If you're after affordable and reliable lighting that's super easy and quick to install, look no further than LED strip lights. With a generation of people who are internet-savvy with ever-changing technology, it’s good to know that LED strip lights can be controlled by a smartphone or in-line switch.
For those who delay themselves switching the light off out of laziness, then you’ll be happy to know that most modern LED strip lights can be controlled by a remote as well.
Connecting strip lights is pretty straightforward, but if you're unsure what you're doing, the world of technology and the wide web can help massively.
Luckily, for those who have never connected strip lights before, many people have successfully followed online tutorials, youtube videos or blog posts to help them figure it out.
Clipping is the most common technique to use when connecting LED strip lights together. Not only are there informative videos to follow if you're unsure of the technique, but there are also some great strip connectors out there on the market available to buy.
Soldering is another popular, well-known way to easily install LED strip lights, but clipping has definitely proven to be the easier alternative.
Is It Difficult to Connect LED Strip lights?
If it's your first time connecting LED strip lights, then you could find it a little confusing. Saying this, opting to use clips to connect your strip lights is pretty straightforward.
If you're going to struggle, it would usually be if you decided to go down the soldering route, ultimately, it all comes down to what type of technique you decide to use.
Soldering LED light strips together isn't a very difficult process, but you don't always have to go down that route, especially if you're not mounting the lights to anything.
Clipping isn't an option if you're connecting LED strip lights to aluminium frames, so deciding to use either the soldering or clipping technique comes down to where you're putting the lights and what you want the lights to look like.
What's More Difficult - Soldering or Clipping?
Soldering and clipping are two of the most popular ways to connect LED strip lights, but whether you're a beginner or advanced at connecting LED strip lights, which technique should you go for and what's more difficult?
Soldering
Soldering LED strip lights allow an extended length, secure bonding and the chance to connect multiple strips. The process of soldering is relatively easy to follow and involves running a thin piece of wire along the back of the strip, making sure it's in line with the copper dots.
Once it's aligned properly, a soldering iron should be placed over the top of it at a recommended temperature of around 350 degrees celsius to fuse the wire and strip together to become one.
Clipping
The easiest, and most commonly used technique to connect LED strip lights is clipping. It's hassle-free and doesn't require much effort. Multiple LED strip lights can be joined together with the help of connecting clips.
Clipping just requires the strip to be slid through the clips until it's firmly secure underneath the two contract prongs. Once the LED strip lights are fitted in place, all you need to do is clamp the wire clip down and you're good to go.
What are LED Strip Lights Used For?
LED strip lights can be used for a variety of lighting purposes. Strip lights are solely used for accent lighting, kitchen lighting, commercial lighting and decorative lighting.
Many businesses, restaurants, shops and bars usually use LED strip lights for their business signs, as it's available in so many different colours as well as neon shades, which can definitely help catch people's eye.
Stairs, mirrors, picture frames and shelving are all on the list of different places where people like to use LED strip lights.
Whether it's for additional lighting around your house, or simply because they look funky and cool, LED strip lights are starting to become a necessity in many people's houses and businesses.
Main Benefits of LED Strip Lights
Apart from the great visual effect of LED strip lights, there are actually many other hidden benefits to LED strip lights.
Creativity
The only thing that limits you when it comes to LED strip lights is your imagination. You can have complete free reign anywhere you want with the power of strip lights.
Whether it's a Christmas tree, bed frame or shelf, LED strip lights have become super popular. Being able to get creative is one of the reasons LED strip lights are so great.
With the choice to combine different colours and styles, LED lights have mostly proven popular with the younger generation, making them a necessity to have in your room or dorm at university if you're wanting to jazz up your space.
Unlike most household lighting, you don't have to stick to one colour. LED strip lights are occasionally operated by a control, which gives you even more free reign creativity-wise.
Being able to swap to different colours with the click of a button from your bed is always an added bonus.
Energy Saving
Similar to most LED lights, strip lights are considerably more eco-friendly compared to the traditional incandescent light bulbs. LED strip lights require less electricity, but produce the same amount of light. The potential savings can be very significant.
An average LED strip light consumes around seven to 35 watts and has a longer life span compared to other types of bulbs.
Buying lights that have a long bulb life is key if your want to make more eco-conscious decisions around your home, and what better way to start than by purchasing LED strip lights?
Although strip lights can begin to dim over time after long usage, they actually have a life expectancy of 50,000 hours, which means they could shine bright for 17 whole years.
High Quality
Most LED strip lights are really high quality. Of course, some companies will make better quality LED strip lights compared to others, but overall, most have a really good, reliable light source and last for a long time.
