Frequent questions about LED strips

The world of LED strips It is so great, that it is many times very difficult to know all the parameters and concepts that surround this world. In this section we will make a small introduction to the world of strips and to know the most important details so that we can dimension our facilities without fear of being wrong.

Differences between analog and digital LED strips

The main difference between analog and digital strips are the channels for which they are formed. Analog RGB strips have 4 channels, these being food (12/24 V), red (r), green (g) and blue (b). Instead, digital strips are formed by 4 or 3 channels depending on the type of chip through which the digital RGB LED strip is composed. For example, the WS2811 and WS2812 strips are composed only of three channels, these being the food (5 VDC or 12 VDC), Ground (GND) and data. On the contrary, the strips with UC1903 or SC6803 chip are formed by 4 channels being the food (12 VDC), Ground (GND, Clock (CLK) and Data (Data).

Within the world of digital strips there are multiple chips models. Some of them are the following: TM1803, TM1804, TM1809, TM1812, UCS1903, UCS1909, UCS1912, UCS2903, UCS2909, UCS2912.

How to choose the transformer for your LED strip?

Perhaps it is the question of the million and that most customers wonder what transformer I choose? The question is quite simple, although it is often raised with fear and ignorance. To know what transformer we have to choose to attend three factors.

1. Working voltage (if we work with direct connection strips to the electricity grid, we will not have to use a transformer, although later we will see it).

2. Metters of installation.

3. Type of strip (the type of chip used and their density must be known).

Knowing these three parameters before starting our dimensioning is essential for the installation we carry out is not a total failure. The transformer is the most important element when designing a 12/24 VDC LED strip installation since, if we do a bad dimensioning of the installation, what we will achieve is damage the strip and not be able to perform the installation correctly . When calculating the power that the transformer has to take into account, we have to know the consumption per meter of the LED strip.

The transformer is the most important element when designing a 12/24 VDC LED strip installation since, if we do a bad dimensioning of the installation, what we will achieve is damage the strip and not be able to perform the installation correctly . When calculating the power that the transformer has to take into account, we have to know the consumption per meter of the LED strip. Next, we are going to present a small example of how is the dimensioning of an 8 -meter LED strip installation and the calculations that have been made to obtain the transformer we need:

The SMD 5050 LED strip with reference PL219009 has a consumption of 72W per 5 meters. What each meter has a consumption of 14.4 w/meter. Once we are clear about this data, the next step is to multiply by the installation meters. If we want to carry out an installation of 8 meters of this strip, the installation will have a consumption of 115.2 W. The transformer we will have to choose will be 200W. When choosing the transformer, it is recommended to leave a margin of 10-20% so that the transformer does not work 100% at any time.

RGB LED strip assembly scheme

As we can see the scheme is very similar to that of monocolor LED strips except for a medium elements of the transformer and the LED strip. The transformer connection is the same, receiving the input in the form of alternating current and the output in the form of direct current. This transformer output is directed towards the controller, since it needs food to work. The controller output is formed by four ports corresponding to the food (V+), the red (r) and the blue (b).  These four output are connected directly to the RGB LED strip as shown in the image.

For the installation of LED strip we will need a transformer, a controller, an amplifier and an RGB LED strip. If we want a decorative use we will choose the 36 W LED strip, while if we want something luminosity we will choose the strip of 72 W. As is 12 V, we will need a transformer of this power according to the amount of watts that we are going to install. In order to change color we will need a controller that will also be consistent with the amount of meters that we are going to install. If there are many continuous meters that we are going to install we will need a power amplifier. The connection is simple, since the connection sequence is transformer, controller and LED strip. If we have made the connection in a correct way we will see how the LED strip is automatically turned on. With the remote control we will control the different possibilities offered by the controller.

Tension ranges of a strip

To start we will explain the different tension ranges that exist within the LED strips. That we choose one or the other will depend on the requirements of our installation. This means is that when choosing a type of strip, a very important factor is the Total meters installed. Next we will explain the types of strips that we can find in the market attending to the parameter of the tension between LED strips we can find 4 tension ranges that we will consider how the main ones. These are: 5VDC, 12 VDC, 24 VDC and 220 Vac.

- 5 VDC LED strips: Within this section we can encompass the strips that carry direct connected to a USB port and some digital strips. They are not the most common that we can find in the market, although it is well to mention them so that the user knows them.

- 12/24 VDC LED strips: These types of strips are the common ones within the Greenice catalog. As for the advantages offered by this type of strips, it can be cut every 5 cm in 12 VDC and 10 cm in 24 VDC. With this type of strips, more precise facilities can be carried out than with the direct connection strips. In addition, when working in low tension ranges, their manipulation is easier and less dangerous. The main inconvenience of working with this type of strips is the length of the facilities. From Greenice we recommend not making facilities of more than 10 meters so as not to have voltage drops and therefore loss of lighting In addition, it is necessary to install a transformer that converts the current that pours the electricity grid at the working voltage of the strips. This condition is a handicap in some facilities where a transformer cannot be installed.

