LED Polarity Explained
Does polarity matter on LED strip lights?
Yes! The polarity of LED strip light matters and maintaining polarity through your entire installation is imperative for your lights to function correctly. Reversing polarity is one of the most common issues people run into with LED Strip Lights installations, especially when using connectors.
What is LED polarity?
Polarity is the direction an electrical current runs. LED polarity refers to the orientation of electrical components within LED light installations. LED (light emitting diode products have two electrical current terminals: a positive (+) and a negative (-). Currents can only run in one direction from a power source, so when positive and negative alignment is wrong, LED lights will not function properly.
What happens if LED polarity is reversed?
LED lights are considered polarity-sensitive. If LED tape is connected in the wrong direction, you’ll likely know there’s a problem right away. Polarity issues can cause LED strips to dim, flash, not turn on at all, or appear as a different color. However, correcting switched polarity is a quick fix: simply reverse your connections.
Observing LED Diode Polarity
Maintaining and not reversing polarity is easy if you observe the LED polarity symbols on your Armacost Lighting strip light. Look for the markings next to the copper connection pads on the tape light. These markings are (+) and (-) on white tape light, and (C+) and (W+) on tunable tape light. Keep these markings aligned from strip to strip when making connections and splicing in wire.
Troubleshooting Common LED Strip Light Connection Issues
If you are making a connection using white (not tunable) LED strip lights and the connected strips do not light properly, then you have probably switched your polarity. Check the markings next to the copper pads. If the markings from strip A to strip B are not (+) to (+) and (-) to (-), then remove your connector and reverse the alignment.
This principle also applies for strips that run directly out of an LED power supply. If a strip is running directly from the power supply is not lighting properly, ensure that the (+) wire from the tape light connects to the (+) terminal of your power supply; do the same for the (-) wire and (-) terminal.
If you are making a connection using Tunable White LED Strip Lights and the connected strip looks like a different color, then you have likely switched your polarity. Check the markings next to the copper pads on the tape light. If the markings from strip A to strip B are not (C+) to (C+) and (W+) to (W+), then remove your connector and reverse the connection points.
Similarly, tape light that is run out of a color controller will not function properly if polarity is reversed. If your tape light displays a different color than what is selected on the remote, check the connections. Ensure that the (C+) wire from the tape light connects to the (C+) wire or terminal of the color controller; do the same for the (W+).
Watch this video tutorial on How to Troubleshoot Polarity Issues for more information about Armacost Lighting LED strip light polarity.
