S-type LED strip lights come with a unique zig-zag pattern (hence the name) that gives unmatched flexibility to bend for the application of your choice. Flexible LED strips with a conventional design have relatively large radius bends and cannot make sharp turns around corners. Zig-zag LED strips are purpose-built for wow factor. They’re designed to make sharp turns and sideways or lateral bends without the need of using custom shape connectors. The freedom to freely twist and turn on sharp corners and weave around exaggerated angles gives lighting designers and DIY hobbyists a multitude of design options. S-type LED strip lights are used to illuminate or backlight objects with the most intricate structures, which include architectural features, geometric features, sculptures, cabinetry, signage, letters, logos and abstract figures.

A zig-zag LED strip light is fabricated on a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board into which notches are cut to enable 360° bending flexibility. The flexible characteristics of this products are derived from the board design as well as the bending performance of the FPC. The FPC consists a substrate where copper foils are laminated. Most often, polyimide (PI) is the substrate material of choice. Made from a condensation polymer of an aromatic dianhydride and an aromatic diamine, polyimide films have high tear strength, resist thermal or chemical damage, and exhibit excellent flexing and electrical properties across a wide range of temperatures. FPCs also use this material as the coverlay to insulate the outer surface conductors and protect them from corrosion and damage. As copper is a conductive element, copper foils laminated on the FPC board must have excellent mechanical strength, fatigue resistance and ductility. Typically, the wrought or rolled and annealed copper foil (RA copper) is used because it offers more durability and endurance electro-deposited (ED) copper and exhibits excellent solderability. To efficiently transfer power over long runs and dissipate the heat generated by the LEDs, the copper foil should have an adequate thickness.

Zig-zag LED strip lights can be specified in a choice of emitter types, LED densities and control options. The SMD LEDs mounted on the strip can be packages that emit a monochromatic color (e.g. solid white, red, blue, green, amber or purple), or can be multi-chip packages that allow for color temperature tuning or color changing. Zig-zag LED strip lights generally come in single row configurations and operate on 12V DC power. Analog-type strips have all the LED strings connected in parallel. Each string consists of 3 LEDs connected in series. The LED tape can be cut every string along the cutting marks. Each LED or LED string is connected to a resistor or constant current driver IC which regulates the forward voltage and current. Digital LED strip lights allow for much greater control in that the addressable LEDs can be controlled either individually or in groups. Tight current regulation, in conjunction with the use of LEDs binned to a tight tolerance with regard to chromaticity, lumen output and forward voltage, ensures consistent brightness and color over the length of the strip.