How to Connect LED Light Strips Together Easily

by

Yes, you can connect LED light strips together easily using a few common methods. Whether you need to extend your lighting, create a continuous run, or change direction, joining LED lights is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through the best ways to connect your LED strips, making your lighting projects a breeze.

Extending Your LED Light Strips: Simple Connections

LED light strips are incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize your lighting in numerous ways. One of the most common needs is to extend a strip to reach a new area or overcome a small obstacle. Fortunately, there are several easy methods for extending LED light strips without needing advanced electrical knowledge.

Method 1: Using LED Strip Connectors (The Easiest Way)

LED strip connectors are specifically designed to snap onto the ends of LED strips, creating a secure and reliable connection. They are often the quickest and most user-friendly option for joining LED light strips.

Types of LED Strip Connectors

There are several types of connectors, each suited for different needs:

  • Gapless Connectors: These are ideal for creating a seamless look. They have metal contacts that directly bridge the copper pads on the ends of two LED strips. This is perfect when you want to avoid any visible gaps between segments.
  • Solderless Clip-on Connectors: These are very popular due to their ease of use. You simply open the clip, insert the LED strip, and close it. The internal teeth pierce the strip’s connection points to create the electrical link.
  • Corner Connectors: If you need to make a 90-degree turn, corner connectors are your best bet. They allow you to fold your lighting around corners smoothly.
  • Jumper Connectors (or Flex Cables): These connectors use a flexible wire to bridge a gap between two LED strips. This is useful for going around corners or covering a small space where a direct connection isn’t possible. They are also a form of LED strip extensions.

How to Use Solderless LED Strip Connectors: A Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Preparation is Key:

    • Cut the LED Strip: Most LED strips have designated cut lines, usually marked with a pair of scissors icon. It’s crucial to cut exactly on these lines to ensure you don’t damage the internal circuitry. If you cut between pads, the strip segment won’t work.
    • Strip the Silicone Coating (if applicable): Some LED strips are coated with a protective silicone layer. You might need to carefully peel or trim this away from the cut end to expose the copper connection points (pads). Use a craft knife or small scissors for this. Be gentle to avoid damaging the delicate wires.
    • Clean the Contacts: Ensure the copper pads on both the strip you’re cutting and the strip you’re connecting are clean and free from any dust or residue.

  2. Connecting the Strips:

    • Open the Connector: Most solderless connectors have a small latch or clip that you need to open.
    • Insert the First Strip: Align the copper pads on the end of your LED strip with the corresponding metal contacts inside the connector. For single-color strips, you’ll connect two pads. For RGB or RGBW strips, you’ll have 4 or 5 pads to align correctly (typically marked with colors like R, G, B, W, or positive (+)).
    • Close the Connector: Gently press down the clip or latch until it snaps shut. This action pushes the metal pins on the connector through the LED strip’s copper pads, establishing the electrical connection.
    • Connect the Second Strip: Repeat the process with the other end of your LED strip or a new strip. Make sure the polarity is correct – positive to positive, negative to negative.

  3. Testing Your Connection:

    • Before securing everything, connect your joined strip to the power supply and controller (if applicable). Test if all the LEDs light up as expected. This helps you catch any faulty connections early on.

Method 2: Soldering LED Strips (For a More Permanent and Robust Connection)

Soldering LED strips offers the most durable and reliable connection. It’s ideal for situations where the strip might be moved or subjected to vibrations, or for very long runs where a strong connection is paramount. While it requires a bit more skill, it’s a rewarding technique for achieving professional-quality results.

What You’ll Need for Soldering:

  • Soldering Iron: A low-wattage soldering iron (15-30W) is sufficient for LED strips.
  • Solder: Use electronics-grade solder, preferably with a rosin core.
  • Flux Pen or Paste: This helps the solder flow smoothly and create a strong bond. Apply it to the copper pads before soldering.
  • Wire Strippers: To strip the ends of any connecting wires.
  • Heat Shrink Tubing: To insulate and protect the soldered connection.
  • Helping Hands or a Vice: To hold the LED strip and wires steady while you solder.
  • Safety Glasses: Always wear eye protection when soldering.

Steps for Soldering LED Strips:

  1. Prepare the LED Strips:

    • Cut on the Line: As with connectors, cut the LED strip precisely on the designated cut lines.
    • Expose the Copper Pads: Carefully remove any silicone coating around the cut ends. You might need to gently scrape away a small amount of the protective coating to fully expose the copper pads.
    • Tin the Pads: Apply a small amount of flux to the copper pads on both strips. Then, touch the tip of your hot soldering iron to the pad for a moment, followed by a touch of solder. This “tins” the pads, coating them with a thin layer of solder, which makes subsequent soldering easier and creates a better connection.

