LED strips are devices for reproducing the light flux. The emergence of such products occurred relatively recently. However, in a very short time they found many applications. The LEDs underlying the design are now used to organize outdoor or indoor lighting, as well as as the main source of lighting in the room.
Control Features
Simply connecting the device directly to a 12V to 24V DC supply does not produce the desired effect. With such power supply, the control of the LED strip becomes impossible, which means that no color effects are realized, for which the product was purchased. All the diversity is provided by an additional connection between the main device andnetwork of a special controller with a receiver. Often, a remote control is also included with it.
The LED strip control unit is able to set a variety of software presets, thanks to which colorful overflows of colors and special effects are realized. In total, you can get more than four million different shades. To do this, you need to combine the brightness of the three main components of the RGB strip: red, blue and green LEDs.
Controller Features
After the correct connection, the user will have access to real-time settings that were provided by a specific manufacturer. Most often, a typical LED strip control unit with a remote control includes the following functions:
- combining red, blue and green to get the right shade;
- changing the brightness of the LED-LEDs;
- possibility of remote control by remote control;
- adjusting the brightness of the LED lights;
- choose a preset mode or program to switch the frequency of color changes and the features of their transfusion.
To adjust the brightness, different versions of remotes or wall units are used. It can be either a push-button remote control or a rotary mechanical regulator. In some cases, a touch block with an LCD display is used, which is often even more convenient in terms of the possibility of a visual preview and finer adjustment.
Choosing LED strip controller
It can be said that there are only two decisive criteria that should guide the purchase of such a device. The most important of these is compatibility with the connected tape. For selection, you should carefully study the technical characteristics. The second criterion is the available ways to control the LED strip. It can be carried out via a home Wi-Fi network from a laptop, tablet or smartphone with the appropriate software installed. The other two options are a wall switch and an infrared diode remote control.
Then you need to pay attention to the technical parameters of the controller. First of all, you need to ask about the rated power of the device. It is calculated by multiplying three characteristics: the length of the segment in meters, the power factor of the product and the power of the tape in W / m. It is also not superfluous to pay attention to the voltage recommended for powering the controller. Since it will be connected in line with the RGB tape, both components should be selected with the same indicator.
Need to use amplifier
Such an element during installation may be required in a situation where the length of the product exceeds five meters. There are two terminals on the amplifier - input and output. The other two will be responsible for power connections. The latter will have a standard scheme of "plus" and "minus". Inningsvoltage will come from an additional power supply if there is enough power. The ends of the device are connected to the input terminals of the amplifier, and then the terminal is connected to the output. The block for controlling the LED strip is located at the very end. It should be connected through the plus-minus terminal.
It is important to note that if the correct polarity is not observed, the product will not work. Summing up, we can conclude that the power supply algorithm looks like this: a power supply, a controller, the first segment of the RGB tape, an amplifier and the second segment of the RGB tape. If you want to add additional products with a length of more than five meters, then you will need to purchase additional equipment in the same quantity. It is impossible to connect power supplies in parallel - only use in diode bridge mode is allowed.
Description of the standard wiring diagram
For the procedure, it is recommended to have at least minimal knowledge of how electrical devices are divided into parts. In order to be able to control the LED strip using the controller, you will need to follow a specific scheme below:
- Positive wires are highlighted in red, and negative wires are highlighted in black.
- The controller is connected to the power supply via terminals at low or output voltage.
- Directly on the LED strip there are three contact pads - under one for each color, including red, blue and green. A positive VDD is also connected.
Connecting multiple or long ribbons
The circuit diagram is the same as above. However, a number of nuances must be observed, among which the following can be distinguished:
- To connect and control two or more LED strips, you will need the appropriate number of power supplies and RGB amplifiers.
- Color coding is very important. It must be taken into account when observing the order of connecting wires.
- With this connection, it is possible to use products with a length of no more than 10 meters.
It is also worth giving a general rule, according to which the connection of two or more tapes is strictly parallel. The problem is that a series connection will not provide enough voltage power for those LEDs that are closest to the edges of the product, that is, the furthest from the amplifier and power supply. In addition, to ensure the operation and control of RGB LED strips with a length of more than 20 meters, you will need to choose a “controller-amplifier-unit” scheme and purchase a sufficiently powerful PSU.
Device for changing brightness
There are several product options available to assist in adjusting this parameter. Among them are the following:
- RGB-regulators, which are the same dimmers for three channels;
- DMX controllers used by professionals to organize light shows;
- RGB amplifiers with external controls and significantpower delivered to each individual channel;
- various linear controllers and voltage regulators;
- high efficiency dimmers and switching converters;
- drivers as switching power supplies with controlled output.
All of the above devices, except for obsolete linear regulators, are quite suitable for controlling the brightness of LED strips.
Using the Arduino board
Such a product perfectly implements the functionality that most people need. The board is based on the ATmega microcontroller, which is common in various automation modules. Code flexibility and a good processor make it possible to manipulate a large number of discrete and analog-digital inputs and outputs, as well as PWM controllers.
The Arduino does not directly control the LED strip. When connecting even a weak single diode directly to the connector, it is better to use a limiting resistor, otherwise the board may fail. To connect a full-fledged RGB tape, you will need a special electronic key - a transistor. The latter can be field, bipolar or compound.
Remote Features
Remote control over the state of the backlight is carried out using the remote control. They, in turn, are divided into push-button and touch. The former are usually similar to simple television remotes. To send a signal tothe controller uses a radio channel through which an infrared beam is sent.
Remote-controlled LED strips are also controlled using touch controls, which are quite simple to implement and usually more compact than their push-button variations. A special ring allows you to “scroll” through the entire available color palette with one click to select the desired shade.
