The answer is yes, you can cut Tapo LED lights as long as you follow some simple steps and precautions. Tapo LED lights are flexible and customizable light strips that can be used for various purposes, such as creating mood lighting, enhancing home decor, or adding some fun to your gaming setup. However, sometimes you may need to adjust the length of the light strip to fit your desired space or shape. In this article, we will explain how to cut Tapo LED lights safely and correctly, and what to do after cutting them.
Tapo LED lights come with a self-adhesive backing that allows you to stick them on any smooth and clean surface. They also have cut marks every 10 cm (3.94 inches) along the strip, which indicate where you can cut the strip without damaging the circuit or the LEDs. To cut Tapo LED lights, you will need a pair of scissors and a ruler or tape measure. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Measure the length of the light strip that you need for your project. Make sure you leave some extra length for connecting the power supply and the controller.
Step 2: Find the nearest cut mark to the length that you measured. The cut mark is a small line between two copper dots on the strip. You can only cut the strip at the cut marks, otherwise you will ruin the strip and the LEDs.
Step 3: Use a pair of scissors to cut the strip along the cut mark. Make sure you cut as close to the cut mark as possible, and avoid cutting the copper dots or the LEDs. You should have two pieces of light strip after cutting, one with the power supply and the controller, and one without.
Step 4: Peel off the protective layer from the self-adhesive backing of the light strip. Stick the light strip to your desired location, such as behind a TV, under a cabinet, or around a mirror. Make sure the surface is smooth, clean, and dry before applying the strip.
Step 5: Connect the power supply and the controller to the light strip. You can use the Tapo app on your smartphone to control the light strip, such as changing the color, brightness, or mode. You can also use voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to control the light strip.
After cutting Tapo LED lights, you may wonder what to do with the leftover piece of light strip. Depending on the length of the leftover piece, you have a few options:
Option 1: If the leftover piece is long enough, you can use it for another project. You will need to buy a separate power supply and a controller for the leftover piece, which you can find online or at a local hardware store. You can also buy some connectors or extension cables to join the leftover piece with another light strip.
Option 2: If the leftover piece is too short to be used for another project, you can dispose of it properly. Tapo LED lights are made of eco-friendly materials that are safe for the environment. However, you should still follow the local regulations for disposing of electronic waste. Do not throw the light strip in the trash or in the fire, as this may cause harm to the environment or yourself.
Option 3: If you are feeling creative, you can use the leftover piece for some DIY crafts or decorations. For example, you can wrap the light strip around a glass jar or a bottle to create a glowing lantern. You can also glue the light strip to a cardboard or a wood frame to make a colorful sign or a picture. You will still need a power supply and a controller for the leftover piece, so make sure you have them handy.
Conclusion
Tapo LED lights are a great way to add some color and fun to your home, office, or gaming room. They are easy to install and use, and they can be cut to fit any space or shape. However, you need to be careful when cutting Tapo LED lights, and follow the instructions and precautions that we have provided in this article. We hope that this article has answered your question of “Can you cut Tapo LED lights?” and given you some useful tips and ideas. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