  2. Prepare Your Connecting Wires:

    • If you’re using LED strip extensions with separate wires, strip about 1/4 inch (6mm) of insulation from the ends of each wire.
    • For connecting RGB LED strips, you’ll typically have wires for R, G, B, and a common anode (+) or cathode (-). Ensure you match these colors correctly between strips or to a controller.
    • Tin the stripped ends of the wires by applying a small amount of flux and then touching them with the hot soldering iron and solder.

  3. Make the Connection:

    • Position the Wires: Lay the tinned wires onto the tinned copper pads of the LED strip. Ensure they are positioned correctly for polarity. For example, the red wire should connect to the positive (+) pad, and black to negative (-).
    • Solder the Wires: Gently touch the hot soldering iron to both the wire and the copper pad simultaneously. The tinned surfaces should melt and flow together. Hold the iron in place until the solder flows smoothly. Remove the soldering iron, then remove the wire, allowing the solder to cool and solidify.
    • Repeat for All Connections: Solder all necessary wires for your LED strip (e.g., all colors for RGB).

  4. Insulate and Secure:

    • Apply Heat Shrink Tubing: Slide a piece of heat shrink tubing over the soldered connection before you make it. Once the solder cools, slide the tubing over the exposed solder joints and wires.
    • Shrink the Tubing: Use a heat gun or the side of your soldering iron (carefully!) to shrink the tubing. It will form a tight, protective layer around the connection, preventing shorts and adding durability.

Method 3: Splicing LED Lights (Using Terminal Blocks or Connectors)

Splicing LED lights is a broad term that can encompass using various types of connectors, including specialized ones designed for making new connections mid-strip or for joining wires. This method is particularly useful when you need to branch off from a main strip or make more complex wiring LED strips.

Using Wire Nuts or Lever-Type Connectors:

These are common household electrical connectors that can sometimes be adapted for low-voltage LED strips.

  1. Preparation: Cut the strip on the line. Expose the copper pads. Strip the ends of your connecting wires.
  2. Connection: For wire nuts, twist the wires and the copper pads together firmly and screw on the wire nut. For lever-type connectors (like Wago connectors), insert the stripped wire end and flip the lever to secure it.
  3. Pros: Relatively easy, no special tools needed beyond wire strippers.
  4. Cons: Can be bulky, not always as secure or aesthetically pleasing as other methods, and requires careful attention to polarity. Ensure the connectors are rated for low voltage and appropriate amperage.

Joining LED Light Strips: Advanced Considerations

When you’re dealing with longer runs, color-changing LEDs, or specific layout requirements, you’ll need to consider how to make reliable and efficient connections for wiring LED strips.

Connecting RGB LED Strips: Polarity Matters!

Connecting RGB LED strips requires careful attention to polarity. These strips have multiple connection points, typically for Red, Green, Blue, and a common wire (either Positive or Negative, depending on the strip type).

  • Identify the Pins: Look at the copper pads on the end of the strip. They are usually labeled:
    • ‘+’ or ’12V’ (for common positive)
    • ‘R’ (for Red)
    • ‘G’ (for Green)
    • ‘B’ (for Blue)
    • Some strips may also have ‘W’ for White (RGBW) or a common negative.
  • Match the Connections: When joining two RGB strips, ensure you connect R to R, G to G, B to B, and the common wire to the common wire. Mismatching these will result in incorrect colors or no light at all.
  • Use the Right Connectors: Solderless connectors and soldering methods are both suitable, but ensure the connectors are designed for RGB or RGBW strips and have enough contacts.

LED Strip Couplers and Extensions

LED strip couplers are essentially specialized connectors designed to join two strips. They can be simple PCB connectors or more complex flex cables.

  • PCB Couplers: These are flat connectors with multiple solder pads or clips, designed to bridge two strips end-to-end.
  • Flex Cables: These are small wires encased in a flexible plastic coating, allowing you to make connections that go around corners or bridge small gaps. They are a type of LED strip extensions that offer more flexibility in placement.

Wiring LED Strips: Powering Your Connections

Proper power distribution is crucial when wiring LED strips, especially for longer runs or multiple connected segments.