- 220 empty LED strips: This type of strips is a “modified” version of the 12/24 VDC strips, so that they can be connected directly to the network by means of a power outlet. The main advantage, how we have mentioned previously, is that these LED strips are connected directly to the electricity grid so that we save the annoying transformer. In addition, with this type of strips the problem of the voltage drop does not exist so we can carry out facilities of 50 linear meters without any problem. As for the inconveniences, we can find that with this type of strips you cannot carry out more precise facilities because only each meter can be made, so the facilities have to be multiples of 1 meter. In addition, when working in a high voltage range, you have to have more caution in its installation and handling.

Necessary elements for the installation of strips and hoses at 220v

The strips that are connected directly to the electric current (220 Vac 50/60 Hz) technically do not use a transformer such as 12/24 VDC strips. This type of strips are with a rectifier that passes the input current is 220 empt to 220 VDC that is how the strips work internally. This is easy to check since if we connect the strip directly without a rectifier, it will stand, unequivocal sign that we are not connecting it properly. This rectifier holds a maximum of 500 W installed, which will be 50 meters if we use the maximum strip with the SMD 5050 and 100 meters if we use the strip with the SMD 3528 chip.

This plug would connect directly to the electricity grid (220VAC) and by means of the rectifier (white box) converts the electric power of alternating current into direct current, finally, the connector for the strips and a skewer is have.

Monocolor LED strip assembly scheme

In the superior image we can see a monouncing monochride scheme. We can distinguish two main elements. The first one is the transformer in which we can see the entrance of the electricity grid into the L and N ports (brown and blue cables respectively). On the other hand, we can see the transformer output (of the ports as - and +). From the negative port, the black wire comes to the LED and port strip + comes the positive cable to the LED strip.

How are colors get in the RGB strips?

 RGB strips are able to provide red, blue and green colors because they have integrated a chip of the colors previously named. In order to obtain more colors, it is necessary to install a controller that will manage when each of them will be activated, so that one color or another is obtained. Next, it shows how different colors are obtained depending on how red, green and blue are mixed.

How to choose the right LED strip?

As we have seen in the previous sections, choosing a LED strip is not a simple thing and requires following a series of steps so that our installation comes to fruition. As we have said that the operating voltage was very important, at this point we will learn more about two new concepts such as LED density and the type of chip you use.

In the first instance we will begin with the amount/density of LEDs that the strips can have. Depending on the amount will be used for one purpose or another. Next, we will explain the different types that we can find in the lighting market.

The amount of LEDs in the subway directly affects the luminosity provided by the LED strips and their consumption. Depending on the lighting objective you need you will have to use one type of strip or other. Next, we show a rule to properly choose the strip that best suits your needs depending on the LEDs/subway that has the strip.

Types of strip according to the type of LED

Entering a little more in terms of chips that use LED strips, we will explain more detailed the most used chips in the market and their main uses.

- SMD strips 3528/2835 This type of chip is used for low power and low consumption strips. How they have low consumption are usually used in facilities where the light required is decorative. They are monochromatic strips and the most economical option.

- SMD 5050 strips This type of LED strips have a higher consumption and provide more power than SMD 3528. They are used for facilities, where light requirements are greater than merely professional lighting. They are monochromatic and multicolored strips (RGB).

- SMD 3014 strips This type of strips is more used when the purpose is decorative. They have a higher LED density in the strip so that the lighting it provides is highly intensity and continuously. They are strips with low consumption, but with exceptional light performance.

- SMD 5630 strips: These types of strips provide a greater amount of light with the same consumption of SMD 5050 strips. This type of strips is used for facilities where a high light power is required. These strips are monochromatic and used in professional facilities where high power is required.

LED strips

How do RGB products work?

The RGB strips are a variant within the "normal" or monocolor strips that allows us to obtain different colors depending on the mixture of the three main colors, which are red, green and blue. In this type of strips, the chips are SMD type because each one is divided into three parts. In this type of strips every third of the chip belongs to a color so that if we mix all three we would obtain white tone. Within these strips we can differentiate two types of colors. These would be primary and secondary. The primary colors are those that provide any RGB product that we have in the catalog being red, green and blue .. secondary colors are obtained from the mixture of primary colors, so that to perform this effect it is necessary to controller. These colors are yellow, pink, turquoise blue, orange, purple and white.

RGB products are built with red, green and blue LEDs, in some cases located in the same chip and in others in three separate chips, thanks to this configuration it is possible to make colored mixtures controlling the power in each color, thus obtaining a wide Colored range.

Primary colors: Red (r), green (g) and blue (b).

Secondary colors: Yellow, pink, turquoise blue, orange, purple and "white."

The primary colors are those that provide any RGB product that we have in the catalog. The secondary colors are obtained from the mixture of the primary colors, so to perform this effect a controller is necessary.

The wavelengths of colors are as follows:

Red: 625-740 Nm

Orange: 590-625 Nm

Yellow: 565-590 Nm

Green: 500-565 Nm

Cyan: 485-500 nm

Blue: 440-485 Nm

Violet: 380-440 Nm

Parts of a transformer

As we can see in the image, the transformer is divided mainly into two parts. The first part is the entrance that would be the food in alternating current (220 Vac 50/60 Hz). This part is formed by a phase port, another for neutral and another for the grounding. The other part would be the exit that can be 12 or 24 VDC depending on the transformer we are using. In this case the exit would be made up of two negatives (-) and two positive (+).

Apart they have a switch to regulate the output voltage that can be varied in a small % both up and down.

How LED strips are connected with amplifiers