Is It Possible to Hardwire LED Strip Lights?

In recent years, LED strip lighting has become increasingly popular due to its energy efficiency, versatility, and long life span.LED strips can be used in a variety of applications ranging from task lighting to accent lighting and are available in a wide range of different colors and brightness levels.

In general, LED strip lights have many applications in our daily lives. But there is a problem with these light strips. Can we hardwire these light strips? If we can hardwire these LED light strips, these LED light strips will become more valuable.

In short, the answer is yes. We can hardwire LED light strips. But first, we should have to know some other things first. In this article, we will explore this issue from several angles and explain in detail how to hardwire and what to consider.

Why use hardwired LED strips?

Generally speaking, LED strips are just ordinary lights. But what makes them unique are their advantages: they are brighter and more energy efficient. And wiring these strips is simple.

Hardwiring means connecting the LED strips directly to the power line, not through a plug or adapter. You must be wondering why this hardwiring is essential. There are many benefits to this setup, including increased control over the lighting environment and improved energy efficiency. Let’s take a look at what exactly the benefits of using hardwiring to connect LED light strips are:

1. Enhanced control of your lighting environment

When you hardwire LED strip lights to a dimmable controller, you have precise control over the brightness of the lights. This means you can easily adjust the brightness of the lighting to meet your needs, whether you need bright lighting for work or reading or a soft, cozy atmosphere for relaxation.

2. Provides stable current

Another advantage that hardwiring adds is a steady current, but this feature depends on how well you hardwire your lights. Hardwiring reduces the risk of loose connectors and provides a more stable power supply, which reduces the amount of heat and power consumption generated by the LED strip, which means you can save money on your electric bill and improve energy efficiency. At the same time, hardwiring reduces the number of plugs and unplugs, extends the life of the LED strip and LED power supply unit, and reduces the risk of premature failure.

3. Improve the aesthetics of more spaces

When you hardwire and hide the wires, the entire space will look neater and will give the LED strip lights a better design. In addition, this will leave you with fewer wires in your home, and you can easily clean them. In addition, the fewer wires you have, the simpler your space will look, making your house more elegant.

Where can I hardwire LED strip lights?

Hardwiring will make the room more aesthetically pleasing. For this reason, you must hardwire LED strip lights. Hardwired LED Strip Lights excel in several scenarios due to their hidden installation and stable power supply. From home decorations to commercial spaces to outdoor applications, it has a wide range of applications. Below are some specific application scenarios and detailed descriptions:

Kitchen

LED strip lighting is a great way to brighten up your kitchen cabinet space. It makes the kitchen look beautiful and provides a great view of the cabinets.

Installing LED light strips at the bottom of cabinets provides additional lighting at the kitchen counter for cooking and cleaning while avoiding shadows from the main ceiling light source. Installing light strips on top of hanging cabinets creates reflected light that softly illuminates the upper kitchen space, enhancing the sense of dimension and hierarchy. And installing LED light strips at the bottom of the kitchen island creates a suspended visual effect while providing a secondary light source at floor level.

If you want to know more about kitchen cabinet lighting, please check out the article Kitchen cabinet lighting: how to choose and install LED strip lights?

Bedroom

It’s easy to hardwire LED strip lights in the bedroom. If the ceiling of your bedroom can be fitted with light strips, your room will look completely different. If you want to make your bedroom look more elegant, try different colors to make it more pleasing.

You can install LED light strips on the headboard or the wall behind the bed to create a soft background light that helps create a cozy sleeping atmosphere. You can also hide light strips in the ceiling edge or trim boards to provide indirect lighting and create a cozy and modern sense of space. Or install sensor-type LED light strips inside the closet for easy access and to enhance the sense of neatness in the room.

If you want to know more about Bedroom LED Strip Lights, please read the article A Comprehensive Guide to Bedroom LED Strip Lights.

Malls and retail stores

There are many ways to use LED light strips in business. They can be used for background lighting in theaters, stores, and shopping centers. Keep in mind that lighting can significantly affect the way customers feel. Some store owners also put them on store signs and logos to make them look better. This helps them attract more people into their stores.

Installing light strips in window borders or at the base of displays can enhance the attractiveness of the merchandise and entice customers to stop by. Use it for high-gloss merchandise or jewelry showcases to provide accent lighting to highlight the details and textures of the merchandise. Arrange light strips in ceiling light troughs to create an overall soft light effect and enhance store design.

Restaurants

You can install LED strips in different areas to enhance the ambience of your dining room. You can install strips above the dining table to create a dining atmosphere with indirect light. You can also install strips at the bottom of the bar or behind the booths to increase area identification and enhance the visual effect. It can also be used to backlight wall panels to give the space a more layered look.

Office

Several studies have shown that color and lighting affect how we feel. For example, 5000K white light can help increase alertness and concentration. 4000K lighting keeps people highly focused and alert, balancing a relaxing and energizing atmosphere. That’s why offices are increasingly using LED strip lighting.

For more information about the 4000K vs. 5000K color temperature comparison, please read the article LED Lighting Color Temperature Comparison: 4000K vs. 5000K.

Hidden LED strips can be mounted in the work area ceiling or underneath a desktop to provide a comfortable and even light that reduces work fatigue. Installing LED strips around the edges of conference tables or in wall light troughs enhances the sense of professionalism and design.LED strips are used on the back wall or ceiling of reception desks to create a warm and modern atmosphere.

