How To Connect Two LED Light Strips: Step-by-Step Guide

Can you connect two LED light strips together? Yes, you absolutely can connect two LED light strips together to create a longer, more continuous lighting effect. This is a common practice for achieving custom lighting designs in homes, offices, and various other spaces. Whether you need to span a larger area or navigate a corner, there are several straightforward methods to join your LED strips effectively.

Connecting LED light strips is a practical skill that opens up a world of creative lighting possibilities. Maybe you’ve bought two strips that are just shy of covering a whole room, or perhaps you want to illuminate a long hallway with a single, unbroken line of light. Whatever your reason, joining LED strips is not as daunting as it might seem. This guide will walk you through the most common and effective ways to achieve a clean and reliable LED strip to strip connection.

Why Connect Two LED Light Strips?

There are several compelling reasons why you might want to connect two LED light strips:

Extended Coverage: The most common reason is to extend the length of your lighting. Standard LED strips often come in fixed lengths, and sometimes you need more to cover a larger area, like a long counter, a large bookshelf, or an entire room.
Custom Layouts: You might want to create unique shapes or patterns with your LED lighting. Connecting strips allows you to bend and curve the light around corners or create intricate designs that wouldn’t be possible with a single, rigid strip.
Navigating Obstacles: Sometimes, an object or a furniture piece might interrupt the path of your LED strip. Connecting strips with flexible jumpers allows you to go around these obstacles and maintain a continuous light source.
Zoning or Control: In some advanced setups, you might want to connect two strips that are then controlled independently or by different zones. This offers more granular control over your lighting environment.

Methods for Joining LED Light Strips

There are primarily two popular methods for wiring LED strips together: using connectors and soldering. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice often depends on your comfort level, the type of LED strip, and the permanence you desire.

Method 1: Using LED Strip Connectors (Solderless Connection)

This is by far the easiest and most accessible method for joining LED strips. Solderless connectors are designed to snap onto the copper pads of the LED strip, creating a secure connection without the need for soldering. This is ideal for beginners and for situations where you might need to reconfigure your lighting setup later.

Types of Solderless LED Strip Connectors

You’ll encounter a few main types of solderless connectors, each suited for different connection scenarios:

Clip-On Connectors: These are the most common. They typically have a plastic housing with metal clips inside that grip the copper pads on the LED strip. They come in various configurations:
- Straight Connectors (LED Strip Splicing): Used to connect two strips end-to-end in a straight line.
- Corner Connectors (90-Degree Connectors): Designed to make a sharp 90-degree turn between two LED strips.
- T-Connectors: Used to split one strip into two, creating a “T” junction.
- X-Connectors (4-Way Connectors): Used to join four strips at a single point.
Wire Clamp Connectors: These often resemble small lever nuts or push-in connectors. You insert the stripped end of a wire or the copper pad of an LED strip into a terminal, and the connector clamps down to create the connection.

What You’ll Need for Solderless Connection

Your LED Light Strips: Ensure they are the same type (e.g., 12V or 24V, same LED density, same color type).
Appropriate LED Strip Connectors: Match the type of connector to the width of your LED strip (e.g., 8mm for standard single-color, 10mm for RGB).
LED Strip Jumper Cable or Extension Cable: If you need to bridge a gap or go around a corner with some slack, a LED strip extension cable is invaluable. These have connectors on both ends.
Wire Cutters or Scissors: To cut the LED strip cleanly.
Wire Strippers (if using bare wires): Some connectors require you to strip the end of a wire.
Small Flathead Screwdriver (optional): Sometimes helpful for opening certain connector clasps.
Rubbing Alcohol and a Lint-Free Cloth: For cleaning the copper pads before connecting.

Step-by-Step: Using Solderless Connectors

Let’s break down the process of joining LED strips using common clip-on connectors.

Step 1: Prepare the LED Strips

Determine Your Cut Points: LED strips have designated cut lines, usually marked with a scissor icon or a copper pad. You must cut precisely on these lines. Cutting anywhere else will sever the electrical path and render that section unusable.
Clean the Copper Pads: Gently wipe the copper contact points on both LED strips with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth. This removes any oils or residue that could prevent a good connection.
Cut the Strip: Use sharp scissors or wire cutters to make a clean, straight cut on the designated cut line. A jagged cut can make it difficult for the connector to establish a good grip.

Step 2: Open the Solderless Connector

Most clip-on connectors have a small clasp or lid that you need to open. You can usually lift this gently with your fingernail or a small flathead screwdriver.

