LED strip lights have become a popular choice for adding vibrant and customizable lighting to your living spaces.
Whether you want to enhance your home decor or create a dynamic lighting setup for your workspace, connecting LED strip lights correctly is essential.
In this blog post, we will guide you through the two different methods for connecting LED strips: strip connectors, and soldering.
And if you’ve accidently ripped your LED strip, you’re in luck: strip connectors will also help, as detailed in our guide here.
VIEW OUR CAVELIGHTS RECOMMENDED LED LIGHT STRIPS HERE.
Products We Think You’ll Love…
-
Adjustable LED Reading Lamp
Original price was: £179.00.£89.00Current price is: £89.00. -
Glass Ball Wall Light
Original price was: £119.00.£59.00Current price is: £59.00. -
Decorative Metal Wall Light
Original price was: £139.00.£69.00Current price is: £69.00. -
Nordic LED Pole Light
£59.00 – £119.00
Quick Links
Connecting LED Strip Lights with a Strip Connector
Select the right strip connector
The first step in connecting LED strip lights with a connector is choosing the appropriate connector type.
There are two types: clip-on strip connectors, and fold-over strip connectors.
Note: Make sure to match the strip connector with your LED strip lights, as you may need a different type of connector for monochrome LED strips than you would with RGB strips (LED strips with multiple colors).
If you’re in any doubt, check the packaging of your LED strip lights for compatibility information.
Connect your LED strip to the connector
Regardless of the connector type you choose, gently slide the end of the LED strip into the open end of the connector.
Be careful to avoid damaging the strip or the connector during this process!
Most LED strips have letters/symbols indicating which wire should connect where, making it straightforward to align them correctly. Note: LED strips can only be cut at the designated cutting points, next to where these symbols are. If in doubt, read our guide on cutting LED strips here.
If your strip connector has blue, red, green, and black wires, align them with the connection dots labelled B, R, G, and 12V on your LED strip.
If your LED strip has only two wires, it will have + and – signs on each side for proper alignment (as you can see in the image below).
With your LED strip lights securely connected using a strip connector, you’re ready to install those bad boys and beautifully light up your space!
Connecting LED Strip Lights through Soldering
The other way to connect LED strip lights is through soldering. This method is a more permanent solution, however it is quite a bit more involved than simply using strip connectors.
Pre-planning
Soldering involves working with hot metal, which produces fumes that can be harmful if inhaled. So, make sure you do any soldering in a well-ventilated room.
This can be done by opening a window, using a fan next to your setup, or by taking your soldering work outside.
As well, you should be wearing safety glasses and protective gloves to shield your eyes and hands from the solder.
Soldering irons are extremely hot, so exercise caution while using them. After you finish, remember to wash your hands thoroughly.
Prepare the wires
To prepare the wires for soldering (a process known as pre-tinning), apply a small amount of solder to the ends of each wire. This step makes it easier to attach the wires to the LED strip.
Note: Don’t put too much solder on here. The solder applied should be minimal and barely visible on the wire.
Add solder to the contact points on the strip
Next, apply a small dot of solder to each of the contact points located near the cut line on the LED strip.
This prepares the points for wire attachment. Ensure that each contact point has a separate dot of solder, being careful not to merge them – any merging will allow electricity to pass across, which is definitely not what you want!
Attach the wires
With both the wires and contact points ready, place each wire on its corresponding contact point.
Use the soldering iron to attach the wires to the strip. Don’t rush here – work slowly to ensure that each wire is correctly attached to the appropriate contact point.
You should avoid overheating the wires for too long, as it may damage the LED lights by preventing electricity from passing through.
Closing remarks
Whether you choose to connect your LED strip lights using a strip connector or through soldering, following this guide will see you through the process and have your LED strips connected in no time.
VIEW OUR CAVELIGHTS RECOMMENDED LED LIGHT STRIPS HERE.
Related Posts
- How to fix broken LED light strips
- Do LED Lilght strips rip paint off the wall?
- How to keep LED light strips from falling off the wall
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
[…] more LED strip tips, check out our articles on connecting LED strips (both with and without soldering), how to fix your LED strip if it gets damaged, as well as how long LED strips should be lasting […]