LED Tapes / LED COB Tape

LED tape, also known as LED strip lighting, consists of a slim, flexible circuit board populated with light-emitting diodes (LEDs). It can be cut to length, bent to shape, and installed with self-adhesive backing — ideal for both residential and commercial environments.

Key Features

• Flexible and cuttable to exact dimensions
• Adhesive-backed for simple installation
• Available in 12V or 24V configurations although at Ambience Lighting we focus on 24 V, please click here for more detailed information on –

Why 24V LED tape delivers:

• Superior performance
• Cleaner installations
• Reduced voltage losses
• Professional reliability

• Our range of LED Tapes range from colour temperatures (1800K–6500K) and CCT, RGB / RGBW / RGB-CCT
• Long lifespan — typically up to 50,000 hours – 3-5 year warranties
• Compatible with dimmable and smart control systems
• Low heat output and high efficiency (with Ambience Lighting’s AL-2835-180ULT exceeding 200 lm/W)

Key Features

• Flexible and cuttable to exact dimensions
• Adhesive-backed for simple installation
• Available in 12V or 24V configurations although at Ambience Lighting we focus on 24 V, please click here for more detailed information on –

Why 24V LED tape delivers:

• Superior performance
• Cleaner installations
• Reduced voltage losses
• Professional reliability

• Our range of LED Tapes range from colour temperatures (1800K–6500K) and CCT, RGB / RGBW / RGB-CCT
• Long lifespan — typically up to 50,000 hours – 3-5 year warranties
• Compatible with dimmable and smart control systems
• Low heat output and high efficiency (with Ambience Lighting’s AL-2835-180ULT exceeding 200 lm/W)

Key Features

• Flexible and cuttable to exact dimensions
• Adhesive-backed for simple installation
• Available in 12V or 24V configurations although at Ambience Lighting we focus on 24 V, please click here for more detailed information on –

Why 24V LED tape delivers:

• Superior performance
• Cleaner installations
• Reduced voltage losses
• Professional reliability

• Our range of LED Tapes range from colour temperatures (1800K–6500K) and CCT, RGB / RGBW / RGB-CCT
• Long lifespan — typically up to 50,000 hours – 3-5 year warranties
• Compatible with dimmable and smart control systems
• Low heat output and high efficiency (with Ambience Lighting’s AL-2835-180ULT exceeding 200 lm/W)

LED tape brightness is measured in lumens per metre (lm/m).

• Accent lighting: 200–400 lm/m
• Task lighting: 500–1000 lm/m
• High-output architectural lighting: 1500–2000+ lm/m

Our high-performance ranges achieve up to 110 lumens per watt, maximising output while reducing energy use — ideal for sustainable building projects.

AL-2835-280ULT RANGE

up to 200 lm/W

✅ Ultra-High Efficacy (≈ 200 lm/W) – among the best available in the UK

LED tape lights operate on low-voltage DC (12V or 24V).
To achieve consistent brightness:

• Use 24V for longer runs (up to 10m continuous) to reduce voltage drop.
• Ideally we suggest Injection of  power every 7–8m (24V) Up to 4 m powered at one end (12V).
• Keep voltage drop under 3% of total.

Sizing Your Power Supply

1. Calculate total wattage (Watts per metre × Length).
2. Add 20–30% safety margin.
3. Choose a UL/CE-certified constant-voltage power supply.

Example:

5m of 10W/m LED tape → 50W total → 60W power supply recommended.

We also supply a full range of power supplies including TRIAC-dimmable, 0–10V, DALI DT8 or non dimmable for seamless control integration.

https://ambiencelighting.co.uk/led-tape-profiles/

Heat is the main factor affecting LED lifespan. Using aluminium profiles and diffusers significantly improves performance by:

• Reducing LED junction temperature by 8–12°C
• Extending lifespan up to twice the nominal L70 rating
• Providing dotless, glare-free light diffusion

All Ambience Lighting tapes are tested for 50,000+ hours L70 performance when correctly installed with suitable heat dissipation.

(What “L70” Means

The L70 rating is a standard measure of an LED’s lumen maintenance — in other words, how long the LED will maintain 70% of its original brightness before it begins to noticeably fade.

It is expressed in hours and written as L70 (X hours), for example:

L70 (50,000 h) → after 50,000 hours of operation, the LED will still emit at least 70% of its initial light output.

This does not mean the LED has failed or burned out — rather, it means its brightness has dropped by about 30%, which is generally the point where the reduction becomes visible to the human eye)

LED tape lights are available in multiple Ingress Protection (IP) ratings:

• IP20: Indoor, dry environments
• IP65: Moisture-resistant (At Ambience  Lighting we use heat shrink, this is our preferred option-

Heat-Shrink Tubing

What It Is

A thin, thermoplastic tube that contracts when heated, tightly sealing around cables, joints, or connectors. Available in polyolefin, fluoropolymer, and adhesive-lined (dual-wall) variants.

