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How to install LED strip with your own hands

When I first wanted to do the installation myself, everything seemed very simple. But in the end I had to redo everything, but I photographed the results of my efforts to show my mistakes as an example. Today I’ll tell you how to install an LED strip on a ceiling or kitchen with your own hands; I think it will be clear to both a child and a pensioner.

To avoid repeated alterations, carefully consider the lighting design. If you have any doubts, it is better to consult a specialist once again. Learn from other people's mistakes, not your own.

Installation on a plasterboard ceiling, video

In the video clip, a colleague will tell you a diagram of how to install a plasterboard suspended ceiling. Shows the dimensions of the box and side for laying the diode strip.

Types of installation

Example of overhead method, type No. 2

To ensure that LED lighting does not dazzle and is safe, 3 mounting methods are used. The color design of the room plays a big role: light reflects, dark absorbs. My apartment is not located on the sunny side, so the decoration had to be light, only the laminate on the floor is dark, it eats up some of the light.

Reflective placement

The light flux is directed upward and then reflected downward. Works well on a white ceiling or stretch ceiling. The glossiness and matteness of the coating plays a role. It is better to check the ability to reflect light with a lux meter on site to find out a more or less accurate percentage of lost light. Here you will also lose up to 50%, if measured by floor illumination. If you want to reduce the percentage of losses due to reflection, then opposite the LED diodes can be painted with reflective paint. Or you can coat it with a colorless varnish with a reflective pigment.

Most often, this method is used when installing on a regular or two-level one. The installation location also depends on your imagination. I've seen design projects where LED lighting is mounted inside a tensioner, the diodes shine through the film, and it turns out they shine like stars.

Wall mounting in aluminum profile

The tape is installed in an aluminum or plastic box with a matte diffuser, like LED lamps. Depending on the transparency of the diffuser, you will lose from 20 to 40% of the brightness on it. In addition, in a closed volume the LEDs will heat up more. The box can be installed on the wall and ceiling.

Ceiling mount

Middle option, part is reflected and passes directly

A compromise option between the previous two. An overlay aluminum or plastic profile is glued to the wall so that some of the light enters the room directly, and some is reflected.

If you are designing main lighting, and not additional lighting for a chandelier, then it is better to install it in the second way. The advantage is lower losses of luminous flux. The matte diffuser retains from 20 to 40%. If you choose a good one, then you will lose only 20% of the light, and with reflection 50%. You can avoid losing 20% of brightness if you find one with a prismatic or grooved reflector. This is used on Armstrong LED lamps, about which I wrote a review. It has virtually no reduction in brightness and no glare.

Installation in the kitchen, video

A colleague will tell you in detail how to install work area lighting in the kitchen. An overhead aluminum profile with a matte cover is used. Instead of a profile, you can use a plastic cable channel; it turns out to be 20 times cheaper. Moreover, it is not necessary to cover the LEDs if the height of the edge of the profile is sufficient to cover them from your eyes. The only exception is children. Due to their small stature, they will see diodes if they come close to the kitchen countertop.

Example of a bad installation

Example of how to not attach it, it has come off in places

Let's figure out how to install an LED strip in the kitchen with your own hands. The need for LED lighting arose because the chandelier with LED lamps is located in the middle of the kitchen, its area is 11 sq.m. The area is quite large, so it contains a dining area and a corner folding sofa with a sleeping place. The LED lamp is located behind my back and I block the light, resulting in a shadow that no longer allows me to clearly see the cooking area.

I do not recommend turning it on immediately after installation. If there were unevenness or tension in the copper base, then heating will cause the adhesive layer to come off in these places. You can see an example in the photo; I turned it on almost immediately, and within 12 hours it fell off in many places. These rules also apply when installing LED strip lighting for the ceiling.

The diode strip on the reel sometimes bends in waves; it must be carefully straightened. Otherwise, uneven areas will peel off.

Since I didn’t put it in a box, and the LEDs are clearly visible, these places stand out strongly from the rest, it looks absolutely terrible. Repeated attempts to secure these areas to the surface of the cabinet were unsuccessful; it still falls off. Complete dismantling is required, cleaning the surface of the laminated chipboard from remnants of the adhesive layer; isopropyl alcohol does this well. We buy good expensive 3M tape of a suitable width and glue it to the cleaned base of the tape. Activator wipes are sold complete with tape or separately to increase surface adhesion. Simply put, whatever would stick to the surface better. This activator is quite poisonous, so use it very carefully.

