220V LED strip is a board based on flexible insulating material. Over its entire length, conductive strips are applied, between which there are groups of LEDs and a current-limiting resistance. All elements of the tape are connected in series and placed in a transparent plastic case. The variety of LED strip designs is determined by the size and number of LEDs in the group and on a 1 meter long segment. All of these features affect the power and brightness of the emitted light.
Varieties of models of LED strips for 220 V
Depending on the purpose and characteristics of the LED strip, LEDs 3528, 5050, 2835, 3014 and 5630 can be used in it. The modifications 5050 and 3528 are most widely used, the rest are less common and are usually ordered from Asian suppliers.
Among the main parameters of 220 V LEDs, it is worth noting:
- Possibility of multiple cutting in increments of 50 cm - 50, 100, 150, 200 cm, etc. Trying to cut a smaller amount will ruin the device.
- Power per meter length.
- Degree of protection against high humidity.
- The color temperature of the emitted rays.
In addition to standard ribbons with white glow, RGB models with red, green, blue and yellow lamps are produced. In general terms, they are three single-color LEDs with different shades, which have a common contact for power and various contacts for adjusting the brightness of the light. To connect such a lighting device, a 220 V RGB controller is required.
The degree of protection of LED lighting can meet IP67 or IP68 standards. Thanks to the housing made of a dense silicone tube, the lighting device can be operated in conditions of extreme humidity at any ambient temperature. Depending on the degree of rigidity of the base, the tape can be used as an independent lighting unit or as individual modules from which unique samples of fixtures are created.
Some LED models are produced with an adhesive strip based on acrylic adhesive tape, which greatly accelerates the laying and fixing of the segment.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages it is worth noting:
- Ability to connect without a power supply.
- Good power - a fragment of 10 m gives lighting of 70 watts with minimal power consumption.
- Low installation costs due to the use of thin wires for low current strength.
Restrictions on the use of LED strip can be caused by the following factors:
- the difficulty of repair due to an airtight shell;
- cutting only to a multiple length, which may be unnecessary or insufficient for a particular object;
- a flicker frequency of 100 Hz, which with prolonged exposure to lighting can cause a deterioration in well-being;
- voltage 220 V, which requires special attention during installation and operation of the tape.
The recommended scope of LEDs is auxiliary or backup lighting of the premises of houses and apartments: kitchen, bathroom or sauna, corridor or garage. It is also possible to use it as a decorative element - for illuminating buildings, advertising signs, elements of decorative structures and sculptures, decorating scenes, etc.
LED Strip Mounting
In the process of connecting the tape, a number of requirements should be taken into account:
- the connection of fragments should be carried out taking into account the polarity;
- it is allowed to connect sections using connectors or by soldering when exposed to the tape for no more than 10 seconds at a temperature of no higher than 260 degrees;
- tape for external installation should have high-quality moisture protection;
- the surface for laying and gluing the tape should be dry, degreased and clean;
- the minimum bending radius is 2 cm, with the exception of a single bend in the area where there are no electronic components;
- serial connection is possible only for segments up to 5 m long; for fragments of a longer length, a parallel connection scheme is used.
The operating temperature range for LEDs is from -40 to + 50º C. The life of the tape is 50,000 hours without reducing the brightness of the glow.
Devices for connecting LED strips to 220 V
For tapes with voltage less than 220 V, direct connection to the outlet is excluded. Due to the high voltage, the LEDs will instantly burn out. Therefore, the connection to the power network is carried out using auxiliary devices:
Switching Power Supplies
Fairly expensive, but the most reliable option. The power supply provides a stable voltage and eliminates flickering of light due to ripple current. The new generation PSU models are equipped with dimmers and remote controls, which allows you to adjust the brightness of the lighting at a distance. As a valid alternative, you can use the power supply from the "system" of the computer to connect the LEDs.
Transformer 220/12
The device consists of a step-down transformer, capacitor and rectifier bridge. In it, the voltage decreases and levels off due to smoothing ripples. It is possible to independently manufacture a transformer from an old receiver or a lamp TV. It is necessary to wind the secondary winding on 12V to the base model and assemble the model together with a diode bridge or capacitor.
Current limiting capacitor
The method is suitable only for connecting small segments of tape to the network, which are intended to play the role of a night lamp or a bedside lamp. If you increase the length of the segment, the power consumption of the unit increases, the use of economical LEDs will be inappropriate. In addition, the excessive consumption of 220 volts by the power supply unit makes it necessary to take additional electrical safety measures.
Serial connection
This method allows you to refuse to use a power supply, but instead requires compliance with certain conditions. The total number of LEDs along the length of the existing segment should be a multiple of 60, which will allow you to divide the tape into 20 equal parts. All segments must be the same and have an equal number of LEDs. Otherwise, the voltage will be distributed unevenly, some fragments with excess power will quickly burn out.
The serial connection of the structure is carried out through a diode bridge and a capacitor.
Schemes for connecting LED strips to a 220 V network
If the strip is made of SMD 5630 LEDs, its power consumption exceeds 10 W per meter of length. Installation of such a tape is carried out on a metal base for effective heat removal. The flickering of light, which negatively affects the well-being of a person, can be completely eliminated by connecting a capacitor to the lighting network.
Connecting a 220 V RGB color LED strip is via an RGB controller that controls the brightness and light of the strip. According to the standard scheme, the controller is connected to the low-voltage output of the power supply. Then, an LED strip is connected to the corresponding controller terminals. Of the four wires, three are for color management, and the fourth is needed for power.Limitations on the length of the RGB tape - no more than 5 m in each segment. Parallel connection to a powerful power supply unit of two segments of 5 m at a time is possible.
High power LED strip is connected using AC / DC converters. This method is not only very simple, but also economical in cost, and also very convenient to operate.
The general connection diagram is as follows:
- Fragments that are multiples of 50 or 100 cm are cut from the tape.
- A layer of sealant is applied to the cut edge and a silicone connector is put on, which is also attached to the sealant.
- The wire from the rectifier is connected.
- Lighting is checked for operability and tightness of the protective layer.
The following connection options require special attention and careful installation work:
Belt length greater than 5 m
Serial connection of segments in this situation is excluded. As you move away from the power source, the voltage will drop, and the last segments will receive less power, which will result in weaker light. If you increase the voltage, the load on the tape will increase and its service life will be drastically reduced.
A parallel connection of the segments using wires with a cross section of at least 1 mm is recommended. You will also need one powerful power supply or several PSU models of lower power, the supply wires of which are connected in parallel.
You must connect a dimmer to the network
The device for controlling the brightness of the light is connected to the network between the power supply and the LED strip, correctly placing the input and output contacts: the first to the power supply, the second to the light source. If you want to connect several segments to the dimmer at once, whose total power is higher than the power of the regulator, it is recommended to use a signal amplifier.
If properly connected, the LEDs will be an excellent alternative lighting option, which does not require large installation and operation costs.
