How to Install LED Rope Lighting
LED rope lighting can add ambiance to any household space. This home-based lighting solution has become increasingly popular because it is thin and easy to place behind artwork or other focal points for creative backlighting. Furthermore, LED rope lighting uses less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs. LED lights are even more energy efficient than competing "green" compact fluorescent lights, consuming "half the electricity" and lasting "about ten times as long" according to Michael Bloch's Green Living Tips article "LED: Lighting the Way." Luckily for savvy consumers, installing LED lights is very easy with just some basic tools and a little bit of knowhow. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Nail-in cable clips
- Hammer
- Electrical tape or textured tape
- Paint and paintbrush
Instructions
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Measure the space before purchasing your LED rope lighting and get a rope that will span the breadth of the space. It is easier to get one long rope for the entire space than to string together several smaller ropes.
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Make sure the clips are large enough to accommodate the diameter of your LED rope light before nailing them in; the rope's thickness depends on the brand and model.
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Nail plastic cable clips half-way into to the installation area at regular intervals. You want to leave a little space to slide in the LED light rope before nailing in the clip all the way --- unless, of course, you purchase clips that still have space for the rope even after they are fully nailed in. If you want the rope to hang a bit, then leave a lot of space between each clip; if you want the LED rope lighting to be pulled tight, place the clips about 8 inches apart.
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Hang the rope from the clips.
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Finish nailing in the clips, being carefully not to accidentally hit the LED light rope with your hammer.
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Use electrical tape to cover parts of the LED rope light that you do not want illuminated. This step is especially useful if you're snaking the rope up a wall to go behind a picture frame or piece of artwork; covering the exposed rope will allow for exclusive backlighting. To blend with the wall, you may also use textured tape and paint the tape after has been stuck to the rope.
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7
Plug in your LED light rope to a standard electrical outlet. Some light ropes have "on" and "off" switches, others will simply turn on when they are plugged in.
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Comments
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this is the coolest rope-lite I have ever used, i think it is the best.