Step 3: Position the LED Strips

For Straight Connections: Align the end of one LED strip with the open connector. Ensure the copper pads on the strip line up with the metal contacts inside the connector. The positive (+) pad on one strip should connect to the positive (+) pad on the next, and similarly for the negative (-) pads. Most connectors are designed to only fit the strip one way, aligning the polarity correctly.
For Corner Connections: You’ll use a corner connector. Open it, insert the end of one strip into one side, and then gently bend the strip at its flexible point to feed the next section into the other side of the connector.
Using a Jumper Cable: If you’re using a LED strip jumper cable, open the connector on one end of the jumper and insert the first LED strip. Then, open the connector on the other end of the jumper and insert the second LED strip. This is excellent for bridging gaps or navigating corners with a bit of flexibility.

Step 4: Secure the Connection

Once the LED strips are correctly positioned inside the connector, firmly close the clasp or lid. You should feel a slight click as it locks into place.
Gently tug on the LED strips to ensure they are securely held by the connector’s grip.

Step 5: Test the Connection

Before permanently mounting your strips, connect the assembled section to your power supply and controller.
Turn on the lights to verify that the connection is good and both strips light up as expected. If one strip doesn’t light up, or if it flickers, carefully reopen the connector and re-seat the LED strip, ensuring the copper pads are making firm contact with the metal clips.

Step 6: Repeat for Additional Connections

If you are connecting more than two strips, repeat these steps for each subsequent connection.

Advantages of Solderless Connectors

Ease of Use: No special tools or skills are required.
Speed: Connections can be made very quickly.
Reusability: Connectors can be opened and reused if you need to change your setup.
Clean Look: Often results in a neater appearance than soldered joints.

Disadvantages of Solderless Connectors

Reliability: While generally good, they can sometimes be less reliable than soldered connections, especially if not properly seated or if subjected to frequent flexing.
Compatibility: You need to ensure the connector is designed for your specific LED strip width and type (e.g., single color, RGB, RGBW).
Cost: Over time, the cost of multiple connectors can add up.

Method 2: Soldering the LED Strips

Soldering provides the most robust and reliable connection for wiring LED strips together. It creates a permanent and strong bond between the copper pads of the LED strips. This method is preferred for permanent installations or situations where the strips might experience more stress or movement.

What You’ll Need for Soldering

Your LED Light Strips: Again, ensure they are compatible.
Soldering Iron: A low-wattage (15-30W) soldering iron with a fine tip is ideal.
Solder: Rosin-core solder designed for electronics is recommended.
Flux: A small amount of flux pen or paste can help the solder flow smoothly.
Wire Cutters: For clean cuts.
Wire Strippers: To strip insulation from any connecting wires.
Heat Shrink Tubing: Small diameter heat shrink tubing to insulate the soldered connections and prevent short circuits.
Heat Gun or Lighter: To shrink the tubing.
Helping Hands Tool (optional but highly recommended): A tool with clamps to hold the LED strip and wires steady while you solder.
Rubbing Alcohol and Lint-Free Cloth: For cleaning the copper pads.
Safety Glasses: Always protect your eyes when soldering.

Step-by-Step: Soldering LED Strips

Step 1: Prepare the LED Strips

Identify Cut Lines and Pads: Locate the designated cut lines on your LED strips. You will be soldering to the copper pads that are exposed when you cut the strip.
Clean the Copper Pads: Clean the copper pads on both strips with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
Cut the Strip: Cut the LED strip precisely on the cut line.
Expose Wires (if using a jumper cable): If you are connecting strips using wires (either separate wires or from a LED strip extension cable), you’ll need to strip a small amount of insulation from the ends of the wires. For a direct LED strip splicing, you’ll be soldering directly to the pads.

Step 2: Tin the Copper Pads

“Tinning” means applying a small amount of solder to the copper pads. This makes it easier for the solder to bond to the strip.
Apply a small amount of flux to the copper pads.
Heat the copper pad with your soldering iron.
Touch the solder to the heated pad (not directly to the iron). The solder should melt and flow onto the pad, creating a shiny coating.
Repeat this process for all necessary copper pads on both LED strips you intend to connect.

Step 3: Prepare the Connecting Wires (if applicable)

If you are using an LED strip jumper cable or individual wires, you’ll also want to tin the ends of these wires.
Strip about 1/4 inch of insulation from the wire.
Apply a bit of flux to the exposed wire strands.
Touch the hot soldering iron to the wire strands and feed a small amount of solder onto them until they are coated.

Step 4: Solder the Connection

For Straight Connections:
- Place the tinned end of one LED strip against the tinned end of the other, ensuring the positive (+) pads align and the negative (-) pads align.
- Place a small piece of heat shrink tubing over the connection point, extending slightly over the solder joints.
- Touch the hot soldering iron to the point where the two tinned pads meet.
- Feed a small amount of solder onto the heated joint until a strong connection is made. Be quick to avoid overheating the strip.
- Immediately slide the heat shrink tubing over the soldered connection.
- Use a heat gun or lighter to shrink the tubing, insulating and protecting the joint.
Using a Jumper Cable:
- Thread a piece of heat shrink tubing onto the wire before soldering.
- Solder the tinned wire end to the corresponding tinned copper pad on the first LED strip.
- Repeat for all wires and pads, ensuring correct polarity (+ to +, – to -).
- Slide the heat shrink tubing over the soldered joints and shrink it.
- Repeat the process for the other end of the jumper cable and the second LED strip.

