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Installation Guide: How to Install IP65 Nano LED Strip
Installation Guide: How to Install IP65 Nano LED Strip
Aurora Jin.UpdatedAugust 20, 2026|9 mins Read
IP65 nano LED strips are suitable for indoor damp areas and covered outdoor lighting applications, as their nano coating protects LEDs from water jets while keeping the LED strip light slim and flexible. When installing them correctly, cutting at an incorrect point, bending too forcefully or leaving any connections unsealed may reduce protection to IP20 at that spot and lead to early failure.
Installers need only follow four simple steps when cutting, bending or sealing connections: cut only within minimum cutting unit parameters, peel the nano layer off pads where power connections will be connected polarity, connect power with correct polarity, then stick gradually rather than peeling back the entire backing all at once — below is an extensive field-ready guide you can refer back to make installation a snap!
What Is an IP65 Nano LED Strip?
An IP65 nano LED strip light is a flexible LED strip light protected by an IP65 rating and nano coating process. "IP65" refers to its dustproof and waterproof features while "nano" describes its ultra-thin coating layer that shields its PCBs and LEDs without adding bulk like traditional silicone sleeves would do.
Nano LED Strip vs Standard LED Tape
| Feature | Nano LED Strip (IP65) | Standard LED Tape |
| Construction | LEDs inside a silicone extrusion | LEDs on a flat flexible PCB |
| Light effect | Dotless, continuous light glow | Visible LED dots unless diffused |
| Flexibility | Bends sideways, good for curves | Bends in one plane |
| Waterproofing | Silicone extrusion is inherently IP65+ | Needs coating/sleeve to reach IP65 |
| Best for | Neon-style accent lines, signage | General task and under-cabinet lighting |
What IP65 Can and Cannot Handle
"IP" stands for Ingress Protection, defined by IEC standard 60529. The first digit 6 means dust-tight — no dust can enter. The second digit 5 means protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction.
- IP65 can handle: rain, splashes, low-pressure hose spray, and humidity.
- IP65 cannot handle: submersion, high-pressure power washing, standing water, or being underwater.
IP65 vs IP67 vs IP68 Comparison Table
| IP rating | Dust protection | Water protection | Best use cases | Recommendation products |
| IP20 | None | None | Indoor dry areas only | Free-Cutting Series Cuttable LED Strip Light |
| IP65 | Dust-tight | Low-pressure water jets | Covered outdoor, bathrooms, kitchens | High-Voltage Series LED Strip Light |
| IP67 | Dust-tight | Temporary immersion up to 1 m | Exposed outdoor, direct rain | AF Series Weather-Resistant Neon Flex |
| IP68 | Dust-tight | Continuous submersion | Pools, fountains, underwater features | AW Series Underwater Neon Flex |
Related reading: If your project requires non-waterproof LED strips, check our detailed guide: Indoor Lighting Installation Guide: How to Install IP20 LED Strip.
Related reading: If your project requires waterproof LED strips, check our detailed guide: Installation Guide: How to Install IP67/IP68 Extrusion LED Strip.
How to Install a Nano LED Strip? Step-by-Step Guide
Tools for Installing a Nano LED Strip
Scissors, blade, electric soldering iron, transparent solder-free connector, and wire connection board.
Installation Steps
Step 1: Cut the appropriate length on the outside of the side of the minimum cutting point. Please note that cut the LED strip at the minimum cutting unit.
Step 2: Use a blade to peel off the nano technology on the surface of the pad and use the exposed pad to facilitate wire connection.
Step 3: Solder the red and black wires on the LED light strip with an electric soldering iron or fix them on the strip light with solder-free terminals.
Note: 1. Pay attention to the positive and negative poles. 2. The protection level of the processing place is IP20. Please pay attention to protection.
Step 4: Uncover the 3M glue release paper on the back of the LED light strip in proper order and stick it to the installation position.
Note: 1. The mounting surface should be cleaned in advance. 2. It is strictly forbidden to tear off the 3M glue release paper on the back of the light strip at one time. 3. It is strictly forbidden to press the lights or work when power is on.
How to Connect Power to a Nano Strip Light?
Step 1: Install the power supply in a suitable location.
Note: Do not touch with wet hands to prevent electric shock.
Step 2: Connect the red and black wires of the light strip to the power supply.
Step 3: Turn on the power and light up the light strip.
