Full Text Searchable PDF User Manual
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LED
Flex Strip
Contact here
Solderless Clamp
variety of settings and applications. Here’s how LED Light Strips can be readied for mounting in three easy steps:
Primary Features
•
•
• 12VDC operation.
Applications
• Back Lighting
• Cove Lighting
• Task Lighting
• Display Case Lighting
• Retail Lighting
• Sign Illumination
• Accent Decor Lighting
• Under Cabinet Lighting
• Automotive Accent Lighting
NFLS-x Series Flexible LED Flexible Light Strip
Simple Connection Steps
SAFETY TIPS
1. Cut along the light strip tape
wherever a dashed line divides
two sets of positive and negative
connection points.
Peel away a portion of the light strip adhesive
backing at one end. With the solderless clamp
open, slide the strip end all the way into the
solderless clamp. Close the hinged clamp.
Remove the remaining adhesive
backing and attach the light strip
to the desired surface.
Note: Polarity symbols should match
on each component.
LED Light Strip Handling:
• Do not stare directly into LED lights when illuminated.
• Always disconnect power supply before cutting/connecting
LED Light Strips.
• Do not expose LED Light Strips` to direct or indirect
moisture.
• Do not crimp light strip tape, attempt to bend light strips
width-wise, or length-wise to a radius less than 15mm.
Power Supply:
• Do not connect LED Light Strips directly to 120V AC power.
• Apply power to test LED Light Strips before mounting.
• Do not connect more than one 16.5’ section of light strips to
the included power supply. Overloading the included power
Installation Planning
Flexible LED Light Strips are highly versatile and can provide a superior lighting solution in a variety of applications. To maxi-
process.
Some general questions to ask in determining which installation design
best suits your lighting needs are:
• Where will your power supply be located?
•
•
• How will you run your wiring to your LED strip lighting?
Flexible LED Light Strips are designed to
provide indirect, accent-style lighting. Be
sure to install your LED lighting out of
direct sight.
This kit requires an UL Listed Class 2 12 VDC power supply.
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Connection, Switch and Powering Options
The information and illustrations below offer recommendations for choosing a general design for your application.
Wall
Switch
Switched AC
Outlet
12V DC
Power Supply
12V DC
Power Supply
120V AC
Outet
LED
Dimmer
12V DC
Power Supply
Wireless
Wall Switch
120V AC
Outet
Wireless
Switch Receiver
12V DC
Power Supply
120V AC
Outet
Wireless
LED Dimmer
Wireless
LED Dimmer
Receiver
Fuse
Protection
12V
Battery
12V
Switch
LED
Dimmer
Light strip On/Off/Brightness is
controlled by an LED dimmer.
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Light strip On/Off is controlled by a wire-
less wall switch and signal receiver.
Light strip On/Off/Brightness is controlled by
a wireless LED dimmer and signal receiver.
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Light strip is powered directly by a 12V
battery, for applications like boats, RV’s, etc.
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Light strip On/Off is controlled by a
wall mounted switch.
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Wiring Considerations
Important factors to consider when designing your lighting system are:
• The total lighting wattage your installation will require.
• The length and size of wiring needed to connect LED light
strips to the power supply.
Use the chart below as a reference to minimize voltage drop.
Voltage Drop
Voltage drop is the normal loss of voltage that
occurs as power flows along a wire connection
in low voltage systems, and increases as the
length of a wire connection is increased. Wire
length and thickness as well as total light watt-
age influence the amount of voltage drop.
Recommended Maximum Wire Lengths - Power Supply to Light Strips
22 AWG Wire
18 AWG Wire
Light Strip (Length in Ft.)
Wire Length (Max Length in Ft.)
Light Strip (Length in Ft.)
Wire Length (Max Length in Ft.)
12
10
12
20
24
8
24
16
36
6
36
12
48
4
48
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Layout Options
Light strips are powered from a single looped “Loop-
back” connection, which also produces more consis-
tent results. Often used for room perimeter and cove
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In the “Array” option, light strip “legs” are individual-
ly powered. Total wattage should be determined so as
not to overload power supply.
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Power
Supply
Light strips are powered in a continuous “Straight”
run. Strips that are furthest from the power supply
are more likely to exhibit voltage drop.
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Light strips are powered from a spliced “Centerfeed”
connection. This type of layout tends to produce
more consistent brightness and color between strips.
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Power Supply Options (for Straight Run and Centerfeed/Loop Back Layouts)
Power Supply Options (for Array Layouts)
Maximum Length of LED Light Strip Based on Layout Type and Power Supply
Power Supply
Straight Run
Center Feed / Loop Back
6 Watt
Not recommended
15 Watt
30 Watt
60 Watt
LED Light Strip power requirements are based on several factors, including the light strip layout and the length limitations of
light strip-type lighting. Refer to the guide below for choosing a power supply. It is recommended to choose a power supply
option in excess of your needs, since LED Light Strips cannot be overloaded. UL Listed Class 2 power supply required.
your connection wires. A leg can be a single LED strip or series of strips connected end-to-end.
