Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest entry point is one of our complete kits, which include the LED strip, power supply, cables, and accessories — everything pre-matched and ready to install. If you're not sure which kit fits your project, our free Design Service is the fastest way to get a custom recommendation.

Email our design team: design@inspiredled.com with a description of your space, any photos or measurements, and your phone number. We'll respond within 1–2 business days with a full product recommendation.

Our kits include everything you need for a complete install: LED strip lights cut to your specified length, a matched power supply, interconnect cables, mounting hardware, and any relevant accessories. All components are interchangeable and can be purchased individually to expand your system at any time.

Yes. When you purchase a power supply, you can request 12-inch samples of any color temperature at no extra charge — just leave a note in the Customer Comments section at checkout listing the strip series and Kelvin temperatures you'd like to try. If you're a contractor, designer, or electrician, call us at 480-941-4286 to discuss sample packs or our demo board.

We do! You're welcome to stop by our facility in Tempe, AZ to see products in person. We recommend calling ahead to confirm what's currently on display and our Design Team's availability (appointments are encouraged).

Address: 1702 W 10th Place, Tempe, AZ 85281 — near the intersection of Priest and University.
Phone: 480-941-4286

Yes. Our YouTube channel has step-by-step installation videos for most product types, and some product pages include their own how-to videos. Our Knowledgebase also has written guides, wiring diagrams, and spec sheets.

We carry the following white color temperatures across our flexible strip line:

• 2700K — Warmer White (candlelight, deeply residential)
• 3000K — Warm White (the most popular residential choice)
• 3500K — Neutral White (balanced, neither warm nor cool)
• 4000–4200K — Pure White (crisp, office-quality neutral)
• 6000–6500K — Cool White (garages, salons, workshops)

For color-changing, we offer RGB, RGBW (3000K white), RGBCCT (2700K–6500K tunable), Tunable White, and Dim-to-Warm options. Some specialty configurations are not listed online. Contact design@inspiredled.com for custom requirements.

Kelvin (K) measures color temperature — how warm or cool the light appears, from candlelight yellow at 2700K to bright daylight white at 6500K. It has nothing to do with brightness.

Lumens (lm) measure the actual quantity of light produced, aka the brightness. These are completely independent specs. A warm 3000K strip can be dim or very bright depending on its LED density. When you want more light, look at lumens per foot, not Kelvin.

Not in any meaningful way. Within the same strip density, a cooler color temperature may produce 5–15% more lumens, a difference barely visible to the naked eye. The real driver of brightness is LED density — the number of LEDs packed per foot. Moving from a Normal Bright (9 LEDs/ft, 65lm/ft) to a Mega Bright (36 LEDs/ft, 260 lm/ft) at the same warm 3000K gives you four times the brightness. Never sacrifice the color temperature you love just to gain a marginal lumen increase.

CRI (Color Rendering Index) measures how accurately a light source shows the true colors of objects compared to natural sunlight, on a scale of 0–100. A high CRI means paint colors look true, food looks appetizing, and skin tones appear natural. A CRI below 80 can make colors appear dull or off. For residential and most commercial applications, we recommend CRI 90 or above. Our COB strips and Mega Bright series achieve CRI 92–97, among the highest available in flexible LED strips.

COB (Chip-on-Board) strips pack 144 LEDs per foot into a continuous, unbroken line of light versus traditional SMD (Surface Mount Diode) strips that space discrete LED chips at intervals. The result is a perfectly smooth, dot-free glow with no hot spots or shadows, even at close viewing distances. COB is the recommended choice for any installation where the strip itself may be visible, including under cabinets, in coves, in slat walls, or along shelving.

The voltage determines how long a strip can run from a single power feed before brightness starts to drop off (called voltage drop). Voltage drop varies by product — check the Power Requirements Charts for detailed information.

For most under-cabinet or short accent runs: 12V. For anything longer, multi-zone commercial installs, or cove lighting: 24V. When in doubt, 24V gives you more flexibility.

RGB strips produce color by mixing red, green, and blue channels. They can simulate white light, but the result has poor color accuracy (CRI 40–60) and reduced brightness compared to a real white LED.

