LED strips have become one of the most popular lighting solutions for homes, businesses, shops, and decorative projects, and it is not hard to see why. They are flexible, compact, energy-efficient, and come in a huge range of colours and brightness levels.
But how do LED strips actually work? What do terms like RGB, RGBCW, COB, 12V, 24V, and IP65 really mean? And more importantly, how do you choose the right LED strip for your project?
At Guan Seng Electrical, we supply LED lighting products for residential, commercial, and decorative applications, so these are questions we get asked often.
In this guide, we will walk through the basics of LED strips, how they work, where they are commonly used, and what to consider before buying one.
What Is an LED Strip?
An LED strip, also known as LED tape or LED ribbon, is a flexible circuit board with multiple LED chips mounted along its length.
A typical LED strip is made up of a few key parts:
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LED chips that produce the light
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A flexible PCB that carries electrical power
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Resistors and other components that regulate current
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Adhesive backing for easy mounting
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A protective coating, on certain models, for added moisture and dust resistance
LED strips are usually sold in reels, and most can be cut to shorter lengths at specific cutting points marked along the strip.
(image source: envato.com)
How Do LED Strips Work?
LED strips produce light by converting electrical energy through LED chips. Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, LEDs do not rely on a heated filament to glow. Instead, electricity passes through a semiconductor inside the LED, which produces light far more efficiently.
Most LED strips run on low voltages, typically 5V, 12V, or 24V, which means they need a suitable power supply to work.
At its simplest, the setup looks like this:
Wall power -> LED power supply -> LED strip -> Light.
For RGB or RGBCW strips, a controller is added into the mix:
Wall power -> Power supply -> Controller -> LED strip
Whichever setup you use, the power supply always needs to match the LED strip's required voltage.
Why Do LED Strips Need a Power Supply?
LED strips cannot usually be plugged straight into a standard household power outlet. A power supply is what converts mains electricity down to the correct low voltage the strip needs to run safely.
It is also worth checking the total wattage of your installation before you buy a power supply. For example, if a strip uses 10W per metre and you are installing 5 metres of it, that works out to:
10W × 5m = 50W
From there, choose a power supply with enough capacity to cover that load, ideally with a bit of extra headroom built in.
12V vs 24V LED Strips
The two most common LED strip voltages you will come across are 12V and 24V.
12V strips tend to suit smaller installations, such as cabinets, furniture, bedrooms, and other decorative projects.
24V strips are generally the better choice for longer runs or commercial and architectural applications, since they experience less voltage drop over the same distance.
Which voltage is right for you really comes down to the length and demands of your specific installation.
What Is Voltage Drop?
Voltage drop happens when the voltage gradually decreases as electricity travels along the length of the strip. It becomes more noticeable on longer runs, and often shows up as dimming toward the far end of the strip.
A few things can help reduce it: choosing the right voltage for the job, splitting longer runs into shorter sections, feeding power in from multiple points, or simply using appropriately sized wiring.
For bigger installations, a bit of planning around the power layout goes a long way toward keeping the lighting consistent from end to end.
(image source: envato.com)
What Are RGB and RGBCW LED Strips?
RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue. These strips combine the three colours to create a wide range of lighting effects, controlled through a compatible controller that adjusts colour and brightness.
RGB strips tend to be popular for:
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Gaming rooms
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Bedrooms
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Entertainment areas
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Retail displays
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Signage
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Restaurants and events
RGBCW strips go a step further, adding a dedicated white LED channel alongside the colour LEDs. That means you get the option of vibrant coloured lighting when you want it, and a proper white light when you need something more practical.
This combination makes RGBCW a good fit when you want both decorative flair and everyday functional lighting from the same strip.
What Is CCT?
CCT stands for Correlated Colour Temperature, and it describes how "warm" or "cool" white light appears. It is measured in Kelvin (K).
The common ranges are:
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Warm white: 2700K to 3000K
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Neutral white: 3500K to 4500K
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Cool white: 5000K to 6500K
CCT-adjustable strips let you shift between these different shades of white using a compatible controller, rather than being locked into one fixed tone.
What Is a COB LED Strip?
COB stands for Chip on Board, and it refers to LED chips packed closely together to create a smoother, more continuous line of light. This helps reduce the visible dotting effect that can sometimes show up with standard LED strips.
COB strips work particularly well for:
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Cove lighting
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Cabinets
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Shelving
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Furniture
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Display lighting
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Architectural applications
If a smooth, continuous glow is what you are after, COB is well worth considering.
What Does LED Density Mean?
LED density refers to how many LEDs or LED components are packed into each metre of strip, with common options being 30, 60, or 12 LEDs per metre.
Higher-density strips generally give a smoother appearance, but density alone does not tell the whole story. LED chip quality, wattage, efficiency, and overall strip design all play a role in the final result.
What Does IP Rating Mean?
