Dangerous bare 230V LED tape

I'm not sure what application this bare mains voltage LED tape is intended for, but the implication in the listing that it can be used under kitchen cabinets, in bathrooms and children's play rooms may not be appropriate.

Despite operating at full mains voltage, this tape can still be cut every 100mm (4") and does not need an external rectifier. It achieves this with built in rectifiers, multi-chip LEDs and current limiting resistors. Rather pleasingly it doesn't grill them for a change - even on a 245 volt supply.

The listing actually showed a linear current regulator on each section, but the tape that arrived has resistors. That's fine. It means there may be a slight intensity change with voltage fluctuations, but the resistors are going to be much more reliable than an active component.

The track spacing is squirmy for the voltages involved. This tape is not suitable for use anywhere with even the slightest risk of condensation forming, and if mounted onto a metal backing there is very little between mains voltage and the surface it's mounted on. Even hygroscopic adhesive could pose an issue.

The only places this tape could be used are in well insulated or grounded enclosures to avoid the risk of it being touched. The possibility of the tape parting from its adhesive would have to be considered, and it definitely needs a low value fuse.

It's interesting stuff, but it has very niche uses. The listing I got it from is here:-

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#ElectronicsCreators

[jmargarson]

Bathtub lighting would be exciting and with the added bonus of keeping the water hot.

[peter.stimpel]

Finally, a safe product. Ebay descriptions are always true.

[zh]

The shot of the wires jammed into a mains socket is particularly good when you remember that - unlike Britain - most countries don't have switches on their mains sockets, so in the process of shoving the wires in they would suddenly go live...

[ABill]

Ideal safe lighting for a leaky damp garden shed where the petrol lawnmower is kept. I'm sure sensible home-installers will use a 13A fuse in the plug that goes into the extension lead they've run from the kitchen.
A bonus point is that any rats chewing this stuff will be pre-cooked even before the shed burns and the lawnmower explodes.
That would be a proper BigClive how-to video.

[daveseddon]

Seems ideal for use inside an aquarium - make sure to fit a 3A fuse though, just to be on the safe side. 🙂

[jaymcquillen]

I prefer to use things like this to light my hot tub. For one, it's adds nice effect to the bubbles. And two, it really gives the full muscle treatment.

[jbdfd]

I love the info in your video, and the commentary. After about 10 mins however I have to sit, then start to drift into the softest of clouds as I hear the voice if heaven softly and sweetly soothing and serenading my mind into sleep. After a short nap I return to finish watching. Thank you!

[jagmarc]

There's a chinese product store near where I live (Canary islands) who installed very similar to these over their entire ceiling area. When you walked into the shop it was like walking onto the beach on a sunny day, bathed in bluey-white but somewhat flickery light. I think they alternated the connection polarity for every even/odd strip to reduce the flicker effect by half. A few years on some strips have failed and overall the light output is less than half, but when the shop first opened it was like walking into a giant stroboscope.

[RiffRaffMama.]

7:35 "...and the tape will explode in flames."
I didn't think I could possibly find your videos more compelling, but ending each one by making the dodgy device in question "explode in flames" would absolutely cement my viewership.

[Halfpipesaur]

I can't wait for the three-phase version. It should help with the flickering.

[dwDragon]

I love the test socket they show in the pictures, but the use of a speaker connector seems excessively safe. Bare posts that you can just clamp to or twist wires on to would be much more convenient.

[guyteigh]

This is an awesome find. It really is the "Golden Turd" Standard of Chinese electronics. As it's flexible, it would be great for a fetching illuminated shower curtain.

I wonder if they are going to do a 415V version for professional work environments. If there were any minor tracking issues, rubbing some oil on to the copper pads with a finger could be done. Once the tingly feeling dies down, the anti-tracking is complete for that section (notwithstanding the odd carbonised bit of skin - but that stuffs renewable and free).

[JohnDoe-pviu]

I bought a role of that lighting in the 110/120 volt (American flavor) about 10 years ago. It's cheap Chinese but it did have some kind of thin clear 'stuff' on it. The conductors weren't bare but I definitely wouldn't get it around water. Anyway, it has been my kitchen 'under cabinet' lighting for several years and it works well. With the conductors bare on the roll that you got, it seems that they took a cheaply made product and made it even cheaper! Imagine that!
The fella from the Kalashnikov group came across a few Chinese made AK rifles with ballpoint pen springs in them for extractor springs! Anything the Chinese think they can do to cut corners, they will. There is no concern about safety, just trying to make more money.
Ya'll Take Care and be safe, John

[albanana]

Instead of 3D printing a power strip of death, wouldn't it be easier to just add the speaker connectors to the back of a mains plug. 230V fun for all the family.

[cameradoctor]

'I may have already ordered a speaker connector' :) ha ha, naughty naughty Clive :)

[jpwillm]

Relevant video!
A small incision using a cutter makes it easy to peel off the protective film from the double-sided adhesive.

[Megatog]

It's probably spare LED tape that they forgot to put insulation on. Or it was made at bulk for a specific application and they needed to sell off the extra they had. Just a couple guesses.

[zippy]

After watching your vids and doing much homework, last year I soldered up and installed my under and over cabinet kitchen lighting. Powered by transformers 5V little darlings and over 10 metres. Clive you are a genious. Plus my lighting is

[UhrwerkKlockwerx]

"baby shower of sparks" had me rolling.
You could also say "baby shower of death" since they ARE live at roughly 240v lol

[peterschulze]

Rico: "Bang?"
Skipper: "No bang today, Rico!"