A Practical Guide to Addressable WS2812B LED Strip

Understanding the features of the 5V individually addressable WS2812B LED strip and how it works can help us use it correctly in the lighting installation. This blog provides specific knowledge for users who do not fully understand the WS2812B LED strip. And here, you can find your desired strip.

Below are the addressable RGB WS2812B led strip lights we are selling.

LED Strip WidthLED DensityLengthPCB ColorWaterproof Rating
28 mm (Round Silicone Tube)288 LEDs/m1m/3.28ftWhiteIP67
4/5 mm60 LEDs/m1m/3.28ft, 2m/6.56ftWhite / BlackIP20 / IP67
10 mm30 LEDs/m0.5m/1.64ft, 1m/3.28ft, 2m/6.56ft, 5m/16.4ftWhite / BlackIP20 / IP65 / IP67 / IP68
10 mm60 LEDs/m0.5m/1.64ft, 1m/3.28ft, 2m/6.56ft, 3m/9.84ft, 4m/13.1ft, 5m/16.4ft White / Black IP20 / IP65 / IP67 / IP68
12 mm72 LEDs/m5m/16.4ftWhite / Black IP20
12 mm96 LEDs/m0.5m/1.64ft, 1m/3.28ft, 2m/6.56ft, 5m/16.4ft White / Black IP20 / IP65 / IP67 / IP68
12 mm144 LEDs/m0.5m/1.64ft, 1m/3.28ft, 2m/6.56ft White / Black IP20 / IP65 / IP67 / IP68
10 mm (COB)160 LEDs/m1m/3.28ft, 5m/16.4ftWhiteIP20 / IP67
10 mm (COB)320 LEDs/m1m/3.28ftWhiteIP20 / IP67

What Is A WS2812B LED?

A WS2812B LED is formed by encapsulating a WS2812B chip in a 5050 SMD LED. The WS2812B led strip is obtained by mounting multiple such WS2812B LEDs patches on a flexible circuit board.

So the WS2812B led strips come with a variety of LED densities (that is, how many LED lights per meter) and PCB strip widths.

Light Effects Of WS2812B LED Strip

The addressable RGB WS2812B led strips are not only available in multiple colors and each LED can be a different color. You can change the color and mode of the LED light through Bluetooth, WiFi, mobile APP, Alexa/Goole Assistant, or remote control. You can also use the Arduino baseboard to DIY the WS2812B led strip. Click here to know more about our LED controller.

How Does WS2812B LED Work?

The WS2812B LED strip works by adding a small microcontroller (WS2812B IC) to each LED. The microcontroller allows the on-off state and brightness of each LED to be individually controlled via PWM. Each LED has a built-in IC, and such addressable led strips are called individually addressable led strip lights.

The WS2812B addressable led strip requires a WS2812B IC compatible SPI controller to operate the LED lights. The controller transmits control commands to specific LEDs, and the ICs in the LEDs receive the commands and perform corresponding operations, thereby individually controlling the color and brightness of each LED.

Points to Pay Attention to

The WS2812B led light strip has three connecting lines, positive, negative, and a data line for signal transmission. The direction of signal transmission can be known from the direction of the arrow on the light strip. Once you mix up the data input and output, the WS2812B LED lights will not work. So pay attention to it.

In the process of signal transmission, if the circuit of a certain section is damaged, the LED lights in this section and the LED lights after it will lose their work. If the whole strip is lit, and a single LED does not light up, it may be that the solder joint of the LED light falls off. Re-solder the pins of the LED to establish a reliable connection.

Power WS2812B LED Strip

One of the features of the WS2812B addressable led strip is that it is a low-voltage 5V led strip, with a 5VDC voltage input, and needs to be used with a 5V power supply. 5V addressable led strips should be powered at both ends to run a 5m/16.4ft led strip due to the voltage drop, click to know what LED voltage drop is.

The addressable WS2812B led strip comes with male and female JST quick connectors for easy connection. When connecting the addressable led strip, SPI controller, and led power supply, do not reverse the data input and output terminals, and do not reverse the positive and negative poles. The output of the led controller is connected to the input of the light strip.

Use WS2812B LED Strip

The WS2812B led strip is pasted with adhesive tape, and you can cut the WS2812B led strip to your desired length. As led strip accessories, silicone led diffusers and aluminum channels can provide it with better lighting effects and aesthetic installation effects.