  • Power Connectors: You’ll need LED strip power connectors to connect your strips to the power supply. These can be barrel jack connectors that plug into your power adapter and then connect to the strip, or they might be screw terminals.
  • Power Drop Cables: For long runs, the voltage drop along the strip can cause the LEDs at the far end to be dimmer. To combat this, you can use power drop cables. These are wires that connect to the power source and then directly to the LED strip at intervals along its length, providing a fresh power feed.
  • Amperage and Voltage: Always ensure your power supply is rated for the correct voltage (usually 12V or 24V) and has sufficient amperage to power the total length of your LED strips. You can calculate the total wattage by multiplying the strip’s wattage per meter by the total length in meters, and then divide by 12 (or 24) to get the required amps. Always add a buffer of 20% to your power supply’s capacity.

Common Scenarios and Solutions

Let’s look at how to tackle specific connection needs.

Scenario 1: Making a Corner Turn

Challenge: Your lighting needs to go around a 90-degree corner.

Solutions:

  • Using Corner Connectors: These are pre-formed connectors that allow you to fold the strip. Simply cut on the line, insert the strip ends into the connector, and snap it shut.
  • Using Jumper Wires/Flex Cables: Cut the strip on the line. Use a jumper wire or flex cable connector to link the two ends, allowing you to bridge the corner. This offers more flexibility in the distance of the bridge.
  • Soldering Jumper Wires: Solder wires to the copper pads of the cut strips and then insulate the connections with heat shrink tubing. This is a robust solution for a custom corner turn.

Scenario 2: Bridging a Small Gap

Challenge: You need to skip over a small obstruction or bridge a short distance between two strip segments.

Solutions:

  • Using Jumper Wires/Flex Cables: The most common and easiest solution. These are designed specifically for this purpose.
  • Soldering Wires: Solder wires of appropriate length to connect the two strips. Ensure the wires are robust enough for the application.

Scenario 3: Connecting Multiple Strips End-to-End in a Straight Line

Challenge: You have a long area to light and need to extend your strip.

Solutions:

  • Solderless Connectors: For shorter runs, using a series of gapless or clip-on connectors is quick and easy.
  • Soldering: For longer runs or areas where durability is key, soldering each connection point provides the strongest and most reliable join. This method minimizes resistance and potential failure points.
  • Wire Couplers: Specific LED strip couplers can also be used to join strips in a straight line.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I connect different types of LED strips together?
A1: Generally, yes, but only if they operate on the same voltage (e.g., both 12V or both 24V) and have compatible connection types. Connecting a 12V strip to a 24V power supply or vice-versa will likely damage the strip. Also, ensure RGB strips are connected to compatible controllers.

Q2: How do I know which way to connect RGB LED strips?
A2: Always check the markings on the LED strip itself. They are usually labeled with ‘+’, ‘R’, ‘G’, ‘B’, or ‘W’. Match these labels precisely when using connectors or soldering. If the markings are unclear, a multimeter can help identify polarity.

Q3: What happens if I connect the LED strip backward?
A3: For single-color strips, connecting them backward might prevent them from lighting up or could even damage the strip or its controller. For RGB strips, connecting incorrectly will result in the wrong colors being displayed or some colors not working at all. Always double-check polarity.

Q4: Can I use regular electrical tape to secure my LED strip connections?
A4: It’s not recommended. Regular electrical tape is not designed for low-voltage, flexible applications and may not provide a secure or insulated connection. Use heat shrink tubing for soldered connections or ensure your solderless connectors are fully latched.

Q5: My LED strip is dimming at the end. What can I do?
A5: This is a sign of voltage drop. You can resolve this by soldering shorter segments of wire directly to the LED strip at intervals along the run, connecting these to your power source, or by using thicker gauge wires for your extensions and power leads.

Q6: What is the best way to connect LED light strips for outdoor use?
A6: For outdoor use, it’s crucial to use waterproof connectors or ensure your soldered connections are thoroughly sealed with waterproof sealant and heat shrink tubing. Look for LED strips with higher IP ratings (e.g., IP65 or IP67) that are designed for outdoor environments.

Q7: How do I extend LED light strips with a single controller?
A7: You can connect multiple LED strips in series or parallel to a single controller, provided the controller can handle the total wattage and length of the strips. For very long runs or multiple branches, you might need a more powerful controller or signal amplifiers.

By following these methods, you can confidently connect and extend your LED light strips, creating the perfect lighting ambiance for any space. Whether you choose the speed of solderless connectors or the robustness of soldering, joining LED light strips is an accessible DIY task.

Leave a Comment