LED strips have become increasingly popular for both decorative and functional purposes. One common question that arises is how many LED strips can be connected together. In this article, we will provide you with the necessary information to make an informed decision and get the most out of your LED strip setup.

>>> See More Essential Pool Lights Info: Your Gateway to Pool Luxury

Understanding the Logistics

When connecting LED strips together, it's important to consider some logistical factors. It is crucial to remember that resistance increases with distance when using wires, and the same principle applies to LED strips. Vetco, an industry expert, recommends not connecting more than three complete strips end-to-end without additional supportive measures.

Different Types of LED Strips

Before we delve into the specifics, let's briefly cover the various types of LED strips we will be discussing:

• Warm White (waterproof and non-waterproof)
• Cool White (waterproof and non-waterproof)
• RGB Strip (waterproof and non-waterproof)
• Addressable RGB Strips (waterproof and non-waterproof)

Now, let's break down the logistics for each type of LED strip.

Warm White and Cool White LED Strips

Warm White and Cool White LED strips are the most straightforward to connect. Simply provide them with 12 volts of direct current, and they will light up. While polarity is a consideration, these strips won't get damaged if connected incorrectly.

Both Warm White and Cool White LED strips contain 300 LEDs in a 16.4 feet roll. This translates to approximately 1.5 Amps at 12VDC. When wired in parallel, each additional strip will add the same amperage. For example, two strips would be roughly 3.0 Amps at 12VDC, and three strips would require at least 4.5 Amps at 12VDC. To connect additional strips, extra supportive power wires or additional power supply units are recommended.

>>> See More Do LED Light Strips Damage Paint?

RGB Strips

RGB strips are slightly different as each module on the strip contains three colors: red, blue, and green. When set to white and at full brightness, RGB strips use almost three times the power of regular white strips. A 16.4 feet roll of RGB LEDs requires roughly 3.0 Amps at 12VDC. Connecting two of these strips will result in a total Amp requirement of approximately 6 to 7. Vetco recommends a 10 AMP 12V DC power supply for three RGB strips. Bear in mind that there are power losses in the line with DC power.

Addressable RGB LED Strips

Addressable RGB LED strips offer more control and versatility compared to other types. They allow you to individually choose the color, brightness, and which LEDs are lit. These strips are powered by 5 Volt DC and require special attention to prevent damage to the strip and connected microcontrollers.

Addressable RGB strips use approximately 2.8 Amps per 16 feet at full brightness on the color white at 5VDC. The same rule applies here: connect no more than two consecutive strips end-to-end. For additional strips, a separate power bus with higher gauge wire or additional power supplies should be used. The data signal runs through the center wire on all the strips, carrying only data and no power. The controller chips in each LED module on the strips repeat and boost the signal, eliminating signal loss.

>>> See More What’s the Process for Installing Above-Ground Pool Lights?