LED Neon

Flexible LED neon: continuous light for signs, facades and decoration

LED neon is an LED strip encapsulated in silicone or PVC that spreads the light in a continuous line with no visible dots. It imitates classic gas neon, but with no glass tube and no high voltage. Here we bring together the whole FactorLED flexible LED neon family, sorted by voltage: 12V LED Neon, 24V LED Neon, 220V LED Neon and LED Neon Accessories. There are single color versions, RGB LED neon and multicolor LED neon with WiFi control, plus models ready for use as outdoor LED neon.

How LED neon differs from a conventional LED strip

An ordinary LED strip lets you see the chips one by one: head on, you can make out the points of light and the shadows between them. LED neon puts that same strip inside a translucent silicone sleeve that acts as a diffuser, so the light comes out even from end to end. That is why it is the go-to material for drawing shapes and letters: the stroke reads clean. The sleeve also adds mechanical protection and water resistance.

The other difference is how it bends: it flexes in a single plane, and which plane depends on the model - some curve edgewise, ideal for letters, and others sideways. Check it on the product page before you buy.

Choosing the voltage: 12V, 24V or 220V

This shapes the whole installation. 12V LED neon and 24V LED neon are low voltage: they need a power supply sized for the wattage of the run. They are the convenient option for short and medium runs and for projects with dimming. Of the two, 24V performs better over longer lengths: it moves less current for the same power.

220V LED neon connects straight to the mains with its kit, with no power supply in between. It is the natural route for long continuous runs, such as the perimeter of a facade or a whole cornice, because it saves you spreading power supplies around. On the other hand it does not usually accept dimming: if you want to soften the light, go for 12V or 24V.

LED Neon Accessories holds the parts that finish the installation: power supplies, connection kits, end caps, connectors, clips and controllers. Choose them alongside the neon: the profiles are not interchangeable between models.

IP rating: the key to outdoor LED neon

The IP rating states the protection of the luminaire: the first digit refers to dust and the second to water. IP44 copes with splashes and works under an eave or a covered porch. IP65 withstands water jets and is suitable in the open. IP67 handles temporary immersion, so IP67 LED neon is the reference when the piece gets irrigation water or is cleaned with a hose. Rule of thumb: with direct rain, IP65 as a minimum.

Careful: the IP rating describes the body of the neon, not the cuts. Every cut end has to be closed with its cap and its sealant, or the run stops being watertight there.

How it is cut, bent and installed

LED neon is cut by modules, along the marks that respect the internal circuit; cut off the mark and you kill that module. Then you seal the open end, fit the connector on the other one and secure the run with clips, profile or channel. Two precautions prevent almost every failure: do not force the bending radius and do not crush the silicone with the clip.

What LED neon is used for

In signage: shop names, corporate lettering and logos. In architecture, to pick out cornices, window frames and facade lines, where continuous light defines the volume better than a single point of light. In retail, shop windows and displays; in interior design, headboards, mirrors, bars and stair nosings. The RGB and WiFi LED neon models add color and control from your phone.

At FactorLED you have the four LED neon subcategories - 12V, 24V, 220V and accessories - with the voltage, IP rating and bending radius on every product page, so you buy the run, the power supply and the connectors that fit your project.

Frequently asked questions about LED neon

What exactly is LED neon?

An LED strip encapsulated in silicone or PVC that emits a continuous line of light, with no visible dots, reproducing the effect of gas neon without a glass tube or high voltage.

12V, 24V or 220V LED neon?

12V and 24V run off a power supply and accept dimming. The 220V one connects to the mains with no power supply and allows long runs, but it is normally not dimmable.

What IP rating do I need to put LED neon outdoors?

IP65 as a minimum if it gets direct rain. IP44 only works in covered areas and IP67 is the one to go for if it may be briefly submerged.

Can LED neon be cut to size?

Yes, always along the cut marks on the profile. Afterwards the end has to be sealed with its cap so you do not lose the protection rating.

Does LED neon change color?

Single color versions emit one tone only. The RGB and multicolor versions do change color, and those with WiFi are controlled from your phone.