RGBW strips add a dedicated white chip alongside the color channels, producing genuine high-CRI white light (CRI 80–95) at full brightness while still giving you all RGB color capability. For any space where you want both color effects and real white lighting, RGBW is the right choice.

Yes. Inspired LED products meet the following certifications:

• CSA C22.2 No. 250.0-08 / ANSI/UL Standard 1598, 3rd Edition — Luminaires
• UL Standard 8750, 1st Edition — LED Equipment for Lighting Products
• CSA C22.2 No. 250.13-14 — LED Equipment for Lighting Applications
• ANSI/UL Standard 2108, 1st Edition — Low Voltage Lighting Systems

LED strips generate very little heat compared to incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent lighting and can be handled safely even after extended operation.

COB LED strips may feel warmer to the touch than standard strips due to the epoxy coating over the LEDs, which traps and distributes heat more evenly across the surface — a warmer feel is normal and expected during operation.

For best longevity, avoid mounting strips in sealed or unventilated enclosures where heat can accumulate. Mounting the strips in an aluminum channel is recommended, as it helps dissipate heat and supports overall system performance and lifespan.

Our flexible LED strips are rated for 50,000 to 100,000 hours of operation depending on the product. In practice, the LED driver typically reaches its rated lifespan first (25,000–50,000 hours for quality commercial-grade units). LED lifespan also depends on operating temperature — running strips in well-ventilated conditions at rated loads significantly extends longevity.

Yes. Our outdoor-rated strips carry IP64 or higher ratings for moisture resistance. Currently, outdoor flexible strips are available in 12V. For 24V outdoor or specialty outdoor applications, contact our design team at design@inspiredled.com.

IP Rating Note: IP65 = dust-tight + water jet resistant. IP67 = temporary immersion. Always match the IP rating of both the strip AND the driver to the installation environment.

• Pro Series 21 LED Panel: 75″ × 0.50″ × 0.30″ — 0.4 oz
• Pro Series 42 LED Panel: 75″ × 0.50″ × 0.30″ — 0.7 oz
• 10″ Designer Series Panel: 10″ × 0.87″ × 0.75″ — 1.1 oz
• 18″ Designer Series Panel: 18″ × 0.87″ × 0.75″ — 1.9 oz
• Custom Designer Series: Custom length × 0.87″ × 0.75″
• Custom Radiant Edge: Custom length × 0.96″ × 0.85″
• Single Color Flexible Strips: 8mm wide × custom length
• Color Shifting or Color Changing Strips: 12mm wide × custom length

A constant voltage (CV) driver converts 120V AC wall power to a regulated DC output, either 12V or 24V, that your LED strip requires. Yes, you need one — the driver output voltage must match your strip voltage exactly, and the driver's wattage rating must meet or exceed your total strip load (always add a 20% buffer).

Formula: (Watts per foot × total feet) × 1.25 = minimum driver wattage. Always round up to the next standard driver size.

Example: 20 feet of strip at 3.0W/ft = 60W total × 1.25 = 75W minimum. Choose a 96W or 100W driver. Never run a driver at 100% of its rated capacity, as this causes overheating and premature failure.

No — never. Applying 12V to a 24V strip results in very dim output or no output at all. Applying 24V to a 12V strip immediately overdrives the LEDs, causing rapid failure or instant burnout. Voltage must always match between your strip and your driver.

Yes — provided you use a dimmable driver. There are several dimming methods:

• PWM inline dimmer: Installs on the low-voltage wire between driver and strip. No wall wiring required.
• Triac / phase-cut wall dimmer: Replaces your existing wall switch. Requires a triac-compatible dimmable driver.
• 0–10V dimming: Professional/commercial protocol for smooth, precise dimming.
• Smart / wireless: App, voice, or remote control dimming via compatible smart drivers.

Important: plug-in power supplies cannot be dimmed via a wall switch, only via a low-voltage inline dimmer.

