Here is a step-by-step documented guide that will walk you through exactly how we installed under counter LED strip lighting at a local cafe. With this guide you will learn how to cut, connect and install strip lights into place as well as how to install a LED strip light dimmer. These steps can also be used for other LED strip light projects, such as cove lighting and under cabinet LED strip lighting installations. http://www.flexfireleds.com/how-to-install-led-strip-lights-under-counter-under-cabinet-led-install

1. How to Install Under Counter
LED strip lights

2. Supplies
(part one)
●
2 reels of ColorBright Warm White strip
lighting
●
100W Mean Well 12v Power Supply
●
Cerrowire extension
●
Strip-to-strip solderless connector
●
Strip-to-strip "no wire" solderless connector
●
LED strip Dimmer

3. Supplies
(part two)
●
Measuring tape
●
Wire strippers
●
Sharp scissors
●
4 wire nuts
●
3M Command Hanging Strips
●
Black electrical tape

5. Step 1:
Test your lights
● Lay out all the products to create a mock
installation to make sure you have all the
supplies necessary
● Unroll the LED strip lights from the plastic reel
● Attach all lengths of uncut lights to the power
supply
● Turn on the power supply
The strips should light up. If they do not, please
check your connections.

6. Step 1:
(continued)
Ask yourself - "Are these bright enough?", "Will I need a
dimmer", "Is the color perfect for my application?", "Are
all the LEDs lighting up and functioning properly?"
When the lights are functioning properly and you are
sure you have selected the correct color temperature
and brightness for you project, proceed to step two. If
they are not functioning as expected, there is usually a
simple connection error. We are here at every step of
the way for you to answer any questions.

8. Step 2
Take measurements
Before starting any of the installation process,
take careful measurements to determine how
many feet of strips will be necessary. Take notes
on the number and make accounts for any runs
over 16 ft., which will require you to connect
multiple lengths of strip lights together.

10. Step 3:
Cut the strips to length
Cut the strips to length with sharp scissors in
order to prepare them for the quick installation
process ahead.
Note: LED strips can only be cut along the
clearly marked lines that are evenly spaced after
every third LED chip.

12. Step 4:
Prepare strip-to-power connection
To attach the first section of lights into the
dimmer and power supply, we need to add
some length of low voltage extension wire to
the end of the first run of LED lights.
Once the low voltage wire is cut to length, strip
an inch of wire insulation from the wires coming
off the end of the LED strip and the low voltage
Cerrowire extension.

14. Step 5:
Secure strip-to-power connection
Wrap the exposed wires of the positive/negative
cables together, using wire nuts to secure the
connection.

17. Step 6:
Connecting two length of strips
To go around a 90 degree corner, we must
connect two lengths of LED strip together using
a strip-to-strip wire connecter.
To do this, first peel back a half inch of the the
3M tape on the back, exposing enough space
for a connection.

19. Step 7:
Unlock solderless connector mounting tray
Take the solderless connector and pull out the
mounting tray. Each solderless connector has
two sides, ensure that the wider faces upward.

22. Step 8:
Secure connector to the strip
Next, GENTLY secure the locking tray back in
place over the end of the flexible LED strip.
Make sure the mounting tray is securely closed,
or the lights will not work. Take note of positive
and negative charges marked on the strip and
match them to their corresponding wires on the
connector.
Repeat the process to attach the other end of
the strip-to-strip connector to the second run of
lights.

24. Step 9:
Connect strip-to-strip “no wire” connectors
For runs longer than 16 feet, we need to
connect two separate runs of LED strips .We
want a the transition to be seamless, so we use
strip-to-strip ("no wire") connectors to combine
the two lengths.
To complete this step, first cut the strips at
designated cut points. Then peel the adhesive
back on the strip as you did in step 4.

26. Step 10:
Clip together two lengths of strips
Clip into place the two lengths of strips using the
strip-to-strip "no wire" connector, again taking
care to create a firm point of contact between the
strips and correctly align positive/negative sides

29. Step 11:
Test strips again
Use a 2-way terminal block or wire nuts to
temporarily connect the full length of LED strip
lights with the power supply. If everything is wired
correctly, the lights should switch on when the
power supply is plugged in.
If they don't come on right away at full brightness,
check to see that the connectors are solidly
attached and that the negative and positive wires
are aligned correctly onto the strip.

31. Step 12:
Install the strip lights under the counter
Wipe down the under surface of the counter and
make sure it is clean. The 3M take will stick to
most non-porous and flat surfaces. For
applications under concrete or very rough
material, an additional adhesive may be used.
After wiping the under counter clean, peel back
the protective cover over the strip's adhesive
backing. Run the strip in a straight line under the
counter where you want the lights to shine.

34. Step 14:
Install the LED strip dimmer
To mount the dimmer to the wall, we suggest
using 3M Command Hanging Strips.
Next, wire the unplugged power supply into the
dimmer by running the wires (the black wire goes
in the negative (-) slot and the red wire goes into
the positive (+) slot) into the bottom housing on
the right side labeled "In". Use a flathead
screwdriver to secure the connection. Then wire
the Cerrowire into the section of the housing
labeled "Out", again using the screwdriver to
secure the wires into place.

36. Step 15:
Turn on the LED strip lights!
The last step is the easiest, but also the most
fulfilling step in the whole process. Now all you
have to do is plug in the power supply, turn up
the dimmer and enjoy your new under counter
LED lighting!

38. BEFORE

39. AFTER

40. With a little imagination and a clear picture of your
project in mind, you can do just about anything
with LED strip lights!
Do you need any help deciding which LED strip
lights are right for your commercial, industrial, or
home renovation project? Give us a call at 1-844-
FLEXFIRE (1-844-353-9347) or shoot us an email
to info@flexfireleds.com and we’d love to get
involved!