LED waterproof neon tubes are now widely used in outdoor lighting, such as building facades, gardens, swimming pools, and signage lighting. However, if the waterproofing of the neon tubes is inadequate, it can lead to problems ranging from flickering lights and uneven colors to more serious safety hazards such as short circuits, electrical leakage, and even fires, significantly shortening the lifespan of your investment. Therefore, ensuring proper waterproofing for LED neon light strips is a crucial step in guaranteeing their lifespan and performance. This article will delve into the importance of waterproof LED neon lights strip, waterproof rating classifications, waterproofing techniques. And DIY waterproofing tips to help you more scientifically select and maintain your outdoor lighting system.
Why Do Outdoor LED Neon Light Strips Require Professional Waterproofing?
Outdoor LED neon light strips must meet or exceed the IP67 waterproof standard. Many people mistakenly believe that simply placing the light strip under an eave or allowing it to occasionally get wet is acceptable. However, the harshness of the outdoor environment far exceeds expectations. The main purpose of professional waterproofing is to combat the following four threats:
Preventing Electrical Short Circuits and Permanent Damage
Water is a conductor. Once moisture penetrates the LED strip, it can cause short circuits in the chips, resistors, and circuitry. This can lead to flickering, partial failure, or complete failure of the entire circuit, resulting in irreversible damage.
Eliminating Safety Hazards
Short circuits not only damage the LED strip but can also trigger circuit breakers, and in extreme cases, pose a risk of fire or electric shock, seriously threatening personal and property safety.
Protection against UV radiation and oxidation
Strong outdoor UV radiation accelerates the aging and embrittlement of the LED strip’s PVC or silicone casing. Simultaneously, oxygen and moisture in the air oxidize the internal metal circuits and solder joints, leading to increased resistance, decreased brightness, and ultimately, failure.
Addressing temperature changes and condensation
The diurnal temperature variation can cause a “breathing effect” inside the LED strip, drawing in humid air and leading to condensation. This internal water accumulation is also damaging and difficult to detect from the outside.
Understanding the Waterproof Ratings of LED Neon Strip Lights
The IP protection rating system is an internationally recognized standard for equipment protection, consisting of two digits. The first digit (0-6) indicates dust protection capability, and the second digit (0-8) indicates water protection capability. For LED neon strip lights, we mainly focus on the second digit, the waterproof rating. Understanding these ratings is crucial for choosing the right product.
All our neon tubes have an IP67 waterproof rating or higher, making them completely suitable for outdoor use.
The IP67 protection rating can withstand heavy rain, standing water, and other harsh conditions. This is a true outdoor waterproof rating, using continuous silicone extrusion or full potting technology to ensure a seamless seal for the entire light strip. IP67 neon strip lights can be installed in completely exposed outdoor environments. Including: building facades, plaza ground, patios, garden landscapes, and even near fountains or swimming pool edges (not for submerged installation).
Additionally, if you need to use LED neon tubes underwater and in swimming pools, you will need an IP68 protection rating. IP68 is the highest waterproof standard, allowing for long-term submersion in water, typically at depths of 3 meters or more. This level of neon strip light uses a special fully sealed process and pressure-resistant structure, with all electrical connection points multi-sealed. It is mainly used for underwater lighting, such as fountain lighting, water feature decoration, pool lighting, and aquarium displays. It is important to note that underwater use requires a dedicated low-voltage (usually 12V or 24V) system. And must be equipped with a waterproof power supply and controller.
What are the Different Manufacturing Methods for Waterproof LED Neon Strip Lights?
Different suppliers produce LED neon tubes with varying waterproof ratings, generally falling into three categories: silicone tubing, PVC tubing, and IP68 full potting. More details, pls check What is the Difference Between PVC vs Silicone LED Neon Flex?
Silicone Tubing Waterproofing
Silicone tubing is the most common method for waterproofing LED neon strips. Protection is achieved by inserting the LED strip into a pre-fabricated silicone tube. High-quality silicone tubing offers excellent light transmission (transmittance of over 90%), flexibility, and weather resistance.
The core advantages of silicone tubing waterproofing lie in its flexibility and repairability. The elasticity of silicone allows the light strip to be bent into various shapes, suitable for creating text, patterns. And complex contours, which is the main application scenario for neon light strips.
If a section of the light strip malfunctions, the silicone tubing can be cut open for repair. And then resealed after repair, resulting in relatively low maintenance costs. Furthermore, silicone tubing can typically withstand IP65-IP67 waterproof requirements.