Average prices for installation and installation

You have found out an approximate list of works, now you just have to decide whether to install it yourself or invite a professional. I will provide a table of average prices for installation work. Cost may vary depending on region.

Now a reader has contacted me; one company has calculated a basic lighting project for an apartment with an area of 105 square meters. The cost was 600 thousand rubles. looks like a high-end lighting project, like the presidential suite. Although the client was interested in a project that was optimal in price and quality. Organizations can sell you an Italian designer profile at a huge price and prestigious components. Be careful and consult independent experts.

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Your feedback and questions

Tape 12 V, 14.4 W/m. 5 meters consume 2 A. It should be 6 A. I will quarrel with the store. In another store I measured the current before purchase - also 2 A on the reel, although the tape is 14.4 W/m. In the city of Petrozavodsk there is Ketai guano everywhere:(

Expert answer 01/18/2016 at 20:42

It has a power of 4.8 watts per meter. A lot of stores cheat, too many. Introducing Chinese marketing.

Hello, Sergey! I encountered a problem when trying to make the main lighting in the room using LED strip. Somewhere in the comments to your articles this problem was raised, but very briefly.
The essence of the problem is that a 5-meter reel of 12V 14.4W/m smd5050 60led tape consumes 2 amperes, while 5*14.4=72W, 72/12=6A. The drawdown of the power supply has nothing to do with it - I also checked it on a car battery, and with the car running, the reel already consumes 3 A from 14 V.
I came to the store and asked why they sell the tape as 14.4 W/m, if it is really 3 times weaker - they answer that everyone buys the tape and only I was so smart.
Actually, why is that so? I don't understand something, P=J*U for tape doesn't work? Or can it still be made to shine at the rated 72 watts, but you just need to know the secret? Again, how to calculate the need for a lighting strip if the written power is 2-3 times false? Let's say I have a room of 35 sq.m., and 5 bedrooms. 12 W bulbs illuminate it more or less brightly. Total 60W, therefore, if you hang 8 meters of 14.4 W/m tape on the ceiling, we will get 115W and it will be good. But in fact, 5 meters of tape shine like 1-2 standard lamps (Gauss 12 watts, 1100 lumens each).

Expert answer 01/18/2016 at 17:10

If it is 24 watts per 5 meters, and not 72W, then this is a deception from the manufacturer or store. They sell junk. If the tape is 12 volts, then the power is calculated at a voltage of 12 volts. Current multiplied by voltage. Soon I will have a section for store reviews, where you can expose the deception.

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How to install LED strip yourself

October 21, 2014

Using LED strip as a means of lighting has a number of advantages. First of all, these are energy savings, ease of installation, absence of high voltages and other advantages. This type of lighting appeared relatively recently and has already come into widespread use for various purposes.

LED strip is a flexible plastic strip on which LEDs are soldered and connected into an electrical circuit. Thus, they are already ready for use and all you need to do is connect the power supply to it.

The main use of the device is decorating any place with light or spot lighting. Due to its brightness and color, it is used in car tuning, in the interiors of restaurants and cafes, and in individual home design.

However, despite the ease of operation and installation, there are some peculiarities when using this type of lighting. Before installing the LED strip, you need to choose it correctly and determine the power of the power supply. You also need to know how to properly cut the required length and connect the power wires. The lines of this article will tell you about all this.

Selecting LED strip by glow

Before you make an LED strip, you need to decide what color glow you need. There is just white light and multi-colored light. A tape with different colors is labeled as RGB (R - red, G - green, B - blue). In the case of the usual single-color version there are only two contacts, and in the color version there are four. It is worth noting that a multi-colored ribbon can have different glow modes, while a single-color ribbon can have only one.

The choice of LED strip type will also affect the characteristics of the power supply. It must provide the necessary power and polarity of the supply. In addition, the power supply must have a power reserve of 20% upward.

It is also worth considering that before connecting the RGB LED strip, you need to plan where the controller for it will be located. Since it is often controlled by a remote control, access to it must be within line of sight.

Calculation of LED strip and power supply

The density of LEDs per meter of strip can be different. Basically it is in the range of 30, 60 and 120 pieces. There is also a dual wide strip with 240 diodes. The methodology of how to calculate the LED strip for its correct operation depends on this.

For SMD 3528 diodes, the power consumption is:

60 diodes per meter consume 4.8 watts.
120 diodes per meter consume 7.2 watts.
240 diodes per meter consume 16 watts.

For SMD 5050 brand diodes, the power consumption is:

30 diodes per meter consume 7.2 watts.
60 diodes per meter consume 14 watts.
240 diodes per meter consume 25 watts.

