LED strip lights- the main reasons why they don't work and how you can solve them

An LED strip light is a new and improved form of lighting which comes in many variants and alterations. These lights have become quite popular in recent years, mainly due to their varying IP range- from IP20 to IP68. They can be used for both internal and external projects such as underwater lighting or kitchen lighting etc.

The speciality of such strip lights is their appearance. Their look is similar to a ribbon, and they are flexible, bendable and can take any shape architecturally. Therefore, this feature makes them suitable to be used in various areas, be it commercial or domestic. Let us have a look at the following characteristics-

1. They operate on low voltage DC power

2. Available in a variety of colours. LED strips are available in various colours, ranging from single colour strips to multi-colour strips

3. It is available in different sizes – the most common being 5 meters

4. It has double- side adhesive

5. The length of the strip lights can be shortened

6. The strips are soft and can take any shape

7. It is possible to cut or extend the strips as per the need

8. Most LED strips are weather resistant and are covered in flexible plastic. This quality makes them waterproof and safe to use in any condition

9. Since it is easy to make shapes with the LED strips, they can be used for decorative purposes. For example- they can be used in buildings, bridges, gardens, ceiling, ponds, advertising, and even underwater

LED lights are listed amongst the most durable types of lights available in the markets, lasting approximately 50,000 hours. However, this does not mean that they won't break down or stop working. The reasons for this are many, mainly ranging between problems or malfunctioning in the working of the power unit or the LED driver. Let us have a look at some of the most common errors that arise in the workings of a LED strip light-

1. If your entire LED strip does not light up at all, the foremost step you have to follow is to check whether the power supply and voltage are in accordance with the LED strip. If the power supply is lesser, then the strip won't light up. Secondly, you will have to check for signs of short circuits and loose connections. One of the most common causes of power fluctuations in households is large electrical devices such as fan heaters which can cause the voltage to fluctuate.

2. If the LED strip is lighting up brighter at one end as compared to the other end, then the most plausible cause could be a drop in voltage. You should check your circuit design because most LED strips come with a maximum run length. And the most common consequence that is caused by overloading LED strips with vast amounts of power is voltage drop. It is mostly observed that almost all LED strips exhibit voltage drop. The intensity of the problem will majorly depend on the voltage drop.

3. In case your LED strip lights are getting dimmer with time, there can be two leading causes for this- a. when the input voltage drops below the designed voltage. It would be best if you corrected the wiring to solve this issue. b. faulty LEDs- some low-quality LEDs might prove to be troublesome and might not serve for a longer time than most good-quality LEDs.

4. In case, particular sections of the LED strip do not light up while the rest of the LED is functioning well, then there are chances of an open circuit. Reheating the solder joints for the faulty LEDs is a possible solution to this issue.

Though every error can't be categorised into the above-listed categories, the article attempted to list some significant ones. As mentioned earlier, LED strips are one of the most versatile of all LED products. They might seem similar to LED panels, but as their names suggest, they offer a lot more flexibility and efficiency as compared to them.

Hi,I am Abhilash Tyagi, an active blogger since 3 years. I love to gain and share knowledge by means of writing. I write on topics like lifestyle, technology, fashion, Food, business. Follow me: @abetyagi