However, if you need to cut the neon tube, the connections, power input. And end caps are the most vulnerable points for water ingress. Professional installation requires the use of matching silicone end caps, waterproof connectors, and silicone sealant to ensure that every potential entry point for water is properly sealed.
PVC Tubing Waterproofing
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) tubing is another commonly used method for waterproof encapsulation, costing 30-50% less than silicone. It is characterized by its high hardness, stable structure, and ease of processing, with a light transmittance of approximately 80-85%, slightly lower than silicone.
PVC has a larger bending radius, making it unsuitable for intricate and complex shapes. And more suitable for simple designs with straight lines or large curves. Its flexibility is slightly inferior, making it less suitable for intricate and complex shapes and more suitable for simple designs with straight lines or large curves.
The main limitations of PVC tubing waterproofing stem from its material properties. Ordinary PVC becomes hard and brittle in low-temperature environments (below 0°C), losing its flexibility, limiting its use in cold outdoor areas.
Prolonged UV exposure can cause PVC to age, yellow, harden, and crack. Therefore, specialized outdoor-grade PVC materials with added UV stabilizers must be used.
Fully Encapsulated Waterproofing
Full encapsulation is the most reliable waterproofing solution, achieved by completely immersing the entire LED strip in transparent epoxy resin or silicone and allowing it to cure.
The advantages of full encapsulation are significant: it provides a completely sealed, seamless design, easily achieving an IP68 waterproof rating. It offers high overall strength and excellent impact and pressure resistance; there are no casing joint issues, eliminating the risk of water ingress; and it boasts excellent heat dissipation performance, as the encapsulating material directly contacts the LED chips, effectively dissipating heat and extending the lifespan.
This technology is used in demanding commercial projects, environments requiring long-term submersion, and permanent installations where reliability is paramount. Fully encapsulated LED neon strips are typically manufactured with the encapsulation process completed at the factory. Resulting in superior product consistency and quality control compared to on-site casing installation.
However, the main disadvantages of fully encapsulated IP68 LED neon tubes are their non-repairability and higher cost. Once the encapsulation is cured, the internal LED strip cannot be repaired or replaced. If a fault occurs, the entire strip must be replaced. The manufacturing process is complex, requiring specialized equipment and technology, resulting in a cost 50-100% higher than casing solutions.
How to Waterproof Cut LED Neon Strip Lights Yourself?
If you are using LED neon strips that require waterproofing after cutting, Or need to enhance their waterproof performance after installation, you can try the following DIY methods:
- Use waterproof end caps: After cutting the LED strip, seal the ends with specialized silicone end caps.
- Apply waterproof sealant: Fill any gaps at the welding points and port locations with silicone sealant.
- Use waterproof heat shrink tubing: Apply heat shrink tubing to the power connection points and heat it to shrink and create a sealed layer.
- Choose waterproof connectors: Ensure the power cord connectors also have an IP67 waterproof rating.
- Raise the installation position: Avoid direct contact between the LED strip and standing water on the ground.
Conclusion
Waterproof outdoor LED neon strip lights is crucial for ensuring their long-term stable operation. The correct approach begins with choosing IP67/IP68 rated LED strips. Combined with professional end cap sealing, heat shrink tubing reinforcement, and waterproof junction box protection.
By selecting high-quality silicone LED strips and strictly following professional sealing and installation procedures, your outdoor lighting will truly withstand the elements.
If you are looking for high-quality waterproof LED neon strip lights, please check out our professional outdoor lighting series. Whether for architectural decoration or landscape lighting, we can provide you with stable and reliable solutions.
FAQ
Yes, a waterproof rating is definitely necessary. We strongly recommend choosing waterproof LED strip lights. Even with the protection of eaves, the outdoor environment still contains a lot of moisture, seasonal rain, dew, and dust.
Yes, but we don’t recommend it. Waterproofing should be integrated into the manufacturing process to enhance the moisture and water resistance of the LED strip. If the LED strip will be used outdoors for extended periods, we recommend purchasing a professionally manufactured waterproof LED neon strip.
Yes. Low-voltage 12V and 24V waterproof neon tubes require a waterproof power supply. Therefore, the power supply unit must also be waterproof or placed in a waterproof enclosure, and all connections must be completely sealed. Otherwise, moisture penetration into the power connector can still cause short circuits or safety hazards.
This is most likely due to moisture ingress into the circuit board. This usually happens at poorly sealed connectors or end caps. Moisture can cause short circuits or oxidation. If this happens, you should immediately disconnect the power, inspect and reseal all connection points. And ensure that the power supply is protected by an IP68-rated waterproof junction box.