When it comes to ambient lighting, everyone has their own preferences. Some prefer warm-tone, cozy light settings, while others prefer cool-tone white lights. But what if you could have both lighting vibes in a single system? Enter tunable white LED strips, which offer the excellent facility of adjusting light colors.

What is a Tunable White LED strip?

Tunable white LED strips are LED strips with adjustable color temperature (CCT). These strips can create a variety of white light hues, ranging from warm to cooler tones. With the help of the controller that comes with the fixture, you can easily change the color of the lights to suit your needs or your mood. Not only are they energy-efficient, but they are also easy to maintain, making them suitable for use in various places such as bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, offices, and more.

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How Does Tunable LED Strip Change The CCT?

CCT refers to Correlated Color Temperature, which is the most crucial factor in understanding the color-changing mechanism of tunable white LED strips. The shades of light change with varying CCT ratings. For instance, lower CCT gives warm whites, while higher ratings result in cooler tones.

Tunable white LED strips regulate the temperature of the white color to change the warm and cool tones of white. The process of creating tunable white LED lighting is highly complex and requires combining numerous LED outputs to achieve the desired results. A good tunable white LED strip will create temperatures at various Kelvins and have many white light outputs.

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Color Temperature For Tunable White LED Strip

The lighting of tunable white LED strips varies with the changing color temperature, which is measured in Kelvin (K). Within the range of 1800K to 6500K or 2700K to 6500K, you can get any shade of white light, from warm to cool tones. Here is a table that gives you an idea of different shades of white lights corresponding to different color temperatures:

How To Control Tunable White LED Strips?

To control tunable white LED strips, you will need a remote. The remote offers multiple options, including changing the color temperature or brightness. You can integrate these lights into the building's control structure to achieve the desired outcome. The controlling systems compatible with tunable white LED strips are:

1. RF Controller
2. RF Remote
3. Power Repeater/Amplifier
4. DMX512 & RDM Decoder

With any of these LED controllers, you can change the Kelvin range to anywhere between 1800K and 6500K, allowing you to create the perfect ambiance.

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Benefits Of Tunable White LED Strip Lights

Tunable white LED strips offer several benefits for interior lighting:

Better Mood Setting

Lights have a significant impact on our non-visual senses. The color of light can affect our mood, energy levels, and even our eating habits. With tunable white LED strips, you can change the light's color to suit your mood, creating a cozy, warm environment in the bedroom or an energizing atmosphere in the living room.

Higher Productivity

Bright lighting helps improve concentration and work efficiency, while warm lighting can promote relaxation. Adjusting the color temperature of tunable white LED strips can enhance focus and increase attention spans, making them ideal for offices, study areas, and creative spaces.

Better Health

Proper color temperature can have a positive impact on sleep, mood, and overall health. Tunable white LED strips support your circadian cycle, providing lighting suitable for work or relaxation, depending on the time of day.

Perfect For Your Circadian Rhythm

Tunable white LED strips are designed to align with your body's natural circadian rhythm. The lighting can be adjusted to promote alertness during the day and relaxation in the evening, helping to regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

Cost-effective

Tunable white LED strips are not only energy-efficient but also cost-effective. They consume less energy than incandescent lights, reducing electricity costs. With a single lighting system, you can enjoy both warm and cool lighting options.

Applications of Tunable White LED Strip Lights

Tunable white LEDs have a wide range of applications, including:

• Residential Lighting: Suitable for bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, and kitchens, allowing you to create the desired ambiance.
• Ambient Lighting: Perfect for home, office, and commercial areas, allowing you to experiment with the general light setting of your space.
• Commercial Space Lighting: Ideal for showrooms or outlets, allowing you to change the outlook of your space according to the time of day.
• Accent Lighting: Use as accent lighting on stairs, shelves, or coves, enabling you to control the light color temperature as per your mood or needs.
• Task Lighting: Great for workstations and study/reading areas, as you can adjust the lighting to your comfort zone.
• Museums and Exhibition Lighting: Provide subtle and aesthetic lighting, highlighting exhibited products and creating a pleasing atmosphere.

How To Install a Tunable White LED Strip

Installing a tunable white LED strip is a simple and easy process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Know The Wires

Tunable white LED strips have three wires: one for warm white, one for daylight, and a positive wire. Before installing the strips, familiarize yourself with the color-coding of the wires based on the manufacturer's specifications.

