To start with, can you cut LED strip lights? YES! You can cut LED strip lights. But, where to cut LED strip lights? Can you cut all LED strip lights? How to reconnect LED strip lights after cutting? For more information, keep reading.

When cutting LED Strip Light it is very important to cut only on the given cut line between the copper dots. There will be no electrical conductivity to the subsequent section if the copper dots are cut through or before them. To cut the LED strip light precisely along the marked cut line, use a pair of razor-sharp scissors.

Can You Cut LED Light Strips?

Users frequently inquire if a light strip can be cut to a fixed length because a LED light strip has a fixed length and it is not always possible to buy light strips of a suitable length every time.

Since there are numerous brands and types of LED light strips, it is impossible to provide a general answer to the question of whether a light strip can still be used normally after being cut. The answer really changes with the product in question.

Generally speaking, if the light strip has a cut line, it can be cut; if it doesn’t, it’s best to leave it alone.

How To Cut An LED Light Strip?

Now let’s look at how to cut an LED strip light. We will use the same example as before, i.e., an Three LEDs in a set on the strip.

Measure The Length

First, determine the exact length of the LED strip that you require. Depending on your application, a foot, a meter, or any other length might be required.

Look For Copper Pads (or A Scissor’s Logo)

The crucial part is about to begin. Following each LED Set (one parallel group), the majority of LED strips have exposed copper pads. Where the LED strip lights need to be cut is here. These copper pads on some LED Strip Lights are printed with a scissor logo to indicate where to make a cut.

Cut The LED Strip Light

Check to see if you have access to copper pads within your required length after deciding on the length of the LED Strip. If not, we advise using the copper pad that is slightly longer than the length you need.

Then, with a pair of safety scissors, cut through the copper pad precisely in the center. This is significant because it ensures that you will have enough copper for both LED strips in the event that you decide to attach one later or solder power supply wires. See more about Can You Use LED Strip Lights Outdoor?

Where To Cut LED Light Strips?

LED light strips are impossible to simply cut.

In most cases, the entire roll of LEDs in a strip light has copper markings. In order to make cutting easier, the markings are typically spaced out every few inches.

Using a pair of craft scissors, you can cut precisely along the black center line.

For LED strip lights, you must leave the copper exposed on both ends, so be sure to cut precisely in the middle.

Power transfer from one section to the other must occur when connecting two sections together.

How To Fix LED Strip Lights When Cut?

• Buy Lepro 4-pin LED strip light connector

You must select the proper strip light connector based on the type of light strip since there are many different types of connectors. Your 4Pin connector must be suitable for 10mm if your light strip is 10mm wide. It won’t work if you buy a 10mm connector for an 8mm light strip. However, the 4pin connects are the most frequently employed. Lepro 4-pin strip light connector pack includes 5 pieces of L-shape and 5 pieces of line shape connectors, perfect for both 90° corners connection and extension along a straight line, and can be used on almost all occasions.

• Open the connector

It is necessary to open the connector from the side if it has a cover.

• Place the light strip into the connector

The connector’s fastening clips should accept the two cut ends of the LED light strip. Now, by following the directions in the picture, make sure they are not in reverse.

• Cover the connector

After installing the light strip, close the connector’s cover and check to see if the light strip is lit normally after connecting the power supply. The connecting point between the connector and the light strip may need to be adjusted if the connected components do not illuminate normally.

Connecting the strip after cutting can be a little challenging in general. Additionally, any improper use could render the strip useless, necessitating the purchase of extra connectors. Therefore, it is best to ensure that the required length is accurate and prevent waste.

LED Light Strips You Can’t Cut

Some light strip varieties shouldn’t be cut, including a few.

The first is the use of light strips that each have their own IC chip. Along the light strip, these black chips are positioned a few diodes after each other.

They each only individually control a small number of diodes, hence the name. This enables different colors to be displayed in each section of a light strip. Furthermore, if you cut something, you run the risk of ruining the entire roll or section.

Look at the copper sections if you have your light strip. You can cut along the markings if they have a tiny “scissor” icon on them.

The likelihood is that you cannot cut your LED light strips if you don’t see a scissor icon along the copper markings or.

Also keep an eye out for sizable black individual IC chips that resemble eraser heads. One cannot cut this kind of light strip.

Will Both Sides Of A Cut-In LED Lights Work?

Both sides of the light strip will function if cut at the correct markings and reconnected with the proper polarity.

Similar markings that indicate where to cut are present on most light strips. Where to make the cut on the light strip roll is between the copper sections that appear every few inches.

The light strip needs to be cut so that enough copper markings are applied to each side. So that the electrical current can pass through a connector and both sides of the light strip when they reconnect, they can each make the proper connection points.

If You Cut Light Strips & They Don’t Work

When you cut your light strips and they don’t work, the first thing you should do is check the connection where the cut was made.

