SMD LED Strip Lights
2835 & 5630 Chips · 60 to 240 LEDs/m · 12V & 24V · IP20 to IP67 — India's Most Used LED Strip, Done Right
Nucleo SMD LED Strip Lights
SMD LED strips are the most widely installed LED product in India — in every home, office, hotel, and retail space. They light coves, cabinets, staircases, and display shelves. They're used behind TVs, under kitchen counters, inside wardrobes, along false ceiling borders, and in shop window displays. Their versatility comes from one key property: they are flexible, thin, and can be cut and connected to fit any space.
Two Chip Types — Which to Choose?
2835 and 5630 are the two chip sizes that cover the vast majority of Indian LED strip applications.
SMD 2835 — Standard
- Small chip: 2.8mm × 3.5mm
- Efficient — high lumen per watt
- Available in 60, 120, 240 LEDs/metre
- 4.8W/m to 19.2W/m output range
- Ideal for coves, shelves, and ambient lighting
- Works well inside aluminium profiles
- Most affordable SMD strip option
- Widest colour temperature range (2700K–6500K)
SMD 5630 — High Output
- Larger chip: 5.6mm × 3.0mm
- Higher output per chip — brighter at 60 LEDs/m
- Available in 60 LEDs/metre (standard)
- 14W/m to 24W/m — high lumen strip
- Ideal for under-cabinet task lighting
- Better for spaces needing maximum brightness
- Typically needs aluminium profile for heat management
- Used where lumen output per metre is the priority
LED Density Guide
More LEDs per metre means more uniform light and less visible individual dots. Choose based on viewing distance and application.
Standard
Good for coves, ceiling borders, and any application where the strip is inside a profile or recess and not directly viewed at close range.
High Density
Best balance — good brightness with reduced dot visibility. For shelf lighting, staircase risers, and applications viewed at moderate distance.
Ultra Dense
Minimal dot visibility at close range. For vanity mirrors, retail display shelves, and any application where the strip is seen from under 500mm.
Wattage & Output Reference Table
Select the right strip by wattage per metre and lumens per metre for your application.
| Strip Type | Density | Voltage | W/metre | lm/metre (approx) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMD 2835 | 60 LEDs/m | 12V | 4.8W | ~450 lm | Decorative cove, ambient accent |
| SMD 2835 | 120 LEDs/m | 12V | 9.6W | ~900 lm | Standard cove, shelf lighting |
| SMD 2835 | 120 LEDs/m | 24V | 12W | ~1,100 lm | Long cove runs, under-cabinet |
| SMD 2835 HD | 240 LEDs/m | 24V | 19.2W | ~1,800 lm | Close-view shelves, display, vanity |
| SMD 5630 | 60 LEDs/m | 12V | 14W | ~1,400 lm | High-output task lighting |
| SMD 5630 HO | 60 LEDs/m | 24V | 24W | ~2,400 lm | Maximum brightness per metre |
IP Rating Guide
Choose the correct IP rating for your installation environment — critical for safety and longevity in Indian conditions.
IP20
Dry Indoor Use OnlyNo moisture protection. For completely dry indoor environments only — false ceiling coves, furniture interiors, display cases, and office under-cabinet lighting. Never use outdoors or in bathrooms.
IP65
Water Spray ProtectedSilicone-coated — protects against water spray from any direction. For bathroom cabinet niches, kitchen backsplash under-cabinet lighting, outdoor covered soffits, and garden perimeter lighting.
IP67
Temporary SubmersionFully encapsulated in silicone — protects against temporary water submersion up to 1m. For outdoor perimeter lighting, garden path edges, and pool surrounds where the strip may be submerged during monsoon.
Why Choose Nucleo SMD Strips?
Certified Chip Bins
SDCM <5 colour consistency — all strips in a project batch within 5 MacAdam ellipses of each other. No visible colour variation between reels installed in the same room.
2oz Copper FPC Base
Heavier copper traces than standard 1oz FPC — lower resistance, less voltage drop over long runs, and better thermal conductivity from chip to aluminium profile heatsink.
3M Adhesive Backing
Genuine 3M VHB self-adhesive backing — bonds firmly to aluminium, painted plasterboard, timber, and smooth surfaces. Holds position for years without peeling or sagging.
