SMAlux LED Tape Light Solution

SMAlux LED Tape Light

If you are interested in LED tape lights, then you must need a reliable manufacturer that gives a complete solution. Here comes SMAlux – your ideal lighting source.

As one of the premier supplier and factory in China, we had been trusted by many customers from different countries.

We have a wide variety of LED tape lights available for you to choose from. We can give a versatile solution based on the final application. If intended use from a railing, under cabinet, pathway, cover or other areas, we can provide the best solution for that.

SMAlux LED tape lights to offer better energy-efficient. Plus, it can install and mounted easily on the various surface. These lights are safe for indoor and outdoor installations.

As the LED light became one of the stylish and modern lighting solutions today, we are dedicated to producing smart lightings. We have LED tape lights in 12 volt and 24-volt strips. Minimize the risk of electric short circuit and other hazardous electric complication.

Moreover, there are a variety of solid colors and changing color kits available. In SMAlux, you will find the best choice you desired of.

Whether used for business – retail or any forms, rest assure that SMAlux will give satisfying products for you. We will certainly give the best smart lighting solutions to skyrocket your business.

SMAlux is the manufacturer of LED tape lights you can rely for. We are passionate about designing LED tape lights for longer-lasting installations. Our capabilities are unmatched.

From start to finish, concept designing, manufacturing, to delivery – we can do it all independently. If you have any idea about LED tape lights, you can freely share with us we carry everything you need to customize your product.

LED tape lights from SMAlux are UL-listed, CE and ROHS certified. There are also certifications available like ERP, GS, SAA, and more.

In SMAlux, you can ensure high standard lighting especially these LED tape lights.

Our LED tape lights come in various choices –in terms of brightness, LED density, color-changing and more. Multiple categories are provided, for both residential and commercial applications.

Aside from LED tape lights, we also offer vast varieties of lightings including led color changing lights, led rope light, led under cabinet lighting, led lights for room and much more.

Without question, SMAlux is your great lighting solution for your next project. Our LED tape lights are offered at competitive prices.

With over 22 years in the business, SMAlux has a strong capability to support your project needs. We have enough experience to help you grow your business.

In SMAlux, we have an expert team to develop and design high-end smart lighting. Any design of LED tape lights, we will make it for you.

Moreover, if you have any questions or concerns about LED tape lights you need please don’t hesitate to contact us today! One of our staff will speak with you to get more in-detailed.

LED Tape Light: The Ultimate FAQs Guide

Choosing LED tape light can be a difficult process if you lack the right information.

In this guide, you will find all information you need to know about LED tape light such as design, color options, connector types, and quality standards, amongst others.

Keep reading to learn more.

What is LED Tape Light?

An LED Tape light refers to a flexible printed circuit board filled with light-emitting diodes.

The LEDs are usually surface mounted, with the tape light having adhesive backings to enable easy installation.

The LED lighting fixture comes in color-changing RGB or solid colors and works on 12 or 24 Volts.

LED tape lights have been utilized predominantly in decorative and accent lighting applications.

 LED tape light

How does LED Tape Light compare to LED Rope Light?

LED tape lights and LED rope lights are both versatile solutions for innovative lighting requirements.

However, while they have plenty in common, the two LED lighting fixtures are not similar.

Here are some of the differences between LED Rope Light and LED Strip Light:

1) Light Source

One of the major differences between LED tape lights and LED rope lighting is the light source.

LED rope light comprises of individual LED lamps enclosed in a transparent plastic tube.

They may come in varying colors, though you cannot change the color of the bulb.

On the other hand, LED tape lights consist of surface-mounted LEDs attached to a flexible circuit board.

They come with a range of single colors, as well as color-changing alternatives.

The LED luminaires incline to generate a more diffuse illumination compared to LED rope light.

2) Size and Mounting

LED Rope Light come in tubes having diameters ranging from 1/2″ to 3/8″.

The luminaires are mounted using clips that add more width increasing the thickness of fixture.

The increased thickness makes them potentially hard to mount in most areas.

Conversely, LED Tape lights to have an ultra-thin profile as low as 3.175mm or 1/8″.

Moreover, they have adhesive backing that enables easy mounting in a broad array of places, consisting of tiny and tight locations.

3) Flexibility

LED Rope Light has a low bend angle because of internal wiring, therefore, excessive arching in any direction may result in lighting failure.

The lights 360-degree viewing angle allows wrapping it around posts, forming into shapes and additional decorative lighting applications.

However, LED Tape Light is easy to arch and stick to surfaces and is foldable vertically up to 90 degree.

Furthermore, this type of LED lighting fixture has a beam angle of 120 degrees.