The IP rating, short for Ingress Protection rating, tells you how well an LED strip is protected against dust and water.
IP20: Best suited to dry indoor environments, such as bedrooms, living rooms, cabinets, and furniture.
IP65: Offers protection against dust and water jets, depending on the specific product. This makes it a reasonable option for areas where some moisture exposure is likely.
IP67 provides a higher level of protection against water ingress, though actual suitability still depends on the product in question.
One thing worth noting: a waterproof rating does not automatically mean a strip is safe for permanent underwater use. Always check the product's specifications carefully before installing it in a wet or exposed area.
How Do You Cut LED Strips?
Most LED strips can be cut to the length you need, but only at the designated cutting points, usually marked by a line or a set of copper pads along the strip.
Cutting anywhere else risks damaging the circuit. The interval between cutting points also varies from product to product, so it is worth checking the specifications before you reach for the scissors.
Can LED Strips Be Connected Together?
Yes, LED strips can often be joined using connectors, soldering, or appropriate wiring.
That said, connecting very long lengths end-to-end can increase both voltage drop and heat buildup. For larger installations, it is usually better to split the run into sections and supply power to each one separately.
Do LED Strips Get Hot?
LEDs are far more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent lighting, but they are not completely heat-free.
For higher-power strips especially, an aluminium profile can help dissipate that heat and extend the strip's lifespan. As a bonus, it also gives a cleaner, more finished installation, and pairs well with a diffuser for an even smoother look.
How Much Electricity Do LED Strips Use?
LED strip power consumption is usually measured in watts per metre (W/m). For example:
8W/m × 5m = 40W
That gives you a rough estimate of the strip's total power draw. When you are choosing a power supply, always work out the total wattage of the full installation first, rather than just the per-metre figure.
(image source: envato.com)
How Bright Are LED Strips?
Brightness is usually measured in lumens, while wattage simply tells you how much electrical power the strip is using.
When comparing light output between strips, lumens are the more useful figure to look at. Two strips can share the same wattage and still produce noticeably different amounts of light, depending on the quality and efficiency of their LED chips.
Where Are LED Strips Suitable?
LED strips work well for both decorative and functional lighting, across a wide range of settings. At Guan Seng Electrical, we commonly see them used in:
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Homes: kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, bedrooms, living rooms, ceilings, and stairs
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Shops: display shelves, counters, showcases, signage, and feature walls
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Restaurants and cafés: counters, shelves, ceilings, and ambient lighting
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Offices: reception areas, furniture, displays, and architectural features
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Hotels: headboards, corridors, furniture, and decorative areas
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Gaming and entertainment: RGB and RGBCW lighting setups
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Outdoor areas: suitably IP-rated strips for selected outdoor applications
The right strip for your space ultimately depends on the environment, required brightness, length, colour, and how much moisture exposure it needs to handle.
How Do You Choose the Right LED Strip?
Before buying an LED strip, it helps to run through a few key factors:
Voltage – Match the strip to your power supply, whether that is 12V or 24V.
Colour – Decide between warm white, neutral white, cool white, RGB, RGBCW, or CCT-adjustable lighting.
Brightness – Think about whether the strip is for decorative accent lighting or as a primary light source, and check both the lumen output and wattage.
IP Rating – Choose a rating that fits the installation environment, whether that is a dry indoor space, an outdoor area, or somewhere prone to moisture.
Length – Measure the installation area first, then calculate total wattage before settling on a power supply.
Heat Management – For brighter or higher-wattage strips, an aluminium profile can go a long way in managing heat build-up.
LED Strip Installation Tips
A few things worth doing before you install:
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Clean the mounting surface thoroughly.
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Measure the length you actually need.
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Check the strip's voltage requirement.
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Calculate the total wattage of the installation.
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Choose a power supply with enough capacity.
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Cut only at the designated cutting points.
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Plan out the wiring and controller placement in advance.
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Test the strip before mounting it permanently.
For larger installations, or any work involving mains electricity, we would always recommend engaging a qualified electrician or an experienced installer rather than tackling it solo.
LED Strips vs Traditional Lighting
LED strips offer a genuinely flexible alternative to traditional lighting. They are compact, energy-efficient, and can fit into spaces where a conventional light fixture simply would not work.
This makes them especially useful for accent lighting, ambient lighting, or decorative effects that fixed fittings are not really built for, whether that is a glowing cove ceiling, a backlit feature wall, or a softly lit display shelf.
Final Thoughts
LED strips are a genuinely versatile lighting solution, useful across a huge range of applications. Getting familiar with the basics- voltage, colour, brightness, IP rating, and installation length- makes it far easier to choose a product that actually suits your space, rather than guessing and hoping for the best.
At Guan Seng Electrical, we are always happy to help you find the right LED strip and accessories for your project.
Have a lighting project in mind? Feel free to get in touch with us and let us help you find the right LED Strip lighting solution.