a ceiling lamp, or to create light points. They can for example be skillfully camouflaged behind a headboard to create an elegant indirect lighting. RGB LED ribbons are perfect for creating a soft and dim light, or simply slightly colored lighting. Remember to install aluminum profiles so as not to be dazzled. In this room, it may be interesting to buy a connected LED strip to turn off or adjust the light without having to get up. THE Best LED ribbons connected for rooms Can also be used as a night light in the children's room, with a soft and reassuring light and a timer to program extinction.
The bright LED ribbon: very decorative terrace lighting
An outdoor LED ribbon is the ideal companion for your summer evenings. Its bright and homogeneous light lights up the whole terrace, to fully enjoy all the space. This can also be adjusted to create a more cozy atmosphere. Attach the LED ribbon all along the terrace, for example on the wall or on the floor. If necessary, use an aluminum profile to avoid any risk of glare. For the terrace, remember to buy an LED banner with a sufficient protection index for outdoor use. This must be waterproof with water and foreign bodies.
On the pergola
Light LED strips can be used to create interesting light effects and are real assets for decoration. This is for example the case if you install them on a pergola. They can be fixed under the roof of the pergola, to light up the entire installation in a homogeneous manner, or they can simply be fixed on the edges, for a more subtle effect. You can add an aluminum profile to make the installation even more discreet.
Install LED ribbons in the corridor
To light up a corridor without occupying a floor space, remember to buy a LED ribbon. This is very simple to install, since you just have to cut it to the exact length of the corridor. You can choose Set a cheap LED headband on each partition of the corridor For more harmonious lighting. Do not hesitate to complete with aluminum profiles to camouflage the lighting. This room is mostly devoid of windows, natural lighting comes to make the whole more pleasant and more secure.
LED ribbons are your allies for powerful lighting in all discretion. Versatile, they come to adapt to all configurations, and a wide range of accessories allows you to create the ideal lighting for all rooms in the house.
