How (and Where) to Cut LED Light Strips [A Quick Guide]
LED light strips are becoming more and more popular these days, and it’s easy to see why.
They’re a great way to add some extra light to a room, and they come in a variety of colors and styles. Plus, they’re very energy efficient, so you save money on your electric bills. What’s not to like?
But there is a catch. A small one, but a catch nevertheless: LED light strips are tricky to install. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up with crooked lights or worse, lights that don’t work at all.
That’s why we’ve created this quick guide. We want to help you get the most out of your LED light strip installation, so you can enjoy your new lights without any headaches.
NOTE: We have an excellent LED Strip Light if you still haven’t bought yours yet, along with channel diffusers and mounting clips specifically for LED strip lights.
Where to cut LED light strips
It goes without saying, but the first step here is to actually decide where you want to place your LED light strip. If you’re after a suggestion, we’d recommend placing them under the kitchen cabinets, or along your living room skirting boards to get that brilliant accent lighting everyone’s after.
Once you’ve decided where you want to install your LED light strip, the next step is to measure the area. You’ll need to know how long the strip needs to be, so you can cut it to size.
It’s important to note that you can’t just cut LED light strips anywhere. The strip has tiny “dots” on it that need to be cut in a specific way. If you don’t cut the strip correctly, you risk cutting through vital components - to put it simply, the lights won’t work.
To cut the LED light strip, you’ll need a sharp knife or scissors. Be very careful not to damage the dots on the strip. Once you’ve cut the strip, you can use the adhesive backing to stick it in place.
How to cut LED light strips
To cut your LED light strip, you’ll need a sharp pair of scissors. Once you have your scissors, look for the tiny “dots” on the strip. These dots are called solder points, and they’re where you need to make your cuts.
Make sure to cut the strip at a 90-degree angle. If you don’t, the lights won’t work properly.
Once you’ve cut the strip, it’s time to connect it to a power source. You can use a battery pack or an AC adapter. We recommend using an AC adapter, as it’s more reliable and will give you a consistent light output.
Once you’ve connected the strip to a power source, flip the switch to turn on the lights. You should see a bright, even light coming from the strip. If not, check your connections and make sure you cut the strip correctly.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully installed an LED light strip. Now you can enjoy the benefits of energy-efficient, long-lasting, and (most importantly) beautiful LED lights!
Tips to keep in mind while cutting LED strip lights
Now that you know how to cut LED light strips, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure to use a sharp blade or scissors. This will help prevent fraying and uneven cuts.
- When cutting, be sure to leave enough of a gap between each cut so that you can still connect the strips together.
- If you are cutting multiple strips at once, make sure they are all the same length. This will make it easier to connect them together later.
- If you are cutting a strip into smaller pieces, be sure to label each piece so you know where it’sgoinglater on.
- Once you’vecut the strips, be sure to connect them together immediately. This will help prevent the stripped ends from fraying further.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve answered both how to cut LED strips and 'where can I cut LED strip lights', it’s time to get started on your LED installation project.
Be sure to measure the area carefully and use a sharp blade or scissors to get clean, even cuts. And don’t forget to label each piece so you know where it goes later.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to create beautiful, custom lighting designs for your home. So what are you waiting for - get out there and start experimenting!