An RGB or RGBW LED strip is a lighting device consisting of several monochrome LEDs glowing in white, red, green or blue. It got its name thanks to the last three colors - the first letters of their English translation were taken (Red, Green, Blue - red, green and blue, respectively).

When it is directly connected to a DC source with a voltage of 12/24 V, it is impossible to realize the color effects for which such a tape was created. To provide a variety of colors and brightness, a special controller with a receiver for controlling the remote control (RC) is installed between the power source and the board. This receiver sets various programs according to which the RGB LED strip operates.

RGB technology

Multicolor tape was invented in the course of numerous scientific studies in which scientists tried to create a white glow from LEDs. Initially, blue phosphor diodes with a special white coating were used to produce it. Later, for these purposes, they began to use a strip with three LEDs - red, green and blue. All three are installed in one cell, and the emitted light is perceived by humans as white - this is RGBW technology.

By changing the brightness of a particular LED, you can get other colors and their shades. The number of the latter exceeds several hundred thousand. This is the main advantage of RGB technology over phosphor LED strips.

Device

Structurally, this is a flexible printed circuit board to which LEDs and resistors are attached, designed to reduce the current. Available in different widths - from 5 to 30 mm. The most popular LED strips are those with a set of six terminals, in which the LEDs are assembled inside a single housing.

LEDs are classified by size. The most common are SMD 5050 with dimensions of 5x5 mm. One linear meter of RGB strip can contain about 30 LEDs (a product with double density - 60). Power and luminous flux depend on the number of diodes and their size.

Tapes vary in degree of protection (IP00, etc.). The lower this parameter, the fewer options for using the lighting device. For example, poorly protected devices are operated exclusively in dry rooms, and products in a silicone shell are not afraid of even complete immersion under water (IP68).

To place the tape on surfaces, double-sided tape is attached to its back side. You can always cut it into pieces, choosing the required length. Manufacturers of devices independently mark the places of cuts with dotted lines, and the “scissors” symbol is also depicted there. Cut the flex board in these areas, since this is the only area where the pads are installed for connecting to the power supply, followed by soldering or using connectors.

Controller for RGB strip

To take advantage of all the capabilities of the RGB strip, connect controllers to the circuit that perform a number of functions:

• remote control control;
• changing the brightness of LED diodes;
• change in glow color;
• mode selection - switching the frequency of color changes and their iridescence;
• combination of primary colors to obtain new shades.

When choosing an RGB controller, consider two main criteria - compatibility with the connected strip and control method.

Such a controller can be controlled by:

• via a Wi-Fi network using a tablet or smartphone;
• remote control with infrared diodes;
• without remote control (switch on the wall).

The last option is relevant if there is no need to frequently switch tape modes.

The main physical parameter characterizing an RGB controller is its rated power. To calculate it, take the formula Mk = Ml*L*Km, where:

• Mk - rated power of the controller;
• L - length of the segment in meters;
• Ml - tape power in W/m;
• Km is the power factor of the product.

The voltage required to power the controller must be the same as that of the RGB strip.

Amplifier for RGB strip

Another element used when connecting RGB boards is an amplifier. If the length of the tape exceeds five meters, you cannot do without it.

The product is equipped with two terminals - Input (input) and Output (output), and each of them has the same contact pads as the tape itself - R, G, B and “+”. There are terminals for connecting power - “plus” and “minus” (VDD and GND, respectively).

If there is sufficient power, 12 or 24 V is supplied from the additional unit. Connect the common ends of the tape to the Input terminals on the amplifier, then connect the Output terminal. At the end, the control unit is connected through the positive and negative terminals VDD and GND. It is very important to maintain polarity, otherwise the diodes will not light.

As a result, the connection algorithm is as follows: power supply, controller, first piece of tape, amplifier, second piece. Such an electrical circuit is controlled using one remote control.

If it is necessary to use several tapes of five meters or more in length, a second amplifier and control unit are connected to the circuit. The presence or absence of the latter is determined by the power of the glow. Parallel connection of power supplies is strictly prohibited - only using a diode bridge.

An amplifier is a bulky electrical element, so there is not always enough space for its convenient placement. If necessary, it can be replaced with a micromodel of reduced power (make sure that it is sufficient for the operation of the tape).

