What are led neon lights?
An LED neon light, also called LED neon rope light or neon LED strip light, is an LED strip hidden inside a flexible silicone neon tube. It gives the look of neon with softer, uniform light and no light spots.
- Vs glass neon: a traditional neon light is a sealed glass tube of low-pressure gas lit by several thousand volts. LED neon runs on 5V, 12V or 24V (AC110/220V versions for long runs), is anti-shatter, waterproof up to IP67, and saves more than 70% energy compared to glass neon.
- Types: single color, RGB, RGBW, RGBCCT and addressable; top-emitting or side-emitting, with light-emitting angles from 120° to 360°. Or buy the silicone neon tube alone and put your own LED strip inside.
- Is neon used in LED lights? not as a gas: the light comes from the LED strip; the neon tube protects it, makes it flexible and softens the light.
At SuperLightingLED we sell ready-made LED neon strip lights and the silicone neon tubes to make your own. Here is what LED neon is, how it differs from traditional glass neon, which types there are, and how each type is powered.
With the development of LED semiconductor technology, led neon lights have gradually replaced traditional neon lights with their high luminous efficiency, low energy consumption, and high reliability. The material of the lamp body has also been replaced from the glass material of the traditional cold cathode tube by a flexible plastic material that is bendable. Its application is easier, more reliable, and wider in application fields.
Led neon flex using PVC materials were introduced to the market earlier. PVC is a plastic material, namely polyvinyl chloride, which is one of the most produced plastic products in the world. However, as the market puts forward higher requirements for products and applications, PVC materials characteristic defects gradually appear. Therefore, a material with better performance---silica gel has entered the field. The main component of silica gel is silica, which has stable chemical properties and does not burn. The technology of led silicone neon lights has become mature and perfect, and its excellent characteristics make it gradually replace PVC neon led strips and become the mainstream development direction of the market.
What is led neon light?
Led neon light is also known as led neon rope light and neon led strip light. It is a lighting decoration product. This product has anti-shatter and waterproof functions. It can be used indoors and outdoors, with a waterproof rating of IP67. Its appearance is to make up for the shortcomings of glass neon tubes and optical fibers. The neon led strip has good sealing performance, a large light-emitting area, high brightness, and many colors. It can be cut at any scissors opening, and its application range is very wide. And it can be connected to a controller to achieve effect changes.
Led strip lights are hidden in the neon tube, and they make up the led neon light. You can purchase the whole led neon rope, or choose to buy a led neon tube to make the led neon by yourself. The light of the led neon light is softer than the led strip. The led neon tube material is environmentally friendly and has good light transmittance. And the led neon rope light is much flexible so that you can use it to put on a variety of looks.
Look this video to intuitively understand the led neon rope light.
Related reading:
LED neon vs glass neon: what is a neon light, and what changed?
A traditional neon light is a sealed glass tube with electrodes at both ends, filled with low-pressure gas. Several thousand volts on the electrodes ionize the gas and make it glow, and the gas decides the color. An LED neon light gets the same continuous line of light from LED strip lights hidden inside a flexible tube:
| Compared | Traditional glass neon | LED neon |
|---|---|---|
| What makes the light | Low-pressure gas in a sealed glass tube, ionized between the electrodes at both ends | LED strip lights hidden inside the neon tube |
| Working voltage | Several thousand volts on the electrodes | Low voltage: 5V, 12V or 24V. AC110/220V high voltage LED neon for long runs |
| Tube | Glass (the traditional cold cathode tube) | Flexible, bendable plastic: PVC at first, now silicone (silica gel), which does not burn and is the mainstream |
| Color | Set by the gas in the tube; other gases give other colors | White from 2300K to 7000K, or yellow, golden yellow, green, blue, ice blue, red, pink and amber; RGB, RGBW, RGBCCT and addressable versions change color on a controller |
Beyond that, LED neon adds:
- Anti-shatter and waterproof up to IP67, for indoor and outdoor use.
- Low heat, and more than 70% energy saving compared to glass neon lights.
- You can cut it at the cut line and reconnect it yourself, and bend it into patterns (minimum bend radius 10 cm, never flat-wise).
- UV resistant: no yellowing or aging after more than 5 years of direct sunlight.
- Uniform light with no light spots, softer than a bare LED strip.
