Strip Lights & LED Neon: The Complete Guide for South African Homes an

LED strip lights and neon flex are some of the most versatile products in modern lighting. They can accent a kitchen, backlight a TV, illuminate a bar, or brand a shopfront — and they're surprisingly affordable. But there are a few key things to get right.

12V vs 24V: Which Strip Light System?

12V strips are the most widely used and suit runs up to about 5 metres before you get voltage drop (dimming at the far end). 24V strips can run longer distances with less drop, making them better for commercial runs, coves, and architectural feature lighting over 5m. Both need a compatible driver (transformer).

Browse our full range of LED strip lights including 12V and 24V options from Switch2LED.

What's the Difference Between Strip Lights and COB Strips?

Standard LED strips have individual LED chips spaced at intervals — you can see each dot of light if looked at directly. COB (Chip on Board) strips pack hundreds of micro-LEDs onto a continuous board, producing a seamless, dot-free line of light. COB strips are ideal for cove lighting, ceiling recesses, and anywhere the strip itself is visible from certain angles.

IP Ratings for Strip Lights

IP20 — Non-waterproof. Suitable for inside cabinets, ceiling coves, and dry indoor use.
IP65 — Silicone-coated. Suitable for bathrooms, splash zones, and covered outdoor areas.
IP67/68 — Fully waterproof. For outdoor exposed installations and garden features.

Aluminium Channels: Don't Skip Them

Aluminium extrusion channels do two critical things: they diffuse the light (eliminating hotspots) and act as a heatsink, extending the LED's lifespan significantly. We stock a range of surface, recessed, and corner channels to suit every installation type.

Neon Flex

LED neon flex mimics the look of traditional glass neon tubes but uses fraction of the power and is shatterproof. It's perfect for shopfront signage, feature walls, and bar lighting. Available in single-colour and RGB colour-changing options.

Drivers and Dimmers

Every strip light installation needs a driver sized to the total wattage of the strip run (allow 20% headroom). For dimmable installations, you need both a dimmable driver and a compatible dimmer switch. Don't mix incompatible components — flickering and buzzing are the typical result. Browse our complete strip lights and driver range.

Need help planning your installation? Call us on 011 887 2429 or visit 34 Andries Street, Wynberg, Sandton.