Standard Cut Pitch
Cut every 50mm (60 LED/m) or 25mm (120 LED/m) — frequent cut points for precise length fitting. Cut-and-reconnect system with push-in connectors available for all densities.
Wide CCT Range
2700K (warm) / 3000K / 4000K (neutral) / 5000K / 6500K (cool) — all with SDCM <5 within batch. Custom CCT matching available for project replacement orders.
Project Quantities
Per-metre pricing on samples. Reel pricing (5m standard). Project bulk pricing for 50m, 100m, 500m+ orders — with consistent chip bin matching across the full project quantity.
Technical Features
📏 12mm Strip Width
Standard 12mm wide FPC base — fits all standard aluminium LED profile channel sizes (12mm and above). Also available in 8mm and 10mm widths for slim profiles.
🔆 High CRI Option
Standard CRI >80 Ra. High-CRI option >90 Ra available for retail, hospitality, and healthcare applications where colour accuracy matters. Specify at time of order.
🎚️ Dimmable
All Nucleo SMD strips are PWM dimmable via any compatible 12V/24V CV PWM dimmer or dimmable LED driver. Smooth dimming from 100% to near-off without flicker.
🌡️ Operating Range
–20°C to +50°C operating temperature. Suitable for cold storage, refrigerated display cabinet lighting, and high-ambient industrial installations.
🔗 Push-In Connectors
Tool-free push-in strip connectors for joining cut sections, making L-corners, and connecting strip to driver wire — no soldering required for standard installations.
🌀 5m Standard Reels
5-metre standard reel length. Custom reel lengths available for project orders above 50m. Cut from reel and supply in individual specified lengths on request.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Chip Types | SMD 2835 / SMD 5630 |
| LED Density | 60 LEDs/m / 120 LEDs/m / 240 LEDs/m |
| FPC Width | 8mm / 10mm / 12mm (most common) |
| FPC Copper Weight | 2oz (standard) — lower voltage drop |
| Operating Voltage | 12V DC / 24V DC |
| Wattage Range | 4.8W/m – 24W/m (density and chip dependent) |
| Luminous Output | 450 – 2,400 lm/m |
| CRI (Standard) | >80 Ra |
| CRI (High-CRI) | >90 Ra (specify at order) |
| CCT Options | 2700K / 3000K / 4000K / 5000K / 6500K |
| SDCM Colour Consistency | <5 MacAdam Ellipse (within batch) |
| Cut Pitch | 50mm (60 LED/m) / 25mm (120 LED/m) / 16.7mm (240 LED/m) |
| IP Rating | IP20 / IP65 (silicone coated) / IP67 (encapsulated) |
| Adhesive | 3M VHB self-adhesive backing |
| Dimming | PWM dimmable via compatible CV driver/dimmer |
| Operating Temperature | –20°C to +50°C |
| Reel Length | 5 metres standard |
| Lifespan | 30,000 hrs (standard) / 50,000 hrs (premium grade) |
| Warranty | 1 Year (Nucleo Standard) |
Where SMD LED Strips Are Used
Ceiling Coves
2835 60 or 120 LED/m in an aluminium profile inside a false ceiling cove — the most common LED strip application in Indian homes and commercial spaces.
Under-Cabinet Kitchen
5630 high-output strip in a surface aluminium profile under wall cabinets — task lighting for the cooking surface. IP65 for splash-protected areas near the sink.
TV Backlighting
2835 warm white behind the TV panel reduces eye strain in dark rooms. 24V 120 LED/m delivers uniform glow across the full TV width from a single feed point.
Shelf & Display
240 LED/m high-density strip on shelf undersides for retail display — close viewing distance requires maximum density to avoid visible dots on the lit surface below.
Staircase Risers
2835 120 LED/m in step-nose aluminium profiles on staircase risers — safety lighting that illuminates each tread below the strip with a clean line of warm white.
Bedhead Panels
2835 warm white 3000K in aluminium profiles on bedhead panels or behind fabric headboards — soft ambient backlighting for luxury bedroom environments.
Retail Display Cases
High-CRI 2835 or 5630 in display case channels — accurate colour rendering under close inspection of jewellery, clothing, and lifestyle products.