4) Brightness

Rope Lights are ideal for decorative and accent lighting since they give low brightness.

With time, tubes may brown or yellow, which will modify the color emitted and reduce the light output.

Yellowing is a common problem with LED rope lights, where the exterior covering changes color due to sun exposure.

Nevertheless, LED Tape Light vary from very high to low brightness and are compatible with DMX controllers, wireless dimming systems, and wall switches.

The high brightness of the luminaires makes them suitable for display and task lighting.

5) Run Length

The voltage of light partly dictates the run length of both LED tape light and LED rope light.

Typically, the two types of LED lighting fixtures come in either 120V or 12V.

Using an AC input, LED rope lights can run beyond 250 feet, while those utilizing DC input run about 50 feet.

Nonetheless, if installing 12V LED tape light, you will apply a maximum run length of 20 feet.

There will be a voltage drop if the fixture runs too long, therefore, split the long runs to shorter lengths to avoid voltage drops.

However, when installing 120V LED tape light, one power cord is capable of powering up to 330 feet.

6) Special Effects

One of the greatest attractions of the LED lighting fixtures is its ability for special effects.

It allows you to change the color of the light or dim them with the push of a button.

Both LED tape lights and rope lights provide strobe or dimmable options.

Moreover, both offer different colors of light.

However, only LED tape light to provide an RGB color changing option.

Is there a Difference Between LED Strip Lighting and LED Tape Light?

LED tape light

No, LED Tape Lighting is equally referred to as LED Strip Light or LED Ribbon Lighting.

LED lighting technology has been in existence for over 50 years and its use has advanced over time.

Nevertheless, the improved performance of modern LED lighting fixtures has warranted a far broader reaching application.

What are the General Characteristics of LED Tape Lights?

LED Strips is modern and adaptable LED lighting types.

There are various designs and types of LED Tape Lights.

However, here are the Common Features of LED Strip lights:

· Cut-to-Length

It is possible to cut LED tape lights every few inches.

This allows the best and easiest installation in any location without worrying over space requirement.

·  Flexible

Flexibility is one of the key properties of LED Strip Lights.

This makes it to bend them with others capable of folding.

The foldable LED strips allow right-angle turns in one run.

· Color Options

There are single color and color switching varieties of LED tape lights.

The color-changing strips offer optimal customization of lighting.

· IP Rated

IP rating of LED strip lights ranges from IP65 to IP68, making them suitable wet and damp location lightings.

·  Dimmable

Besides, tape lights are dimmable and have compatibility with most wall and remote dimmers, wireless and DMX systems.

· Peel and Stick

Almost all LED Tape lights have peel-and-stick adhesive backing that facilitates easy mounting nearly on any surface.

What is the Typical Anatomy of LED Tape Light?

The typical dimension of LED Strip light is width of 10-12 mm and length of 5m or more.

You can cut them to specified lengths utilizing only a scissor across the cut lines, placed after each 1-2 inches.

Independent LED chips are installed throughout the length of the tape, usually at densities of 60-120 LEDs per meter or 13-36 per foot.

The quality and light color of individual LEDs dictate the general quality and color of light of the LED Strip.

In addition, the lights come with adhesive backing, allowing you to simply peel and fix the LED tape light on practically any surface.

Since the strip has a flexible circuit board, it is possible to mount it on uneven and curved surfaces.

How do you Determine the Right Brightness of LED Tape Light?

The brightness of LED tape lights is measured by applying the metric lumens.

Their brightness is normally denoted in lumens per foot.

A high-quality strip gives a minimum of 450 lumens per foot.

LED tape light brightness is basically dictated by 3 factors:

• Efficiency and output of light per LED chip
• Amount of LEDs for every foot
• LED strip power draw per foot

Be cautious with LED ribbon lights lacking specification of brightness in lumens.

Also, you need to be careful with low cost products that promise high brightness.

They tend to overdrive the LEDs leading to premature failure.

Why is LED Density and Power Draw Important in LED Tape Light?

The most essential parameter in a tape light is the LED number and power draw for each foot.

The density of LED density is critical in establishing the presence or absence of noticeable dark spots or hotspots between LED chips and distance between LEDs.

A strip with a density of 36 LEDs for each foot will generally offer the finest, most uniformly dispersed lighting pattern.

LED chips are the most costly LED tape light components, thus ensure to factor in differences in LED density when comparing prices.

Moreover, you need to consider per foot power draw of the lighting.

The power draw determines the energy amount the LED ribbon light will utilize.

This helps in establishing the power supply needs and the cost of electricity.

A high-quality strip needs to have the capacity to give 4W or more per foot.

Which are the Color Options of LED Tape Light?

