12v LED strip lights come in two main types of colors; natural white and warm white. The type required will vary depending on where they will be placed and personal preferences. They are also available in RGB color, referred to as red, green and blue or the combination of any color when combined. This type of lighting is often used for hallways, bars, clubs, and restaurants.
The color temperature of 12v light strips is measured in degrees Kelvin. This is a scale from 1000K to 10000K. Normal residential and commercial premises will consist of lighting between 2000K and 6500K. The warm white will be in the range from 2000K to 3000K, the cool white will be from 3000K to 4500K, and the day will be from 4600K to 6500K.
They also come in different IP ingress protection classifications. IP ratings are used for all bathroom and outdoor lighting, the IP code is usually followed by two numbers. The code was entered to provide information on how suitable the accessory is for where you plan to use it.
The first number indicates how well the accessory will be protected from solids such as dust and other airborne particles. The higher the number, the better protected the accessory is, 0 offers no protection and 6 offers full protection. If the letter X is shown on the packaging instead of a number, this means that the product has not been tested, so it cannot give a protection rating.
The second number indicates how well protected the tap is against liquids, if the tap is used outdoors or in a bathroom, it is essential to know. The higher the number, the more protected the accessory will be. On a sliding scale, 0 offers no protection and 8, which is the highest value available, can be safely submerged in more than 1 meter of water for a continuous period of time.
The 12v LED strip lights are available in an IP range of between IP20, providing protection against solid objects larger than 12.5mm and no protection against ingress of water. An IP65 will offer full protection against dust and protection against jets of water from any angle. The 12v waterproof light strips can also be used in a wide range of ‘foot traffic’ applications such as in cinemas and bars.
It is important as an installer to use the correct IP rating for the required installation. If the correct accessory is not used, the product may be damaged or fail to use and may need to be replaced. All of which could be a costly and timely exercise.
Due to the low power consumption of these types of fixtures, they can be used with a wide variety of dimmers and controllers, making them ideal for background lighting in shops, clubs, museums, art galleries, and exhibitions.
12v LED strip lights are most commonly installed in shorter lengths, but can be purchased in lengths of up to 5 meters if required. This length can be easily trimmed to fit the installation. It is also self-adhesive, which makes installation even easier and faster, and it is very strong, so it can be installed in demanding areas.
12v LED strip lights can be purchased through many outlets. These companies will be able to offer advice and guidance on which product best suits your application. The best way to avoid the hassle of shopping is to shop online. An internet search will show a list of online businesses. Many will offer a wide range that you can buy and deliver to your doorstep.
