This month, PLSN’s Buyers Guide focuses on LED tape and flexible LED products (See pages 26-27). Once I compiled the list from every manufacturer on what they wished to list, I poked around all the different sites for some more info. If you look at today’s LED tape, there are so many models offered.
Almost all LED tape products had one thing in common: You could see the separate pixels up close. Especially on camera. Even when diffused, hot spots were there. Other companies offer some faux neon alternatives that are great products. But I was searching for something unique and new on the market. I just didn’t know what.
I stopped into the Environmental Lights website and immediately realized that I had found the king of LED tape — and was a little embarrassed about not already being aware of their wide range. They have whole divisions of different styles including RGB and multi-color LED strips, tunable white LED strip lights, white architectural LED strip lights and single-color LED strip lights.
Then there is the matter of UL listing (all of Environmental Lights products are) and IP ratings. Do they offer waterproof as well as indoor models? Are they capable of being stepped on and not broken? What does it take to make them dimmable? Is there a slim model made for getting in tight spaces? Do they have a bright white with a CRI of 95+? Is there a model that can fold at 90° angles easily? The answer is yes, Environmental Lights manufactures a product that can cover every one of these options.
Linear Looks
But while browsing, one particular product caught my eye, and I immediately knew I found that unique product I was in search of — the Continuous LED Strip Light. It’s a new style of LED tape that is not all about separation of pixels, but one continuous line of COB that creates a diffused line of light. This eliminates the dots or hot spots users see in standard SMD LED tape.
I called them up and asked for a couple samples to play around with. At the moment, this continuous LED strip light is only available in white, spanning a variety of color temperature models. It is not available in a tunable white model yet, but I’m told that will be available early this summer along with single color versions (and RGB is also in development).
Users can currently choose between 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K and 6500K color temperatures. I was sent sample kits with a 2700K model that had a single amber colored line across a black colored tape as well as a 4000K model that featured a similar amber line centered on white tape. Both of these sample kits came with a 110V-24V power supply mounted to them.
In Use
As soon as I plug it in to the 100V wall outlet, they pop to full brightness. I attached them to a stick of truss to see how they looked side by side. When they are off, the black tape was way less noticeable than its white counterpart. But when illuminated at full, the strip with the white background was noticeably brighter, basically because of the extra bounce of light coming from the white tape combined with the higher color temperature and efficacy.
The ambient light glowing from the COB mounted on the white tape made it appear twice as bright to my eye. But in all fairness, the 2700K model emits 1290 lumens per meter compared to the 1410 lumens emitted by the 4000K model.
Luminous efficacy is a measure of how well a light source produces visible light. It is the ratio of luminous flux to power, measured in lumens per watt. (They measure this by multiplying lumens times wattage). So while the input current for all the models of this continuous LED strip light is 3750 mA, the efficacy of the 2700K model is at 71.7, while the 4000K model is running at 90. We also note that the CRI on all the models is 90+, regardless of color temperature.
I was unable to test the dimming just using a conventional dimmer, as LED tape runs on +24 Volts and the sample kit comes with a non-dimming power supply. The simplest option for dimming would be their inline controller, such as the Dim-MiniLine. It has a few simple controls, all of which are accessible by buttons on the dimmer (no remote, programming, etc.). There is a “low speed” dimming option suitable for non-video applications. This is great for basic installations.
Environmental Lights was quick to point out that they offer plenty of DMX-based options if you would like higher speed dimming (suitable for on-film use), but that requires a more complicated setup with a DMX controller and software. Alternatively, they have a UNV series of universal dimming power supplies. They will work with (essentially) any conventional 120V dimmer as well as 0-10V. Heck, they also have a convenient 0-10V knob that can stand in for a dimmer.
Each reel comes in a 5 meter length with an option to buy additional one-foot lengths if you just need a little bit to finish a project. The width of the tape is 10mm, a little over a third of an inch. Each length utilizes 90 watts, meaning it utilizes .75 amps of current at 120V. Of course, each section of the continuous LED strip can be cut into smaller sections to make it fit anywhere. The tape has cutting marks every 1.54 inches.
Curves vs. Angles
The tape can follow a curve easily or bend around a corner, but it is not suitable to bend in 90° angles as certain individual diode tape can (such as the Environmental Lights’ HyperFlex line). I attempted to fold it over in a variety of different ways, but the material was not conducive to this application. This just means an electrician will need to cut the tape and solder a couple of new lead wires on to another piece to install it into a corner. Based on how the leads are connected to the tape, this appears so much easier than standard LED tape I’ve soldered in the past.
Creating an LED strip light installation has never been easier. The company offers a wide variety of different channel systems for their LED strip light installations. While one can easily try to adhere the tape to a wooden surface, it’s much easier and will probably last longer in place if it is recessed in an aluminum channel. Importantly, these channels act as a guide for keeping the tape uniformly straight wherever it’s installed. They can also prevent undesired ambient side light from spilling all over a set, acting like a linear barn door of sorts.
The channels are designed to accept different types of diffusers to alter the light output. This wide selection (over 100 models) includes their EL Aluminum Channel line and the Klus LED profile systems. They have organized their aluminum channel and diffusers into compatible systems for easy online ordering. Accessories, including mounting brackets, end caps, and micro-switches are sold separately. Simply choose the type of LED strip light you want, and then select an LED Channel System to fit, or vice versa.
At a Glance: No Diffuser Needed
Many folks, including myself, will find they have no use for a diffuser over this continuous LED strip. The tech sheet states the beam spread emitted is 120°. But I can fold my hand out perpendicular to the light source and I am seeing 180° of coverage without it mounted in a channel. Sure, it gets a little dimmer around the side edge, but it’s not very noticeable to the eye. Perfect for under cabinet use as well as trade show and camera applications. Of course, routing a line in some scenery, or using a channel will eliminate any unwarranted light spillage.
The tape comes in 5m reels, or users can purchase it by the foot. These LED strips can also be purchased in waterproof IP65 rated models for an extra charge. Regardless of backing color or color temperature of the strip, all of their models are priced the same.
No Hot Spots, Cool Looks
Instead of a line of light pulsing with hot spots, Environmental Lights’ Continuous LED Strip Light looks like one diffused line of light. Chip on board LEDs are mounted directly onto the flexible circuit board and covered with phosphor along the length of the flexible strip.
Continuous LED Strip Light
PROS: Continuous line of light, no hot spots, good beam spread, full reels or one-inch increments, easy to wire. IP65 range available
CONS: Cannot bend at 90° angles
Features
- UL Listed and RoHS
- Hotspot-free appearance
- Durable, flexible and low profile
- Fully dimmable
- 24 VDC
SPECS
- CCT Options: 2700K, 3000K, 3500K*, 4000K, 5000K, 6500K
- *Custom order
- MSRP: Waterproof 1’ Section, $19.13; Waterproof 5m Reel, $188.30; Standard 1’ Section, $16.24; Standard 5m Reel, $159.85
Manufacturer: Environmental Lights
More Info: www.environmentallights.com