For all cases, if the length of the tape is more than one meter, it is necessary to sum up the entire load and select the appropriate power supply. For example, if the tape has SMD 5050 diodes with a density of 60 pieces per meter, and the length of the tape is 5 meters, then the power of the power supply must be at least 70 watts.

Selecting a power supply

To make a high-quality LED strip with your own hands, you need to choose a suitable power source for it. Once the power consumption has been determined, you need to decide on the type of power supply. This procedure depends on where the backlight is installed. If the tape will work in harsh outdoor conditions, then you should pay attention to sealed plastic or metal versions. They are completely protected from harmful influences and are compact in size. But for these advantages you will have to pay a little more.

If the installation location is indoors and there is enough space for installation, then it is advisable to choose an open power supply. It is larger in size compared to previous options, but its cost is much lower.

There are also portable power banks that are similar to phone chargers. They are designed to operate in portable devices that do not exceed a power consumption of 60 watts.

Determining the protective properties

To protect from external influences, the LED strip can be coated on top with a protective layer of silicone or transparent plastic. This applies to those options when outdoor installation is needed. If everything will be installed indoors, then you can use tapes without protection.

Silicone tape is suitable for use in corridors, large rooms or other places where both mechanical stress and the possibility of exposure to liquids are possible. For outdoor use, full protection is required. This tape is a round elastic rod. It has complete protection against all influences, including temperature. Therefore, before installing this type of LED strip, special fastenings may be required.

How to connect two ribbons together

In order for the diodes to work properly, you need to know how to connect the LED strip correctly. For this purpose, two options are possible. The first and easiest way, in which you need to purchase special connectors, when using them, you can make a connection in a matter of seconds. The disadvantage of this method is the likelihood of contact oxidation and, as a result, loss of power.

The other method is more reliable, but requires some skills in handling a soldering iron. The two ends of the tape are soldered with special solder. In this case, the connection is very reliable. After this procedure, it is advisable to cover the contacts with heat shrink tape or special glue. In both options, in order to know how to properly connect the LED strip, you need to not mix up the polarity of the conductors. They are connected according to the principle “+” to “+” and “-” to “-”. It is worth noting that multi-colored ribbon cannot be combined with a single-color ribbon. Only tapes of the same type can be summed.

Connecting the tape using soldering

Before soldering the LED strip to the power wire or connecting two pieces together, you need to purchase the necessary tools and consumables. We will need:

Low power soldering iron.
Tin based solder.
Flux.
Connecting wires.
A sharp knife for stripping insulation.

First of all, we clean the contacts on the tape. If there is silicone protection, then carefully remove it with a knife. We also strip the wires for soldering. The length of the bare conductor should be approximately one centimeter. Then we take a heated soldering iron and lower it into the flux, and then quickly into the solder. After making sure that some of the solder has stuck to the tip, we apply the stripped conductor to it. After this operation, part of the solder should transfer to the conductor. The next step is to solder the prepared conductor to the corresponding contacts on the tape. To do this, a conductor is placed in the right place, and a little flux is placed on top of it. After this, you need to touch the assembly with the soldering iron tip for one second. The result should be a soldered conductor.

Connecting the tape using connectors

Before you connect the LED strip to power or another strip using connectors, you need to select them correctly and attach them properly. In the case of connecting two segments, you will need a pair of connectors, which must first be soldered together. For soldering, you can use the guide described above.

After the two connectors are ready, insert the stripped edge of the tape into its special slot with the locking buttons open. After this, you need to press these buttons and fix the contacts of the tape. If you connect power, everything will happen the same way, but with one connector.

In both cases, care must be taken to ensure that the polarity of the connection matches correctly. If you mix anything up, the tape will not burn. But you shouldn’t be too upset about this outcome, it won’t burn her out.

How to cut the required length of ribbon

Before attaching the LED strip, you need to make a segment of the required length. To simplify this operation, the LED strip has a clear location for possible cutting. Often these places are located every four light elements, but there may be a different cutting ratio. Therefore, we find a suitable place and use a sharp knife or scissors to make an even cut. It should turn out that both ends have two contacts to which you can connect power.

If the tape has special protection in the form of silicone or plastic, then before cutting it, you need to clean out a small gap. You can use a knife for this purpose. You need to act very carefully so as not to damage the contacts.