That is why we say LED neon is more reliable and convenient than traditional neon in brightness, flexibility and function.
Is neon used in LED lights?
Not as a gas. In glass neon the glow comes from the gas; in LED neon it comes from the LED strip inside the tube. What LED lights borrow is the neon tube: it solves the LED strip’s lack of flexibility, makes the light softer with no spots, and protects the strip from external force and water (see questions 2 and 8 in the FAQ below).
Glass, PVC, silicone: how the LED neon market moved
- Glass to LED. High luminous efficiency, low energy consumption and high reliability let LED neon gradually replace glass neon tubes.
- PVC first. LED neon flex was first made with PVC; as the market asked more of it, the material’s defects showed.
- Silicone now. Silica gel has stable chemical properties and does not burn. Silicone LED neon is now the mainstream direction of the market, and it is what our silicone neon tubes are made of.
What are neon LED signs used for?
Led neon lights are widely used in the fields of pattern modeling, advertising signs, winding characters, etc., and can also decorate and illuminate the buildings, steps, booths, bridges, hotels, KTV, and other places. The led neon silicone material can resist the corrosion of common salt, alkali, and acid, and can be used in special environments such as seashore, yacht, chemical industry, petroleum, mine, laboratory and so on.
Led neon light can be stored in an environment of -50 degrees to +150 degrees, which can maintain the normal soft state of neon led strip lights, without embrittlement, deformation, and softening, and aging. And it can be used in the -20 degrees to +45 degrees environment, resistant to extreme cold and high heat, and can work normally.
Are LED neon lights good?
Uniform luminescence, no light spot, high light transmittance
Led neon light emits uniformly without light spots, so you can look directly at the light-emitting surface without glare. Compared with LED waterproof light strips, it has a better appearance and wider application environment. And compared with the smaller profile linear light, the installation is simpler and the protection performance is better.
The light transmittance of neon led strip lights is as high as 90%, which can meet high luminous flux output, not only for decoration but also for lighting.
Strong flexibility, durable and long life
Led neon rope light has a reliable structure and strong flexibility. It uses solid silica gel. The internal structure and external shape can be customized through molds, which can be bent and are suitable for various shapes. Resistant to tearing and pulling, not easy to be damaged and deformed, and strong toughness.
When bending led neon lights, pay attention to the following bending methods. The bending direction of the led neon rope is determined by the orientation of the led strip. The led neon tube can change the luminous mode of the led strip, and the top-emitting led light strip uses the side-emitting neon tube to get the side-emitting led neon rope.
Good heat dissipation, environmental protection
Due to the good thermal conductivity of silica gel, led neon tubes made of silica gel have very good heat dissipation performance. The materials used in led neon strips are environmentally friendly and non-toxic, and the silica gel has a high ignition point and is not flammable, and there is no irritating and toxic gas volatilization, which is safer.
Versatility
Led neon lights can replace other light strips, and can achieve white light, colorful, color chasing, and other functional effects. It can replace traditional neon tubes for signs, buildings, and landscape lighting. Silicone neon tubes are available in square and round shapes, and it is suitable for all led strip lights whether it is the single color led strip or RGB color changing led strip light.
How to choose led neon rope lights?
There are many options for led neon lights. Color and color temperature, length, width, density, waterproof level, voltage, and other factors all need to be considered when buying neon led strip. How to combine these many factors to choose a suitable led neon light? We will discuss the different types of neon led strip lights and you can click on the link you are interested in to view and purchase the led neon product. Hope this sorting can help you and reduce your doubts.
According to the difference of color, led neon strip lights can be divided into single color led neon, RGB led neon flex, RGBW led neon rope light, RGBCCT neon led strip, addressable RGB neon led strip light, and addressable RGBW led neon rope. The color and color temperature option of led neon rope light is various, 2300K, 2700K, 3000K, 4000K, 6000K, 7000K, yellow, golden yellow, green, blue, ice blue, red, pink, and amber. You can choose the color and color temperature according to your preferences, just as you decide what clothes to wear today.
