LED strips are used to illuminate interior items from the inside. Due to their small thickness, they can be located where other light sources do not fit, and due to their considerable length, they provide uniform illumination.
Instructions
Step 1
Since the LED strip can only be cut along specially designed lines located one meter apart, design the piece of furniture to be illuminated in advance so that the length of the illuminated area is a multiple of this value. If this is not possible (for example, the object to be highlighted is already available), you can highlight the line partially, leaving small dark areas along its edges.
Step 2
It is advisable to choose a place for gluing the tape so that the LEDs themselves are not visible, but only their light reflected from the bright areas is observed. Choose the tape itself depending on the installation conditions: it can be with or without an adhesive layer, and it can also be waterproof or open. If there is no adhesive layer, you should use an adhesive that is compatible with the tape material and the object on which you intend to place it.
Step 3
Calculate the current for which the power supply should be rated. To do this, multiply the power density of the tape (in watts per meter) by its total length (in meters). Divide the result, which will be in watts, by the operating voltage, thereby finding the current in amperes. Choose a power source with a margin of at least 1, 5. It must provide isolation from the mains, and its output voltage must be equal to or slightly less than the operating voltage of the tape. No resistors are required - they are included in the tape.
Step 4
You can supply power to the tape from either side, observing the polarity. With a total current consumption of more than one ampere, it must be cut into separate sections and supplied to each power supply with separate wires in order to avoid overheating of the printed conductors. Make the connections by soldering, and if the tape is waterproof and operated in appropriate conditions, seal the soldering points, as well as all, without exception, the cut sections with contact pads. Do not allow short circuits, and place the source itself indoors.
Step 5
You can supply power to the section from one side, and remove from the opposite, and then apply, observing the polarity, to the other section of the tape. But do not abuse this - observe the above rule, according to which, through the current-carrying strips of the tape, a total current of more than one ampere should not flow.
Step 6
A sudden uniform drop in the brightness of the entire tape indicates a malfunction not of the LEDs, but of the power supply. Its repair (usually replacement of electrolytic capacitors is required) entrust only persons with the necessary skills and experience.
