What is the difference between high-voltage and low-voltage light strips?

LED light strips are one of the most common lighting products, and are an indispensable decorative element in the design without main lights. They can be made into various shapes, enrich the home space, and create a sense of atmosphere. When choosing light strips, you will encounter such questions: do you want high-voltage or low-voltage light strips? What is the difference between the two?

1. Different voltages

High-voltage light strips are generally 220V and can be directly connected to the mains. If the human body touches it directly, there is a risk of electric shock. The end of the light strip is also cut with 220v strong electricity, so it must be well insulated.

Low-voltage light strips are generally divided into 12V and 24V, which are safer than high-voltage light strips. Under normal circumstances, there is no danger in touching, but it is recommended not to touch when powered.

2. Different specifications and lengths

The maximum length of high-voltage light strips can be 50 meters or more.

Low-voltage light strips are mostly 10m long. If the light strip required for the use scenario is very long, then multiple wiring points and multiple drivers are required.

3. Different cutting lengths

High-voltage light strips are generally cut in 1-meter or 2-meter lengths, and need to be cut in whole meters, otherwise the entire set of lights will not light up. For example, if you need a 1.5-meter light strip, you need to cut 2 meters, and then wrap the extra 0.5 meters with black tape to block the light.

Low-voltage light strips can be cut with a few lamp beads, and the size can be flexibly controlled. Due to the different circuit designs of different light strips, the length that can be cut will also vary. The part marked with the scissors is the cutting position.

4. Different service life

High-voltage light strips have high voltage and high current, generate more heat, and the light decay will be more serious. In addition, high-voltage light strips have a silicone jacket, and the heat dissipation effect is relatively poor, so the life span is not as good as that of low-voltage light strips.

Low-voltage light strips have low voltage and low current, so they consume less energy, and their heat dissipation performance is better than high voltage, so their service life is 3-5 times longer than that of high-voltage light strips!

5. Different drivers

High-voltage light strips are easier to install, and can be driven directly by high-voltage drivers. Generally, factories can configure them directly and connect them to a 220V power supply to work normally.

When installing low-voltage light strips, you must install a DC power supply driver in advance to reduce the voltage, which is relatively complicated during installation.

6. Different installations

High-voltage light strips must be straightened and fixed with stainless steel cards. When on the ceiling groove, you need to make a sidewall groove, and the sidewall groove height should be slightly higher than the light strip. If the sidewall groove is too high, it will result in less light.

After tearing off the protective paper on the adhesive backing of the low-voltage light strip, you can stick it in a relatively narrow place, such as bookcases, display cabinets, wardrobes, etc. The shape can be changed, turning, arc, etc., and it can also be used with linear lights, aluminum grooves, and skirtings.