Preparing for installation

Before attaching the LED strip to the selected location, the entire system must be checked for functionality. To do this, the entire electrical circuit is assembled on the table and checked. If there are no comments in the work, then you can proceed to inspect the installation site. To do this, you need to make sure that the tape will not be affected by negative factors in the form of liquids and mechanical influences. It is necessary to design the place for laying the tape so that the bending radius is not less than 20 millimeters. Otherwise, strong bending may damage the tape.

Sometimes the LED strip has an adhesive side for installation. It allows you to attach it to any hard surface. But before you do this, you need to clean this surface and degrease it with gasoline or acetone. If you do not have the means for installation, you can use double-sided tape or other means.

Features of connecting RGB tape

Before connecting an LED strip of this type to a power supply, you need to check its operation with a special controller that regulates the voltage. It supplies power to those LEDs that should be lit. When connecting, you need to match all four contacts. All terminals on the controller and power supply are labeled, and this operation is not difficult. If everything worked out and the tape works in all color modes, then you can start installing it on your workplace.

Special plugs and sockets can also be used to connect power. They greatly simplify all the work and allow you to ensure a reliable connection. To do this, a socket with the required number of contacts is soldered onto the tape, and a corresponding plug is soldered onto the power wire.

Installation in the car

Before installing an LED strip in a car, you need to make sure that it is not exposed to harmful factors. This may include physical activity, bending and increased vibration. For this purpose, it is usually installed in specially prepared places. For example, it could be a special corner made of plastic or metal that is attached to the body.

In addition to the correct installation location, you need to use a stabilized voltage to power the backlight. To do this, a special electronic stabilizer is connected to the circuit. It will allow you to equalize the voltage to 12 volts when lowering and increasing it in the on-board network. This device can be purchased at any auto parts store. It always comes with connection instructions, and if there are none, the seller must explain everything.

During direct installation and when connecting the power cable, it is necessary to remove the terminals from the battery. This action will avoid short circuits and other unpleasant situations.

This article provided basic tips on how to install an LED strip and connect it correctly. Compliance with these rules will help to avoid unpleasant operational situations in the process, as well as in the future.

If you decide to make spectacular lighting in a car or beautifully decorate certain places in the house, then for this purpose it is better to choose a ribbon with a multi-colored glow. This will allow flexible control of external design.

For lighting that should be purely practical, white light is more suitable. It does not impose additional shades on surrounding objects and will be more natural.

Finally

LED strip is one of the long-lasting light sources. It is preferred in cases where low voltage power is required. When connecting it, it is impossible to suffer an electric shock, since it is too small for this. Therefore, such lighting can be used without fear in damp rooms and basements.

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How to secure an LED strip when organizing different types of lighting

The highlight of any renovation will be the lighting created using lighting equipment such as LED strip. It is an original and unusual alternative to traditional lamps and lamps.

LED strip lighting

But in order for such an LED to look impressive and work for the longest possible period of time, you need to know how to mount it yourself. This article will tell you how to install this lighting product.

General installation rules

Despite the fact that today LED strips are quite widely represented on the lighting market, do-it-yourself fastening of them is carried out in a similar way and has general rules.

Note! Having a large assortment of LED strips, these products can be installed on various surfaces in the kitchen, bedroom, living room, hallway and even the bathroom.

LED strip in the kitchen

To attach any type of LED strip to a surface, you must adhere to the following installation rules:

LED must be connected exclusively through a special power supply, which reduces the 220 V network voltage to the required level (12 or 24 V). This need is dictated by the fact that all LED products are low-voltage products;
since the tapes can be cut into fragments of different lengths, they must be connected to each other using certain connectors and sockets;
You should avoid excessive bending of the tape during installation. Otherwise, the electrical component of the product may be damaged;
when cutting a product and connecting individual pieces, it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the conductive paths through which the LEDs are powered;

Connecting pieces of LED strip

if the segment is more than 4A, experts recommend using good old soldering rather than special connecting elements. In this case, soldering will create a more reliable connection of conductive elements;
When organizing lighting in the kitchen or bathroom, you need to choose models that have a high class of protection against dust and moisture.
For other rooms, such as the bedroom and living room, you can choose cheaper products with a low moisture resistance class;
Before attaching the LED strip, you need to properly prepare the surface: clean it of dirt, dust and dirt;
Self-adhesive LED strips can only be used once. In this regard, the length of the LED should be thought out in detail before installation begins. The best solution in this situation would be to pre-mark the installation path of the LED strip on the surface;

Serial connection is possible only for five LEDs. Otherwise, the LEDs at the ends will glow less brightly. In the future, this situation will overload the stable plan of the entire lighting system.

