The connector is ... What is a connector, and what are the types of connectors?

In order to create static light fragments and compositions, designers use luminous multi-colored lights from LEDs. Sometimes it is required to decorate a fountain or multi-level construction with multi-meter light strips. Powered by battery voltage, colored belts are tuned cars.

Lighting furniture or display cases, long ago stopped using neon lamps. LED strips are used for decorative illumination of the house, in courtyards, on the steps. Flexible moisture-proof tapes with fused LEDs are installed in swimming pools and aquariums. Illuminated ceilings, bookshelves, decor elements in the bathroom diversify and complement the interior of the premises.

Since the length of the luminous tape in the reel is of a certain size, to create the right footage, one-piece mechanical connectors are used for lengthening - connectors for LED strips. The specified length is formed by adding or cutting off excess LEDs with the help of rigid fastening contact devices.

The term "connector"

A modern connector is a compact device that closes the electric light circuit by simply snapping it. Understanding this topic, it is worth remembering or getting to know such a concept as electrical circuits. It is known from the course of school physics that electrical connections are consistent and parallel. Providing a uniform load on all the LEDs in the tape and eliminating overheating and burnout of the extreme elements, the tracks are connected in a parallel way. Do this by using separate wires, attaching long pieces of tape to the source of electricity.

Places where you can make an incision are indicated on the strip by marking. The brightness of the LED strip light depends on how much power and how many diodes are soldered in one meter of tape. The sum of the diodes is a multiple of three (60, 90, 120, etc.). Each three diodes form a series of electrical circuits. This is important, since the bars are powered by a voltage of twelve volts. If we ignore this knowledge, then a few diodes at the beginning and end of the tape will remain inoperative, that is, they will not glow.

What connectors are made

To connect the tape system to a conventional 120-volt network, power supplies are used. The feeder connectors are a snap-in clip-like, reliable, universal patch cord that fits any type of tape. Connecting with the help of a wire to the PSU connector, this contact is also used when connecting the LED strip to the amplifying device or dimmer.

The connector connector is an accessory that allows you to do without soldering wires with tin when mounting the backlight. Although the soldered terminals are not oxidized and under certain conditions can last a little longer, various types of connectors simplify the assembly time and speed up the entire process of setting the backlight. That's why special devices are needed. It is possible to fasten two lengths of ribbons rigidly or with the distance between them (for example, when rotating or at the corners of rectangular elements of furniture or other structures).

Manufacturers produce types of optical connectors for multi-color (of 4 bands) and single-color (with two rows of diodes), for 8 mm and 10 mm LED strips. A four-channel connector is a patch cord that connects the luminous bands to an amplifier or controller. Another possibility is to tie together LED stripes - connectors with flexible wiring. Their length of 20 cm allows you to make ribbons of objects to make turns at almost any angle. Thus, the connector is a universal device, which, connecting the tapes in a single chain, ensures its operability.

Where to start installation and assembly

Before gluing the tapes to the places intended for them, you should "finish" all the connections, connect the controller, dimmer and BP (AC rectifier). Then it is necessary to test the entire circuit for operability. Only after this, it is possible to strengthen the LED stripes in the areas designated for them.

A multi-colored strip is connected by means of a controller. In addition, the wires of each of the colors are attached to the corresponding input. To do this, the color designations are indicated in Latin letters (RGB and V). Then connect this ready connection to the rectifier.

How to adjust the brightness

To regulate the brightness of the luminescence and multicolor and monochrome bands, a chain of LED strips, a dimmer and a power supply are made up. When connecting any luminous structure to power supplies with mounting connectors, it is important to be careful. Otherwise, by accidentally confusing plus and minus, you can arrange a short circuit, in which the bands burn out.

Calculation of power of the PSU

Calculating the power of the required power supply, you should multiply the length of the LED strip and the specified power consumption. To the value obtained, it is worth adding about 30% to ensure resistance to possible voltage drops in the network.