Important! If the power of the main amplifier is slightly lower than that required for the LED strip, purchase an additional microamplifier for the kit and connect it in series to the existing one.

power unit

LED RGB strips operate from 12 or 24 V power sources. When choosing a control unit, pay attention to several important physical conditions:

• the voltage and power of the unit must meet the stated requirements for RGB;
• Depending on the installation location, the device must be characterized by one or another degree of moisture protection.

Important! If you make mistakes when choosing, the unit will overheat greatly and after a short period of time will fail.

There are several types of power supplies that can be found on the market:

• with an aluminum body, high tightness and protection against moisture penetration, but high cost;
• mini-product in a plastic case, partially protected from moisture, at a lower cost;
• an open unit located in a perforated housing, characterized by the largest dimensions and high power, requires additional means of protection from moisture;
• network block - average power.

Read the instructions that came with the RGB strip. The power is indicated there for one linear meter. Multiply this value by the length of the flexible board, then increase the resulting value by 30% (there should always be a power reserve). As a result, you will find out the power of the power supply required for the selected LED strip.

Popular connection schemes

The implementation of any circuit requires a little knowledge, including an understanding of how to correctly divide an electrical product into parts.

Standard connection diagram

Observe the following installation procedure:

1. Connect the controller to the power supply via the output (reduced) voltage terminals.
2. Positive wires are highlighted in red, negative wires are highlighted in black.
3. Connect the LED strip to the controller via three contact pads - R, G, B (control of three primary colors) and VDD (plus).

Option for connecting two LED strips

If you need to power two LED strips simultaneously, consider the following points:

• you will need two power supplies and two amplifiers for RGB;
• follow the order of connecting the wire in accordance with the color marking;
• the circuit is suitable for supplying current to sections of boards whose length reaches 10 meters.

Basic rule: if at least two strips are connected to the circuit, their parallel connection is ensured (series will reduce the voltage power for LEDs located at the far ends from the power source and amplifier).

Connecting an RGB strip 20 meters long

When choosing a powerful power supply, you can use the “controller-amplifier-unit” connection diagram. In all other cases, two or more blocks are required.

Step-by-step installation instructions

When connecting an RGB color strip yourself, strict adherence to the algorithm is required:

1. Finding the installation site and preparing the surface. First, decide on the installation location, and then level the surface to which the LED strip will be attached. It could be a ceiling, a door, etc. Be sure to degrease it using any solvent, otherwise the double-sided tape will come off after a short period of time. When attaching to metal surfaces, additional electrical insulation is required.
2. Most LED RGB strips are self-adhesive - remove the protective film from the back and carefully press the product to the surface of the selected location. When making bends, their radius should be no more than 20 mm, otherwise problems may occur. Cut the tape in strictly designated places. When connecting different parts, use special connectors or a soldering iron (more about this in a separate article).
3. Connecting the electrical circuit. Select the LED strip connection diagram from those suggested above. Combine the product with a controller, amplifier and power supply. Plug the latter into the network using an electrical plug. Connect the black wire of the unit to the V- terminal on the amplifier, the red wire to V+. Combine the wires of the LED strip with the contact pads of the controller in accordance with their color and designation: red - R, green - G, blue - B. The last wire is connected to the positive terminal - V+.
4. The backlight operates from a 220 V network. Check its operation using the remote control.

Correct connection and operation of the RGB LED strip will allow you to create a unique atmosphere at home, decorate office or residential premises, or an outdoor gazebo. The presence of certain electrical products in the selected circuits depends on the length of the board, the number and standard size of the LED diodes used.

When connecting a regular monochrome tape, you should adhere to three basic rules:

• connection is made in parallel in sections of no more than 5 meters

• the tape is mounted on an aluminum profile

• The power supply is always selected with a power reserve

The same rules are fully applicable for multi-color RGB tape. However, there are some peculiarities here. They are connected with the use of an RGB controller in the connection diagram.

RGB controller

In addition, be sure to remember that full-fledged rgb backlighting can be made using SMD 5050 LEDs. They are the ones that implement the ability to change colors in one light source.

This is achieved due to the fact that the LED is assembled from three crystals. In all other types of SMD 2835, SMD 3528, one LED can shine in only one color.

Because of this, small dips in illumination may occur in the backlight, when neighboring LEDs simply will not light up and the strip of light will not look solid and continuous. Examples and disadvantages of such models can be found in the articles “” and “”.

