Does your LED strip light installation area not support the plug-in system? Or do you need a portable solution for LED strip light that does not require a plug? If yes, then this article is for you.

LED strip light supports a variety of power sources. In addition to the traditional plug system, you will find battery-powered solar panels, power bank options, and more. Moreover, USB-powered LED strip light is also available. You can connect them to your PC or TV without any plugs. It is also possible to use a car battery to emit light from LED strip light through an inverter. But you should know the correct procedures to implement all these methods. Otherwise, it may cause problems such as voltage drop, short circuit, or permanent damage.

So, here I have introduced you nine great ways to use LED strip light without a plug. Check them out-

Can LED strips work without a plug?

LED strips require a power source to work. In most cases, the power source is provided through a plug. Nevertheless, LED strips can also work without a plug. But how? LED strips usually work at low voltages of 5V, 12V or 24V. If the mains power is directly used for low voltage LED strips, they will burn out. So, how do plugged-in strips work?

Low voltage LED strips with a plug have a driver or transformer that converts the high voltage of the mains power to a low voltage suitable for the LED strip. You can replace the plug and the driver with a battery pack and it will work fine! But now you may question why you would use a battery pack when a plug can provide constant power from the mains.

LED strips with a plug will not work in places where there is no socket. Also, sometimes, it becomes impractical to drill holes in furniture and set up a plug-in system. In such cases, LED strips require a battery pack or plug-in alternative power source. Battery packs are also easy to hide behind furniture. However, batteries have a limited lifespan, which brings the hassle of charging or replacing batteries. But with a plug, you won’t have these problems.

9 Ways to Use LED Strip Lights Without a Plug

If you don’t want to use LED strip lights with a plug, don’t worry. I have listed 9 ways to use LED strip lights without a plug; check it out:

1. Use USB-powered LED light strips

USB-powered LED light strips are powered by a low voltage (5V), which matches the rated voltage of a smartphone or computer. You can easily find these light strips in lighting markets or online. In addition to the USB LED light strip, you will also need a USB cable with an appropriate connector. This can be a micro USB, mini USB, or even a lightning connector, depending on the type of LED light strip you have.

2. Use a power bank

Looking for a portable power source for your LED light strips? Power banks are your first choice. By choosing a power bank as your LED light strip power source, you don’t need to worry about the plug-in hassle. Therefore, you can use your LED light strips indoors and outdoors at any time without having to look for a socket. You just need to charge the power bank, connect it to a wall plug via a USB cable. Then, when you need it, take out the power bank from the charge and connect it to the LED light strip; it’s ready to light up!

3. Stick the light strip to a solar panel

When it comes to using renewable energy, solar energy is the first thing that comes to your mind. So if you want an alternative to using LED strips without plugging in, solar power is the way to go. Connect your LED strip with a solar panel and place it in the sun to charge. This way it can charge and emit light without any external power output. So when installing your outdoor LED strips, consider using solar panels as a power source. Not only does it eliminate the hassle of plugging in, it also saves on electricity bills.

4. Use an inverter for power

With an inverter, you can convert DC (direct current) into AC (alternating current) suitable for LED strips. So if your LED strip is compatible with 110V AC, you can use an inverter to convert a 12V adapter or car battery into a standard 110V AC. To do this, you have to make sure that your car battery or adapter provides a stable 12V DC power supply to the inverter. However, if your LED strip uses low voltage or uses lithium batteries, avoid using an inverter.

5. Portable Battery Power Supply

For small/medium or battery-powered LED light strips, a portable battery power supply will eliminate the need for plug-ins. You can use AA/AAA, lithium rechargeable batteries, etc. depending on the type of LED light strip. These portable batteries will help you light up the LED light strips anywhere. Whether you are traveling, having a party in the forest, or at the beach, it is easy to charge the LED light strips.

6. Hardwiring to Fuse Connections

Hardwiring LED light strips to fuse connections is an effective way to power them without a plug. Install fuse connections where you plan to connect the LED light strips and place the wiring inside the wall, ceiling, or other concealed space to hide it. This way, it will hide all the wiring and provide you with a neat light setup. However, the process requires a transformer or LED driver to convert the mains voltage to a low voltage to meet the requirements of the LED light strips. This is essential to fully operate the LED light strips, ensuring that they are not damaged by the high voltage. In addition, you should seek the help of an electrician to avoid any potential risks.

7. Jumper Wires and Breadboard Setup

You can set up an LED strip without a plug using jumper wires and a breadboard. Start by connecting wires to the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of your LED strip. Now, connect jumper wires of appropriate length and width to the same terminals of your LED strip. In this position, one end of the jumper wire will be attracted to the LED strip while the other end will remain free. Plug these remaining wires into the proper breadboard connections. Remember that you will need a switch for a setup like this.

8. Use of Extension Cords

Extension cords are the easiest way to power your LED strip without a plug. You can get such extension cords at any hardware store or you can buy them online. They are available in different lengths and sizes; choose the one that meets your requirements. Connect one end of the wire to your LED strip and the other end to an outlet. Switch it on and you are done!

