Is LED strip for chandeliers and lamps special?
This is the same flexible board with the same LEDs on the front side and adhesive tape on the back. The LEDs on such a strip are also usually divided into segments and, in multiples of these segments, the strip can also be cut to the needed length. So what is the difference between a chandelier strip and a regular LED strip? A LED strip with a constant voltage (5V, 12V, 24V, etc.) is powered by a power supply (DC adapter) with a constant stabilized voltage at the output. An LED strip for chandeliers and lamps is powered by a power supply with a stabilized current at the output - an LED driver. A regular LED strip has a constant operating voltage, and the current consumed depends on the length of this strip. The LED strip in lamps and chandeliers consumes the same current, regardless of the length of the piece of this strip. When the length of such an LED strip changes, its operating voltage also changes.
LED strips in lamps and chandeliers often have one glow shade (cold, warm or neutral) or two (cold and warm). There are also multi-colored strips, but they are used much less often and usually only for decorative background lighting. Strips are more often used, the LEDs in which are divided into segments. One such segment is about 5 centimeters long and has an operating voltage of 3 volts. All these segments are connected to each other in series. If you take a section of such a strip with a length of 2 segments, its operating voltage will be 6 volts. A section with a length of 10 segments will work from 30 volts, etc. The longer the sections, the higher their operating voltage will be.
What voltage and current is needed for LED strip in a chandelier or lamp?
Most manufacturers supply a current of approximately 50 mA to one LED. Although these LEDs can operate with a current twice as high. With such a reduced current, the LEDs do not heat up much and this extends their service life. In addition, this allows the manufacturer to save on materials for the body of such a lamp, since less heat needs to be removed from the LEDs and the body can be made less massive and more elegant. Inside each segment of such a strip, the LEDs are connected in parallel, the operating current of such a segment will be equal to the sum of the currents of all the LEDs in such a segment. Most often, there are 5-6 LEDs in a segment and the operating current of such a section is approximately 250-300 mA. Since all segments in the strip are connected in series, then with an increase in the length of such an LED strip, its operating current remains unchanged. Thus, the operating voltage of such a strip depends on the total length of this strip. The current remains unchanged when its length changes and depends only on the number of LEDs in each segment. The LED strip in the chandelier can be divided into several sections and these sections can be connected to each other in different ways. To calculate the total operating current and voltage of such a strip, you should sum up the characteristics of each of its sections. When the sections are connected in series, the voltage is summed up, when connected in parallel, the current is summed up. For example, a lamp has two parallel lines, each of which consists of three sections connected in series. The operating current of each section is 300 mA, and the voltage is 12 V. First, we calculate the characteristics of each line. Since each of them consists of three sections connected in series, their total operating current remains the same - 300 mA, and the voltage is summed up - 12 V + 12 V + 12 V = 36 V. Next, we calculate the total characteristics of both lines. Since the 2 lines are connected in parallel, their voltage does not change - 36 V, and the current is summed up - 300 mA + 300 mA = 600 mA. Total characteristics of the lamp: current – 600 mA, voltage – 36 V.
A two-color strip has twice as many LEDs in each segment, but since each color of LED has its own power channel, calculations are made only for one color (half of the LEDs). The driver specifications usually indicate the parameters for only one channel. It also indicates how many such channels can be connected to it (for example: x2, x4, x6, etc.).
How to select an LED Driver for an LED strip in a chandelier or lamp, read in the "LED Driver" section.
A single-color LED strip in a lamp can be powered from both ends, connecting the positive output of the driver to one end of the strip and the negative output to the other. It can also be connected from one side, but at the opposite end of the strip you will need to solder 2 contacts together. In this case, both wires are connected to the end of the strip with the negative contact, and you need to solder the contacts at the opposite end of the strip (usually this end is indicated by arrows drawn along the entire length of the strip).
Two-color LED strips for chandeliers and lamps are divided into 2 main types by the number of contacts for connection: 2pin and 3pin. LED strip with two contacts is connected from both ends: from one - 2 positive wires, from the other - 2 negative. LED strip 3pin has an additional line along the entire length of the strip. This line is used to connect such a strip only from one end. In this case, 1 positive wire and 2 minuses are connected to one end of the strip, and at the opposite end of the strip you will need to solder this additional line with the other two. Important: three wires are connected to the end of the strip with negative contacts, and the contacts at the opposite end of the strip need to be soldered together (usually this end is indicated by arrows drawn along the entire length of the strip).
All LED strips for chandeliers and lamps also differ in LED density. Single-color strips often have a density of 80-120 LED/m, while two-color strips have a density of 120-200 LED/m. The number of segments in each meter of strip depends on the density of LEDs. For example, a meter of strip with a density of 80 LED/m will have 16 segments (5 LEDs each), and a meter of strip with a density of 120 LED/m will have 24 such segments. Since each segment has an operating voltage of 3V, a meter of the first strip will operate at 48 volts, and the second strip will require 72 volts to operate. Therefore, when searching for a new strip for a lamp, you should start by measuring the length of one segment of the old strip and calculating how many LEDs one meter of such a strip had.
Frequently asked questions:
How to choose an LED strip for a chandelier?
You need to measure the total length of all the LED strip sections in the chandelier (you can use a thread for this). Then, count how many LEDs were located on one meter of the old strip. After that, you need to find a strip with the same density of LEDs and order the required length.
Is it possible to replace the LED strip in a chandelier?
If it is possible to disassemble the chandelier so as to gain access to its LEDs, then in such a chandelier you can replace the LED strip with a new one.
What kind of LED strip is used in chandeliers and lamps?
Chandeliers and lamps use a special two-color LED strip that is powered by a current stabilizer - an LED driver.
What to do if the LED chandelier burns out?
If only the LED Driver burns out, then it can be quite easily replaced with a new one. If the LEDs burn out, then to replace them you need, at a minimum, to be able to solder.
How to understand what is broken in an LED chandelier?
In most cases (approximately 90%), the LED Driver fails first. Burnt-out LEDs can often be identified visually (if you have access to them). A burnt-out LED has a small black dot in the middle. If the LEDs have burned out, it is better to replace them along with the driver.
What LEDs are in chandeliers?
The chandeliers have special LED strips with SMD2835 LEDs. The operating voltage of one such LED is usually 3 volts and the current is 50 milliamps.
How to find a faulty LED in a chandelier?
The LEDs in each segment of the strip are connected in parallel. Therefore, if only one LED burns out, the current will continue to flow through the other LEDs in this segment. And only when all the LEDs in the segment burn out, the entire section of the strip will go out. If an LED burns out, it is visible (the one that does not light up). If the entire section of the strip does not light up, you need to look for the non-working segment.
How do I find out how many volts the LED strip is?
If there is no marking on the strip itself indicating its voltage, then most likely it is a special strip for lamps and chandeliers. Such a strip is usually 7 mm wide. The working voltage of such a strip depends on the length of its section.