Step 5: Test the Connection

Once all connections are made and insulated, connect your assembled LED strips to the power supply and controller.
Test the lights to ensure everything is working correctly.

Advantages of Soldering

Durability: Creates a very strong and reliable electrical connection.
Reliability: Less prone to intermittent connections or failure due to vibration or movement.
Versatility: Can be used to create custom length wires or adapt different types of connections.

Disadvantages of Soldering

Skill Required: Requires some basic soldering skills and practice.
Time Consuming: Takes longer than using connectors.
Permanent: The connection is permanent and harder to undo.
Risk of Damage: Overheating the LED strip can damage the LEDs or the circuit board.

Connecting Different Types of LED Strips

While the basic principles remain the same, there are slight variations when connecting different types of LED strips.

Single Color LED Strips

These are the simplest. You typically have two wires or pads: positive (+) and negative (-). Your connections will simply bridge these two points between the strips.

RGB LED Strips

RGB strips have four connections: one for the common anode/cathode (often labeled ‘C’ or a shared pad) and three for the individual colors (Red, Green, Blue, labeled R, G, B).

Connectors: Ensure you are using RGB-specific connectors that have four terminals.
Soldering: You’ll need to solder all four connections, ensuring that the common pad connects to the common pad, R to R, G to G, and B to B.

RGBW/RGBCCT LED Strips

These have even more connections (typically 5 for RGBW and 6 for RGBCCT), including dedicated White channels or tunable White (warm to cool).

Connectors: You must use connectors specifically designed for RGBW or RGBCCT strips with the correct number of pins.
Soldering: Pay extremely close attention to the labeling of the pads and wires to ensure you connect the correct channels together (e.g., Red to Red, Green to Green, Blue to Blue, White to White).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I connect two different brands of LED strips?
A1: It’s generally best to stick with the same brand and type of LED strip. Different brands might have slight variations in voltage, LED density, or circuit design, which could lead to compatibility issues or uneven lighting. If you must mix brands, ensure they are rated for the same voltage (e.g., both 12V or both 24V).

Q2: What happens if I connect the LED strips with the wrong polarity?
A2: Connecting with the wrong polarity (positive to negative and vice versa) will prevent the LEDs from lighting up. In some cases, it could potentially damage the LEDs, especially if there’s a significant voltage difference or if the strips are very sensitive. Always double-check your connections to ensure positive connects to positive and negative to negative.

Q3: How long can I make an LED strip run by connecting them?
A3: While you can connect multiple strips, there are limits. The longer the total run, the more voltage drop will occur along the strip. This means the LEDs at the end of a very long run might be dimmer than those at the beginning. For runs exceeding 5-10 meters (depending on the strip’s power draw), it’s often recommended to power the strip from both ends or use thicker gauge wiring for the power feed to minimize voltage drop.

Q4: What is LED strip splicing?
A4: LED strip splicing refers to the process of joining two separate pieces of LED strip light together to create a longer, continuous run. This can be done using various methods, including solderless connectors or by soldering wires between the strips.

Q5: What is a LED strip jumper cable used for?
A5: A LED strip jumper cable, also known as an extension cable for LED strips, is a short length of wire with connectors on both ends. It’s used to bridge small gaps between LED strips, to make a 90-degree turn when flexible connectors aren’t suitable, or to move the strip away from the power source or controller.

Q6: Can I use a solderless LED strip connection for RGBW strips?
A6: Yes, but you must use solderless connectors specifically designed for RGBW (or RGB+White) strips. These connectors will have the appropriate number of contacts (usually 5) to accommodate the additional White channel.

Q7: What is LED strip coupling?
A7: LED strip coupling is another term for connecting two LED light strips together, often to create a longer, continuous lighting solution. The methods described above, using connectors or soldering, are all forms of LED strip coupling.

Q8: How do I connect a LED strip to a power connector for LED strips?
A8: To connect a LED strip to a power connector, you typically use a specific connector that mates with the power adapter’s plug or barrel jack. This connector then attaches to the end of your LED strip, usually with solderless clips or by soldering wires, ensuring the polarity matches the power adapter.

In conclusion, connecting two LED light strips is an achievable project for most DIY enthusiasts. By carefully selecting the right connectors or mastering basic soldering techniques, you can effectively extend your LED lighting and enhance your space with tailored illumination.