Hi everyone, I’m planning to install LED strip lighting inside drywall using a plaster-in aluminum channel. The channel I’m looking at says it fits LED strips up to 12mm wide. My LED strip PCB is around 10mm, but the total width with coating may be close to 12mm. Should I choose this type of channel, or is it better to leave extra space？
If the strip is exactly 12mm wide, I would measure the coated part carefully before buying. Some waterproof or silicone-coated strips are slightly wider than the PCB size.
That is correct. The channel supports LED strips up to 12mm wide, but we recommend measuring the full strip width, including any coating or sleeve, before installation.
Does the 12mm limit refer to the PCB width only, or the total width of the whole strip? I have a 10mm strip, but with the silicone coating it is close to 12mm.
I’ve used similar channels before. If the LED strip is too tight inside the profile, it can be difficult to press the diffuser cover back on properly. A little extra clearance helps.
Yes, leaving a small clearance is helpful for both installation and future maintenance. It also helps prevent the diffuser cover from pressing directly against the LED strip.
The 12mm limit refers to the total width of the LED strip placed inside the channel. If the coated strip is close to 12mm, please also check the strip thickness to make sure the diffuser cover can still be installed smoothly.