The color of the LED strip light is based on individual taste.

RGB LED tapes are an ideal choice for that prefer diversity and color effects.

They refer to color-changing LED tape lights that are perfect for account lighting throughout a space.

RGB strips employ red, green and blue light-emitting diodes that are mixed to produce many colors.

There are as well single color LED strip lights of: Yellow, White, red, green and Blue.

Moreover, some manufacturers produce UV varieties of tape lights, which is the perfect choice for producing your black light!

What Does CCT stand for in LED Strip Light?

Custom LED strip light

CCT is the short form for Correlated Color Temperature, which refers to the color temperature of LED tape light.

The CCT rating of the strip directly influences the appearance of the light and is designated in Kelvin.

The color temperature of 3000K is commonly referred to as Warm White, which produces yellowish or orange light.

The color transitions from yellow to natural white and eventually to bluish-white, commonly known as Cool White.

Are there Colored LED Strip Lights?

Yes, at times you may require a punchy, concentrated color effect.

Colored LED tape lights can provide great theatrical and accent lighting effects in these applications.

They come in colors throughout the whole visible spectrum from amber, red, blue, green, and also infrared or ultraviolet.

There exist 2 basic kinds of colored LED ribbon lights: Color changing and fixed single color.

Single color ribbon light gives only one color, and its working principle is similar to white LED tapes.

On the other hand, a color-changing tape light comprises of several colors on one LED tape.

The most elementary kind will incorporate red, green, and blue colors.

The RGB channels enable dynamic blending of the different colors to attain essentially any color.

Some types of RGB tape lights facilitate regulation of white color temperature or both RGB hues and white color temperature.

What is the Recommended Power Supply and Input Voltage for LED Tape Light?

Majority of LED strip lights are made to function at 12V or 24V DC.

When using standard mains power supply (120/240V AC), the energy should be transformed to the right low voltage DC.

This is commonly and merely achieved utilizing a DC energy source.

It is important to ensure that the power supply possesses adequate power capacity for running the LED strips lights.

All DC power source has its maximum rated power (in Watts) or current (in Amps).

You can apply the following formula to calculate the total power draw:

• Power = LED tape length (ft) x LED power/ft

For example, installing 5 ft LED strip with a power consumption of 4W per foot:

Power = 5 ft x 4W per foot = 20 Watts

How do you Connect LED Tape Lights?

Every LED tape light section should be linked to a DC energy source or another strip joined to a DC energy source.

The method of connection will be based on the type of plugs or wires issued with the light.

You can link separate segments of strips through soldering, which usually offers the most economical and flexible connection solution.

Alternatively, there are solderless LED strip light connector accessories crucial in linking LED tapes segments to other tape segments and power supply.

What is the Role of Aluminum Channels in LED Tape Light?

Irrespective of their ease of use and flexibility, LED strip lights are nevertheless naked circuit board components.

Installing the LED tapes within an aluminum channel and diffuser casing may greatly boost the aesthetics of lighting.

Aluminum channels are often U or V-shaped long extruded aluminum pieces.

The LED tape is positioned and adhered at the base of the channel.

A lengthy unit of frosted polycarbonate plastic, which accompanies the channel, finally covers the aluminum channel top.

It is important to note that LEDs require efficient thermal management for unfailing functioning.

Higher quality LED tape lights in effect underdrive the LED chips, and are engineered to survive thousands of operating hours short of heat sinking.

During the performance, the LED tape light can become hot to touch.

However, the temperature rise is way lower than the circuit board elements and Led’s thermal limits.

The aluminum channels might assist in dissipating heat from the strips.

Nevertheless, they are mainly for installation and diffusion purposes, and not thermal management.

Are LED Tape Lights Dimmable?

Unlike ordinary LED bulbs, most, nearly all LED tape lights are dimmable if matched with the right control mechanism.

There exist 2 LED strip dimming techniques namely: Conventional DC low-voltage and AC phase-cut dimmer.

AC phase-cut dimmers are generally suitable for commercial and residential LED strip applications.

Here, the dimming input impulse emanates out of a conventional wall-switch dimmer and needs a TRIAC dimmable source of power.

RGB controllers or DC low-voltage dimmers usually comes as a digital or manual dimmer module.

It is positioned between the LED strip and the DC power supply.

This dimming technique is most appropriate for less permanent or color-changing LED strip light installations.

Which are the Factors to Consider when Choosing LED Tape Light?

Here are the key factors to consider when selecting LED strip lights designed for durability and top performance:

Composition and Quality of Circuit Board

For greater power LED tapes, it is important to pay attention to the specification and quality of the underlying circuit board.

Since high electrical current levels must flow across every segment, adequate copper material is required.