The RGB controller is connected after the power supply. With its help, you can change not only colors, but also the brightness of lighting, different operating modes, the intensity of color changes, etc.

For the light-music mode, when colors run in different directions and replace each other, special controllers will be required. They are called DMX.

You can connect a certain length of LED strip directly through the controller. The maximum is 5 meters or 10 meters when connecting two sections of five in parallel.

What to do if you have multi-colored lighting more than 10 meters away? For the monochrome version, everything is solved by parallel connection of individual pieces. For example, you connect 3 sections of 5m each and have full illumination 15m long.

For RGB strips, it is possible to solder and connect 5-meter sections in parallel, but there are some nuances with direct connection to one controller.

Connection diagram for RGB LED strip 5m or 10m long

First, let's consider the option when you have a total length of LED backlighting of only 5m or 10m, that is, two solid strips connected in parallel, 5m each. What is needed in this case?

• power supply that converts 220V from the network into 12 or 24V necessary for the backlight to operate

• RGB controller

Unlike the power supply, it can be selected without a power reserve, which is called back-to-back. The main thing is to correctly calculate the power of the tape itself.

For example, if 1 m consumes 14.4 W (data can be found on the packaging or from tables, according to the type of LED), then 10 m will respectively “eat” 144 W. This is the power you buy the controller for.

How to connect all this correctly? Firstly, 220V must be supplied to the power supply itself. Usually on the left there are two terminals marked L (phase), N (zero) and ground. Here the polarity of L and N is not necessary.

• Light with BGR V+ contacts

They are deciphered as:
B (blue) – blue

G (green) – green

R (red) – red

V is the common plus on the LED strip. Directly on the tape it can be signed as “+12” or simply “+”. All other three rgb pins are negative.

• Power with “+” and “-” contacts

Unlike monochrome tape, the RGB version has not two contacts, but four. And sometimes all five!

The fifth is responsible for white light, since normal white natural lighting cannot be obtained from a combination of RGB colors. These LED strips are called RGBW or RGBWW.

Therefore, check in advance how many contacts for soldering wires the tape has and buy the appropriate controller. This is especially true when shopping through online stores.

The Power contacts are supplied with 12 or 24V voltage from the power supply.

Look for terminals on the block labeled “V+” and “V-“. Instead of “V-“ they sometimes write “COM”.

If you mix up the order, connect red to green or vice versa, nothing bad will happen, the colors on the control panel will just get confused.

By the way, in extreme cases, an RGB LED strip can be connected without a controller at all, directly to the unit.

To do this, you need to twist all three rgb wires into one and apply a minus wire to it, and a positive wire to the second one.

True, in this case, there can be no question of any multi-colored lighting. However, it can be considered as one of the lighting options if the controller fails.

If you correctly connect the RGB strip according to the first option, you should have the following sequence: 1 Power supply
2 Controller
3 RGB LED strip

RGB tape 15-20 meters long

If you need to connect 15, 20 meters or more, this option with only one controller will no longer work. There are two ways out:

• use two controllers

• use RGB amplifier

The first option is inconvenient due to higher costs. And secondly, you will have two control panels, each of which is responsible for different sections of the tape. And how you synchronize them is another question.

Therefore, the best option is when everything is controlled from one controller and one remote control. This can be easily achieved using an rgb amplifier.

From the name it is clear that its purpose is to amplify the signal from the controller. True, some are mistaken in believing that it is needed for a brighter glow of the tape. And it can be used for this purpose even for 5-meter sections. This is wrong.

It is selected based on the power not of the entire length of the LED strip, but only of the section that is connected to it, in addition to the first 5 or 10 meters.

Amplifier connection diagram

The amplifier has input-input and output-output terminals. The input and output have the same contacts as the controller - a common plus and colors.

There are also power connection terminals:

• VDD or "+"

• GND or "-"

Voltage 12-24V can be supplied either from an additional unit or from a general one, if its power allows.

To connect, place the common ends of the previous section of the LED strip into the input terminals of the amplifier.

After this, place the power conductors from the unit under the VDD and GND screws.

As a result, you should get the sequence: 1 Power supply
2 Controller
3 LED strip No. 1
4 Amplifier
5 LED strip No. 2

The assembled lighting according to this scheme will work and be controlled from one remote control.

If you need to connect another 5-10 meters of tape, another amplifier is added to the circuit, and possibly an additional power supply (depending on the lighting power).