Following these rules will allow you to install an LED strip with your own hands and make the lighting in any room (kitchen, bedroom, living room, etc.) impeccable.

The most advantageous installation locations

LED strip can be installed on a wide variety of surfaces. But it will look most impressive in certain places:
niches on the ceiling. Here it is necessary to create special boxes. In this case, you will get hidden lighting;
on the ceiling or walls using special devices - plastic corners;
behind the ceiling plinth;
lighting set in the kitchen;

niches in the walls, as well as figured partitions.

Now let's take a closer look at the LED installation methods listed above.

Methods for installing lighting on the ceiling

The most common place to install LED strips is suspended ceilings (especially plasterboard). This product can be installed on the ceiling in the following ways:

creating hidden lighting by installing LED in a box;
placement of the light source on a special profile;
installation of the product on the ceiling plinth.

The most common way to create hidden lighting is using a box. In this case, you need to create a box with a hidden cornice from drywall.

Hidden LED lighting in a plasterboard box

This is a rather complicated implementation method, as it involves creating a box around the entire perimeter of the backlight.
In addition to the box, the LED strip can be installed on a profile, which today can differ both in the material from which it was made and in type. The most popular is the aluminum profile. It is best to choose when installing in the kitchen.

Profiles for LED strip

But a plastic profile can also be used here. This profile is suitable for the bedroom and living room. Modern models, which have increased resistance to temperature changes and moisture, are perfect for installation in the kitchen.
Profiles for LED strip come in three types:

corner. Used to create ceiling lighting around the perimeter of rooms. With such a profile, you can create an unusual illumination of the ceiling surface, even if there are various figures on it;
mortise More relevant for furniture lighting. They are often used in the kitchen to illuminate the work surface;
built-in When installed, it looks three-dimensional, which allows you to play with it in the interior of the premises in a variety of ways.

Another rather original way to attach an LED strip to the ceiling is to install a ceiling plinth. The main advantage of this installation method is the simplicity of the work, on which you will spend a minimum of effort and time.

Here you just need to install the plinth at a distance of 8-10 cm from the ceiling.

Ceiling plinth for LED strip

Once the installation method (box, profile or plinth) has been selected and implemented, you can begin installing the light source itself.

Installing lighting on the ceiling

Installing an LED strip in the kitchen or any other room in the house will include the following steps:
select the type of tape;
determine the required backlight length;

we purchase all the necessary equipment and materials: power supply, connectors, fasteners;

Note! To make LED lighting controllable by brightness, as well as changing the color of the light flux, you need to purchase a controller and remote control.

Next, we cut the LED into the required pieces and connect it using a connector or soldering. The type of connector (round or flat) is selected depending on the model of the LED strip;
Next, we calculate the power of the LED and, based on the obtained figures, select the type of power supply. Remember that you need to add 20-30% of the power reserve for the converter to the final figure;
all components must be assembled according to a scheme that depends on the length of the lighting installation, the presence or absence of a controller, as well as the number of power supplies;

LED strip connection diagram options

carefully place the lighting in the box/profile/plinth;

Note! Since the power supply gets very hot during its operation, it can quickly fail. Therefore, it must be placed in such a way that it can be replaced without destroying the integrity of the ceiling structure.

After this, the lighting system is connected to the power supply.

Ready-made ceiling lighting

As you can see, illuminating a plasterboard or other type of suspended ceiling is not that difficult. But when working with suspended ceilings, you need to adhere to a certain sequence of work. Here, the backlight is first created and installed, and only then it is masked with a stretch fabric. This option is very difficult to implement with your own hands due to the need for special knowledge and tools (for example, a heat gun).
Therefore, when installing a stretch ceiling, it is recommended to contact specialists who will do everything quickly, competently and efficiently.

The actual fastening of such a tape to the ceiling can be done either using a self-adhesive base or using special fasteners or glue. Thus, you can install LED on the ceiling in the bedroom, living room, kitchen, etc.

Installing lighting on kitchen units LED lighting is very common today in the kitchen.

Moreover, LEDs are often used for high-quality and complete lighting of the kitchen work area.

LED illumination of the working area

In addition to the work surface of the sink, stove and countertop, LED strips can be used to illuminate kitchen units quite effectively. In the kitchen, lighting can be installed in the following places:

inside hanging cabinets. In this way, the internal contents of the shelves are illuminated with high quality;

Kitchen cabinet interior lighting

on top of wall kitchen cabinets or below floor units. In this case, lighting performs only a decorative function;

illumination of drawers for spoons, forks and other necessary things in the kitchen.

