Connecting LED strip to the network - circuit, power selection, connection

LED equipment is becoming the main source of lighting in various spheres of society. Industrial searchlights and portable lanterns, socle lamps and backlight monitors are made using LEDs. Such popularity of these semiconductor elements is ensured by their reliability , by the longevity of and by the economy of .LED strip is the most popular type in this group of products.

LED strip connection scheme

Basic concepts and types of LED ribbons RGB

The LED strip is made in the form of a flexible base on which the contact tracks connecting main components - light emitting diodes( LED) are applied.

There are two main types of tapes:

1. Analog - Parallel connection of all LED components without additional controls. Control is performed by the entire tape simultaneously( changing the color, brightness, mode of operation).
2. Digital is the use of a separate chip for each LED or section. This makes it possible to control each section of the tape or one LED separately.

Digital tapes are extremely rare, as their cost is very high. Analog tapes are used massively to create a home festive atmosphere, bathroom lighting, storefront lighting.

The structure of the LED distinguishes two types of LED strip:

1. Single-color ( monochrome).
2. RGB tapes - consists of full-color LEDs, capable of providing a glow with a large number of colors and their shades.

Luminous flux( Light output) of RGB-LED strip - the choice of the lightest

The LED strip has a different luminous flux. This characteristic is measured in lumens( lm) per meter and completely depends on the used radiating diode. The following LEDs are used for the production of RGB-tape:

• SMD3528( 3,5х2,8 mm).The magnitude of the light flux is 3-7 lm / m.
• SMD5050( 5,0x5,0 mm).The magnitude of the light flux is 10-15 lm / m.
• SMD5630( 5.6x3.0 mm).The magnitude of the light flux is 35-40 lm / m.

The exact figure can only be determined for each color separately. The maximum characteristic in the range is indicated for white color.

These are the main form factors of LEDs for surface mounting( SMD).There are also SMD3014 and SMD5730-1.The first have very low luminescence characteristics, the latter are super bright and are able to reach a value of 100 lm / m. Both types are rarely used.

To select the appropriate LED strip, you need to determine its purpose.

In case of using RGB-tape as the main or additional light source, it is recommended to select SMD5050.

If you plan to use for highlighting cornices, beds, aquariums, you can use a less bright SMD3528.

It is necessary to think in advance about the conditions for using LED strip as well as possible harmful factors. In the case of standard conditions of use in an apartment or house, you can use a tape without protection( IP33).

If there is high humidity in the room or contact with water is possible, it is advisable to purchase an RGB-tape with a higher( IP67) or medium( IP65) degree of protection. Safety is provided by a silicone-coated tape over the LEDs on one or both sides.

Connection of LED tape to 220V network

Connection of LED tape to 220V network is possible only using the corresponding adapter .Such a rule is mandatory, since the supply voltage of light-emitting diodes is very small( 2.5-5V).The entire tape consists of separate segments, each of which has three or six LEDs. The total voltage required for the operation of a single segment is 12V or 24V, respectively. The total voltage for the entire tape is also 12 / 24V.

Theoretically, the connection of the RGB LED strip directly to the power grid is possible. For this, it is necessary to couple several tapes into one, so that the total voltage is 220V.In practice, this method does not make any sense. The glow of the tape will be flickering, since the current in the electrical network is variable. The slightest drop in voltage can easily disable the entire tape.

How to connect LED strip to 220V?In this case, special converters( adapter, power supply) are used. Their task is to reduce the voltage to 12V or 24V, with the simultaneous conversion of an alternating current to a constant one. The converter is connected to the mains 220V from the socket or switchboard. The scheme of connecting the LED tape to 220V can be different, depending on the type of tape used, as well as their number.

One monochrome ribbon

Direct connection of the LED tape to the power supply unit is carried out with the polarity( "+" and "-") being observed, which is displayed on all batteries and ribbons.

LED ribbon connection by one's own hands

Connection of single-color tapes to one adapter is performed by parallel connection. With this connection, you need to use a power source of the appropriate power. Connection LED strip with their own hands is possible in sequence, but the total length should not exceed five meters.

connection of several LED strips with their own hands

Diagram of connecting RGB LED strip to

network The connection to the network of RGB LED tape has some features. It has four contact groups( conductive paths).To provide a glow with a certain color, different currents are applied to each track. Connecting the 12V LED strip directly to the power supply will turn the RGB technology into monochrome.

