As there are lots of different types of LED Tape, it is worth making sure the type you buy meets the requirements of your project. There are a few things worth considering, all of which are detailed below:
Colour
LED Tape comes in two main varieties; single colour and colour changing RGB. Single colour tape is available in Warm White and Cool White, which are what we refer to as "colour temperatures." Colour temperatures are just specific shades of white and are quite standard across the lighting industry. Warm white is a soft, amber coloured light, while cool white is a clear, daylight-like colour.
Colour Changing RGB is more advanced and allows a user to create changeable ambience using a remote control. The control usually offers 16 static colours and 4 colour changing modes, with adjustable brightness and speed settings.
Length
All LED Tape can be cut to specific lengths, usually at intervals of 5 or 10 cm, depending on the type of LED Tape. That means you can send your measurements to your retailer and they can cut them for you. Measure the area into which you plan to install the light and send forward these on.
Brightness
With so many brightnesses to choose one, selecting one that is suitable for a specific application can be difficult. The brightness of LED Tape is determined by the number of LEDs per metre and the size of the individual LED chips, where more and larger LEDs result in a brighter light.
While it is possible to physically measure the amount of light produced by LED Tape, not everyone is well versed in the language of "lumens." To make things easier we divide our tape into three main categories: low, medium and high brightness.
Low brightness tape has a fairly modest light output, but is perfect for lighting in enclosed areas or where not much light is demanded, such as in a cabinet. Medium brightness are better for creating subtle lighting effects, such as on the underside of kitchen cabinets or above bookshelves. High brightness strips are designed for applications where the strips might have to compete with background illumination while still remaining visible.
Dimmable?
While it is possible to dim single colour LED Tape, this cannot be achieved using a standard dimmer switch. Instead, you will need to use a 12V dimmer switch specifically designed for LED Tape.
Colour Changing RGB LED Tape usually features a dimming option as part of its functionality.
Power Supply
The power supply, sometimes called the LED Driver, is a special unit that matches its output to the voltage and current requirements of the LED Tape (12V DC). Without it the tape will not work.
Choosing a power supply is straightforward. Simply multiply the wattage per metre by the number of metres of tape you are using and this will give you the "load" of the lights. Your power supply should be sufficiently large to handle this "load."
Waterproofing?
IP Rated coatings offer varying degrees of protection against mositure and solid objects, such as dust and dirt. These usually come in the form of an IP65 coating, which offers "splashproof" protection, but doesn't make them suitable from complete submersion.
Whether or not you need an IP coating really depends on where you are using your strips. If you intend to uses them in the kitchen, bathroom or outside then it is advisable.
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