Just keep in mind that the power supplies themselves cannot be paralleled directly with each other. This must be done through a diode bridge. Therefore, they must be separated from each other through separate sections of tapes.

This way you can assemble multi-colored lights of any length to suit your needs. The main thing is to find a place to place all this equipment.

When there is not enough space, a micro model can be used instead of a large amplifier.

It resembles something like an adapter, and its size is appropriate. At the same time, it copes well with its task of signal amplification.

In addition, it can be used if you lack the power of your controller. For example, the power of the entire LED strip is 110W, but the controller is only 70W.

In order not to change it, just buy such a mini amplifier, connect the two elements in series and enjoy the lighting.

By the way, the controller itself may be of the same miniature size.

RGB LEDs (multicolor) allow you to create backlighting in which you can change the intensity and color of the light emission.

There are tapes for living rooms (IP20) and rooms with high levels of humidity or dust (IP67-69).

Specialists must be hired to connect the RGB LED strip if you cannot independently calculate the equipment parameters and create a circuit.

The technical characteristics of LEDs do not make it possible to obtain a white glow. The limitation was eliminated when scientists invented products with phosphor. The next step is an RGB LED, which has 3 crystals: red (Red), green (Green) and blue (Blue). Mixing them (RGB technology) allows you to get almost any color and shade of light. Tapes made from these light sources provide more options than products made from phosphor diodes.

Device

An SMD RGB LED is a board on which crystals of three colors may not be connected to each other or connected through a common anode or cathode. In the first option, the LED has 6 pins, in the second – 4. Their purpose is indicated on the installation site. To change the color of the glow, change the brightness of one of the colors.

LED RGB strip is a flexible board 8-20 mm wide, on which diodes (with or without housing) and resistors are installed. The most commonly used are SMD 5050; there can be 30 or 60 of them per linear meter. The voltage and luminous flux parameters depend on the quantity. Fastening is carried out with double tape located on the back side of the strip. Silicone coating is used to increase the level of protection.

The standard length of RGB tape is 5 meters; if necessary, it can be cut along the dotted lines. The cut points are equipped with contacts that are used to connect to the power source. The purpose is indicated by the “+” sign and the letters R, G, B.

Controller for RGB strip

It is believed that the multi-color LED strip cannot be connected to the power supply without a controller. Its power is selected based on the power of the tape. The purpose of this device is to create light effects by changing the brightness and color of the radiation. For control, a remote control is used that emits infrared or radio waves, or Wi-Fi. Control via the Internet is more effective in terms of creating lighting effects.

Most of these controls have 3 control channels (one for each color). The backlight operating mode can be controlled manually or using programs included in the device. The anode is controlled by a microprocessor that turns the colors off/on. You can connect a strip of a certain length to one regulator (5 m or 2 pieces of 5 m in parallel). If the parameter is greater, an amplifier is included in the circuit.

Attention! A controller is not needed if the RGB LED strip is connected to a battery(s). Such lighting can be installed on a balcony, in a bathroom, barn, garage, cellar, or country house without light.

You need to select any batteries that can provide the voltage required for a specific LED light source, and solder them (or place them in a special container). The strip with diodes indicates the voltage required for one meter. Data on individual chains are available in reference books.

Read also How to Measure and Improve LED Efficiency

A toggle switch is soldered between the light source and the power supply (plus to plus). Such a tape can also be useful in case of power outages in a city apartment.

Amplifier for RGB strip

The purpose of the amplifier connected to the power supply is to repeat the controller signals. It is equipped with input and output terminals and input contacts: the “+” sign and the letters R, G, B. Power (12 or 24 V) is connected via “+” (VDD) and “-” (GND) . There are micro-models rated at 20-30 W. With their help, meter sections of the LED strip are connected. The connection to the main equipment (if there is insufficient power) is carried out in series.

power unit

When choosing a power supply, the conditions at the installation site and the expected load are taken into account. It is advisable to provide a power reserve of up to 30%.

Power supplies are classified according to various criteria. They can be fully sealed, semi-sealed or non-sealed. The design determines the installation location - a sealed model must be purchased for installation in the fresh air. Power 12-800 W at current 1-66 A. Cooling can be active or passive, housing made of plastic or metal.

Since there are no devices that work forever, the best option is to connect individual lighting or backlighting areas to separate energy sources. This eliminates the possibility of being left completely without light if one of the devices fails.

