IP20 5W/m 3000K 24V Dimmable LED Striplight Self-adhesive 120deg Beam 420-500lm/m 5m Reel

LED strips (also known as LED tapes) are a fantastic way to add attractive accent lighting to almost any room. They are inexpensive, easy to install and can alter the look and atmosphere of a space immediately. This type of lighting has proven to be equally popular in residential, retail and hospitality environments. Its adaptability and variety of aesthetic possibilities means that it can provide attractive effects such as wall-washing, edge-lighting and under-cabinet lighting. Before you hop on board the LED strip bandwagon, you should consider a few things: what types do you plan to use? For what purposes will the strip lighting be utilised? Are they really essential for how and where you plan to apply them? Sparks will endeavour to answer all these questions in this article. The LED strip light - its primary purposes and the abundance to choose from Hundreds of lighting manufacturers make LED strip lights, and the different kinds of tape have dozens of applications. This may provide a head-scratcher to the average member of the public who is looking to simply buy some LED strip lighting. There are two main purposes for LED tape, either functional or aesthetic (although of course, they may be a mixture of both). Functional lighting will amplify the illumination in any given space, whilst aesthetic lights are intended to lend some decorative ambience. LED strips can be installed indoors or outdoors depending on the IP rating of the strip and any accessories. This previous blog post from Sparks explores some of the imaginative appliances of LED strips. Key choices to make on lumen output with LED tape Some LED strips manage to emit more light per metre than fluorescent lighting. This is made all the more impressive as the light is focused, rather than dispersed in all directions as with a fluorescent tube. So high output tape is readily available on the market, and we sell many varieties of it here at Sparks from esteemed manufacturers such as Teucer LED. The 1438mm Cool White LED offers an incredible 1730 lumens and can be connected to other strip lighting. The linkable, slim LED light is ideal for kitchen lighting, cove lighting, cabinet lighting, under-shelf lighting and retail applications. Alan Tulla, the technical editor at Lux, states that LED tapes emitting 2,000lm/m or more would be considered among the highest end of the spectrum. However, such high output would risk wasteful energy output especially if they were to be mistakenly left on. So it is important that you find a balance between the right light output that will illuminate your room as you wish, without wasting electricity. If you are looking for a lower output LED tape, then there is the IP20 2700K Dimmable LED from Foss LED. This nifty LED tape produces only 420/500 lumens per metre, meaning that it is perfect to use as decorative or mood lighting - in your bedroom for instance, or in the living room. Key choices to make on colour rendering with LED strip lights You get more lumens per watt with cool-colour-temperature LEDs (around 4000K) and therefore more lumens per metre. This may mean more value for money to some. However, the disadvantage is that at low levels of illumination (maybe from dimming) the light from cool-light LEDs can look dull, with a ‘greyish’ tint. This is especially important when considering what your priorities are in lighting an area. For retail, hospitality and residential applications, colour rendering is considered more important than maximum light output. Generally, for indoor applications, you should aim to use tape with a CRI of 80 or more. This 3000K warm light LED Strip is a brilliantly efficient strip light from Teucer LED, which has a CRI rating of >80. The colour temperature of LED tape is important for aesthetic reasons. Warmer colour temperatures, such as 2700K - 3000K, works well for residential and low-illumination locations. Designers believe that such colour temperatures makes people’s skin appear more attractive, with the R9 red in the light being of particular importance. You can find the amount of R9 on the technical specifications for any given LED tape. There are obviously many cases where the appearance of people's skin will not factor into your light choice. If you are back-lighting a sign or trying to imitate daylight with a false skylight or window, then a 4000K+ level will be more acceptable.Buy Warm White LED Strips Final tips on working with LED Strips Think about what surface these strips will be mounted on. LEDs aren’t suited for high temperatures, and so the LED tape should be fixed to a good ‘heat sink’ like a U-shape aluminium extrusion. Low wattage tapes aren’t so demanding in terms of dissipating heat and you may not need a heat sink. Still, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you are considering using an LED strip, ask for independently verified test data. Try a working sample. Ideally, do a small trial in the actual application. If you are using a lot of LED strip lights, make sure you are not using inefficient ones. Also, make sure the LED driver has a high power factor to avoid blackouts and malfunctions. Most of the suppliers we recommend make both high output and high colour rendering tape, so it is not always going to be a choice between the two. Some successfully combine the two with great results. One final point is to check the distance between the LEDs. The smaller the distance, the more uniform is of the line of light. Using the help given in this article, we here at Sparks hope you can wisely choose the LED strip light with all the knowledge you require to get the job done right!

