How to select solderless connectors for LED strips

As we know, LED strip is flexible, cuttable, expandable and dimmable. With so many features, it’s widely used in different applications, such as under cabinet lighting , signage lighting, linear lighting, DIY for home decoration, etc. Usually it has to be cut or expended to match your needs, as it’s 5 meters per reel, even up to 100 meters. If you are not able to solder them, you will need solderless connectors. How to select appropriate connectors, check it out here.

Types of connectors

1. Pins of connectors

*2-pin connectors: For single-color LED strips, white, red, green, etc.

*3-pin connectors: For dual-color LED strips, color selectable strip, CCT adjustable strip (CCT tunable), addressable RGB strip(SPI, succh as WS2811, WS2812).

*4-pin connectors: For RGB LED strips.

*5-pin connectors: For RGBW LED strips, addressable RGB strip(DMX512).

*6-pin connectors: For RGBWW, RGBCW, RGBCCT LED strips.

2. Connectors for different width strips

* For 5mm width LED strips.

* For 8mm width LED strips.

* For 10mm width LED strips.

* For 12mm width LED strips.

3. Shapes of connectors

*“-” shape connectors: Expend the length of LED strips.

* “L” shape connectors: For 90 degree corner applications.

* “T” shape connectors: For T-junction applications.

* “X” shape connectors: For cross junction applications.

4. Connectors for different strip types

* For SMD LED strips.

* For COB LED strips.

* For AC LED strips.

* Waterproof LED strips.

* Non-waterproof LED strips.

5. Connectors for different functions

* Strips to strips(direct).

* Strips to cable.

* Strips to strips, with cable in the middle.

Steps of selecting LED connectors

1. Identify your LED strip type: Waterproof or Non-waterproof, if it’s for damp location, choose IP65 connectors; SMD strips or COB strips, sometimes their solder port are different, choose the correct one.

2. Determine how many pins your strips have.

3. Check the width of your strips.

4. Consider how will you use it, strip to strip directly or strip to power supply; For L-shaped corner or X-shaped crossing.

For example, if you are going to buy RGBCCT COB strip connectors for indoor use, you can choose our CNT-COB-6P-12MM-D. It’s 6pins, for 12mm RGBCCT COB strip, IP20, strip to strip directly.

Factors to consider

1. All connectors has max load current, check it with supplier and calculate the current you will load, don’t overload.

2. Color sequence of strip may be differ from factories, especially for multi-color strips. Some of them is +RGB, but some of them is +RBG, different color sequence. So you have to check if the connectors fits properly.

3. If it’s for outdoor use, choose waterproof connectors, and extra silicone filling to insure it’s IP65 rated.

4. Connector size, for some application, strips has to be put in aluminum profile or curved space, get one fit the size.

Trying to get connectors, refer to our connectors info below.