The power of the electricity source is calculated using the formula: Msh = N*P*S*1.3, where:

• N – number of diodes on the meter;
• P – power of one SMD;
• S – length of the segment;
• 1.3 – power reserve.

Popular connection schemes

The ease of connecting a color LED strip makes it possible to carry out this work yourself with a small level of knowledge and skills in electrical engineering. If they are not there, it is better to invite a specialist.

Standard connection diagram

To connect to the controller power supply using connectors or soldering, a two-wire wire is used; to connect the LED strip, a four-wire wire is used. The wire cross-section is from 0.25 mm, connections with connectors are more reliable. The system is connected to the household network using a standard socket.

Attention! It is very important not to break the polarity of the connections!

Most often, inexperienced electricians connect equipment incorrectly. A certain sequence must be followed: power supply, control device, LED strip. If an amplifier is required, it is connected between the controller and the tape.

For economy class products, it is imperative to check the soldering points on the reverse side after tearing off the adhesive tape. It happens that they are exposed, and after installation on a metal profile, a short circuit occurs, disabling the LED strip.

Another common mistake is connecting a section longer than 10 meters to one power supply, in the expectation that the lack of power will be compensated by the amplifier. Even with a reserve, the energy source and diodes will not be able to work for a long time.

Option for connecting two LED strips

If you connect 2 LED strips (10 m) in series, the brightness of the second segment will decrease.

It is connected in parallel to the amplifier if the regulator has enough power. Otherwise, you need to buy an additional power supply. The control device is connected to one source, and the amplifier to the second. The additional section is powered from an amplifier located nearby (no need to run wires from the regulator to the amplifier).

As a result, we get 2 chains:

• power supply unit, controller, LED strip;
• power supply unit, amplifier, LED strip.

In this article we will talk about the electrical circuit for connecting an RGB strip. The connection diagram for an RGB tape is similar to the connection diagram for a single-color tape, but there are differences.

To control the color of the RGB strip, you need to install a controller, which is installed between the power supply and the RGB strip. Also, unlike a single-color RGB tape, the tape has four wires instead of two switching wires.

Three wires are needed to control the brightness of red, green and blue, plus a common fourth power wire. Controllers vary in appearance, they can differ in power, size, and how they are controlled (remote control, buttons, mobile phone, another controller).

You need to understand that different controllers have different capabilities, some are simple and have a small set of functions (in most cases they are enough for interior lighting), while others have “sophisticated functions” that are only needed in show business, for stage lighting . For example, some controllers have a night light function, while others do not have such a function.

Connection diagram for RGB controller for LED strip

Whatever controller you choose for the backlight, it is always connected according to the same circuit. The controller is powered through the “V+” and “V-” connectors.

The power supply also has the designations “V+” and “V-”. To connect the controller to the power supply, you need to connect the wire “V+” of the controller to “V+” of the power supply and “V-” of the controller to “V-” of the power supply. The RGB tape is connected to the controller connectors, which are designated as follows:

1. R (red) - red color control
2. G (green) - green color control
3. B (blue) - blue color control
4. “V+” common wire. Be careful not to confuse the colors of the RGB tape and the colors of the RGB controller.

If you mix it up, the controller will not work correctly, for example, you press a button on the remote control to light up red, but it will light up, for example, green.

RGB strip control panel: The color of the button indicates what color the RGB strip will glow

How to connect more than 5 meters of tape?

Some installers make a mistake when connecting a tape longer than 5 m; they connect the beginning of the second piece to the end of the first piece of 5-meter tape.

This is strictly prohibited! In the case of such a connection, the LED strip will work in the wrong mode, a large current will flow through the first 5-meter section and heat it up, which will lead to degradation of the LEDs and their failure, and the second piece of strip connected to the end of the first will receive less current and weaker light. This design works, but not for long. There are two ways to extend the RGB strip.

Connection diagram for RGB strips with one power supply

For this circuit you will need a four-core wire with a cross-section of 0.75mm2 and a length of 5m or 2 two-core wires. It is also important to consider that the power of the controller outputs must be greater than the total power of the tapes connected to these outputs, otherwise the RGB controller outputs will fail.

Our experience shows that the excess power should be 1.5 times. Also, the power of the power supply must be 1.5 times greater than the total power of the connected RGB strips. An increase in the power of the controller and power supply entails an increase in their dimensions, and this, in turn, makes it difficult to install them in ceiling niches.