Step 2: Connect the Strips To the Receiver

Cut the tunable white LED strips to your desired length. Connect both ends of the LED strips to two receivers. Connect the warm lighting wire of the strips to the red negative of the receiver and the daylight wire to the green negative. Finally, connect the positive wire of the tunable LED strips to the red positive of the receiver.

Step 3: Join the Receiver to The Driver

On the other end of the receiver, you will find two sets of positive and negative input marks. Connect the negative and positive wirings of the driver to the corresponding marks on the receiver. Ensure that the wires are neatly connected and not touching each other.

Step 4: Connect the Controller to the Power Supply

Connect the negative and positive ends of the driver to the controller. Make sure the connections are secure and properly aligned.

Step 5: Ready To Set

Once you have completed the wiring, test the tunable LED strips to ensure they are functioning correctly. Your installation is now complete, and you can enjoy your new lighting setup!

A Guide to Choosing Tunable White LED Strips

When choosing a tunable white LED strip, consider the following factors:

Check CCT

The CCT range determines the shades of light color for different temperatures. Tunable white LED strips are available in two CCT ranges: 1800K to 6500K and 2700K to 6500K. Higher temperatures result in warmer yellowish light, while lower temperatures produce cool white lighting.

Check CRI

The Color Rendering Index (CRI) indicates the accuracy of the light color. Higher CRI values translate to better color quality. Look for a tunable white LED strip with a CRI of at least 90 to ensure accurate color reproduction.

Brightness level

Brightness is typically measured in lumens (lm). Consider the desired brightness level for your space. For accent lighting, a range of 200-500lm/m is ideal, while brighter spaces may require a higher lumen rating.

Heat Dissipation

Choose a tunable white LED strip that has high-quality chips to ensure proper heat dissipation. This will prevent overheating and extend the lifespan of the LEDs.

Strip Width & LED Size

The width of the LED strip and the size of the individual LEDs affect the lighting effect. A wider strip with larger LEDs will provide more prominent lighting, while a thinner strip with smaller LEDs will give a more subtle effect. Consider the width and LED size that suits your lighting needs.

LED Density

LED density refers to the number of LEDs per meter of the strip. Higher LED density provides a smoother lighting effect. Opt for a tunable white LED strip with high LED density for optimal performance.

IP Rating

The Ingress Protection (IP) rating indicates the protection against liquid and solid substances. Choose a tunable white LED strip with a higher IP rating for areas that may be exposed to moisture or dust. For example, IP67 or IP68-rated strips are suitable for bathrooms.

Warranty

Consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer. A longer warranty period indicates that the product is of high quality and durable. LEDYi offers tunable white LED strips with a 5-year warranty.

Tunable White LED Strips Vs Dim-To-Warm LED Strips

Although both tunable white and dim-to-warm white LED strips offer white lighting, there are differences between the two:

Tunable White LED Strips Vs RGB LED Strips

Tunable white LED strips and RGB LED strips have different lighting effects:

1800K-6500K Vs 2700K-6500K: Which Range of Tunable White LEDs is Better?

Compared to the 2700K-6500K adjustable white LED strips, the 1800K-6500K tunable white LED strips provide a more extensive range of color temperatures. This range offers more warm white variations, making it ideal for those who prefer a yellow-orangish-white tone. On the other hand, if you are not fond of warm lighting, you can opt for the 2700K-6500K range.

FAQs

• Q: Where can tunable white LED strips be used?

  Tunable white LED strips can be used in various settings, including residential spaces, commercial areas, museums, exhibitions, and as accent or task lighting.

• Q: How do tunable white LED strips affect mood?

  Tunable white LED strips can be adjusted to create different lighting moods, from warm and cozy to cool and energizing, providing a positive impact on mood and wellbeing.

• Q: How do I install tunable white LED strips?

  Installing tunable white LED strips is a simple process. Connect the strips to a receiver, join the receiver to a driver, and connect the driver to a controller. Finally, connect the controller to a power supply.

• Q: Are tunable white LED strips cost-effective?

  Yes, tunable white LED strips are energy-efficient and cost-effective compared to traditional lighting options. They consume less energy and provide both warm and cool lighting in a single system.

Conclusion

Tunable white LED strips have become popular for indoor lighting due to their versatility and energy efficiency. They can be installed in various spaces, offering complete control over ambient lighting. If you are looking for high-quality tunable white LED strips, LEDYi is your go-to solution. Our products are rigorously tested and come with a 5-year warranty. Contact LEDYi today to discover the specifics and transform your space with tunable white LED lighting.