What to Know to Increase Your LED Strip Light’s Lifespan

Strip Lights Overview 

LED strip lights are adaptable, flexible lighting solutions. Due to the ease of installation, customization, and energy efficiency of these lights, they’re often used in both residential DIY projects and commercial settings, for accent and decorative lighting - including under- or above-cabinet lighting, toe-kick lighting, task lighting, cove lighting, and more. 

What to Know Before Installing LED Strip Lights

Before you begin installing your LED strips, you need to ensure you not only have all of the required materials, but also that the installation area is prepared. 

• Clean the Installation Area. Ensure the installation area is free of dust, debris, or other particles so the strips can adhere to the surface.   

• Consider Temperature and Ventilation. Lights installed in locations with high temperatures or poor ventilation have a greater risk of overheating, leading to product failure. 

• Install Waterproof Strips When Appropriate. Strip lights being installed outdoors or in other areas where water is present should have at least an IP65 rating. Shop our line of waterproof strips here. 

• Comply With the Max Run of the Strips. Every strip will have a designated max run; this indicates the length of strip that you can power from one end before experiencing brightness loss due to voltage drop. Some strips may also be limited by the maximum Class 2 power supply ratings of 60W for 12V strips and 100W for 24V strips. If you’re planning to install lights at longer distances, our long run strips are a great option. 

How Do I Maintain Upkeep of Lights Once They’re Installed?

Follow the tips below to prolong the longevity of your strip lights. 

• Install With Dimmers and Timers. Dimmers allow you to adjust light output. Being able to dim lights when full brightness isn’t needed decreases energy costs. Use timers to set your lights to automatically power on or off at set times. 

• Note: Strips must be paired with compatible timers (via controller) or dimmers in order to complete these functions. 

• Use High-Quality, Compatible Power Supplies. The voltage of a power supply should match the strip’s voltage, and the wattage should be 20% greater than the strip's. To calculate this, multiply the length of the strip (ft) by the watts per foot (W/ft) and divide the output by 0.80.  

• Monitor the Electrical and Wiring Connections. Regularly checking connections will help you notice if wires show early signs of failure or if connectors should be adjusted or replaced. 

• Avoid Frequent Handling. Regularly touching or adjusting the lights can cause them to wear down faster and risk contaminating them with dirt, water, and other substances. 

Where Do I Cut LED Strip Lights? 

Our strip lights have the designated cut points labeled so you can easily identify cuttable segments. An easy way to identify these places when looking at the front of the strip is the location of the copper pads. Cutting anywhere besides these pre-marked areas is not recommended, as you risk damaging the LEDs or other internal components.

The one exception is our free cut strip lights, which can be cut practically anywhere, as close as every 4mm.   

How Do I Keep Strip Lights From Falling or Peeling Off? 

Our strip lights feature a 3M adhesive backing, making them easy to stick to a surface. Don’t peel off the paper covering the backing until right before you’re ready to install. The adhesive is only one-time use, so once adhered, they cannot be moved. For temporary or frequently relocated installations, we recommend using mounting clips or aluminum channels. This allows the channels to be removed and relocated, while preserving the strip’s adhesive. 

Are Aluminum Channels Required?

Aluminum channels aren’t required for installation, but there are many benefits to installing them with your strips. These channels are great for effective heat dissipation, protection from dust, debris, and other damaging elements, aesthetic design, and evenly diffused light distribution. You can shop aluminum channels here, or if you know the specific strip you’re planning to use, you can refer to the ‘Accessories & Power Supplies’ section on the product page for compatible options.  

Where Can I Buy LED Strip Lights?

Super Bright LEDs offers a broad selection of LED strip lights, in various colors, CCTs, lengths, IP ratings, voltages, and more. Our strips are backed by multi-year warranties, with certain products featuring lifetime warranties. 

To learn more about choosing the right LED strip light for your installation, troubleshooting common issues, the different types of strips, and more, read our Ultimate LED Strip Light Guide. If you have questions or need more information before purchasing and installing, contact our team of product support specialists by calling 866-590-3533 or by completing our contact form.