Key Benefits

✅ Watertight Seal:
When properly applied, adhesive-lined heat-shrink (dual-wall type) creates a waterproof barrier ideal for IP65–IP67 joints.

✅ Compact Finish:
Shrinks snugly around wires and tape ends, maintaining a low-profile professional look without bulk.

✅ Mechanical Relief:
Reduces flex stress on solder joints, protecting delicate PCB pads.

✅ Chemical and UV Resistance:
High-quality heat-shrink resists UV and chemical exposure, extending outdoor lifespan.

✅ Thermal Control:
Thin-wall heat-shrink dissipates heat efficiently; it does not trap heat the way thicker sleeving can — important for LED longevity.

• IP67/IP68: Fully waterproof, ideal for outdoor and pool areas

All outdoor-rated Ambience Lighting LED tapes are UV-stable, chlorine-resistant, and salt-fog tested for longevity in harsh environments.

1. Measure and plan the lighting run.
2. Cut at marked cut points only.
3. Clean the surface thoroughly.
4. Peel adhesive backing and mount.
5. Connect to power supply or controller.
6. Test before securing permanently.

Best Practices

• Use soldered connections for permanence, if required we offer a full cutting and soldering service to save our clients having to do it
• Avoid sharp bends; maintain minimum bend radius of 25–50mm.
• Use aluminium profile for mounting the LE tapes
• For IP-rated strips, reseal cut ends with silicone caps or potting compound.

Maintenance Tips

• Clean with dry or slightly damp cloth — no alcohol-based agents.
• Inspect connections annually.
• Keep profiles and diffusers dust-free for consistent brightness.

LED tape lighting suits virtually any environment:

• Residential: Under-cabinet, coves, stairways, wardrobes, media walls
• Commercial: Retail displays, signage, hospitality ambience
• Architectural: Facades, ceilings, coves, outlines, cornices
• Outdoor: Pathways, decking, garden structures, water features
• Specialist: Broadcast, studio, museum, and gallery illumination

Explore our Lighting Inspiration Gallery on www.ambiencelighting.co.uk for real-world examples.

When selecting your LED tape, consider:

the profile depth and cover type will impact both the CRI and lumen levels. Excluding the profile depth,  as a guide the cover on the profile will have roughly this sort of impact-

The diffuser material and profile colour can cause a minor shift in CCT (Correlated Colour Temperature) — especially for whites below 3000 K or above 6000 K.

Typical deviations:

The CRI or TM-30 colour fidelity (Rf) is primarily determined by the LED chip and phosphor, not the housing — but the profile can affect perceived CRI through spectral filtering and diffusion quality.

• Clear diffusers: negligible CRI impact (< 1 Ra change).
• Opal / tinted diffusers: may reduce Ra by 1–3 points, typically due to slight blue filtering.
• Poor-quality plastics: may absorb portions of the red spectrum (600–650 nm), reducing R9 (deep red) and slightly muting warm tones.

For Ambience Lighting AL-2835-280ULT RANGE LED tape (Ra ≈ 95, Rf = 93, Rg = 102), even an opal diffuser will likely maintain Ra > 92, keeping the light visually indistinguishable from the source quality.

• Opal diffusers: may increase CCT by +50–150 K (slightly cooler appearance)
• Warm white LEDs (2700–3000 K): can appear slightly neutral
• Cool white LEDs (5000–6500 K): minimal visible change

The interior finish of the extrusion can also subtly influence light output:

• Anodised silver or white profiles reflect stray light and slightly increase total luminous output.
• Black anodised profiles absorb a small percentage of light (3–6 %), resulting in a marginally dimmer but more visually discreet installation.

When it comes to choosing the right product, we have vast experience of assisting design and product expertise. Please ask us so we can advise when selecting the right product? Contact our experts for a tailored recommendation.

All LED tape products from Ambience Lighting Ltd are covered by:

• 3- 5-year limited warranty (please ask us for our T&C)
• 50,000-hour performance guarantee (L70)
• UK-based technical and design support team

Our commitment extends beyond purchase — we provide full aftercare, troubleshooting, and system optimisation services.

• UK-based expertise with global-standard components
• Professional guidance from specification to installation
• Competitive trade pricing with no compromise on quality
• Trusted by architects, electricians, and interior designers nationwide and internationally

Illuminate your world with confidence.
Illuminate it with Ambience Lighting Ltd — the UK’s trusted authority in LED tape and architectural lighting systems.