Garden & Outdoor
IP67 2835 strips for outdoor garden perimeter lighting, terrace edges, and covered external soffit accent — sealed against India's monsoon conditions.
Installation Guide
📐 Surface Mount in Profile
- Select the correct aluminium LED profile for your application (surface, recessed, or corner) with an internal channel width matching your strip width (8mm, 10mm, or 12mm). Always use a profile — it provides the heatsink that extends strip life and the diffuser that removes visible dots.
- Cut both the aluminium profile and the LED strip to the required length. Cut the profile with an aluminium-rated fine-tooth saw; cut the strip at the marked cut points only using sharp scissors. Never cut through a chip — only between chip groups at the designated cut line.
- Peel the 3M adhesive backing from the strip and press firmly into the aluminium profile channel along the full length. The strip base should contact the aluminium channel floor directly — this thermal contact is critical for heat dissipation from the LED chips.
- Connect the strip's positive (+) and negative (–) output wires to the 12V or 24V constant voltage LED driver output. Verify the driver's wattage rating is at least 20% above the total strip load (multiply strip W/m by total metres).
- For runs over 5m (12V) or 10m (24V): feed power from both ends of the strip to maintain consistent brightness throughout the run. Noticeable dimming at the far end of a long run always indicates insufficient driver capacity or voltage drop on undersized cable.
- Snap the diffuser cover into the profile. Mount the loaded profile to the ceiling, wall, or furniture surface using the supplied clips or adhesive. Power on and verify uniform brightness along the full run. Test dimmer operation if applicable.
🌿 Direct Adhesive Mount (No Profile)
- Direct adhesive mount without a profile is only acceptable for applications where the strip is not at risk of overheating — i.e., short runs under 3m on a thermally conductive surface (metal, concrete), or very low-wattage decorative strips (under 5W/m). For all other applications, always use an aluminium profile.
- Clean the mounting surface thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol and allow to dry completely — 3M adhesive bonds best to a dust-free surface. The adhesive will not bond correctly to painted surfaces with poor adhesion, textured surfaces, or surfaces with silicone residue.
- Do not stretch the strip during application — stretching the FPC base causes micro-fractures in the solder joints between chips and the copper traces, leading to premature chip failures appearing as dark spots along the run.
- Press the strip firmly along its entire length, applying pressure evenly. After adhering, press down again every 100mm with your thumb — the 3M adhesive achieves maximum bond strength after 72 hours of contact pressure, particularly in high-humidity Indian conditions.
- Make all electrical connections before pressing the strip to the final surface — rerouting connections after the strip is adhered frequently damages the FPC base and the chip solder joints.
- For IP65/IP67 strips: seal all cut ends with the supplied silicone end cap plus self-amalgamating tape. Any unsealed cut end is a direct water ingress path that will cause strip failure in the first monsoon season regardless of the strip's IP rating along its body.
💡 The Strip That Started India's LED Adoption
SMD LED strips are how most of India first encountered LED lighting — not in a downlight or a batten, but in a cove. A false ceiling with a warm amber strip glowing inside it, softening a living room in a way that no overhead light could. That image, replicated across millions of Indian homes through the 2010s, was almost always a 2835 strip in an aluminium channel, running on a 12V transformer tucked into the ceiling void.
The product hasn't changed much. The chips are more efficient, the colour consistency is better, the IP ratings are more reliable. But the fundamental form is the same — a flexible tape of light that goes anywhere, costs relatively little, and when installed correctly, lasts a decade without maintenance.
What has changed is how much India now expects from it. The same strip that once just lit a cove is now expected to match CCT exactly across a project, not dim with age, and survive a monsoon outside a bathroom window. Nucleo strips are built to meet those expectations — certified chip bins, 2oz FPC, 3M adhesive, and genuine IP ratings. Available per metre or per reel, Pan India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 2835 and 5630 SMD LED strips?
Should I choose 12V or 24V?
How many LEDs per metre should I choose?
Can SMD strips be used outdoors?
What driver do I need?
Where can I buy SMD LED strips Pan India?
🔍 Related Search Terms
Order Nucleo SMD LED Strips Pan India
2835 & 5630 · 60/120/240 LEDs/m · 12V/24V · IP20–IP67 · All CCT · Per-metre & reel pricing.
