LED light strips are actually flexible circuit boards containing LED lights. Also referred to as ribbon lighting or LED tapes, they usually come with adhesive backing. LED lighting dates back to over 50 years ago, and the technology has advanced over time. LED light strips have traditionally been used for accent and decorative lighting purposes, and they come in different lengths and depths. But ideally, how long can LED light strips be?
Generally, 12V LED light strips can be as long as 16ft, and you can cut them to any length. 24V LED can be as long as 32ft and can also be cut to your desired length. LED light strips of 240V can be as long as 100m, though they are a new technology.
It is not advised to connect longer light strips than these lengths without the approval of the manufacturer. This is because LED light strips can burn out when they are too long. In general, the intended purpose will determine how long the LED strips will be. Let’s look at the essential tips for cutting LED strip lights and how to cut them safely and effectively.
What’s the Longest Run of LED Strip Lights?
The voltage of the LED strip will determine the longest continuous run of the LED strip. The longest run of LED strip will be either 164ft (50 meters), 65ft (20 metres), 50ft (20 meters), 32ft (10 meters), 23ft (7 meters), 15ft (5 meters).
You should never go beyond these lengths because there will be a voltage drop in the LED strip, and the LEDs will not have consistent brightness along the strip.
Below is a quick reference guide you can use:
- 24V RGBCC & RGBWCC maximum run lengths are 50ft (20 metres).
- 24V RGB & RGBW maximum run lengths are 23ft (7 metres).
- 120V LED Strip’s maximum length is 164ft (50 meters).
- 24V Constant Current (CC) LED Strip is 65ft (20 meters).
- 24V DC LED strip’s longest length is 32ft (10 meters).
- 12V DC LED strip’s longest length is 16ft (5 meters).
Can You Cut LED Strip Lights if They Are Too Long?
Yes, if you buy a LED light strip that is too long, you have to cut the extra part off. First of all, you should measure the correct length. If you cut the strip too short by accident, you will have wasted your efforts.
There is no general rule as far as LED light strips are concerned. But whether you’re going for lights that are RGB or monochromatic, waterproof or non-waterproof, rigid or flexible, one thing is common with most LED strips you can cut them to any length of your choice.
There are dotted or straight black lines at regular intervals on every LED strip.
At these points, the circuits are closed completely, making them the best places to cut your LEDs safely without getting them damaged.
Each LED strip will have varying cutting lines. In general, they come every 3 LEDs. So, for instance, on a 30 LED per meter strip, there will be cutting lines every 10 cm.
The black cutting line should have copper soldering pads on either side, taking on a symmetrical pattern. Finding these copper pads is one way to be sure that you have located the proper cutting line.
How to Cut LED Strip Lights Safely
LED strip lights are made to be easily cut using a pair of scissors. At the end of each LED, you will find one pair of copper dots. If you cut strictly through the dots, the LEDs will all work.
Then, you can solder or use a quick connector to connect your LEDs to the power source. If you connect them properly, the LEDs will all light up in a colored display.
It is relatively easy to customize the length of LED strip lights.
Step-By-Step Guide to Customize the Length of LED Strip Lights
First, test your lights to make sure that they work. As obvious as this seems, soldering or cutting lights will often make your warranty void, so it’s a good idea to double-check.
Next, you need to find out the length of strips you need. You can do this by measuring the area you want the light to cover. Measure this as accurately as possible. Then you’ll cut along the line that is closest to the length you have measured.
For the actual connections, an LED strip must always be cut from the copper connections you can find every few inches of the strip. Otherwise, the LED lights located in the area you cut may not work.
Use a pair of scissors or a sharp knife to cut exactly on the cutting line. Be very thorough and keep in mind that LED strips are made for cutting, so you will not be shocked.
You need to also choose the way you’ll join the strip to the power source. Most reels already have a pre-fitted socket, but this will be removed when you cut the LED strip apart, so it will be necessary to get a new one. You can either solder a new socket to the strip or use a strip power source connector.
If you’re using one power source for several LED strip lights, it is important to use a power supply rated for more Watts than you need for your strip light installation. Your power source should not have less or the same rating as the total strip wattage. This is necessary to avert the risk of a voltage drop that causes dimming of the LEDs at the end.
Last, ensure that you protect the connectors by using a heat shrink over them. There are different types for indoor and outdoor uses. Another alternative is to use insulating or electrical tape.
How to Reuse Leftover LED Strips
Two LED strip lights can be connected easily since they are delivered in reels marked with dotted lines so that you can cut the strips into your desired size. There are two ways to join these strips: you can either solder the copper pads on the strips or use connectors.
You can use a sharp blade to strip off the shielding plastic layer and expose the circuit connection dots, where you can use connectors or connecting leads on the LED strip. You can also join LED light strips of different brands to one another as long as their voltage is similar.
If you try joining two strips of different voltages, they will not work because each strip has a different voltage requirement, and you will likely damage them and waste your money. When connecting them, you need to also ensure that the polarity is properly aligned.
The polarity may be wired differently for different light strip brands – make sure the positive connectors align properly. You will be guided by the plus and minus symbols you see beside the copper pads.
You should note that different brands of LED light strips will vary in quality. If you’re going to join LED strips of different brands, you may observe that one begins to dim or wear out faster.
Connecting LED light strips made by the same manufacturer is always the best and easiest, even if you have to ignore a more affordable brand with a cheap deal.
As we mentioned briefly before, strips can be joined together in two major ways. Using a strip connector is easier, and soldering the connection pads is more difficult (but not extremely). So, let’s begin with the easy way.
How to Connect LED Light Strips Using Connectors
Depending on what you need, you may need to use one of the following connection types.
First is a basic connector clip with pins (on Amazon) which is used to connect LED strips that run continuously using the copper dots. This connector type is ideal for making the connection invisible so that it looks like one long reel of light strips.
The clip connectors are usually in varying shapes according to your needs to take care of different strip crossings and corners.
There is also a connector with two clip pins (on Amazon) on each side and a cable in the center. You can use this to make two LED strips longer with an additional cable for any angles or corners. If there is a heating pipe in the room, the obstacle can easily be bypassed using the connector with wire.
Be cautious so that the connecting cable is not in direct contact with the pipe, as this can cause serious damage to the strip setup.
Finally, a connector with a single clip on the side (on Amazon), an exposed wire at the other side, and a cable in the middle are used to join the LED strip to a power source unit (PSU). You can also use it for connecting with the RGB controller and the power source if you want to operate the setup remotely.
The good thing about strip connectors is you only need to put the end of the light strip in a designated area in the clip and align the wires properly. It’s a good idea to double-check always, though the clips are mostly aligned to the strip installation.
How to Connect LED Strips By Soldering
We have mentioned before that LED strips can be connected without using a connector. Soldering can do this and connect the joints. Soldering irons can be used to join the voltage and blue, red, and green pins to the closest wiring.
As a matter of fact, soldered connections are mechanically more resilient and can deliver more power through extensions. Therefore, soldering the connections is advisable if you’re using a very high current.
Also, if the LED is of the high brightness kind, then the high-powered output will make some connector wires unsuitable. If you have soldering equipment and skills, soldering maybe even be your preferred option especially if your strip will run high current.
Then, protect the joints by covering them with a heat shrink or cover the joints with electrical tape.