Are You Installing LED Strip Lights Correctly? 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Are You Installing LED Strip Lights Correctly? 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid

LED light strips have quickly become a popular accent and decorative lighting solution. LED strip lights are used in many facets of lighting design thanks to their compact size, high brightness, and low power consumption. LED light strips are also extremely versatile — used by professional installers, homeowners and DIY-ers alike. Not only are they easy to install, but they can also be customized to fit any space perfectly — whether that’s under your cabinets or kitchen counter, through the stairwell, behind the TV, or along an outdoor walkway. But not all tape light is created equal. With many lumen outputs, IP ratings, cut requirements, and voltages to consider, how does one know if they’re installing LED strip lights correctly? Here are five common installation mistakes that even lighting pros make and how to easily avoid them.

1. Incorrect Bending

LED strip lights can bend vertically up to a soft 90º curve. Use durable solder-less connectors to maintain conductivity despite any sharp turns and corners in your install. Create a contemporary finished look for your strip lighting installation by mounting them inside an aluminum housing, or channel. Mounting channels will also protect your strip and extend the lifespan of your lights by keeping them running cooler.

Surface mount channels are extrusions you can mount onto any surface with mounting brackets or tape. The cover allows for light diffusion and a beautiful finished look. Recessed mount channels are shallow extrusions that conceal the strip while also evenly diffusing the light from the strip. You can recess the channel into the wall, cabinet, or any area you wish to install to create a flush look with the light appearing fully integrated into its surrounding. Corner mount / angled extrusions are specifically designed so the strip light can produce a fixed beam of light at a particular beam angle.

2. Imprecise Cutting

LED strip lights can be cut to size only at designated cutting marks. Trimming anywhere else may cause damage to your light strips. Also, extrusions and covers should be cut with a miter saw simultaneously. Before you attempt to cut the light strip, it’s important to make sure it’s disconnected from the power source to protect you and the light strip while you’re working on it.Are You Installing LED Strip Lights Correctly? 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid.

Find the areas that are marked for cutting; strips usually have dash marks and/or a scissor icon to show you where to cut. Next, locate the solder pads, which are usually exposed metal sections that are either round or rectangle-shaped and are used for making electrical connections. With sharp scissors or a utility knife, make a clean straight cut in the designated area. Avoid using dull tools so you don’t damage the light or create uneven cuts.

Some LED strips are manufactured as a single, continuous strip without designated cut points. These strips typically have a fixed length and cannot be cut without damaging the functionality of the lights. If the LED strip doesn’t have visible cut marks or solder pads at regular intervals, it’s likely not designed to be cut. Still unsure? Check the manufacturer’s instructions to find out where you can cut your LED strip lights.

3. Not Prepping Surfaces

Some surfaces require sanding or de-greasing to prevent the strip from sagging. Allow the 3M adhesive to cure for 24 hours and use mounting clips for adhesive-resistant surfaces. Mounting clips and screws can add some additional mounting support for the adhesive backing on the rear of LED strip lights. These are not required for all installation situations, but are useful on surfaces that the 3M adhesive may have difficulties adhering to.

4. Ignoring Specific IP Ratings

IP65-rated products are water-resistant, not waterproof. Install them outdoors or in wet zones, but at least 5 feet away from pools or high-pressure washing areas. IP65 outdoor rated strips are encased in silicone for wet locations. These strip lights are able to withstand jets of water from any direction and are a great lighting option for anything that is not fully submersed. They’re perfect for patio lining, inlays in concrete, inside channel letters and signage, under counters in splash areas, and more. The silicone coating does not crack or turn yellow and it is UV protected. Only IP68-rated strip lights can be submerged in water.

5. Overlooking Power Supply Compatibility

Allow for a 10% wattage buffer in standard drivers and a 20% buffer in plug-in adapters for optimal performance and avoiding burnout. UL listed plug-in power adapters are among the highest quality on the market and are built to last. Most strip lights require a low voltage DC power input (unless specifically identified as high voltage AC input). The power supply is used to convert AC voltage from the wall to low voltage to power your LED strip lights. Although you can use all available rated wattage output of a power unit, it is recommended to only load the power supply to 80% capacity. This helps to ensure the power supply will last for years to come.

Specifications

• Includes (1) integrated LED mini puck
• Frosted lens
• Warm white light output
• Excellent color rendering
• Superior LED performance and lifespan
• Minimal heat emission
• Can be recessed or surface mounted
• Smooth 360º wide spread lighting
• 12V DC LED driver required (not included)
• Aluminum construction
• 12″ input lead with quick connector
• 24″ interconnection harness included
• Over 50,000 hours of service life
• Rated for installation in wet locations
• Refer to website for dimmer compatibility
• Covered by DALS Lighting’s 5-year manufacturer warranty
• Are You Installing LED Strip Lights Correctly? 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid