How to Choose Waterproof LED Strip Lights？
When it comes to selecting waterproof LED strip lights, understanding your needs and environment is crucial. Waterproof LED strip lights are versatile, offering both aesthetic and functional lighting solutions for a wide range of applications. Whether you are looking to illuminate your garden, outdoor patio, or even underwater, knowing how to choose the right product is key to ensuring durability, efficiency, and safety.
Here is a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision when choosing waterproof LED strip lights.
1.Define Your Purpose and Lighting Needs
Before purchasing waterproof LED strip lights, it’s essential to define the purpose of the lighting:
Decorative Lighting: If you need ambient or accent lighting, consider using RGB or RGBW LED strips for customizable color options.
Functional Lighting: For task lighting, such as illuminating stairs, pathways, or work areas, opt for high-brightness LED strips.
Waterproof Requirements: If you plan to use the lights outdoors or in moist environments, ensure that the LED strip is specifically designed to withstand water exposure.
The choice of lighting type will directly affect factors such as brightness, color temperature, and flexibility.
Understanding where the lights will be installed is crucial for determining the required level of waterproofing.
Outdoor Areas: If you're installing lights in areas like patios, balconies, or garden beds, you’ll need lights that can resist water exposure.
Wet Environments: For environments where the lights may be submerged, such as ponds or pools, opt for LED strips with a higher IP rating.
Covered Spaces: Even in areas with some protection, such as covered patios or balconies, it’s important to choose LED strips that are resistant to splashes and humidity.
Once the type of lighting to be used is determined, the next crucial step is selecting the installation location for the outdoor LED light strip. Determining the specific installation location of the waterproof LED light strip not only helps in accurately planning the power supply layout but also determines the applicable voltage for the light strip.
Generally, weatherproof outdoor waterproof LED light strips are available in two voltage specifications: low voltage (DC12V and DC24V) and high voltage (AC110V and AC220V). It is important to note that when choosing between DC12V and DC24V, the power rating of the outdoor power supply should be prioritized.
From an electrical safety perspective, to ensure the safety and stability of the LED light strip lighting system, the power of the LED light strip should be at least 20% lower than the rated power of the power supply. This effectively avoids damage to the light strip components due to high voltage or a series of safety hazards caused by voltage and power mismatch, thus ensuring that the outdoor light strip operates in a stable electrical environment and achieves long-term reliable operation.
3. Choose the Right Waterproof Rating (IP Rating)
The IP rating (Ingress Protection) measures how well the product is protected against water and dust. It is essential to select the right IP rating based on your location and usage conditions.
|
IP Rating |
Protection |
Ideal Use |
|
IP20 |
Basic dust protection, no water resistance |
Indoor dry environments such as living rooms, bedrooms, display cabinets, and decorative lighting |
|
IP65 |
Water-resistant to sprays |
Patios, balconies, or outdoor areas not exposed to direct rain |
|
IP67 |
Can withstand short-term immersion |
Wet environments, areas with frequent rain |
|
IP68 |
Can be submerged for extended periods |
Pools, ponds, or other submerged installations |
COB-320D-8mm-24V-IP20 COB-288D-110V/220V-Brushed-IP65
COB-324D-8mm-24V-Milky-IP67 FCOB-1005-24V-IP68
Tip: For general outdoor use, IP65 should be sufficient, but if you expect constant exposure to water or plan to submerge the strips, go for IP67 or IP68.
4. Material and Build Quality
The durability of waterproof LED strips depends heavily on the materials used in construction and the sealing process. Different sealing methods, such as silicone coating or epoxy resin, can impact the longevity and water resistance of the product.
Silicone Coating: Silicone coatings offer excellent flexibility and good moisture and dust resistance. They provide high light transmittance with minimal impact on brightness and resistance to UV radiation and temperature variations.
Integrated Extrusion: Integrated extrusion utilizes a one-piece encapsulation process to create a seamless, stable, and waterproof structure. This design eliminates gaps and weaknesses, enhancing durability, weather resistance, and long-term reliability for outdoor installations.
PVC Diffusion Encapsulation: PVC diffusion encapsulation combines basic waterproof protection with light diffusion. It provides soft, uniform lighting and is a cost-effective solution widely used in decorative and commercial lighting applications.
5. Installation Methods
The installation method is just as important as the product selection, as it affects the long-term performance and waterproofing of the LED strip.
Surface Mount: Direct installation using adhesive backing; suitable for quick installation on flat surfaces.
Mounting Clip: A small, transparent clip with a screw fixing device that firmly secures the LED strip and tightens it into place; simple installation.
Outdoor waterproof LED strips are available in various voltages, densities, and lengths, so following the steps above to select the right LED strip is key to the successful implementation of your lighting project. At Golden Ocean Lighting, we offer outdoor waterproof products that meet CE and RoHS standards. Our LED strips have protection ratings of IP20, IP65, IP67, and IP68, suitable for both indoor and outdoor projects. We also offer a variety of lengths, densities, colors, and voltages, so you're sure to find the right lighting solution!
If you need assistance selecting the right outdoor waterproof LED strip for your project, please tell us your project details, and we will help you obtain the correct components. Chat with our lighting experts in real-time on our website or contact us via email!