How to connect a 12-volt LED strip with all the features of RGB?To do this, an additional controller( dimmer) is used, which controls the supply of power to the R, G and B channels. Each channel is connected to the corresponding one from the tape. The scheme of connecting the LED tape to 220V using a dimmer can be different.

One RGB LED strip is connected to the 220V using the controller as follows:

How to connect 12 volt LED strips to one controller? If there was a need to install another tape length of five meters, then you can perform parallel connection of the second segment.

how to connect the LED strip 12 volts how to connect the LED tape 12 volt circuit LED tape for the home how to connect

The connection scheme for the LED strips will be as follows:

You can use color and letter markings to correctly connect the tape to the controller. As standard, colored wires emerge from the tape, each of which connects to a specific connector:

• Red - the letter R.
• Green - the letter G.
• Blue - the letter B.
• Black - V +.

Selecting the power of components for the efficient operation of the LED strip

To ensure the efficient and durable operation of all components of the circuit, it is necessary to correctly choose their characteristics. First of all, it is necessary to determine the power consumption of the LED tape per meter( Watt).

It is additionally required to calculate the load current( Ampere).It depends on the installed light emitting diodes and their number:

The power of the RGB LED strip determines the characteristics of the controller or amplifier to which it is connected.

For example, the current consumption of a single LED SMD3528 in an RGB tape is 0.02A.Provided that in one meter of the tape 30 LEDs, it turns out 0.6A / m. Since the LEDs are connected in sections of 3 consecutively, then, according to the laws of physics, it is necessary to divide the load current by 3 as well. Obtain the 0.2A multiplied by 5 meters of the tape and get 1A.The power consumption of five meters of tape is 12W( 2.4Wh5m).As a result, to ensure the operation of one tape SMD3528( 5m), you need to purchase a controller with a power of 12W and a load current of 1A.To connect two ribbon SMD3528 controller characteristics must be doubled.

The power supply of the power supply for the LED strip is calculated last, to ensure the operation of the remaining circuit elements. It is recommended to provide a power reserve of at least 30% to prevent overheating. Correct connection of the LED tape to the power supply will ensure its durable operation.

View video about connecting LED strip

Connecting LED strip to the vehicle's on-board network

How to connect the LED strip in the car? It is necessary to focus on the battery voltage of the machine battery, which can be 12V or 24V.Only a tape using the appropriate voltage can be connected. Otherwise, the LEDs will not glow or burn quickly.

Two connection options are possible:

1. Direct connection to the battery. To implement this method, it is necessary to mount the tape and pull out the power wires to the car battery. The connection must be made with the correct polarity. The disadvantage of this method is the constant glow of the tape, so it is recommended to install an additional toggle switch for on / off.
2. Connection via cigarette lighter. This option requires a special adapter with the appropriate connector.

Attachment and connection of LED strips

For secure attachment of the LED strip, there is a sticky substrate on the back side. After removing the protective film, you can mount the tape on most types of surfaces without the use of additional tools.

Depending on the power and protection of the tape, the fastening technology may differ:

• For low-power SMD3528 tapes of any degree of protection, where heat generation is not so great, the installation can be performed on any surface.
• The mounting conditions for the SMD5050 tape depend on the duration and conditions of use. If the tape is used as the main lighting for a long time, it is recommended to use a heat sink profile. Otherwise, the overheating and fast wear of the LEDs are guaranteed. When used as a backlight with a short working time, installation without a heat sink is allowed.
• LED strip SMD5630 and its powerful analogs are attached exclusively to the heat sink profile. Such a requirement is caused by a high level of heating of super bright light-diodes.
• Quite often a small piece of tape is required for lighting. For this purpose, there are certain places in which it is possible to cut. For comfort, additional designations of the cut lines are applied.

You can connect several tape fragments using wires and a soldering iron or use special clips.

Connection clips are made for all kinds of tapes:

• 10 mm 2 pin - single-color tapes SMD5050, 5630, 5730.
• 10 mm 4pin - RGB tapes SMD5050, 5630, 5730.
• 8 mm 2 pin - single-colored tapes SMD3528, 3014.
• 8 mm 4pin - RGB tapes SMD3528, 3014.