Since you need to provide a special place for them at the renovation stage, this is not very convenient. But there is another way, this is not to increase the size of the power supply and controller, but to increase their number while maintaining the same compact dimensions, and use an RGB amplifier.

Connection diagram of LED RGB strips using an RGB amplifier

In this circuit, an additional power supply and an RGB amplifier are used to connect an additional piece of 5-meter tape. From the output of the first section of the RGB LED strip, we send the signal through 4 wires to the input of the RGB amplifier, and connect the output of the RGB amplifier to the input of the second 5-meter section, also through 4 wires.

We also connect a second power supply to the RGB amplifier. The main thing here is not to confuse the wires responsible for controlling the color of the RGB strip. On the tape, for example, the wire responsible for the red color is marked with the letter “R”; it must be connected to the RGB connector of the amplifier, also marked with the letter “R”. Do the same with the remaining wires.

Connecting an RGB amplifier

1. Power supplies are much smaller and require less space to hide them.
2. With this circuit, you can use all controllers that are on sale; you don’t need to look for controllers with powerful outputs.
3. You can connect any amount of tape footage. To make it more clear, below is a picture of connecting two pieces of tape of 5 meters each.

Again. If we connect one piece of tape 5 meters long, then we use an RGB controller and a power supply; for an additional 5 meters we need to take another amplifier and power supply.

A controller for an LED strip with a remote control is a sought-after element of a modern interior. With such lighting you can highlight a certain area in a living space and create very interesting media facades. Thanks to their beauty, practicality and low price, such lighting devices quickly gained popularity, so many people have a question about how to install and configure them.

General information about ribbons

Tapes are often installed in a ceiling niche above a certain area in the apartment (for example, above a sleeping area or dining area). Many residents cannot say exactly what color they need, and over time, the same lighting can get boring. In such a situation, an RGB controller for an LED strip will help out, with which the backlight can be adjusted individually.

The name RGB itself means three words - Red, Green, Blue, that is, red, green and blue. From such a limited range of color options, it is difficult to choose just one color, which is why many craftsmen recommend installing controllers. Thanks to these devices, residents will be able to customize colors to their liking, such as yellow, orange, purple, and also adjust their intensity.

Before purchasing LED strips, you need to understand a little about their classification. Usually there are two of them:

• SMD 3528;
• SMD 5050.

Both types of tapes differ in dimensions and parameters: the first has side dimensions of 3.5 mm by 2.8 mm, the second - 5 mm by 5 mm, which is reflected in the names themselves. The abbreviation SMD (Surface Mounted Device) literally means “surface mounted device”.

Another important feature is the power of the luminous flux. In SMD 3528 it is lower, since in such a strip the LEDs are single-chip, while in SMD 5050 they are three-chip. The second type will shine brighter, but it will consume 3 times more power.

An important parameter is the number of LEDs per 1 meter of strip, where there can be 30, 60, 120 or 240 pieces. The more LEDs, the brighter the backlight will shine. But strips with many small bulbs will cost more. Experts advise not to purchase too bright devices, since 60 diodes per 1 meter are enough to illuminate a niche in the ceiling. To decorate furniture, you can purchase the simplest tape with 30 diodes. Such recommendations are optimal for any interior.

To install lighting in a ceiling niche, for example, you can take an SMD 5050 type tape containing 60 diodes per 1 meter. It has the following characteristics:

• LED color - RGB, that is, multi-color;
• number of diodes - 60 pieces per 1 meter;
• power - 14 W/m;
• voltage - 24 V.

Also on the packaging will be the abbreviation IP with adjacent numbers. This characteristic indicates the degree of protection. For example, the box says IP33, which means the following:

1. The first number 3 indicates the degree of protection against foreign bodies and other contacts with the lighting device. On a scale of 0 to 5, it indicates protection against small particles up to 2.5 mm in size.
2. The second number 3 indicates the degree of protection against water. LEDs are protected from oblique splashes at an angle of up to 60 degrees.

The tape is wound on a reel (or reel), its standard length is 5 meters, so it is best to purchase two reels, since often 5 to 8 meters, and sometimes more, are required to illuminate various niches. The device is conventionally divided into several small segments, each of which contains 6 LEDs. The segments are a completely independent lighting fixture that will light up when connected to the network.