9. Use of Ribbon Cables

You can avoid using plugs by using ribbon cables with your LED strips. First, get some ribbon cables and cut them to the required length. You can use a sharp knife or scissors to do this. Then, connect one end of the ribbon cable to the LED light strip and the other end to the power source. Now, secure all the connections using electrical tape. Make sure the connections are properly sealed. Turn on the light and it should work without a plug.

Common Mistakes When Using LED Strips Without Plugs

Here are some common mistakes that you can make when using LED strips without plugs-

Using a power supply with the wrong voltage

Maintaining the proper voltage of your LED strip is crucial. Connecting a 5V LED strip to a 24V power supply is very wrong. This overvoltage current can cause a short circuit, damaging the LED strip. Also, there is a high possibility of causing a fire. Similarly, if the input voltage is lower than the requirement, it can cause voltage drop issues. As a result, the LEDs will not glow with the same brightness. (To learn more, check out – What is LED Strip Voltage Drop?) So, always make sure that the voltage of your power outlet matches the LED strip.

Ignoring Polarity

Another common mistake when using LED strips is not checking the polarity. Remember, the positive pole of the LED strip should be connected to the positive pole of the power supply or driver. The negative pole is connected to the negative pole. If this is not followed, your LED strip will not glow.

Not Properly Checking the Mounting Area.

Measuring and checking the mounting area is crucial to ensure proper wiring when using LED strips without plugs. If you don’t do this, it will be difficult to power the lights. It is okay to install LED strips in areas where there are no nearby power outlets. But make sure that there is enough space between the wall and ceiling for the wires to pass through them. This will prevent any accidents such as tripping over loose cables.

Using thin or undersized wires for long LED strips

Not using the right wires is another common mistake you can make when powering LED strips without plugs. The length and thickness of the wires are important to maintain the voltage and current flow. Thin or undersized wires can cause voltage drops when using long LED strips. So, be wise when choosing the wire size.

Not checking the electrical system

Do not check the electrical system before connecting any LED strips. Check if the power supply can handle the additional load. Also, there may be some repair requirements. If you don’t check and connect the LED strips in advance, there is a high chance of a short circuit or fire.

Using low-quality LED strips without plugs

The quality of the LED strips is important for the final lighting output. Using low-quality LED strips will not last longer. Also, you may face issues with the brightness of these lights. That is why I recommend you to look for branded LED strips. For this, LEDYi is your ultimate solution. All our LEDs are carefully categorized to provide seamless lighting effects. You can choose the LED strips you want from our wide range of LED strips; visit our website to view the LED strips.

Directly Connecting to Power Supply

Connecting the power supply directly to the LED strips is a wrong practice. Because it causes overcurrent of voltage which can damage the LEDs, which is why the best practice is to use a driver to control the voltage. So, your LED strips will work properly without any problems of improper current flow. This will also maintain the consistency of brightness and light effects.

Overloading Power Supply

Connecting too many LED strips to a single power supply is another mistake you must avoid. This overloads the power supply which can cause overheating and shorten the life of the LED strips. So, before you connect the LED strips to any power supply, make sure they can handle the load.

Cutting the Strips Wrongly

LED strips are cuttable fixtures. They come with a cutting mark with a scissors icon. It is perfectly fine to cut the LED strips to that point using a sharp knife or scissors. However, if you cut it wrong, the LED strip will not work. This will break the circuit and the LED will not light up. So, learn the correct procedure for cutting LED strips. The following guide can help you – You can cut LED strips and how to connect: Complete Guide.

Without using tape

If your LED strip does not have an adhesive backing, it will easily fall off the surface. If you don’t know this, you can use an adhesive backed LED strip to make your installation easier. You just need to take the tape and press it onto the surface. But if you have purchased a tape without adhesive, don’t worry. Use 3M tape to stick the LED strip to the surface. This guide will help you choose the right adhesive for your LED strip – How to choose the right tape for LED strips.

Tips to connect LED strips without any plugs

In the above section, you learned about the different techniques for using plugless LED strips. But to ensure proper installation and maintain safety, you must follow some of the following tips –

Choosing a DC power supply

A DC power supply is always a good choice for connecting plugless LED strips. You can use metal wires or clips for this purpose. Also, try to connect multiple light strips using extension cords. But in this case, make sure the cords are no longer than 1 meter.

Simplify connections with solderless connectors

Soldering can be a real pain. To avoid it, use solderless connectors to connect your unplugged LED strips. This doesn’t require any technical knowledge. Buy these LED connectors from your local hardware market and create a circuit inside the strip. But make sure the connection is strong enough and doesn’t come loose easily.

Secure the wires with wire nuts

If you are using external wires on your LED strips, securing the wires with wire nuts is the best option. This keeps your lights looking neat and saves you from accidents like tripping over wires.

Enhance flexibility with chain-ring connectors

Chain-ring connectors are very handy for customizing your LED strip setups. These small metal rings make it really easy to connect one strip to another. To light up your entire fence at once, use them to connect your LED strips!

Use heat shrink tubing

When using unplugged LED strips, heat shrink tubing is great for hiding bare wires or connectors. It can help protect your lighting fixtures from corrosion-related damage. There are many different sizes of heat shrink tubing to choose from. Choose the right heat shrink tubing wisely.