Simply locate the following pre-marked copper cuttable section on the light strip and make your cut there if you unintentionally made a cut where you weren’t supposed to. Reconnect after that using a wired jumper connector cord or a back-to-back connector.

Here are some troubleshooting bullet points:

• Check for a loose connection
• Make sure the polarity is correct (+ to +)
• Make sure you left enough copper on the cut for each side to connect
• Make sure you’re getting power to the lights

Ways To Reconnect Cut LED Light Strips

1. Before beginning, unplug your strip lights.
2. Correctly measure what you are doing. Measure twice, cut once, as they say.”
3. Choose a connector based on whether it needs to be straight or angled at a 90 degree angle.
4. Cut the copper section along the marked cut line using regular craft scissors. Your strip light has this copper section spaced out every few inches.
5. There should be an equal amount of copper section leftover for each strip of lighting. Your connector pins must have this to function.
6. Prepare your small plastic gapless or jumper connection and remove any adhesive backing to enable a clean connection.
7. Push the connector piece into each segment of the strip light gently.
8. To secure the strip lights, snap them into the connector’s tiny clamps.
9. Make sure the correct side is facing out on both the strip light’s sides. Voltage cannot flow through without the proper polarity.
10. Check to see if there is light coming from both sides of the connection after plugging in your strip lights.
11. Check the polarity and, if necessary, reverse the strip light if there is no light on the newly installed section.

How Long Can LED Strip Lighting Be Left On?

It’s not intended for them to get too hot. Limit their use to 15 minutes if they are too hot to touch. Every 10C increase in temperature will reduce the life of an LED by half.

50000 hours at 25C equates to 25000 at 35, 12500 at 45, and 6200 hours at the standard temperature for hot LEDs at 55C. The lifetime of the last one is 8.5 months, but (I believe) it refers to about half of the brightness.

Just letting you know, the heat produced by the LEDs is essentially the only issue.

The Value Of LED Strip Lights

After making the actual purchase, I have to admit that the light strip has a lot of advantages. I installed the light strip in my bedroom, and the result is incredible.

I used the small night light for a long time before I discovered the magical item – light strip, which filled my room with gentle light and made me sleep in comfort. Secondly, I use the light strip because it gives my room a sense of design. However, when night falls, turn on the headlights and light strips, they create a nice combination of light effects, making my bedroom brighter and more layered. Turning off the headlights and only turning on the light strips also makes my room more atmospheric. Headlights are constantly noticeable, but light strips are hardly noticeable during the day. I absolutely love this light strip！

Is It Harmful To Plug One Power Strip Into Another?

Yes, possibly, especially if you have to inquire.

I have to share a narrative.

I was given management of a brand-new high bay cleanroom and SCIF building for optical test and assembly.

For some reason, curtains were used to divide the large highbay into smaller work spaces, much like you might see in a hospital room.

There were no electrical outlets in the floor due to poor design. People brought in outlet strips, peered behind the curtains, discovered another outlet strip, and plugged in without first checking.

No one had power at first, which was the first thing to occur. They were arranged in a circle and connected. Someone eventually managed to power up one strip. The fuse blew just as everyone was turning on. Thank goodness, as the outlet strip was partially melted and gave off an electronic burning odor. I had to ban plastic outlet strips and give someone responsibility for electricity distribution because it seemed that even seasoned engineers couldn’t be trusted to know what they were plugging into. It was disheartening.

My outlet strips frequently have fans, wet saws, and shop vacs plugged in by contractors, who then overload them or place uneven loads on them, tripping the circuit breakers or GFI protection. People don’t seem to be concerned about overloads despite the fact that my outlet strips are heavy duty and metal-encased. They also act as though my wiring is flawed because of how poorly maintained and highly reactive their heavy equipment is, which pops breakers, which is amusing.

Can You Cut Govee Brand LED Light Strips?

The type of light strip will determine this. Most of the time, it’s okay to cut Govee light strips along the copper markings that are visible all over the light strip.

Along the sections that can be cut, Govee typically adds a scissor icon.

Additionally, Govee manufactures RGBIC light strips. According to Govee’s support article for RGBIC light strips, “RGBIC strip lights cannot be connected or cut because the LEDs are controlled by individual IC chips.” If you cut the strip light, it will either stop working or the performance will suffer.”

FAQs

The End

LED strips are a stylish way to light up your cars, computers, stairwells, kitchen countertops, home theaters, and many other places. Individually addressable LEDs, RGB with remote control, single color, and even “smart” connectivity are all options for them. Can You Cut LED Strip Lights is a query that does, however, occasionally come up with regard to LED Strips (especially if you are new to LED Strips). We have seen how easily LED lights can be cut, as well as the straightforward procedures that must be followed.

Finally, I want to thank you for reading.