LED light strips are very useful for their versatility and flexibility. You can cut them to fit in different areas. Whether to add extra illumination to lower cabinets or a backlight for your TV, LED strip lights can be cut to fit your needs.
But how can you cut LED light strips? In this post, we'll show you the details. Read on.
LED light strips are flexible circuit boards fitted with small light-emitting diodes that produce bright, efficient lighting in a compact form. They usually come in reels and can be cut at marked points, allowing users to customize the length to fit their project. The back of most LED strips is lined with strong adhesive, such as 3M tape, making installation simple on a variety of surfaces.
These strips are popular because of their versatility. They can emit different colors, including white in various color temperatures, as well as RGB and RGBIC versions that create millions of shades and dynamic effects. Many LED strips are dimmable and can be controlled with remotes, apps, or smart home systems.
It is important to cut LED strip lights in the right place since they might not function as expected if you stray off the cut line. These cut lines are always located between copper dots, which mark the end of one circuit and the beginning of another.
Do LED strip lights still work when cut? The answer is yes. LED strip lights, including LEDVANCE flexible light kits, will work properly as long as you cut along the designated lines. If you cut elsewhere, it may cause the circuit to cease working. Besides, it is the safest way to cut the LED strip lights.
Disconnect the LED light strips from a power source before starting the cutting process. Then follow the steps below to cut LED light strips.
1. Measure the Length: Measure the area where the light strips will be installed. That way, you can verify that the length is correct when transitioning that information to the LED lights.
2. Locate the cut mark on the strip: Look for the small scissor icon or marked line indicating where it’s safe to cut. Most brands and manufacturers offer a specific spot on the LED light strip where you can cut the product to size. This area might even be perforated. If you don't see a designated section, take a few moments to see if there is a scissors logo or a cutting line marked on the product.
3. Trim the LED strip along the cut line: Use sharp scissors to make a clean cut exactly on the line to avoid damaging the circuit.
4. Identify the correct side of the quick connector: Check which end is the top so the strip light’s copper pads will align properly.
5. Slide out the black plastic piece: Gently pull out the plastic cover to open up space for inserting the LED strip.
6. Remove the 3M adhesive backing: Peel away the sticky layer so the strip will lay flat inside the connector.
7. Insert the strip light into the quick connector: Carefully push the LED strip in, ensuring the copper pads sit directly under the metal contacts.
8. Close and secure the connector: Press the black plastic back in place to lock the strip firmly.
9. Power on to test the connection: Turn on the lights to confirm everything is working before mounting.
After cutting LED light strips, follow the steps below to install LED light strips:
Step 1: Clean the installation point
Clean the installation point before installing LED light strips. The easiest way is to use a little dish soap and warm water to scrub away the dirt, allowing the surface to air dry before continuing with the installation.
If you install the LED lights in a kitchen or another area where grime or grease can coat the walls, you might need a chemical agent first to remove those materials. Remove the outer film, then clean the walls with soap and water.
Step 2: Paste the LED Light Strip
Once the installation point is clean, you can remove the covering that protects the adhesive on the LED light strip and paste it carefully. Before finalizing your work, take the time to double-check that everything is in the proper position. Do not forget to make sure the light strip is connected to the power source correctly.
Step 3: Plug in the Power
Once everything is connected and affixed, you can turn on the power to your LED light strips. You should see everything lit at that stage. If the light strip is still not working after you've completed those instructions, you'll need to check for a connection problem. When the setup is normal, you may have damaged the product by cutting it to the required size. As a result, it is important to cut following the instructions or logo.
If you've cut your LED light strips to size, you might have a sizable portion remaining that could be useful in other ways.
Some people want to reconnect the cut portion to the powered LED light strip. That option is possible if you have a 4-pin connector available to use. Most 4-pin connectors to reconnect a separated LED light strip are sold separately. This methodology also works well for people who accidentally cut the strip too short and want to correct the situation.
Here is what you'll need to do:
Step 1: Purchase a 4-Pin Connector
Dozens of different 4-pin connectors are available right now. You'll need to select one with a compatibility rating for your LED light strip. The easiest way is to look at the 4-pin connector's width. If your light strip is 8 mm wide, you need a connector with the same measurement. You cannot make a 10 mm light strip work with an 8 mm connector.
Some manufacturers might recommend a specific connector for this purpose. It's almost always better to follow that recommendation to ensure that the LED light strip functions correctly. If you decide to use a different product, you'll want to ensure it is compatible with your lights.
Step 2: Open the Connector
Open the connector to expose the pins. Most products include a cover that snaps upward to protect this area. Losing the cover might render the 4-pin connector unusable.
Step 3: Place the Light Strip in the Connector
Place one end of the LED light strip into the connector, ensuring it is ready to work. Fasten the clips to ensure the lights are secured. Then double-check the positive and negative terminals are matched accordingly. After connecting one strip to the 4-pin connector, attach the other side. Once both ends are secure, clip or tighten both sides to ensure the entire unit is closed.
Step 4: Cover the Connector
Close the cover after you have the light strips connected properly. This step should create a powerful connection that transfers from one to the other. Adjust the connecting point between the pins and the light strip if the connected components don't light up as expected. You might not have a secure connection, so unplug the unit and inspect the joint.
You'll need to ensure each connection is lined up correctly. Match up the various lines to create the appropriate link. Once everything looks good, try the power again.
Lighting creates different impacts on our mood and perspective. Different colors or unique interior design concepts can make your room feel like a natural extension of your personality.
The best place to install LED light strips is underneath cabinets and hanging shelves. You can create a better-lit area that is safer and easier to use. These spots are also great options for accent lights, reducing the strain your eyes feel when the ambient light isn't adequate.
You can also use LED light strips under lower cabinets to illuminate walkways and foot-friendly areas. That way, you can prevent some incidents like toe-stubbing that happen late at night.
An LED light strip can offer color and brightness if you have dark spaces. Try to use strips to create different moods for you to enjoy!
You can even place LED light strips under your bed, behind your computer monitor, or around your television to achieve the unique results you want.
Before purchasing LED lights, you'll want to determine if you wish to use white LEDs, an RGB strip, or RGBW lights. Different brightness levels may be available, so you'll need to think about the application. For example, task lighting has different brightness requirements than accent lights around a TV.
Bending an LED strip light requires care to avoid damaging the circuit or breaking the LEDs. LED strips are flexible, but they are designed to bend only along the cut points and in the plane of the strip, not sharply sideways or at extreme angles. Here’s how to do it safely:
● LED strips can naturally bend around soft corners and curves. Always keep the bend gradual, ideally with a radius of at least 1 inch (25 mm), to prevent stress on the circuit board.
● Never fold an LED strip at a sharp 90-degree angle. This can crack the copper pathways and cause some sections of the strip to stop working.
● If you need a right-angle turn or a complex shape, it’s best to cut the strip at the designated cut lines and use an L-shaped or corner connector to rejoin the pieces.
If you cut an LED strip light, you can fix it by reconnecting the pieces at the designated cut lines, which are usually marked with a scissor icon. The simplest way is to use a quick connector: just slide the cut ends into the connector, making sure the copper pads line up with the contacts, then snap it shut. For a stronger and longer-lasting repair, you can solder wires directly to the copper pads, but this requires some skill and tools. Always ensure the positive and negative sides match correctly, otherwise the strip won’t light up.
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