More and more people are paying attention to their swimming pool lighting. A well-lit pool not only extends nighttime enjoyment but also creates an enchanting atmosphere. However, the unique characteristics of the swimming pool environment place extremely high demands on LED light strips. Ordinary lighting equipment simply cannot withstand long-term submersion in water, chemical corrosion, and temperature fluctuations. Therefore, IP68 LED strip swimming pool are specifically designed for pool lighting.
This article will provide a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of LED pool light strips, from product selection to installation and maintenance, helping you understand how to select and install the most suitable LED lighting system for your pool. If you are considering renovating your pool, this guide will provide you with practical and professional reference.
How to Understand the IP Rating of LED Strip Swimming Pool?
The IP rating is the most important factor to consider when choosing a pool light strip. This two-digit code represents the dustproof rating, while the second represents the waterproof rating. More details, pls read Why Choose LED Neon Flex for Your Swimming Pool Lights?
For pool lighting applications, the waterproof rating is the most important factor to consider:
- IP67: Suitable for outdoor use, but not recommended for submersion or use in areas subject to occasional flooding.
- IP68: Suitable for long-term underwater use and the only choice for pool lighting.
Why is it Essential to Use Professional IP68 LED Strip for Swimming Pool?
As a lighting environment within aquatic environments, swimming pools often contain chemicals such as disinfectants. Therefore, the waterproofness and safety of electrical components are extremely high. Most common LED light strips have an IP65 or IP67 waterproof rating. While they can withstand splashes and short-term immersion, they are not suitable for long-term underwater use.
Advantages of IP68 LED Strip Swimming Pool
IP68 Protection Rating
IP68 is the highest protection rating currently available for LED light strips, meaning it can operate reliably underwater at depths exceeding 1 meter (typically no more than 3 meters). Whether in heated pools, cold pools, or landscape pools, it provides stable and reliable lighting, unfazed by water pressure, currents, and temperature fluctuations.
24V Low-Voltage Safety Design
As we all know, water is conductive, and any leakage can be harmful to swimmers. Our pool LED light strips typically utilize a 24V DC low-voltage power supply system, ensuring that even in extreme cases of leakage, it poses no threat to human health.
Fully Encapsulated Process
Pool water often contains chlorine, disinfectants, salt, and other chemical treatments, which can corrode standard light strips. Our IP68 LED neon tubes typically utilize a silicone integrated encapsulation and chlorine-, salt-, and UV-resistant materials to resist corrosion and aging. They maintain their performance even in prolonged exposure to high temperatures and sunlight or underwater chlorine.
Flexible Material and Uniform Lighting
Our IP68 pool neon strips can be used on curved or irregularly shaped areas such as pool edges, stairs, corners, and underwater structures. They also offer excellent flexibility and ductility. Made of highly flexible material, IP68 pool neon strips can be bent freely, easily adapting to various design contours.
Recommended IP68 Pool Neon Light Strips
Based on our deep understanding of pool lighting needs and years of technical expertise, our company has developed IP68 pool neon light strips. This product is fully optimized for underwater lighting environments, meeting professional standards in terms of waterproofing, safety, and practicality. If you need to know more, pls check A Guide to Underwater Pool LED Strip Lights 2024
Core technical features include an ultra-strong waterproof design and a double-sealed structure, ensuring long-term use at a depth of 3 meters without any risk of water leakage. Its ultra-low power consumption is only 10W per meter, significantly reducing energy consumption and heat generation while maintaining ample brightness.
This IP68 pool neon light strip’s compact 16×16mm design ensures sufficient structural strength without being obtrusive during installation. Its highly flexible design allows for a minimum bend radius of 200mm, adapting to various complex installation environments within the pool, including steps, corners, and curves.
How to Properly Install and Maintain an LED Strip Swimming Pool?
Proper installation and maintenance of IP68 pool light strips not only ensures aesthetically pleasing brightness but also significantly extends their lifespan. This is essential, significantly reducing procurement and replacement costs. If you need to choose pool light, pls check How to Choose LED Neon Flex Lights for Swimming Pool?
Key Points for Proper Installation
Power Supply Selection
The entire IP68 pool light strip power supply system must use a waterproof power supply. This not only effectively isolates the mains power supply, primarily to prevent electrical leakage, but also improves the overall system safety level.
In addition, it is recommended that the power supply wattage be at least 20% higher than the actual total power draw of the light strip. For example, if the total power draw of the light strip is 80W, a power supply of at least 100W is recommended. This margin prevents the power supply from operating at full load for extended periods, reduces heat generation, and extends the power supply life.
Safety Specifications
Underwater or in humid environments, connectors are most vulnerable to water ingress, short circuits, and corrosion. All cable connectors, branching points, and light strip tails must be protected with waterproof connectors, waterproof heat shrink tubing, and sealant.
During installation, avoid excessive bending, stretching, or twisting of the light strip. Even flexible light strips have minimum bend radius requirements. Exceeding these limits can damage internal circuitry, crack the outer casing, or prevent waterproofing, shortening lifespan or posing safety risks.
Selecting Mounting Accessories
For pool installation, selecting mounting accessories is essential. IP68 neon tubes are heavy, and we worry they might fall over time. Therefore, snap-on mounting and aluminum profile slots are the best options. These snap-on mounting systems are quick to install and easy to remove, and are compatible with most standard flexible light strips.
Maintenance Tips
Check the connector seals monthly
Regularly inspect the power connector, waterproof connector, and the seals at the end of the light strip to check for looseness, deterioration, water leakage, or discoloration. If you notice any signs of detached adhesive, brittle connectors, or water intrusion, reseal or replace the components immediately to prevent accidents. About maintain the pool strip, pls check How to Maintain Your Pool Neon LED Lighting?
Clean the light strip surface quarterly
After prolonged operation, IP68 neon pool lights may accumulate scale, algae, oil, or dust. Regularly wiping the surface with a soft cloth maintains the light’s clarity and aesthetics, preventing loss of light efficiency.
Brightness is noticeably reduced
If a section of the light strip becomes noticeably dimmer or has an unusual color, this could be due to insufficient voltage, water intrusion causing a short circuit, aging of the lamp beads, or an unstable driver power supply. Immediately identify the source of the problem to prevent further spread.
Conclusion
Swimming environments place higher demands on lighting fixtures. Ordinary waterproof light strips are unable to withstand underwater challenges. Choosing a truly IP68-rated LED strip swimming pool specifically for pools ensures safety. Our recommended IP68 waterproof 16*16mm flexible neon pool light strip has undergone rigorous testing and is proven to be ideal for various pool environments.
FAQs
Yes, if LED strips need to operate underwater for extended periods, we think the IP68 is the minimum recommended protection level.
Our pool light strips come in both clip-on and aluminum profile options, allowing you to choose the right one based on the application. Most customers choose clip-on mounting.
Yes, you can. You’ll need to choose colorful IP68 neon tubes with DMX512 and SPI control. These can achieve a variety of dynamic lighting effects, such as gradients, transitions, and music-based rhythms.
Our professional IP68 pool light strips are designed for water depths up to 3 meters; otherwise, there are other hazards.
Yes, a low-voltage waterproof power supply is essential to convert high voltage to a safe 24V. This reduces the risk of electric shock by 90%. We recommend choosing a waterproof power supply with a 20% power reserve.