Calculate the wattage for each leg by multiplying watts per foot by the length of LED lighting in the leg. Include only the
lengths of LED tape in your calculation, not the connecting wires. Add each leg’s wattage requirement together, and referring
to the chart below, determine the total watts needed to power your array and select the appropriate power supply.
Length of leg (LED tape light only)
Watts used per foot
Cutting, Connecting and Wiring
LED Light Strips can be cut in 5cm lengths, each containing 3 LEDs. Lengths are marked at cutting intervals by lines lying
between sets of soldering points, as indicated in the illustration below.
Positive Contacts Points
Negative Contacts Points
strips using solderless clamps.
-
form than soldering contacts, in some circcumstances,
soldering contacts may be necessary. For procedures such
as soldering and splicing, it recommended that you are
already familiar with basic wiring skills.
Contact Here
Soldered Contacts
Using Solderless Clamps/Soldering
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Extend wire lead
up to 10 ft., using
22-18 AWG
For longer wiring needs between LED Light Strips, another op-
tion is to splice in longer lengths of wiring between two solderless
clamps, as shown at right.
Wiring lengths can be increased up to 10 ft., using 22-18 AWG
wiring.
Another option for quick, easy and flexible connection between
LED Light Strips is the Light Strip Interconnect, shown at right.
Interconnects are a useful option in applications where you want
to easily join light strips over separated surfaces, such as between
kitchen cabinets.
Using Light Strip Interconnects
Lengthening Wiring
Installation
Important
The backing tape on LED Light Strips
is coated with a strong adhesive that
is intended for a single application
only. Apply only when a lighting loca-
tion is fully determined.
Mounting Options
Once you have determined your final mounting position, clean the surface
to assure the self-adhesive backing will adhere properly. The mounting
surface needs to be smooth, dry, and free from oils and waxes.
Although LED Light Strips can be installed in curved and irregular spaces,
avoid sharp bends or bending on the solder joints as you could damage the
light strip. If an LED is inadvertently damaged and fails to light, the
remaining LEDs will continue to operate.
Ceiling
LED mounted
on angle strip
Cabinet
Wall
Ceiling
Light
Pattern
Ceiling
LED mounted flat
on angle for
concentrated lighting
Cabinet
Wall
Ceiling
Light
Pattern
Ceiling
LED mounted flat
for ceiling wash effect
Cabinet
Wall
Ceiling
Light
Pattern
Over Cabinet Lighting
Mounting Options
Once you have chosen a lighting configuration and finished making necessary connections, installing Light Strips can be as
simple as applying them to the desired surface. However, it is recommended to first try different installation options to achieve
the most attractive results from your lighting system.
Below, some typical installation techniques for different applications are represented with some general guidelines to observe.
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Cove /Crown Molding Lighting
Ceiling
LED mounted
flat at least
3/4 in. from wall
Cabinet
Wall
Ceiling
Light
Pattern
Moulding
Ceiling
LED mounted for
ceiling wash effect
Cabinet
Wall
Ceiling
Light
Pattern
Moulding
Ceiling
LED mounted at
angle for concentrated
cove illumination
Cabinet
Wall
Ceiling
Light
Pattern
Moulding
Cove /Crown Molding Lighting
Light
Pattern
LED mounted
flat with clearance
from cabinet edge
Light
Pattern
LED mounted on
cabinet lip for
wall wash effect
Troubleshooting
Tape light strip does not light
• Make sure your power supply is turned on and receiving power.
• Confirm you have maintained correct polarity (+ to + and – to –) when joining LED Light Strips as well as when connect-
ing to the 12V power supply.
• Check all tape light connections and any switch or dimmer connections from the power supply to the LED Light Strips.
Consider testing with a multimeter to ensure light strip is receiving 12V power.
Only part of the LED tape light strip is lit
• Check connections to the part of the Light Strip that is not lit.
• Confirm you have maintained correct polarity (+ to + and – to –) when joining LED Light Strips as well as when con-
necting to the 12V power supply.
• If only 1 LED series is out, cut out and remove the damaged 3-LED group and splice together LED Light Strips or re-
place with new 3-LED section.
LED tape lights blink on, then go off
• Your power supply is not adequate for the length of LED Light Strips you are powering. Install a higher wattage power
supply or reduce watts used by shortening the lengths of your LED Light Strips.
LEDs farthest from the power supply are noticeably dimmer
• This is the result of voltage drop. Decrease the length of the 12V power feed wires or use thicker power feed wires be-
tween the 12V power supply and the lighting strips.
• Use shorter lengths of LED Light Strips. Refer to layout options in these guidelines. Consider a different layout.
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