Buying Advice for LED Strips

LED strip provides you with the opportunity to create lighting effects in a whole range of applications.

There are two main types of strip, RGB colur changing and single colour - obviously if you are looking for a static effect then you need a single colour, whilst the RGB allows you to use a remote control to select from a range of preset options. Both types can be cut to length or joined to make longer runs.

So, if you want to illuminate under cupboards, display cabinets, coving, wardrobes & even outside areas such as decking, soffits & walling, LED strip can provide the solution as it's waterproof.

If you want the most economical installatation then that will be the standard strip route but if you have several corners or cuts to make this can be fiddly. By far the easiest route is to choose FlexConnect where everything just clips together in seconds.

Flexible LED Strip

The strips are simple to use & come with a self adhesive backing so can be positioned with ease.

They can be cut to length with marked cut points after every third LED, just 50mm for the single coloured strip & 100mm for the RGB (red, green & blue) colour changing strip.

Single coloured strip, we currently stock warm white, cool white & blue, can be connected in one continuous length to a maximum 15m.

Each metre of single colour led strip consumes just 5w, just multiply the cut length to determine the correct sized driver.

The 45w driver will therefore operate up to 9m of strip, the 150w driver will operate up to 30m,this driver has two outputs of 75w each BUT they can be wired together if needed.

This strip can also be connected to a 12v dimmer switch, ours comes with a remote controller to allow you create soft lighting tones from the comfort of your chair!

If you really want to be creative & enjoy a host of colours & effects then take a look at the RGB strip, our 5 metre roll mixes the red green & blue leds to create 7 different colours including a cool white, other modes include colour changing, flashing* & strobe*, in total 21 different settings with dimming & speed settings as appropriate.

* Please be careful when using these functions especially with children present & those with photosensitive syndrome.

Each metre of RGB strip consumes 7.2w & the maximum single continuous run is 10m.

For each run of RGB strip you will need the appropriate driver, a controller or amplifier.

The controller comes with a wireless remote control & creates the colours & patterns you desire.

The remote operates using radio frequencies so that you can change the mode of the strip from a distance without having to aim at the control box, which can be hidden out of sight along with the driver.

For instances where you require lengths of RGB above 10m or in different areas you have an option of either using the controller with an individual remote for each strip OR you can utilise the amplifiers which allows you to operate all the strip with just one remote controller.

In this sense, the controller becomes the master & the amplifiers are the slave units repeating the commands from your remote control unit.

The amplifier requires a power supply along with cabled input from the controller which then has an output to the new run of RGB. See the wiring diagram section.

For very short runs then we have the 300mm strip option which comes as a kit with the driver & manual in line changer, the colour options being just red, green & blue. These can be extended either butt connected or with 50mm connection leads.

Flat Fixed LED Strip

If you have just a short run, then the fixed strip could be for you, our starter kit includes a 300mm LED strip, cabling & driver. For longer lengths just buy the extension kit, it comes with a 300mm linking cable although you can direct link strip to strip. Maximum continuous length is 1200mm.

Push fit brackets connected to the surface with small self tapping screws make a simple & effective install.

For longer lengths & greater flexibility of installation then the 5m rolls will be the answer.