Drawer lighting

You can create any type of lighting here in two ways:

Directly stick the tape equipped with a self-adhesive base onto the surface of the kitchen unit;

Installing tape with self-adhesive base on the surface of the cabinet

use a mortise or overlay profile. A mortise profile will make the lighting as comfortable as possible for use, but its installation requires a significant investment of time and effort to cut the required hole in the cabinet. The overlay profile is easier to install, but it will stand out a little from the background of the kitchen unit.

Mortise and overlay profile in the kitchen

As you can see, the easiest way to attach the tape in this case is to simply glue it using a self-adhesive surface.

All stages of mounting this product will be similar to the previously described installation on the ceiling.

Installing lighting in niches

Today, niches and partitions made of plasterboard are very popular in home interiors. To effectively highlight them against the general background, LED strips are often installed in such niches and structures.

Wall niche lighting

The easiest installation method is used here - on a self-adhesive base. As a result, the installation here, after assembling the lighting installation, looks like this:
the surface of the niche must be thoroughly washed and free of greasy contaminants;
Next, remove the protective film from the self-adhesive base;
carefully apply it to the surface;
Next, we align the tape along its entire length;

Only when you are satisfied with the result do we press the product firmly.

To avoid peeling off in the future, the base of the tape can be coated with superglue. But in such a situation, in the future you are unlikely to be able to remove the LED without damaging the surface of the niche or plasterboard partition.

Conclusion

You can easily install an LED strip with your own hands on almost any surface in the house. Different options for its installation allow you to create a specific lighting option, saving time and effort. Which mounting method to choose depends only on your desire, as well as the characteristics of the surface. If you take into account the necessary recommendations, you should not have any problems.

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Properly selected lighting makes a beautiful interior even more interesting. Light also affects human convenience: it should not be too bright and not too dim, and should be directed to the right areas (if we are talking about an apartment).

The light source is not only a light bulb in a chandelier or floor lamp. An addition or complete replacement for “standard” lighting are LED strips (LED strips, duralight). With their help, you can create an interesting interior or conveniently illuminate an area where a lamp cannot be installed. It is possible to install an LED strip with your own hands: the task is relatively simple.

Advantages and disadvantages of LED strips

Main advantages:

low energy consumption (LEDs consume 5-6 times less electricity than incandescent lamps at the same power);
quick installation (the tapes have an adhesive backing on the reverse side);
the ability to cut the tape to the desired length;
the ability to run the tape along any route;
wide range of colors (the backlight can be not only yellow or white, but also another color, and on 1 tape there can be several different colors that can be turned on separately).

The main disadvantage is the relatively high cost. In addition to the tape itself, which costs about 35-45 rubles per 1 m (with a power of about 5 W), you will also need to buy a controller, power supply and connector.

To illuminate 1 room with an area of 12-15 m² with an LED strip, you will need about 1700-2000 rubles minimum (for the connector, power supply, controller and about 12-15 m of the strip itself). The cheapest lamp will cost about 600 rubles.

In addition to the price, the downside is the difficulty of replacing 1 LED separately. If 1 LED burns out, the entire strip will have to be replaced.

Following these rules will allow you to install an LED strip with your own hands and make the lighting in any room (kitchen, bedroom, living room, etc.) impeccable.

The choice of installation location depends on the task:

The tape is used for decorative lighting (in addition to the main light source). In this case, duralight is mounted around the desired element (for example, above a picture, or along the perimeter of a niche, or under a wall kitchen cabinet). The light is not necessarily the brightest, but is directed to the desired element or surface.
The tape is used as the main lighting. In this case, duralight is mounted on top - along the perimeter of the upper part of the wall or on the ceiling, according to a different scheme. LEDs must be powerful to illuminate the entire room. Light is directed away from the wall, “into” the room, to be diffused.

Places to install the tape if it is used as the main light source:

Behind the ceiling plinth.
In niches on the suspended ceiling (can be done at the stage of installing the ceiling, or if there are already niches in the ceiling).
Along the perimeter - on the top of the walls or on the ceiling.

When installed on kitchen furniture

In the kitchen, LED strips are used not only as ceiling lighting - they are also installed on kitchen units.

Possible installation locations:

front or rear strip of the lower part of the hood body (along the filter) - if the hood lamps are weak;
under wall cabinets - in the corner (between the cabinet and the wall) or along the bottom of the cabinet on the edge (further from the wall);
along the bottom of the tables (in this case, the lighting will be only for beauty);
in drawers, opening shelves, cabinets - to illuminate the space.

