Today, LED strip is one of the most common lighting sources due to its wide use and low energy consumption. This allows you to use it in a variety of rooms and purposes, so it remains only to choose the right tape, and for this you need to focus on specific criteria.
It is worth noting that if a person especially does not understand anything about this, then it is easier to come to the appropriate store and buy a one-piece set, which includes the tape itself and everything that is required for connection.
If details are important to a person, then the main selection criteria are the following.
Color.
Depending on it, the lighting will be perceived quite differently. In general, LED strips are divided into four primary colors: red, blue, green and white. The latter, in turn, can be cold, warm or neutral, which is very important for perception and eye strain.
There are multi-color ribbons that glow with all colors at once or periodically change their shade. Coloring is achieved by applying a phosphor of the appropriate color, and the person remains to choose the appropriate option for the surface he needs.
Light level.
It depends on how brightly the tape will shine, and this indicator varies from the number of elements on the tape and the type of the LED itself. Naturally, the more of them, the brighter the light will be, but it is not always necessary, so in the store it’s just worth looking at what and how it glows. Of course, you can look on the net for the corresponding tables and ratio grids, but visually it is always more understandable.
Power supply.
If you directly connect the LED strip to the mains, it will burn out instantly, and therefore it definitely needs a power supply and a controller for the appropriate powers, which will only have to be connected with special connectors (for convenience).
Depending on the location, you need to immediately figure out exactly how it will connect: to a common network or through a regular outlet.
Degree of protection.
Despite the fact that no one is going to touch the LED strip, it should be as protected as possible from moisture and dust, which actively provoke its breakdown. In view of this, it is worth choosing either completely open tapes or completely closed ones. The latter can be recessed into silicone or completely placed in a sealed tube, which is especially reliable, but affects the intensity of the glow.
Build quality.
Here everything can be determined visually, because if the contacts are poorly soldered, and the tape itself is very fragile, then it will not be able to serve for a long time. Quality resistors with normal resistance should also be installed in order to maintain an optimal glow level.
All the criteria are quite simple, and it remains for a person to compare them with what exactly is needed for a particular room or surface, and then it will be as well lit as possible.
If everything is correctly selected and connected, then the LED strip will be used for a very long time without additional problems.