Other locations

In addition to the above application scenarios, there are many other locations where hardwiring LED strip lights can be performed. When hardwiring anywhere, you should always check the power output of the area and test to see if it is safe to do so. UL/CSA has established some rules that you should always strictly follow.

How to hardwire an LED strip?

Before installing an LED strip, you first need to measure the space where the LED strip will be used. You will need to roughly estimate the length of the LED strip you will need for your project. If you are going to be placing LED strips in different locations in your home, be sure to measure each area so that you can figure out how many you will need for the entire project, and then you can cut the length needed for each space.

Once you have done this, you will need to check that the area is powered. The easiest way to install LED strip lights is to use a power source, such as an outlet with a switch. The reason for this is that one option for LED strip lights is to control the lights using a simple plug with a dimmer, switch, or even a Bluetooth device. So, you will also need to find the right power supply.

So how do you find the right power supply?

• Examines the LED strip to find out what voltage it requires

　　Typically, LED light strips come in two voltage options, 12 volts and 24 volts. You must have a power supply that matches the voltage required for your lighting. If the voltage is different from the LED strip voltage, it may damage the light or pose a safety hazard.

　　You can review this information on the label or on the website where you purchased the light. For effective performance, the correct power supply must be available. Otherwise, the life of the light strips will be affected. In this case, they will not work properly.

• Determining the maximum wattage of an LED strip

　　Every LED strip uses a certain amount of power or wattage. For these strips, the wattage depends on the length. The wattage is usually stated on the label; check the package to see how many watts per foot are used. Then multiply the wattage by the length of the strip you want to use.

　　For example, if I have a 5-meter-long LED strip that requires 12 watts per meter, the total wattage can be found by using the formula (wattage * total length of lights): 12 x 5 = 60 watts.

• Calculates the minimum power rating

　　Once you have determined the total wattage of the LED strip, you need to find the minimum power rating. This will give us the minimum wattage of the power supply needed to light the LED strip. To do this, we multiply the previous total wattage (60 watts) by 1.2: 60 x 1.2 = 72 watts.

　　The power supply should be at least 60 watts to ensure that the LED strip works properly. Sometimes your LED lights may require more power, so to ensure sufficient power in this case we have to increase it by 20%.

• Estimates the minimum current required

　　Amperage indicates the rate at which current passes through. If the amperage is not enough to support a long strip of LED lights, then the lights may dim or go out, which is an essential part of the process. To find the minimum amperage, we have a formula. We can calculate it by dividing the power by the voltage.

　　Let’s recall that we previously assumed 60 watts of power. To find the minimum amperage required, we simply divide the power (60) by the LED strip voltage (12 or 24). Assuming we are using 24 volts, 60 ÷ 24 = 2.5, so the current used is 2.5 amps.

The hardwiring process is not difficult, but it does require some electrical knowledge and tools to ensure safety and effectiveness. One thing you must ensure is that the LED strip and the output power cord are firm, and they must be securely connected together. Here are the detailed steps:

Step 1: Prepare the materials.

To install the LED strip to the power supply, you need the following items:

1. LED strip

2. Control device, such as a switch, dimmer, or wireless Bluetooth controller

3. Power supply

By connecting these three devices, you will have a fully functional LED strip. You will need to test it a few times to make sure it works. One more thing you should remember is that you should follow all the steps for installing the LED strip.

Step 2: Place the LED strip.

LED strips come with an adhesive backing that makes it easy to stick them to walls, under beds, and even under cabinets. Wherever you place the LED strip, be sure to wipe down the area with warm water and dry the surface you are installing it on to make sure there is no debris.

If the strip needs to be cut in sections, simply locate the cut symbols marked with scissor lines to ensure that each section works properly. Then use special connectors or direct soldering to connect the segmented light strips.

Step 3: Plug the adapter into an AC power source.

Clip the wire connector onto the end. Since each case is different, a separate power adapter is required. You must understand what the colors mean. The brown wire is the fire wire (L), the blue wire is the zero wire (N), and the green wire is the ground (GND), and the three-colored wires need to be connected to the AC power source.

Now, connect the brown wire first and then the blue wire. The brown wire plugs into the powered port of the adapter. The blue wire is connected to the zero wire of the adapter. Connect the standard AC cable to the grounded port. The power required here should be 12V or 24V.

Step 4: Plug the adapter into a DC power source.

This step is very simple and is actually the same as connecting AC power to the LED power adapter. Take the red wire from the LED strip and connect it to one of the V+ ports on the LED power adapter, then connect the black wire to the V- port on the adapter.

Step 5: Light up test.

You should perform this test to see if everything is running smoothly. If there are no problems, your connection is done. Otherwise, try different power settings.

Conclusion

Hardwired LED strips are a safe, aesthetically pleasing, and professional installation. Although hardwiring requires some technical support, the stability and durability it brings is obvious. During operation, please make sure to follow the electrician’s safety code and seek professional help if necessary. Through reasonable design and construction, LED strip lights can not only enhance the aesthetics of the space but also add convenience and comfort to your life.

SignliteLED is a factory specializing in producing high-quality customized LED strip lights and LED neon strip lights. If you need to buy LED strip lights, please contact us.