LED strip is very flexible, so it can be mounted in niches of any complexity and shape, not to mention straight lines and transitions. On the back of the LEDs there is a sticky double-sided tape, thanks to which the colored structure will firmly stick to any surface.

The tape can be shortened if necessary. To do this, it always indicates the location of the cut with a scissors icon and a line. Failure to comply with this rule will lead to the fact that when divided in the wrong place, the working tracks will be damaged, which means the LED strip will be damaged.

Installing LEDs in a niche

It is necessary to install colored LED lighting in the existing niche in the ceiling. The perimeter of the niche is 8 m, there is 10 m of tape in a skein, therefore, it will need to be shortened to the required length strictly along the cut section.

It is best to mount a plastic electrical appliance not to a wall or niche box, but to a cable channel previously purchased for this purpose. If the perimeter is greater than the length of the whole skein, then you need to step back approximately 10 mm from the edge of the glued tape and attach another one. It turns out that along the edges of each segment there should be wires hanging freely, four for each.

Since multicolor LEDs are selected for illumination, the sections are equipped with four wires, three of which (red, green and blue) indicate colors, and the fourth (black) is the common terminal. Single-color lighting has only two wires. If there are metal screws in the place where the LEDs will be located, it is recommended to insulate them with electrical tape.

Power supply for RGB

In order to connect the LED backlight to the network, you must purchase a power supply. Connecting RGB directly to a 220 V network is strictly prohibited, as this will lead to instant burnout of the backlight. This unit must be purchased with a voltage corresponding to this indicator for LEDs, that is, 12 V or 24 V.

It is easier to connect a single-color tape, since it is connected directly to the block itself. With RGB it's a different story because you'll need a controller. It will act as a color regulator. If you do not use it, the color changing function will be lost. The controller, like the unit itself, must have an appropriate output voltage.

The power of the power supply must match the power of the LEDs. The manufacturer usually indicates this indicator per 1 meter of tape, for example, 14 V. It is easy to calculate that 8 meters will have 112 V, which means the unit should have a power of 112 V. It is necessary that it have a current reserve of approximately 20- 30%.

A high-quality power supply must have high stability of the output voltage, have a built-in electromagnetic interference filter and protection against voltage surges, overloads or short circuits. Its body should be made of perforated metal, which promotes good ventilation and the absence of overheating. If its temperature during operation reaches 70 degrees, then the load should be reduced.

The power supply is installed taking into account the free space around it, which will provide it with natural ventilation. If this is not possible, then it will be necessary to consider installing forced ventilation. When you need to install two blocks for RGB, you should not place them close to each other.

Backlight controller

The controller for LED backlight must be selected taking into account the power and output voltage. All other characteristics (functionality, programs and other additional features) are designed solely for the taste and needs of users. The device is installed next to the power supply. The controller should also be accompanied by a remote control, which has a compact shape and touch control buttons.

Network connection

To connect the power supply, you need to supply power (220V) from the switch to the “phase” (L) and “zero” (N) terminals of the block. The power cable conductor (PE) must be connected to the “Ground” terminal. The controller is connected from the output terminals to the input terminals as follows:

• +V - DC+;
• -V-DC-.

If you neglect the polarity when connecting the controller, then it will simply fail.

At the very end, you can connect the RGB strip itself. Everything is as simple as possible here: the red wire is connected to output R, green - to G, blue - to B. If you mix up the outputs and wires, then nothing bad will happen, the backlight will work properly, but when setting colors from the control panel, interesting inconsistencies may arise , for example, residents will want to illuminate the ceiling in blue, but it will shine green.

It is important to know that only a five-meter tape or shorter can be connected to the controller. This is due to the fact that each LED track is designed to carry a certain maximum current. If you connect a five-meter tape with several more meters of the same one, the current will increase and the diodes will burn out very quickly. When it becomes necessary to connect a long ribbon, then It is highly recommended to purchase an additional RGB amplifier.

After the work has been done, all that remains is to check how the built-in backlight works. To do this, you just need to press the power button on the remote control, after which the ceiling will light up red (standard mode). In the second and third modes, the backlight will be blue and green, respectively.

The remaining modes will allow you to select other colors, such as yellow, orange, purple, pink, blue, light green, etc. This stage of checking the RGB operation is considered final, it indicates that the LED strip is installed correctly.