Types of LED neon lights
LED neon is sorted the same way you shop for it: by color, by voltage, by how it emits light, and by whether you buy it ready-made or as a tube to fill yourself. Everything the sections above describe, at a glance:
| Sorted by | Types of LED neon |
|---|---|
| Color | Single color, RGB, RGBW, RGBCCT, addressable RGB, addressable RGBW |
| Color temperature and colors | 2300K, 2700K, 3000K, 4000K, 6000K, 7000K; yellow, golden yellow, green, blue, ice blue, red, pink, amber |
| Voltage | DC5V, DC12V and DC24V low voltage; AC110/220V high voltage |
| Light direction | Top-emitting (light from top to bottom) or side-emitting (clear direction, forms shadows) |
| Light-emitting angle | 120°, 180°, 270° or 360°, set by the internal structure of the tube |
| Tube shape | Square or round |
| Build | Ready-made LED neon, or a silicone neon tube 3mm to 30mm wide for your own LED strip |
LED neon types at SuperLightingLED
| Type | What it is |
|---|---|
| Single color LED neon light signs | One color: white in 2300K, 2700K, 3000K, 4000K, 6000K or 7000K, or yellow, golden yellow, green, blue, ice blue, red, pink or amber. |
| RGB LED neon lights | Color changing neon: RGB, RGBW and RGBCCT. Connect a controller to adjust brightness, change colors and create light effects. |
| Addressable LED neon lights | Addressable RGB and RGBW neon for color chasing. Several pieces chain for data from one controller; all must use the same IC family and voltage. |
| 360 degree LED neon flex | Round neon with a 360° light-emitting angle, lit all the way round. |
| Injection molding LED neon rope light | Neon rope formed by injection molding: the mold sets its internal structure and external shape. |
| High voltage LED neon lights | AC110/220V for long runs: super long with no pressure drop, in lengths from 5 to 100 meters. It plugs into the mains and wires like a high-voltage LED strip (diagrams below). |
| Silicone neon LED diffusers | The tube alone, to make LED neon from your own strip: 3mm to 30mm wide, top emitting, side emitting, black or 360 degree round. |
| LED neon flex accessories | End caps to seal every cut, and other accessories for LED neon flex. |
Making LED neon from a strip you already have? The chart for matching the tube width to your strip’s PCB, and the threading steps, are in How to make LED neon lights.
Are led neon ropes use DC or AC?
The safety that people always say in led strip lights means that it is low working voltage. There are 5V, 12V, and 24V neon led strips. In order to ensure that the color, color temperature, and the brightness of the led neon rope are the same in long-distance running, the high voltage led neon comes out.
|
No voltage drop between 2 to 3 meters, independent power supply at both ends of 5 meters. No voltage drop at 5 meters, independent power supply at 10 meters. 10 meters without voltage drop, 15 meters with independent power supply. • AC110/220V high voltage neon led strip Super long, no pressure drop, providing 5 to 100 meters led neon rope lights. |
How each type of LED neon is powered
Low-voltage and addressable neon run from a separate power supply; high voltage neon plugs into the mains. These four diagrams are drawn by the SuperLightingLED engineering team for our LED strip wiring diagrams library; click one for the full notes.
High-voltage LED neon wires the same way as the high-voltage LED strip in the last two diagrams and is the neater option outdoors. Switch off at the socket before touching it, and leave mains-side wiring to a qualified electrician. Parts: high-voltage LED strip parts, high-voltage controllers; for addressable neon, an SPI / addressable controller and power supplies.
Building a sign from several pieces of neon? The step-by-step is in DIY LED neon sign.
Can you change the light-emitting angle or the luminous way of neon led strip?
Different installation environments require different lighting methods. There are top-emitting and side-emitting of led neon lights. Side-emitting can choose a good orientation and outdoor landscape, the light has obvious directionality, which is conducive to the formation of shadows. The top-emitting light is from top to bottom, the illuminance is evenly distributed, the light color is natural, the brightness is high, and the effect is good.
Another advantage of led neon lights is that it can choose the angle of light. The internal structure of the neon tube determines how much light-emitting angle it has. And you can choose the light-emitting angle from 120°, 180°, 270°, and 360°.
We provide you with many lengths and widths to choose from. According to your project to choose the right length and width.
If you want to purchase the led neon tube to make a led neon light, pay attention to the width. The width of led neon tube has options from 3mm to 30mm. Carefully distinguish the width of the neon tube and the width of the led strip PCB board. Generally speaking, the width of the neon tube is a few millimeters wider than the width of the PCB board. If your led strip light is 8mm, you can choose 8mm or 10mm led neon tube to wear your led strip, but you can not use 3mm or 6mm neon tube. No matter what light strip you have, there is a suitable neon tube always.