For such places, the tape is most often not mounted in profile, but simply glued to the surface without covering it.

When installed in a niche or cabinet

The tape can be used to highlight the inside of a cabinet or the interior of plasterboard niches. Most often they are simply glued to the surface, without installing profiles.

Installation locations:

in the depths of a niche or closet, if it is deep (there is a lot of space inside) and is located in a poorly lit place (a corridor, or simply away from the window);
inside drawers (cabinets, chests of drawers, bedside tables);
inside plasterboard niches for pictures, partitions;
in cabinets in bathrooms.

Backlight installation methods

Duralight can be mounted in 3 ways:

In a box A box with a hidden cornice is made from drywall, into which the tape is installed (it will not be visible from the room). The downside is that the box is installed only at the stage of renovation of the premises, and it will have to be done along the entire route of laying the tape.
On a special profile (plastic or aluminum). The option is simpler and cheaper, and can be used at any time (even if no repairs are planned). Attaches to any surface (tiles, wallpaper, drywall, brick, wood, etc.).
On the ceiling plinth. In this case, the plinth is not mounted flush against the ceiling, but 5-10 cm lower from it. The tape is installed in this gap. The plinth has a rise towards the ceiling. Between the raised part and the wall there is a recess into which duralight is placed so that it is not visible from below.

Types of LED strips

LED strips differ in:

Number of colors. There are single-color or multi-color (RGB) tapes.
Type of lighting. There are dynamic (lighting characteristics - brightness, color - can be changed by the controller), flat (with a glow angle of 120º) and end (used to illuminate the ceiling).

What will be needed for installation?

In addition to the tape itself with the desired color and the required length, you will need:

Controller. Essentially a control panel. It will turn the backlight on and off, as well as switch colors and adjust brightness. It can be wired or remote. Connects to the power supply.
Power unit. Plays the role of a transformer that converts the voltage to the required one. The power supply unit is selected depending on the length and power of the tape.
Connector. Necessary for connecting individual pieces of tape into one. You can assemble the backlight without it, but then you will need to solder the segments.

LED Strip Installation Guide

Step-by-step installation instructions:

The total length of the tape is determined. To do this, the laying route is planned and the full length is measured, including the sections approaching the connectors and the controller.
Pieces of tape are connected into 1 line using connectors (or a soldering iron).
The assembled tape is connected to the controller, and the controller to the power supply. The main nuance: the poles must be connected correctly, otherwise the duralight can be damaged when turned on.
Plug the assembled line into the socket and turn on the lighting from the remote control for testing. If the backlight comes on, check the brightness and color settings (if provided).
Disconnect the tape from the controller and mount it in the desired location.

When the duralight is attached, it is connected to the controller again and checked again. If the backlight works normally, the work is completed.

Possible errors consist only of incorrect assembly of the chain.

For suspended ceilings, LED sources are considered the best type of lighting. An LED strip is a flexible strip with LEDs installed at its base. The features of installing LED strips will be discussed in today’s article.

Features of LED lighting

In the manufacture of LED strips, two types of LEDs are most often used:

SMD 5050 (5060);
SMD 3528 (3028).

SMD 5050 devices are significantly more expensive compared to SMD 3528, but their high cost is offset by greater power. Externally, the lamps are not the same. They can be installed with different densities. The lack of power can be compensated by placing the lamps at a higher frequency, which will provide brighter light.

The advantages of LED lamps include their ease of installation, since the work is accessible even to a novice home craftsman (the lamps are built into the strip at the factory).

The tape is inexpensive, in addition, a wide range of products is available at points of sale, making it easy to find devices with the desired lighting tone. An important advantage of LEDs is their durability.

The tape material is calculated in linear meters. When going to the store, you need to clearly understand your needs. It is best to draw up a plan of planned work in advance.

When purchasing a tape, you can focus on the following parameters:

reflective color scheme when the light is on;
ability to choose colors;
the presence of special controllers that make it possible to change colors;
the number of lamps in the strips ranges from 30 to 250, but do not forget that the light intensity directly affects electricity consumption.

Note! Conventional lamps are not suitable for rooms with high humidity levels. Special moisture-resistant diodes are produced for wet rooms.

LED ceiling lamps are installed in the following places:

niches;
hidden placement - lamps can be installed under a suspended ceiling;
ceiling plinth.

Preparatory work

Before starting installation work, you should consider a number of circumstances:

Exact quantity of materials.
Type of lighting, taking into account the required brightness of light and the presence of decorative elements.
Power unit. This element of the system must be selected taking into account the required voltage, power and humidity in the room.