We carry Lutron DVLV-600P Diva dimmers for our Magnetic Transformers and Lutron CFL/LED 153-P dimmers for our Electronic Transformers. Using an unlisted dimmer risks flickering, buzzing, or driver damage.

View our full compatibility charts →

A faint hum is normal in magnetic transformers at higher wattages. For electronic drivers, buzzing typically indicates the driver is overloaded, an incompatible dimmer is creating electrical noise, or the driver is a low-quality unit with poor filtering. Verify your load does not exceed 80% of the driver's rating and confirm your dimmer is on the approved compatibility list.

Yes. Wire each strip run in parallel from the driver — positive to positive, negative to negative. The combined wattage of all runs must not exceed 80% of the driver's rated output. Keep each individual run within its recommended maximum length to avoid voltage drop at the strip ends.

Yes. There are several hardwiring options:

1. Wire a compatible wall dimmer to one of our dimmable transformers and connect via in-wall cable.
2. Wire the wall switch to a switched outlet and plug in the power supply, then add a low-voltage inline dimmer.
3. Use existing under-cabinet wiring from fluorescent lights with a dimmable transformer to convert to 12V or 24V DC.

Note: 120V AC line-side connections must be made by a licensed electrician in most jurisdictions.

Yes, for most homeowners. The low-voltage DC side of the system operates at 12V or 24V DC, which is safe to handle without a license in most U.S. jurisdictions. The 120V AC line-side connection may require a licensed electrician depending on your local code. When in doubt, DIY the low-voltage side and hire an electrician for the AC connection only.

LED strips can only be cut at the designated cut marks — the black lines going through the copper pads, spaced at regular intervals (every 3 or 6 LEDs depending on the series). Cut straight across the center of the copper pad with sharp scissors. Never cut between cut marks, as it will disable the LEDs in that segment permanently.

It depends on strip voltage and wattage — see the Power Requirements Charts. For longer runs, feed power from both ends of the strip, or add a power injection point mid-run. Switching from 12V to 24V is also an effective solution for longer continuous runs.

Yes, using solderless connectors or soldered wire leads. However, the total run from the power supply still cannot exceed the maximum recommended length. For runs longer than the recommended maximum, use power injection at multiple points, not just additional strip connections.

Yes. Cut only at the marked copper pad cut points. When soldering, apply heat briefly and carefully, as prolonged heat can delaminate the copper pad or damage adjacent LEDs. We offer pre-cut, pre-terminated strips if you prefer a no-solder solution.

Interconnect cables are 22 AWG and designed for low-voltage connections between LED components — they are not rated for in-wall routing.

In-wall cables are 18 AWG Class 2, rated for installation inside walls per NEC requirements. If routing cable through walls, drywall, or conduit, use in-wall rated cable only.

Yes. Existing under-cabinet fluorescent wiring can power LED strips, but you must first convert the line from 120V AC to 12V or 24V DC using a compatible dimmable transformer installed between the wall switch and the LED fixtures.

We stock interconnect cables in 4″, 1′, 2′, 3′, 6′, and 12′ lengths. Custom cable lengths are also available. You can also customize the plug-in power supply's output cable length for $5 extra.

Yes. Multiple wireless dimmers operating on the same frequency will control the same zone simultaneously. If you need independent zone control, use our Multi-Zone Dimmer with Wireless Remote.

Flexible strips adhere cleanly to the flat undersides of IKEA cabinet interiors. For under-cabinet task lighting, our Ultra Bright or Mega Bright series at 3000K–3500K is the most popular choice. For interior glass cabinet or cove lighting, Normal Bright or Super Bright at 2700K–3000K works well.

The FlexFit Series is Inspired LED's integrated lighting system for slat walls with standard 0.51″ × 0.39″ channels and black backing. It consists of a black silicone lens (SKU 8618) that press-fits into the slat channel and conceals the LED strip, plus End Caps (SKU 8619-END) and Mid-Caps (SKU 8619-MID) that cover connectors and exit cables for a seamless finish.

The silicone tubing can also conceal TV cables, speaker wire, and other low-voltage cable — not just LED strips.

