Can You Cut LED Light Strips in 2022?

LED light strips are a popular and efficient way to light up a room, but what do you do if you want to put them in a corner? Most LED light strips come with connectors that allow you to easily connect them together, but what if you want to cut them and put them in a corner? It can be difficult to do this without damaging the strip or the connector.

In this blog post, we will show you how to cut LED light strips and connect them back together so that they can be stuck in a corner.

Can You Cut LED Light Strips?

Yes, you can cut LED light strips. However, it is important to know which brand, Type ( RGB or RGBIC), where to cut them, and how to connect them back together so that they work properly.

When cutting LED light strips, you will need to Cut along the dotted line that is usually printed on the strip. This will ensure that you do not damage the individual LEDs. Once you have Cut the strip, you will need to use a soldering iron to weld the two wires together.

If done correctly, this will create a seamless connection between the two pieces of the LED light strip. You can then put the strips in whatever position you desire, including corners.

Can You Cut Waterproof Light Strips?

Yes, you can cut waterproof LED light strips. However, it is important to note that when you cut them, the water-resistant coating will be lost on the cut edge. This means that if you plan on using the cut strips in an area where they will be exposed to water, you will need to seal the cut edge with silicone or another waterproofing material.

What are the LED Light Strips You Can’t Cut?

There are some LED light strips that cannot be Cut. These include:

Addressable RGB LED strips have individual LEDs that can be controlled via software. This means that if you Cut them, the Cut strip will not work properly.

Flexible PCB LED strips are made of flexible circuit boards and cannot be cut without damaging them.

Integrated heat sink LED strips have a built-in heat sink that helps dissipate heat. If you Cut these types of strips, the heat sink will no longer work properly.

RGBIC LED strips have an integrated control chip that allows you to control the color and brightness of the LEDs. If you Cut these strips, the Cut strip will not work properly.

As you can see, there are some types of LED light strips that cannot be Cut. However, there are many other types of LED light strips that can be cut and used in a variety of applications. When choosing an LED light strip, be sure to check if it can be cut before making your purchase.

If You Cut LED Lights Will Both Sides Work?

If you Cut an LED light strip in half, both sides will work. However, it is important to note that the Cut edge will not be as bright as the rest of the strip. This is because when you Cut the strip, you are cutting through some of the individual LEDs.

When cut at the proper markings and re-connected with correct polarity, both sides of the light strip will work. Most light strips will have similar markings which designate were to make a cut. The copper sections that appear every couple of inches throughout the light strip roll are where to make a cut.

To ensure that both sides of the Cut strip are working properly, you will need to solder the two wires together. This will create a seamless connection between the two pieces of the LED light strip. You can then put the strips in whatever position you desire, including corners.

Also read: What is the width size of an LED Light Strip

How to Reconnect Cut LED Light Strips

After cutting the LED light strip, it is necessary to reconnect it. To do so:

1. Make sure that the power to the light strip is turned off.
2. Decide if you need a straight connector or a 90-degree angled connector.
3. Use standard craft scissors to cut along the pre-determined cut line of the copper section. This copper section is on your strip light spaced every few inches.
4. Each section of strip light should have equal amounts of copper section left over. This is needed to make your connector pins work.
5. Have your small plastic gapless or jumper connection ready and peel back any adhesive backing to allow for a clean connection.
6. Gently push each section of the strip light into the connector piece.
7. Use the small clamps on the connector to snap the strip lights in place.
8. Be sure both sides of the strip light are facing the same direction when reconnecting your Cut strips.
9. Once you have confirmed that the strip lights are correctly in place, turn on the power to the light strip.
10. Check that the cut LEDs are working properly. If not, check your connections and try again.

Cutting LED light strips is a simple way to customize them for your specific needs. By following the proper steps, you can Cut LED light strips and create unique designs for your home or business.

Originally published at https://ledlightstation.com on September 20, 2022.