LED strips

LED strips are among the most innovative lighting systems used in home lighting and beyond.

They are flexible copper strips, onto which LED chips are soldered, connected through resistors.

The amount of chips on the strip is variable, ranging from 60 to 528 per meter, a factor that considerably affects the amount of light.

Available in various intensities and color temperatures, they can be cut according to the cutting module adapting to a variety of applications, domestic as well as commercial.

Choosing the ideal LED strip depends on several factors, first and foremost the color temperature: warm, natural, or cool.

Brightness is equally as important and is measured in lumens: the higher the lumen value, the greater the amount of light emitted.

It is essential to choose the strip with appropriate brightness, depending on the desired application.

The color rendering index needs also to be considered. This is the value that determines how accurately the light source renders colors compared to a natural light source.

Choosing an efficient solution, energy-wise, will cut electricity costs, in the long run.

Finally, the LED strip must be easy to install and adaptable to the surface on which it will be fitted, as well as suitable to withstand humid environments.
In this regard, an adequate IP rating - Ingress Protection - is important, so to ensure resistance and protection from dust and water.

The color rendering index (CRI) measures the ability of a light source to faithfully reveal the colors of objects compared to a natural light source such as the sun, on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the CRI, the more vivid and natural colors appear.

Correlated color temperature (CCT), on the other hand, defines the appearance of white light in terms of warmth (warm, neutral or cool) and is measured in Kelvin (K). A warm light is around 2700K, a warm-white light is around 3000K, a neutral-white light is around 4000K, and a cool light is between 5500K and 6500K.

Lumen is the unit of measurement of luminous flux, which indicates the amount of light emitted. The abbreviation by which it is identified is lm. Watt (W), on the other hand, is a measure of the power output of the LED that allows its consumption to be evaluated.

Luminous efficiency is the ratio of lumens (lm) to watts (W), denoted as lm/W. This parameter measures the efficiency of a light source, that is, its ability to illuminate well while consuming little energy. A high value of lm/W indicates a more efficient product.

The IP rating indicates the level of protection of a device against the ingress of foreign solids (dust) and liquids (water). It is expressed with two digits, for example IP65. Each digit has a specific meaning: the first digit indicates the level of protection against the ingress of solid objects, while the second digit indicates the level of protection against the ingress of liquids.
Please consult the table in the catalog to understand the meaning of the IP rating associated with each LED strip.

LED strips with dynamic white allow you to adjust the temperature of white light from warm to cool, creating different atmospheres as needed. With RGB ones, on the other hand, it is possible to form the full range of colors resulting from the combination of the primary colors red, green and blue, the combination of which is based on additive mixing.

Most of the LED strips in the catalog are dimmable. The control of the light intensity can be done through power supplies, external ignitions or integrated into the profile inside which the LED strip is placed.

Most of the LED strips in the catalog have UL Listed certification (link di rimando alla pagina certificazione ul), ensuring compliance with safety standards for the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Several types of LED strips are available in the catalog, including pro, neon, dynamic white, RGB, side view, side view COB, COB, and round neon. Each type has specific technical aspects and dimensions to suit different design needs. To choose the one that suits your purposes, use the selection filters.

The LED strips in the Metalarredo catalog offer a wide range of options, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your needs, ensuring a solution for every project, from decoration to functional lighting.

LED strips can be supplied loose (in reels) or wired (equipped with cable and quick connector for the connection to the power supply). Depending on the use and purpose of the project, we recommend matching or not matching an LED profile, except for some strips, such as neon or round neon, which cannot be matched with an LED profile.

Yes, LED strips can be cut at the cut module, the position of which varies from strip to strip. The cut module of each LED strip is highlighted in the technical drawing on the product page and in the datasheet.

The specific needs of the lighting project determine the choice between 12V and 24V LED strips. It is important to consider the length of the LED strip you intend to use. In general, 12V LED strips are more suitable for shorter installations while 24V LED strips are ideal for longer lengths. This is because 24V strips tend to maintain a more uniform brightness over long distances, reducing the risk of dips in brightness that can occur with 12V strips over longer runs.

Kelvin (K) determines the different color temperatures available, which vary to best suit applications. The temperatures proposed are:

• warm white (2700K - 3000K): to create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere;
• neutral white (4000K - 4500K): for balanced lighting, suitable for both residential and commercial spaces;
• cool white (5000K - 6500K): for working and commercial environments, where brighter light is required.