The LED strip is made of LEDs and resistors placed on an elastic strip. Thanks to the silicone coating, the element becomes hermetic and resistant to external factors - dust and moisture. This design allows the use of waterproof LED strips for indoor and outdoor installations. Where can we use such a solution?

 

Waterproof LED strip - what is it?

The term LED waterproof strip is usually understood as LED strips that meet the requirements imposed by the IP (Ingress Protection) standard. It is an international standard of protection, compliant with the PN-EN 60529: 2003 standard, relating to the resistance of electrical devices to moisture and dust. Hermetic LED strips are in the range of IP 66 or IP68, which means they are more or less resistant to the effects of permanent immersion.

Covering with a layer of silicone makes such tapes ideal for illuminating places with high humidity, such as ponds, a garden or an aquarium. The layer of silicone increases resistance to mechanical damage, so waterproof LED strips are perfect for lighting shop shelves, terraces, driveways or facades.

The use of waterproof LED strips

In lighting stores, we will find several types of airtight tape. Before you buy skates, it is worth considering what exactly the model you will need. What types of diodes can we meet most often?

LED strips from the Ambient series are the perfect choice when we want to emphasize the aesthetic values of a given place. They create a delicate, bright accent. When choosing this solution, it is worth paying attention to the CRI color rendering. It is at a very high level of 90+, thanks to which the colors of the illuminated elements will be more real, and the final effect - more attractive. They can be used both in the garden to illuminate a pond or scalper, and in the bathroom to create an atmosphere and brighten the edges of the cabinets. In this case, the recommended protection level is IP66 or IP68.

The LED strip from the Vision series is mainly used for stronger lighting of external elements. Strips based on 2835 diodes, often mounted in a housing that meets the IP 68 standard, will work well as lighting of a facade, walls or an arbor. More versatile use means that these strips are often exposed to rain or snow, and therefore must meet additional requirements in terms of strength.

What do the four-digit LED codes mean? This is the size of individual light points for LEDs mounted in the Surface Mounted Device (SMD) technology. For 2835 diode it will be 2.8 mm x 3.5 mm, and for 2216 - 2.2 mm x 1.6 mm.

Waterproof RGB LED strips are a solution for those who like to play with light. The combination of the three colors of the LEDs allows for a smooth change of the color of the emitted light. Thanks to the use of a waterproof coating, these strips will be useful in many places - as an ornament on the facade of a building or balcony, or even as an element of Christmas decorations. Aquaristics enthusiasts often install them in the aquarium. Thanks to this, we can create a visually attractive effect and choose the right color for the living organisms located there.

What about the heat generated by the diodes?

When deciding to install waterproof LED strips, it is worth remembering about the need to support heat dissipation through the system due to the silicone layer that limits natural convection. Therefore, it is a good idea to mount the tapes on surfaces that facilitate the dissipation of the generated heat, e.g. in special aluminum profiles intended for LED strips.

How to install a waterproof LED strip?

Ordinary LED strips most often have a double-sided adhesive tape, so sticking it to almost any surface is not a problem. For our IP66 and IP68 LED strips, we have developed a method that allows you to use the same method. It is based on the appropriate preparation of silicone for the liner and a special double-sided adhesive tape. However, the best method of installation is to use neutral (acid-free) silicone.

Waterproof LED strips offer almost unlimited possibilities for creating lighting arrangements. All it takes is a bit of invention and we can create incredible visual effects from them.