All standard Inspired LED flexible strips in 8mm and 10mm widths are compatible, with two exceptions: Double Row Ultra Bright strips and Outdoor strips are too wide for the channel. For the best visual result, we recommend 12V or 24V COB single-color strips.

Note: color-changing clip connectors (RGB, RGBW, RGBCCT) are too wide for the FlexFit channel and require direct-soldered cable leads.

End Caps (SKU 8619-END): Mount at both ends of each strip run. Cover the connector, seal the silicone tip, and block light leakage. Width 0.55″ × Height 0.39″ × Length 1.18″.

Mid-Caps (SKU 8619-MID): Used when a strip terminates mid-slat and the power cable exits through the middle of the wall. Width 0.55″ × Height 0.39″ × Length 1.84″.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, processed securely on an SSL-certified page. We also accept Amazon Pay.

First, confirm that your billing address matches exactly what your card issuer has on file — the most common cause of declined cards is a billing address mismatch. If the issue persists, call us directly at 480-941-4286, or complete your purchase via Amazon Pay.

Yes. Contractor pricing is based on purchasing volume and is typically established after a few initial large purchases. To inquire, email orders@inspiredled.com with "Contractor Pricing" in the subject line.

Yes. Add a note to the Customer Comments section at checkout specifying the cable lengths you need from our available options (4″, 1′, 2′, 3′, 6′, and 12′), at no extra charge.

Yes. All Inspired LED components are fully modular and backward-compatible. You'll just need to confirm your existing driver has enough remaining wattage capacity, or add a second driver for the new zone.

Spec sheets are available on individual product pages, below the product description. Our Knowledgebase also contains downloadable technical documents, wiring diagrams, and installation guides.

A full list of current authorized distributors is available on our Distributors page.

Check our Specials page for current discounts. Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive offers and early sale access. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Houzz for promo codes and new product announcements.

Read our full Return Policy & Warranty →

We'd love to hear from you. The highest-impact option for us is a Google review, as it helps other customers find and trust us as a small business. You can also leave a review on our individual product pages or on Facebook, Instagram, or Houzz.

Email: orders@inspiredled.com

Most in-stock and custom orders ship within 1–2 business days. Large or complex custom builds may take 3–4 business days. Orders placed after 10:00 AM MST or on weekends ship the next business day.

• USPS Ground: 5–7 business days
• USPS Priority: 3–4 business days
• UPS / FedEx Ground: approximately 5 business days
• Expedited / overnight: order by 10:00 AM MST for same-day dispatch
• Saturday delivery: available via UPS for additional cost

A $35 surcharge applies to items over 60″ in length.

Yes, via USPS only.

Yes. An email confirmation with your tracking number is sent when your order ships. If you don't receive it within 2 business days, check your spam folder or email orders@inspiredled.com.

Check with neighbors and your building's mail area first, and allow one business day for a potential scan delay. If still missing, email orders@inspiredled.com and we'll help you file a carrier claim.

We currently ship to the United States and Canada only.

Canada: $45 flat rate via USPS Priority International. Typical transit: 7–12 business days. Import duties and taxes are the buyer's responsibility.

Yes. Our lighting design team provides free project consultations for residential and commercial customers. Send a description of your project, photos or drawings if available, your approximate square footage or run lengths, and your phone number and preferred contact time.

Email Design Team directly: design@inspiredled.com. We respond within 1–2 business days.

Yes. We work with architects, interior designers, contractors, and facilities managers on commercial LED installations of all scales. Our 24V product line is designed for commercial-duty continuous operation.

• Restaurants / hospitality: 2700K–3000K warm white
• Retail (apparel, general): 3000K–3500K
• Retail (jewelry, luxury, grocery): 4000K–4500K
• Offices: 3500K–4000K
• Healthcare / dental: 4000K–5000K, CRI 90+
• Salons / beauty: 5000K–6500K, CRI 90+
• Warehouses / workshops: 5000K–6500K

Yes, with the right product selection and layout. For primary illumination, choose high-output strips like our 24V High Bright series (920–1,055 lm/ft). Our design team can spec the correct combination of ambient, accent, and task lighting for your specific space.