This is a strip of LEDs with self adhesive back. The LEDs are fixed on a non-weatherproof bare black flex strip, so do not expose them to water. They are sold by a reel of 5 meter with 30 LEDs per meter.
The LED is driven by WS2812B chip which is integrated within the LED package itself. This makes the strip more cost effective, thinner and lighter than other kinds of addressable LED strip. Addressable LED means that you can control each LED on the strip differently. You can set different colour for each LED as opposed to non-addressable LEDs where you can set only 1 colour at a time for the whole strip. These LEDs are capable of displaying 24-bit true colour. That's 16 million colour variations!
WS2812B has a strict timing protocol. They can be controlled with a real-time microcontroller such as the Arduino, AVR or PIC. Only one digital pin from the microcontroller is required to control as many LEDs as you like.
Looking closely on the strip, you will see segments with cutting lines. Each segment has one LED. There are 3 solder pads labelled GND, DIN (data input) and +5V. This is the input end of the strip. The other end labelled GND, DOUT (data output) and +5V is the output end. The data pin of the microcontroller is to be connected to the first DIN of the strip. The 5V and GND from power supply can be connected on either input or output end of the strip.
For connection to the controller, voltage source and between strips, we recommend a 3-pin SM cable for this strip. Each reel come with this connector on both ends.You can solder this cable easily to the solder pad of the LED strip. We found that a DC connector to screw terminal block adapter is handy when making connection from the cable to the power supply.
You may cut the strip along the cuttine line to make the strip shorter and re-join them again with as many LEDs as you like by soldering jumper wires to the connection pad - DOUT of one segment going to DIN of the next segment. Just take care that your power supply can provide enough current! Power consumption is typically about 60mA per LED when set to bright white on a 5V supply. For other colours, it is much lesser than that.
Do not connect more that 6V or you risk damaging the whole strip. A dedicated 5V power supply is recommended. The 5V source from the microcontroller most certainly can't provide enough current to the LEDs.
We have a 5V 2A power supply which is capable to drive 25-50 LEDs, perhaps more depending on your usage. If you plan to connect more LEDs, we recommend a bigger 5V 10A industrial power supply which can power more than 160 LEDs.
Technical details:
Black LED strip with self-adhesive back
LED density: 30 LEDs per meter
LED type: Superbright 5050 SMD LED with driver chip integrated. Each can be individually controlled
Driver chip: WS2812B (capable of 16 million colour variations)
Operating voltage: +5V
Operating current: 0.06A maximum per pixel
Only 1 pin is required for control
Silicone jacket dimension (width and thickness): 12.3mm x 3.85mm
