LED Strip is a thin (0.25mm) flexible ribbon with copper conductors and electronic components e.g. 
LEDs, resistors, IC etc., mounted on the surface. Width may vary from 5 to 20mm and length from
30 cm to 40 meters. Certain models have self-adhesive tape to easy installation. LED Strips can be
cut every few centimetres (2.5 to 10cm depending on model) with cut off line usually market with a
sign . LED Strips are becoming increasingly popular as decorative element in both private and
commercial space.
LEDs, resistors, IC etc., mounted on the surface. Width may vary from 5 to 20mm and length from
30 cm to 40 meters. Certain models have self-adhesive tape to easy installation. LED Strips can be
cut every few centimetres (2.5 to 10cm depending on model) with cut off line usually market with a
sign . LED Strips are becoming increasingly popular as decorative element in both private and
commercial space.
The “Great Wall” strip does indeed look like a world famous wall. The only small
difference it’s actually build of LEDs rather than stone blocks. Inside of the “Great Wall”
DIP LEDs mounted on flexible PCB and buried in transparent silicon tube or clear epoxy.
LED stands for light-emitting diode. That is, simply, a semiconductor device that converts electricity to light by using
the movement of electrons. LEDs were invented in Russia in the 1920s. They were put into practical use in the United
States in the 1960s by General Electric . In the late 1960s, Monsanto Corporation was the first to mass-produce LEDs,
and Hewlett-Packard used them in its early calculators. Want to know more? Visit Wikipedia
the movement of electrons. LEDs were invented in Russia in the 1920s. They were put into practical use in the United
States in the 1960s by General Electric . In the late 1960s, Monsanto Corporation was the first to mass-produce LEDs,
and Hewlett-Packard used them in its early calculators. Want to know more? Visit Wikipedia
SMD: surface mounted package, the modern LED package technology
with a square or rectangular shape of LED chip.
DIP: double in-line package, this is the traditional LED package
technology.
LED Bar is a chain of LEDs mounted on hard PCB typically fibreglass or aluminium. Rigid LEDs
comes in Waterproof or Non-Waterproof variation and also multiple casing options. Compared to
LED strips bars are more robust and often used in construction and machinery due to its ability
to withstand significant mechanical impact. Also popular in trucks and boats as marker lights or
day lights.
This is a kind of product where LEDs are fully exposed. Indoor moisture or dust are OK
for them, but don’t spill coffee or drop into a fish tank, good chances they won’t survive.
Water-Resistant LEDs have some sort of protective material above LEDs. Typically this is
transparent soft Epoxy Cover or Silicon Tube. Protective material makes them tolerant to
liquids or mechanical intrusion, plus outer surface is smooth and easy to clean.
Fully Waterproof LED strips (IP68) are multi-layer protected, have highest available defence
grade and the only product that can be permanently submerged. Silicon tube filled with
Epoxy glue is the most popular protective combination for Waterproof LEDs.
LEDs Per Meter refers to number of LEDs installed on one (1) meter of PCB. Generally speaking more
LEDs leads to brighter light. In some cases where exceptional brightness required on relatively small
space LEDs could be packed in multiple rows or in clusters. Package density usually limited by mean of
heat dissipation or current. Single row LEDs usually packed in 30, 60, 90 or 120 LEDs per meter. Those
numbers could be relatively easily customized and numbers like 99/100, 72 or 140 are not uncommon.
LEDs leads to brighter light. In some cases where exceptional brightness required on relatively small
space LEDs could be packed in multiple rows or in clusters. Package density usually limited by mean of
heat dissipation or current. Single row LEDs usually packed in 30, 60, 90 or 120 LEDs per meter. Those
numbers could be relatively easily customized and numbers like 99/100, 72 or 140 are not uncommon.
LEDs per Meter
Number of LED’s models currently on market is literally uncountable. Every manufacturer has own
classifications and hundreds of models. Models vary in sizes, colours, brightness and who knows what
else. From the Decorative LEDs perspective most popular models are SMD (Surface Mounted Device)
3528, 5050,335 (side emitting) and DIP 3mm and 5mm LEDs.
LED MODELS
SMD 3528 refers to Surface Mounted LEDs packed in 3.5mm by 2.8mm case (that’s where it marking
comes from). Some time it also referred as 1210 in imperial (US) metrics. This is basic LED model
with single p-n junction, available in Red , Green , Blue , Yellow , Cool White and Warm White colours.
SMD 5050 refers to Surface Mounted LEDs packed in 5.0mm by 5.0mm (or 5.0 x 6.0mm)
case. The 5050 model consists of three p-n junctions (3 smaller LEDs) and by simple
maths should be three times brighter then single junction models like 3528 or 335. But, in
reality brightness of 5050 is only around 2.5 times of lower models. LEDs packed within
5050 case could be either of the same colour (monochromatic) or consists of different
colours typically Red-Green-Blue (RGB). Combination of three primary colours is able
to produce whole spectre of colours, thought in order to use this capability a
RGB Controller is required.
By its optical and electrical characteristics model 335 is identical to 3528. Distinctive characteristic
for model 335 is that it side emitting,where models 3528 and 5050 are top emitting. Side emitting
means that light beam direction is parallel to the surface where LED strip is mounted. This unique
characteristic allows LED Strips of 335 series to be mounted in very narrow space 2mm wide and
6mm dip. Available colors: Red , Green , Blue , Yellow , Cool White and Warm White.
LED SMD 335
Colours of modern discrete LEDs are not only cover whole visible spectre, but also good
chunks of Infra-red and Ultraviolet. And thought the colour options are endless, under the
decorative angle of view the most popular are primary colours i.e. Red , Green , Blue and
also few secondary colours like Yellow and Pink . Colours in between are often generated
as combination of three primary colours.
LED COLOURS
Warm white is rather natural or sun appearance color. Nice and soft, does not irritate eyes and is the
closest to incandescent light. Most popular in places where people relax like bedrooms, lounges,
hallways etc.
WARM WHITE
Wave length (WL) - 2700-3000K
COOL WHITE
Very bright white with sort of bluish tones. Blue tones in the light improve our ability to see contrast
and as such is good in workspaces like kitchen, workshops, offices etc.
Wave length (WL) - 4000K
RED
Wave length (WL) in range 640 – 650 nm
BLUE
Wave length (WL) in range 450-460 nm
GREEN
Wave length (WL) in range 550-560 nm
RGB
R G B LED is a combination of three discrete primary colour LEDs in single case.
Playing with different colour combinations and light intensity up to 16 million colours
can be generated.
The IP Code (or International Protection Rating, sometimes also interpreted as Ingress Protection
Rating) consists of the letters IP followed by two digits and an optional letter. As defined in
international standard IEC 60529, it classifies the degrees of protection provided against the
intrusion of solid objects (including body parts like hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and
water in electrical enclosures. (See the whole article at Wikipedia ).
IP CODE
Protection against hazardous parts
(e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts)
and the ingress of solid foreign objects.
Protection against harmful ingress of water
IP20
Fingers or similar objects
Not protected
IP65
No ingress of dust; complete protection
against contact
Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure
from any direction shall have no harmful effects.
IP68
No ingress of dust; complete protection
against contact
The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion
in water under conditions which shall be specified by
the manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the
equipment is hermetically sealed.
