How to use LED lighting

The general steps to choose, connect, replace and check strips, modules, bulbs, tubes and transformers safely.

For reference only. Product design, style, materials and parts may change and may not match this guide. Take these instructions and illustrations as a general reference only and, if your product is different, follow the directions that come with it.

Before you start

Electrical hazard
Hot surface
Turn off the power before working
A qualified electrician makes the connection

A qualified electrician makes the connection to the mains, following local electrical codes.
Always work with the power off at the switch or the breaker, and check there's no current before touching the wires.
Use each product where its product page says, because indoor products don't go outdoors.
Don't cover transformers or leave them without ventilation.
Keep the products out of the reach of children.

Before connecting

Step 1:
Check the voltage
The transformer and the strip or module must have the same voltage. It's on each one's product page and label.
Step 2:
Leave power headroom
Add up the power of everything you'll connect to the transformer. The total must stay below the transformer's power, with room to spare.
Step 3:
Indoor or outdoor
Outdoors, use outdoor strips, modules and transformers, and protect the connections from rain.

LED strips and modules

Step 1:
Cut only at the marks
If you need to shorten a strip, cut it only at the cut marks, never between them.
Step 2:
Match the polarity
Join positive to positive (+) and negative to negative (−), as marked on the strip, the module and the transformer.
Step 3:
Connect the power last
First connect everything to the transformer and check the joints. The transformer goes to the power last.

Mount the strip on a clean, dry surface, without folding it at a sharp angle or pressing on the LEDs.

Bulbs, lamps and tubes

Step 1:
Switch off and let it cool
Turn off the switch and wait for the piece you're replacing to cool down before touching it.
Step 2:
Fit it without forcing
Screw the bulb in holding it by the base, or set the tube in its holder, until it seats without forcing it.

If the fixture or the tube needs its wiring changed, a qualified electrician does it.

Switch on and check

Step 1:
Check it lights evenly
Restore the power and check that everything lights up evenly.
Step 2:
If something's wrong, cut the power
If it flickers, doesn't light, gets too hot or smells burnt, cut the power and have an electrician check the connections.