Cove lighting is a form of indirect lighting built into ledges, recesses or high up on the walls of a room, and LED cove lighting adds a lovely energy-saving and fully customisable aspect to it. It directs light up towards the ceiling and down adjacent walls. It may be used as primary lighting or as an aesthetic complement, especially to highlight decorative ceilings. Cove lighting previously referred to a row of LEDs placed behind the framework above a window (or plasterboard moulding). However, with the advent in the popularity of LED strip lighting, they are now seen in a wider variety of locations. The resurgence in cove lighting shows that designers are responding inventively to new avant-garde style houses. In this article, we will explore the benefits of cove lighting and whether it may be right for your home or property. Where is it suitable to place LED cove lighting for optimal style and convenience? Cove lighting is now a common feature in dropped ceilings, or the ‘architectural slot’ (a slot usually placed along a ceiling). This slot reaches to within a few centimetres of the wall. Alan Tulla, the technical editor at Lux, believes that the typical modern home is full of suitable locations for cove lighting. He says: Once you start looking… you will find that there are scores of aluminium extrusions of different shapes and dimensions to suit just about any shape of ceiling/wall and room configuration Some cove systems must be plastered in and require skilled builders, while others are very easy to fit yourself. Sparks offers a whole range from FOSS LED who both have a large and most advanced range of strip lights in the UK. Many of the more flexible cove systems will bend in one or two planes, meaning they can be guided in different directions across a surface. This would be ideal, for instance, if you wanted a cove lighting system that began in your living room and then angled off into your open plan kitchen.Buy FossLED LED Striplights Factors to consider when choosing LED cove lighting - practical or aesthetic? A key decision to make is whether your cove lighting will be merely nice to look at, or actually have a practical use. A single faint glowing light across your kitchen will lend it a decorative glow, but will not be bright enough to help you find cooking utensils in the middle of the night. If you take the more practical option, with more optimal light output, then you can illuminate an entire room. This will give enough illumination to actually help you find your way about. Other forms of lighting, such as T5 fluorescent battens can emit well over 2,000lm/m which is bright enough to indirectly light a room. However, unlike cove lighting, they can only be used in straight lines and are limited to fixed lengths.Factors to consider when choosing cove lighting - placement and colour rendering One thing to consider, however, is why should you choose cove lighting as an option in the first place? It is considered a ‘decorative’ kind of lighting so the way in which it is placed is very important. The LEDs in a cove lighting system should not be too bright as to distract or cause glare. However, you can easily overcome this by locating them away from ‘hot spots’, e.g areas which are already well illuminated by other lights. It is wise to place them over matt surfaces which are known to minimise these ‘hot spots’, as opposed to glossy surfaces which will maximise the effect. Colour rendering is an important factor when it comes to cove lighting. LED fixtures can produce illumination in a range of colour temperatures and intensities. This includes the warm tones of incandescent fixtures and pure white tones that are perfect for rendering other colours. FossLED stock brilliantly convenient and powerful strip lighting with high CRI ratings. For example, their 24V Dimmable LED Striplight offers an incredible CRI of 92+.Buy Cove LED Light Strips The benefits of LED cove lighting summarised Indirect cove lighting is decorative illumination at its finest, showcasing the delicate features of any space. These fixtures are available as strip lamps and are easily kept out of sight. The low profile is crucial to their aesthetic appeal because they rely on softer illumination to create a warm glow. This is opposed to traditional fixtures mounted in the ceiling which are exposed, producing harsher radiance and shadows. Cove lighting systems will perfectly blend in with furniture or architectural features - so look into the relevant drivers, connectors and striplights that Sparks has to offer. Cove lighting can subtly complement a classy, modern home without drawing attention - it may be the perfect lighting solution for you.