Note! If you need to change lighting colors in the future, you will need a controller.

To do the job you will need a set of tools:

ladder or reliable table;
wire cutters;
electric soldering iron (with a power of at least 25 W) and lead-tin solder;
tweezers;
hacksaw;
pencil or marker, ruler (square);
electric drill.

Skirting installation

Installation work is performed in the following order:

We mark the surface and calculate the dimensions of the box. Using a ruler, we connect all the marks horizontally.
To properly fix the ceiling plinth, it should not rest directly on the ceiling. Leave a small distance for tightening the tape.
We remove the protective layer from the tape and apply the adhesive side of the material to the surface.
If the tape is too long, cut off the excess.
If necessary, install a controller. If there is no controller, the voltage will go through the switch.
Attach the ribbon to the power supply. To do this, we use special wires at the ends of the backlight. To operate, you will need a 220 V network.

Note! Do not install the power supply in areas without air access.

Installation in cornice

When installing an LED strip in a plasterboard cornice, it is recommended to follow the following instructions:

We install the cornice, while leaving part of the structure open.
After marking (we mark places 15 centimeters below the level of the base ceiling surface), we attach a metal profile to the wall. We install another profile 10 centimeters below the cornice. After this, we place profile sections every 40 centimeters, based on the width of the cornice.
Along the perimeter of the entire profile we cut slots for the sides. After that we connect these elements.
At the corners of the bent sides we attach a shelf on which we will mount the LED strip using self-tapping screws.
When the profile is fixed, we begin to install the electrical wiring. We fix the wires in previously prepared (marked) places. Next, we cover the entire cornice with plasterboard sheets.
The LED strip is glued to the ceiling with the adhesive side facing the hidden shelf.
We connect the power supply and test the system for functionality.

Installation in niches

Installation of LEDs in plasterboard niches is carried out by simply applying a self-adhesive base to the surface. This is the simplest of all possible installation methods, however, here you must follow certain rules:

First of all, remove any dirt or fat deposits from the surface.
Remove the protective packaging from the self-adhesive base.
Carefully apply the tape to a dry and clean surface.
We level the LED strip along its entire length.
If the result of the previous operation is satisfactory, we press the material firmly against the surface so that the tape sticks well.

Advice! In the future, the tape may come off, and to avoid this, the base of the adhesive material can be lubricated with glue. However, it must be borne in mind that if necessary, it will not be possible to remove the tape without damaging the material.

The work will be easier if you know some of the nuances of installation work:

Even before the installation begins, you need to draw up a project in which it is necessary to provide for all the nuances of the upcoming task. It is advisable to calculate the cost, especially if you have to invite hired workers.
The sticky layer of the tape is on the reverse side and is protected by a special film.
You need to select a corner made of polyvinyl chloride in advance, which will then be fixed in the niche with small self-tapping screws. The corner is used because over time the adhesive strip tends to come off, but PVC holds securely.
You need to glue the tape as quickly as possible - immediately after removing the protective film. The tape should fit tightly to the surface.
The LED strip should be cut only along the lines specified on it.
It is not advisable to fasten more than three meters of tape together. The fact is that if the tape is too long, the conductive path may fail, since it simply cannot withstand the voltage. If the tape is too long, it is recommended to connect it to the controller with dedicated wires.
The profile should be cut along pre-marked sections and at certain distances.
When connecting the power supply, you must follow the polarity rule. If there is a connector in the diagram, then the packaging contains all the necessary tips for connecting it.
With colored lighting, you can't do without a controller. Lighting should not be discordant with the surrounding environment. You can adjust the backlight tone using the controller.
Soldering must be done with extreme caution so as not to damage the plastic base. For LEDs, excessive temperatures are not desirable. For soldering, it is recommended to use flux paste. The best choice for solder would be POS-61. The maximum permissible melting temperature is 160 degrees.
It is recommended to hide the heads of the screws in the cornices, and paint the heads with acrylic paint or cover them with putty.
If one strip is installed, the connection is made directly. For more strips you will need a parallel connection circuit. A parallel circuit is better because if one of the sections fails, the others will remain operational.
If you have problems with gluing, you can use double-sided tape. This material is very flexible and allows you to follow the surface topography.
It is recommended to maintain the same distance between levels (20 centimeters). Otherwise, the lighting will not be uniform.

You can stick LED strips not only on the ceiling, but also on any other surfaces. There are many variations in the installation of such lighting devices that allow you to install the strip quickly and without wasting time and effort. If you follow the above recommendations, no problems should arise during installation.