Go for a fixture having a minimum copper weight of 2 Oz, with 4 Oz being the most ideal.

This ensures that the circuit board can endure the higher power, thus preventing voltage drop.

Quality and Quantity of LED

The LED chips directly determine the quality, stability, and efficiency of light output.

Therefore, buy an LED tape light that upholds strict quality management and stipulations on the chips.

Exercise caution over strip lighting fixtures that profess a high power yet have a low count of LED.

Low count may imply LEDs overdriving, causing untimely failure.

The surface of LED Strip

High-quality tape lights will often incorporate additional white paint coating to increase light reflectivity and general light output.

Lower quality types of LED strip lights will avoid this phase, leaving the copper uncovered.

This can impact on the color and brightness of luminaire, specifically within an aluminum channel fitting.

Thermal Management

Dissipation and heat management are extremely critical for LEDs.

The rated lifespan of LED tape lights may decrease drastically if they overheat.

A well-engineered LED strip does not primarily depend on an aluminum channel heat sink for heat dissipation.

Can you Cut LED Tape Lights?

Yes, you can cut to the length most LED strip lights since they have labeled cutting spots, normally marked using a white dashed line.

The strip can fail when you cut anywhere different from the cutting spots.

When using the LED strips in outdoor lighting, you must shrink wrap all connections to shield against moisture.

Remember that cutting LED tape invalidates its waterproof capabilities and UL safety rating.

 LED strip lighting system

What is the Meaning of Maximum Run Length of LED Tape Light?

This describes the utmost length of LED strip light that you can connect to a single power supply before experiencing any electrical problems.

Surpassing the maximum LED strip run-length often leads to a voltage drop, making the LED fail to light or dim.

Does Voltage Drop Affect Efficiency of LED Strip Lights?

An electrical circuit commonly experiences a voltage drop when current flows through it.

The voltage drop in LED tape lights is associated with the resistance to the flow of current.

Passive components in the circuit board like connectors and contacts affecting the degree of voltage drop.

The longer the LED tape circuit, the higher the voltage loss.

It makes the last LEDs within a long LED tape lighting to become dimmer than the preceding ones.

Which are the Connector Types used with LED Tape Light?

LED Strip lights require connectors to create sharp turns, and some of the connectors used during the installation of LED tape light include:

• The basic connector that connects one segment of strip to the next.
• Plus-shaped connectors for 4-way splits and intersections.
• L-shaped connector for corners and right angles.
• Y-splitter cord, though it is not a connector. You can utilize the cord for 2-way splits, coming straight from the driver.
• The T-shaped connector used for 3-way splits
• A Snap-on connector used to reconnect sections of tape light.

Do LED Tape Lights require LED Driver?

You will require an LED driver in both 12 and 24V strip lights.

LEDs are not compatible with current transformers due to their extremely low power consumption.

The role of the LED driver is to step-down the high voltages from the power supply to require 12 to 24 V.

Failure to install LED driver can result in burn out of the LEDs, with each driver having a rating for a particular wattage range.

Be keen on the maximal wattage rating to ensure the driver can manage the wattage of the strip length.

You will have to do some math calculations to determine the number of watts the LED tape light consumes.

Total Wattage = Wattage per Foot x Length of Light (feet)

How do you stop Flickering of LED Tape Lights?

The power supply you are employing may be the cause of the flickering of your LED strip lights.

LEDs need a DC power supply, yet the majority of mains electricity is AC power supply.

Therefore, a high-quality LED driver is the solution to the flickering problem.

The driver’s total wattage should handle the total wattage of the LED strip light it is powering.

The length of the LED tape light could also be the cause.

It is advisable to always maintain every strip length at 5 meters or lower.

This makes sure that there is sufficient power across the whole strip light, preventing dimming or flickering of light.

Can you bend LED Tape Lights?

Yes and no.

It is possible to bend regular, non-waterproof LED ribbon lights around corners provided you curve them along cutline.

Conversely, for challenging angles, cutting and then soldering a wire in the middle of the independent LED strip segments is an ideal option.

Nevertheless, the second option less attractive to observe.

Moreover, you cannot bend waterproof LED tape light.

This is because of the waterproof silicone coating that is not flexible to arc around corners.

For that matter, you will need to cut and solder the linking strip light lengths.

What is the Lifespan of LED Tape Light?

LED straight lighting boast 50,000 hours of overall life expectancy.

The light out of LEDs depreciate slowly but steadily with time.

50,000 is the amount of hours it typically takes an LED to depreciate to 70 percent of its initial light output.

Depending on your specific needs, SMAlux offers the perfect solution for all your LED tape light needs.

For questions or inquiries, contact us now.