Important Installation Precautions for Nano LED Strip
1. Install in a space without chemicals like sulfur, acid, or halogen.
2. The quality of the atmosphere should not be lower than the national secondary standard.
3. The ambient temperature of the product is -20°C ~ 40°C.
4. The air humidity is 40% ~ 70%.
5. To ensure the luminous effect, every five-meter-long strip light should be connected to a driver.
6. Make sure that each power supply (GND) is connected.
7. Please pay attention to the operation. When the power is working, do not touch the AC power terminal to prevent electric shock.
8. During the installation process of the product, a little white powder will appear in some parts. The white powder is the Nano layer peeled off when the wire is bent. Therefore, the wire should not be bent excessively during the installation process.
9. During the installation process, pay attention to the positive and negative poles of the power cord, and do not connect them wrongly. The power output must be consistent with the product voltage.
10. Light strip products will release a lot of heat during use, and the product must be used in a ventilated environment.
11. To avoid the damaged components caused by surge voltage or unstable current, please use a stable driver to power up the strip light.
12. During the installation process of the product, the product cannot rub against other objects. It will cause damage to the nanolayer.
13. UV light can damage the product. It will cause ageing of the nanolayer on the product and lead to the product not being waterproof. This will seriously affect the life of the product.
14. To ensure the long lifespan of LED strip light, please do not pull the strip light or driver wire hard during installation and use.
15. During the installation process of the product, a little white powder will appear in some parts. The white powder is the Nano layer peeled off when the wire is bent. Therefore, the wire should not be bent excessively during the installation process.
16. To ensure the life and reliability of the light strip, please do not bend it in an arc less than 60mm in diameter, and do not fold it in half to avoid damage to the lamp beads or breaking.
17. When the product is installed, the bend should be avoided just at the position of the LED or other components, so as not to easily damage the product and affect the service life of the product.
Please note that for non-replaceable light sources: The light source of this luminaire is not replaceable; when the light source reaches its end of life, the whole luminaire shall be replaced.
FAQs About Nano LED Strip
Can IP65 LED Strip Lights Be Used Outdoors?
Yes, but only in covered or sheltered outdoor areas such as under eaves, soffits, covered patios, and outdoor signage that is shielded from direct, heavy rainfall. For fully exposed outdoor areas, choose IP67 or IP68 instead. We recommend COLORS Lighting's AF series, AH series outdoor strip light and AW series underwater strip light.
Can IP65 Nano LED Strips Be Cut?
Yes. Cut only at the minimum cutting unit marked on the strip light (the outside of the cutting point). After cutting, peel the nano layer at the pad to expose the connection point, and reseal any exposed area with end caps and silicone so the strip keeps its waterproof rating.
What Power Supply Do I Need for a Nano LED Strip?
Match the strip light voltage, and use a stable driver. Calculate total wattage: wattage per meter × total length × 1.2 (safety margin). Keep positive and negative poles correct, connect all power-supply GNDs, and use a driver rated for the total load with margin. For outdoor installs, use a weatherproof power supply in a dry, ventilated location.
Should I Use Solderless Connectors or Soldering?
Both work. For permanent, reliable installations, especially outdoors, soldering is the more robust choice. Solder-free transparent connectors and wire connection boards are acceptable for indoor, low-risk projects and make maintenance easier, but the connection point loses its IP65 rating and must be protected separately (e.g., with a sealed junction box or silicone sealant).
Can IP65 Strip Lights Be Submerged in Water?
No. IP65 means protected against water jets, not immersion. For any application involving water submersion in pools, fountains, or aquariums, use an IP67 (temporary immersion up to 1 m) or IP68 (continuous submersion) rated strip light, like COLORS Lighting's AW series underwater strip lights.
Conclusion
Cutting at the appropriate point, peeling away the nano layer at its pad location, connecting polarity correctly, and respecting bend limit regulations — these factors combine to ensure an IP65 nano LED strip works reliably in indoor or covered outdoor projects.
For contractors and specifiers, choosing an LED strip manufacturer that builds quality into every detail simplifies the job. COLORS Lighting's nano LED strips use self-encapsulated lamp beads tested to LM80 and TM30 standards, with professional circuit design and nano coating that delivers real IP65 protection. With multiple power, CCT, and CRI options plus CE, CB, ROHS, and UL certifications, you can specify with confidence and install without surprises.
