LED Accessories –LED Light Strip Accessories

FACTS CHECKED BY  Bob Smith

Have you been asking yourself how to connect one LED strip to another? This article will elaborate on LED accessories and how to use them. To start with, LED strip accessories are the components for connecting LED lights. They may include wires, switches, adhesives, seals, dimmer and controller, connectors, splitters, jumpers, and more. 

It is essential to know how to use and assemble these accessories. Below we have provided a highlight of the vital accessories.

Power supply/adaptor

Power supply/adaptor

Getting the correct power supply for your LED strip lighting can be challenging. You need to consider several factors, like wattage rating and Dimmability. Compatibility is another essential factor to consider. It is disappointing to order an item online only to realize it is incompatible with your device.

The power supply function is to supply the correct amount of current to your LED strip light so that it works as required without overheating. Since the power supply works as a regulator to the current flowing to your LED strip, you should acquire one with the capability to convert 120 volts of AC to a lower voltage of DC required by your LED strip. 

Dimmer and Controller

Dimmer and Controller

Every user wants to control the light from their light sources by increasing or reducing the brightness. There are several ways to achieve this, but we shall cover the dimmer and controller in our article. These devices enable the user to reduce the brightness of the LED light.

The 12V  LED light strip dimmer converts the light from the LED strip using PWM output mode. Using RGB strip light, you should have a spare controller with 3 channels to mix different colors for the alternating color effect required for accent illumination.

Courtesy of technological advancement, Wi-Fi LED strip controllers are the best option as they allow you to dim LED strip lights using a smartphone. These dimmers come with several properties, making them the best choice to control numerous lights on your premises.

LED Strip Light with On/Off Switch

LED Strip Light with On/Off Switch

Most people prefer this method to regulate their light using an LED Strip toggle switch. On/Off switch helps the user to turn the LED light strip light on and off. The toggle switch comes with 12 inches and 2.1mm diameter cable for male and female connections. It works perfectly with 12V LED strip lights and a plug-in power converter.

It would be best if you plugged in the power supply into the female connection end and then plugged the other side into your LED strip. With only that, your LED light strip switch is set, and you can use it to switch on and off anytime you feel.

LED Strip Connector Accessories

LED Strip Connector Accessories

You must connect multiple LED strips to produce different colors effectively. You can increase the distance between one strip to another by using a gapless strip-strip connector.

LED strip-wire pinout, often written as a “pinout” is a cross-reference between contacts of an electrical connector and their functions. There’s a likening of pins as a male connector is the common method used to connect LED strip accessories. You only need to connect the strip to the wire then it goes through a gap where light should not appear and join the next strip. For instance, if you need cupboard lighting and space in the cabinet, that may be where your gas cooker sits, and you need the LED light to continue on the other end.

The LED light strip connectors come with a 4-pin strip connector for RGB types, or 2 pins LED strip connectors for single-color LED light strips. They work best with 20-25-gauge wire.

LED Strip Splitters

The LED strip splitters connect several strips to the same power source. LED strip splitters are usually known as Y cables or Y splitters due to their ability to divide in two directions. These LED splitters are available in 4,3, or 2-way splitters, making it easy to join many strips to the same power converter. They also come with single-color LED splitter cables and 4-pin RGB splitters. Besides, this becomes a bit hard when connecting strips in parallel in different directions.

LED Strip Jumpers

LED strip jumpers are nothing else other than LED light strip extension cables. The jumpers’ primary function is to bridge a space between the beginning of your LED light strip and the LED power supply. Like their counterparts, jumper cables fit well in RGB LED and single-color strips.

RGB LED strips require a 4-pin RGB extension cord to work correctly. The ribbon has a 4-pin make, different from alternating color strips. The jumper also has a 4-pin male adaptor for a unified connection. The 4-pin adaptor connects to the 4-pin female connector and the other RGB strip.

A single color strip requires a 2-pin LED cable to connect to one or the other end with standard size (2.1mm) barrel plug connectors. The barrel plug adaptors work in collaboration with every single color strip and dimmer. Their jumpers come with a female 2.1mm connector for plugging into a 12V power adapter, while the other end has a male connector for connecting to your LED strip lights.

LED Strip Wire

LED strip jumpers are essential but come in given lengths, which may not be pleasing for everybody since every LED light strip connection is different. You must cut down your LED light strips and connect a jumper with a wire at the center to isolate the strips in such a situation. 

The LED light strip power wires come with several cables. Each wire has a different code to avoid mixing up the connections. To make a good setup, use parallel connected lines rather than having separate threads. 

The LED strip wires are of two types:

  • 2-conductor wire – this is a 22-gauge bundled cable for use in single-color LED light strips. The 2 conductor wire consists of black and red wires that make it simple to have a single connection between the LED light strips. It works well with the 2-pin LED light strip wire connector.
  • 4-conductor wire– this is a 22-gauge bundled cable for use in RGB LED light strips. It works in RGB LED strips to connect a 4-pin LED light strip to connectors. 

Bottom line

As you have seen, acquiring LED strip accessories is not as easy as many people think since there are many accessories you need to add. You need to know a few things and have a plan. Remember, you don’t need to bide yourself to one LED type. You can use a variety around your enclosure or barbecue deck to create a beautiful environment at a lower price.

If you found this review helpful, do not hesitate to share it on your social media for others to learn. You can also visit our site for more information on LED accessories.

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