LED neon lights FAQ
1. Led neon VS Traditional neon light
The traditional neon light is a sealed glass tube with electrodes at both ends, which is filled with some low-pressure gas. A voltage of several thousand volts is applied to the electrode, and the gas in the ionization tube causes it to emit light. The color of the light depends on the gas in the tube, the use of other gases will produce other colors. Led neon light is more reliable and convenient than traditional neon light in many aspects such as brightness, flexibility, function, etc.
2. What is the difference between led and neon lights? Neon VS LED?
Led neon light protect the led strip light inside from external force, and can be waterproof than led strip. The light of led neon rope light is uniform, and no light spot. The application is also wider, and can be designed and installed into various patterns.
3. Led neon tube vs Aluminum channel
Both the led neon tube and the aluminum channel can protect led strips. However, led neon tube is more flexible than aluminum channel, and its shapes are more changeable.
4. Can you cut led neon rope light?
You can cut and reconnect led neon lights by yourself. There is a translucent line on the side of the neon tube. You can see the cutting line on the back of the light strip, and decide where you want to cut according to the cutting line. Find the cut line and use a sharp scissor or other tools to cut the led neon tube. After cutting the led neon rope light, cover the incisions with the end cap, glue it with silica gel or other adhesives, and air-dry the adhesives before putting it into use. You can also put on heat shrink tubing to increase the degree of protection.
5. Are neon lights waterproof?
Led neon lights are waterproof up to IP67, and suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
6. Is LED Neon Flex dimmable?
Led neon flex can controlled by the led light controller. It not only can adjust the brightness of led neon lights, and also have the ability to change colors to create various light effect.
7. Do led neon lights take a lot of electricity?
Neon lights emit low heat and can save energy by more than 70% compared to glass neon lights.
8. Do LED lights use neon?
Led lights use neon tubes to solve the problem of insufficient flexibility of led strip lights, and the luminous effect is softer and there is no spot. Can be used indoors and outdoors. You can choose top emitting or side emitting and the light-emitting angle. The installation effect is more beautiful.
9. Are led neon lights bad for your eyes?
Looking directly at the led light source can sometimes cause eye discomfort, especially when the light source has a high color temperature. The neon led strip reduces this irritation and softens the light.
10. Can led neon lights get sun damaged?
Neon lights are UV resistant, and will not yellow or age after long-term exposure to direct sunlight for more than 5 years.
11. What types of LED neon lights are there?
By color: single color, RGB, RGBW, RGBCCT, and addressable RGB or RGBW. By voltage: DC5V, DC12V and DC24V low voltage, or AC110/220V high voltage. By light: top-emitting or side-emitting, with a light-emitting angle of 120°, 180°, 270° or 360°. You can also buy the silicone neon tube alone, 3mm to 30mm wide, and make LED neon from your own strip.
12. Can I turn my own LED strip into LED neon?
Yes. Silicone neon tubes suit all LED strip lights, single color or RGB color changing. The tube is generally a few millimeters wider than the strip PCB: an 8mm strip takes an 8mm or 10mm tube, not a 3mm or 6mm one. The steps are in How to make LED neon lights.
LED neon strip lights and accessories
Ready-made LED neon for every type above, and the tubes and parts to make your own:
LED neon strip lightsAll ready-made LED neon
Single color LED neon light signsWhite 2300K-7000K and colors
RGB LED neon lightsRGB, RGBW and RGBCCT neon
Addressable LED neon lightsColor chasing effects
360 degree LED neon flexRound, light all the way round
Injection molding LED neon rope lightFormed by injection molding
High voltage LED neon lights110/220V, 5 to 100 m runs
Silicone neon LED diffusersThe tube only, 3mm to 30mm
Side emitting silicone LED diffusersTurn a top-emitting strip into side-emitting neon
LED neon flex light accessoriesEnd caps and other partsTell us where it goes, the length, the color and the voltage you have, and the SuperLightingLED team will match the neon, the controller and the power supply, or quote a custom sign. Standard orders such as accessories and controllers ship within 24–48 hours; LED strip orders follow the production lead time shown on the product page. Contact our team · Custom lighting services