At Sparks Electrical Wholesalers - together with FossLED - we provide a comprehensive selection of LED strip and rigid board lighting products designed to meet a wide variety of needs across numerous applications. Each product is crafted from premium-grade components, ensuring superior performance, durability, and the highest quality finish. The FossLED LED strip lights are engineered with a minimum CRI (Color Rendering Index) rating of 92+ and up to 97+, delivering exceptional light output and accurate colour representation. In order to help you choose the right LED strip and LED channel, we put together the following Frequently Asked Questions about the LED strip lights at SparksWhat lengths are LED strips sold in?What is the maximum length of LED strip that can be used?Can you cut LED strip?How do you use LED strips around corners?Do you need a profile to house LED strip?Are LED strips waterproof?Are LED strips dimmable?What is CRI?What is the difference between 12V and 24V LED strips?What is FREE CUT LED strip?What lengths are LED strips sold in?We take pride in offering our most popular LED strips in a wide range of lengths to meet diverse customer needs. Depending on the strip model and IP rating, we provide standard lengths such as 5m, 10m, 20m, 25m, 30m, and 50m. Additionally, we offer a customisation service on these reel lengths if you require a specific size or DIY-compatible clips.What is the maximum length of LED strip that can be used? The maximum length of LED strip that can be used is dependent on an array of factors but most importantly the LED strip type and wattage per metre; exceeding the recommended lengths can cause voltage drop as well as damage to the LED driver powering it. Within every LED strip product page, we list the maximum run length each specific LED strip can be powered to.Can you cut LED strip?Yes, you can cut LED strips, but there are some important factors to consider:Cutting points: Standard LED strips have designated cutting points, typically marked with a small line or scissor icon. These points are located between the copper pads along the strip. However, our new Free Cut Series offers more flexibility.Free Cut LED strips: These strips allow you to cut at any point along the length, without needing to adhere to specific cutting marks. Unlike traditional LED strips that are limited to predetermined intervals, Free Cut LED strips provide greater customisation options. This makes them ideal for achieving a precise fit for any project or space, especially when exact measurements are crucial or when traditional cutting points don’t align with your needs.How do you use LED strips around corners?For sharp, precise 90-degree corners, use our LED strip L connectors. For more flexible, less exact applications, our corner connectors are ideal. Be sure to choose a connector that matches the type of LED strip you are using. Compatible connectors are listed on each fossLED strip product page for your convenience.Do you need a profile to house LED strip?Yes, at fossLED we only warrant our LED Strip to 5 years if installed in conjunction with our aluminium LED profiles for the following reasons.Protection: Profiles offer physical protection for the LED strip, guarding it against dust, moisture, and mechanical damage, which helps to extend the strip’s lifespan by preventing physical harm.Heat dissipation: LED strips generate heat, and fossLED profiles, made from a 6063-aluminium alloy, are designed to function as heat sinks. This material effectively dissipates heat away from critical components, ensuring a cooler operating temperature and extending the product’s lifespan.Aesthetic finish: Profiles offer a sleek, professional look by concealing the LED strip and providing a clean, finished appearance. They come in various styles and materials, allowing you to match the profile to your design preferences.Light diffusion: fossLED Profiles are offered with diffusers that help to evenly distribute light and reduce glare, creating a more uniform and visually pleasing illumination.Ease of installation: Profiles streamline the installation process by offering a structured housing for the LED strip, which facilitates easier mounting and alignment. They also provide an optimal surface for the LED strip’s 3M backing to stick to, reducing the risk of long-term detachment and potential product failure due to improper heat dissipation.Best LED Striplights at SparksAre LED strips waterproof?LED strips are available in a variety of IP Ratings (Ingress Protection), and their level of water resistance varies based on their design and rating.Non-Water-Resistant LED Strips (IP20): These strips are not intended for contact with water or moisture. They are best suited for indoor environments with low moisture levels, such as living rooms or offices, and should be avoided in areas with high humidity, like bathrooms or outdoor spaces.Waterproof LED Strips: For applications exposed to water or high humidity, look for LED strips with higher IP ratings, such as IP65, IP67 or IP68. These ratings indicate different levels of resistance. The IP65 rating provides protection against water jets and low-pressure streams of water from all directions. The IP67 rating ensures full protection against dust and allows for temporary immersion in water, up to a depth of 1 metre for a maximum duration of 30 minutes. With an IP68 rating, the device is safeguarded for continuous immersion in water up to 1 metre deep. This level of protection is ideal for situations where the product will encounter substantial moisture, such as underwater lighting or outdoor use in areas prone to heavy rain. Always verify the IP rating of the LED strip to ensure it suits the requirements of your intended environment.Are LED strips dimmable?Yes, all fossLED strips are dimmable when paired with a fossLED mains dimmable driver and a standard LED-compatible UK dimmer, or when used with standard LED drivers and fossLED controller combinations. For more information on further dimming methods, protocols and lighting system integration, please contact us.What is CRI?CRI, or Colour Rendering Index, is a measure of how accurately a light source displays colours in comparison to natural light. It is expressed as a number on a scale from 0 to 100. CRI is a critical factor in assessing the quality of light and its impact on colour perception, with higher values indicating better colour rendering capabilities.What is the difference between 12V and 24V LED strips?The key differences between 12V and 24V LED strips lie in their voltage, wiring, and overall performance, impacting their suitability for various installations. 12V LED strips operate on a 12V power supply and are commonly used for shorter runs, such as in automotive lighting or very small-scale home projects. 24V LED strips require a 24V power supply and are ideal for longer runs. They generate less heat and operate more efficiently, making them better suited for general home and commercial installations.What is FREE CUT LED strip?These strips allow you to cut at any point along the length, without needing to adhere to specific cutting marks. Unlike traditional LED strips that are limited to predetermined intervals, Free Cut LED Strips provide greater customization options. This makes them ideal for achieving a precise fit for any project or space, especially when exact measurements are crucial or when traditional cutting points don’t align with your needs.Buy FossLED LED Strips