Blog – LED how to articles

LED technical tips to make installing flexible LED strips easy and faultless August 9, 2014 Our LED how to articles are designed to make it easy for a beginner to install a first flexible LED strip project with ease. Even seasoned professionals can benefit by perusing our LED technical tips. We receive support calls from both types of users. Sometimes misuse of the simplest things can cause an avoidable headache. Each full reel of flexible LED strip comes with a set of soldered on wire leads. Soldering connections are the best way to assure a good connection. However, not everyone has soldering equipment or soldering skills. EZ connectors, also called snap connectors, add extra convenience for those who are going to cut their flexible LED strip products to custom lengths. There are a few things you should know before you start. 1. What size is your product? We carry two general types. Our directional LED strips are made with 3528 LEDs and are on a circuit board which is 8mm wide. Our 30 LED per meter and 60 LED per meter flexible LED strips are made with 5050 LEDs and are on a circuit board which is 10mm wide. There is an EZ connector for both types. 2. Are you using RGB flexible LED strip? If so, there is an EZ connector specially made with the four wires you will need for connection to an RGB colour controller. 3. Do you need an EZ connector, or is it a couple you are looking for? EZ connectors have a snap connection on one side and two wire leads on the other side. EZ couplers have no wire leads. These allow you to connect shorter pieces of LED ribbon lights to each other to form one continuous strip. 4. What are you doing? Are you making a home run direct to the power source? Or are you making a 90-degree turn or looking to connect one piece of flexible strip to another with a length of wire in between? Double ended EZ connectors are available with one connector at each end and a length of wire in between to help you to make those side by side connections or bends and turns. We’ve compiled detailed instructions on how to use EZ snap connectors if you’d like to save or print for your future reference. The highlights are below. First of all, flexible LED strip products come with a paper backing on it which protects the 3M adhesive from exposure prior to installation. You do not want to remove that before attaching the EZ connector or coupler for two reasons: The adhesive may stick to the surface of the EZ connector, causing it to be very difficult to place properly; and even though very thin, the paper is just thick enough to help to provide a secure connection. It’s also important that you don’t even think of prying up the metal prongs. They are supposed to be quite tight, and if they are not, an electrical arc may occur and burn the end of your flexible LED strip

Step 1: If you look closely at your flexible LED strip, you will see cut marks with two copper connection points on either side of it. Cut on the line so you have two full connection points on either side of your cut. Cut only on these lines. You will also see a (+) and (-) marking on the strip

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Step 2: Open the connector by slipping your thumbnail under the edge and pressing upward. Orient the connector so the red wire matches up to the (+) marking on the strip. Directional flexible LED strip doesn’t have the (+) and (-) marking on it. For side-view LED strip, the red wire lines up on the side where the LEDs are

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Step 3: You will note flanges or ‘feet’ on the EZ connectors and couplers. Thread the flexible LED strip underneath these flanges. It is very important that you do not insert the strip on top of these flanges. Doing so is going to damage your flexible LED strip product and cause any one of a number of performance problems.

Step 4: Continue to slide the flexible LED strip under the metal contacts. The contacts are to rest on those round connection points we pointed out to you in step 1. If you were going to solder the wire directly to your flexible LED strip product, you would use those copper connection points. These metal contacts clamp down on to those points making the electrical connection so that you do not have to solder.

Step 5: Check to make sure that the strip has not ridden up over the flange or contact. If it has, re-insert it. Do not pry up the metal contacts. This will cause an electrical arc and will damage your goods. If you have forced the flexible LED strip in such a way that the end of it is bent or has become ragged, please start again and make a new cut at the next set of contact points. If you have already removed the paper backing, see tip below about using a small piece of scotch tape, matte side down on our new cut.

If you are using RGB LED strips, you will have four contacts. Line the connector up with the (+) at the black wire, followed by green, red and blue markings. Be sure all four metal contacts are on top of the copper connection points

When your strip is correctly inserted, close the EZ connector lid over the strip. Squeeze until the lid clicks shut. You do want to hear a click, so if your fingers don’t produce that ‘click’, use a pair of pliers to close the connector. Your strip is now ready to connect to the power source. You will also notice that there are tiny metal prongs on the underside of the EZ connector. When you securely close the connector, these little prongs make a tiny hole in the flexible LED strip as an additional means of keeping that connection tight and secure. If you open and close the connector numerous times, you are going to potentially make more than one hole, causing damage to your LED strips. Most people will read the instructions provided with EZ connectors and couplers and the installation goes without a hitch. Those who don’t complain of one of two things: Burning at the connection point, or that the strip only lights when the connector is pressed on. Both situations are easily solved by going over the instructions, cutting on the next set of solder points, and inserting the EZ connector properly. If you’ve already removed the paper backing, then it’s advisable to place a bit of scotch tape, smooth side down, on the strip before attempting to re-install the EZ connector. Keep in mind that we also sell flexible LED strip in 3′, 6′, 9′ and 12′ lengths as well as full reels. We install the EZ connector for you when you purchase cuts.

We’ll make customising your flexible LED strip project as easy as possible and as always are here to help.

By: Mary Wecker