

You can choose between soldering a new socket onto the strip or using a strip power source connector (Amazon). Most reels come with a pre-fitted socket, but cutting down the LED strip gets rid of this, so you’ll need to fit a new one. You’ll also need to decide how you’re going to connect the strip to the power source. Take your time and remember that LED strips are designed to be cut, so you’re not going to get a shock.

Then you’ll choose the cutting line on your LED strip that’s closest to this length of measure.Ĭut precisely along the cutting line with a sharp knife or pair of scissors. To do this, you should measure where you want the lights to go. Next, you’ll need to determine how long your LED strip needs to be. This may seem obvious, but in most cases cutting or soldering lights will void your warranty, so it’s better to double-check. Start by testing your lights to check that they work.
Led strip connector 4 pin 3ft long how to#
How To Cut Strip Light SafelyĬustomizing the length of your LED strip lights is relatively straightforward. This is definitely a good news as you don’t create any more waste and you can still reuse your second half. As I said earlier the cutting point represents the safe place to disrupt the circuit without permanently damaging it.Įach section between the cutting points is the circuit on its own, so it doesn’t matter which cutting point you decide to use as long as this is the only place where you do the cut. The short answer is yes, both sides of your LED strip light will work once you cut them. Will Both Sides Still Work Once You Cut Them? Locating these copper pads is a handy tip for ensuring that you’ve identified the cutting line correctly. So, for example, if there are 30 LEDs per meter, the cutting lines will typically be every 10cm.Īt each side of the black cutting line there should be copper soldering pads that form a symmetrical looking pattern. As a general rule of thumb, they’re usually every 3 LEDs.

These cutting lines will be different on each LED strip. When it comes to LED strip lights, there is no ‘one size fits all.’ But whether you need lights that are flexible or rigid, monochromatic or RGB, waterproof or non-waterproof, most LED strips will have one thing in common… they can be cut to custom lengths.Īt regular intervals throughout each LED strip will be straight or dotted black lines.Ĭircuits are entirely closed at these points, so these are the safest places to cut your LEDs without causing any damage. Keep reading for an easy-to-follow guide on how to cut LED strip lights, reconnect two separate pieces, and what to do if it all goes wrong. Cutting elsewhere on the LED strip will cause that circuit, and potentially the whole strip, to cease working.Ĭutting along a straight line sounds simple enough, right? You’d be surprised at how many people get it wrong and wreck perfectly good lights in the process.

LED strips are made up of several individual circuits, so each cut line demarcates the end of one circuit and the start of a new one. Yes, LED strip lights will carry on working after they’ve been cut as long as you cut along the designated lines. Will they continue to work if they are trimmed down? Most LED strips come as long reels between 3ft and 16ft in length.
Led strip connector 4 pin 3ft long series#
Favored for their versatility, LED strips to consist of a series of LED emitters installed onto a narrow, flexible circuit board. Whether you’re looking to illuminate your kitchen cupboards or backlight your TV, with LED strip lights, there’s a solution to everything.
