Tuneable White LED Strip Technology

How tuneable white (CCT) LED strips blend warm and cool white light to set any colour temperature, and how to choose, wire and control them.

Overview

What is a tuneable white LED strip?

A tuneable white strip, also called CCT or CT adjustable strip, carries two independent channels of white LEDs: one warm white and one cool white. By changing the brightness of each channel, a controller blends the two to give any colour temperature between them, from a warm, relaxing glow to crisp, cool daylight, and dims the overall output at the same time.

Our tuneable white range includes dual-LED 2835 and 3014 strips at 120, 224, 228 and 252 LEDs/m, 2-in-1 3838 and 5050 strips with a warm and cool chip in every package, and dot-free SOB and COB versions. Strips are available in 12V and 24V, with CRI 80, 90 or 95, and work with our range of CCT controllers, from simple RF remotes to DALI DT8 and Casambi systems.

Adjust colour temperature and brightness from one strip
Dual-LED, 2-in-1, SOB and COB constructions
Warm and cool white channels selected from 1800K to 6500K
High colour rendering options: CRI 80, 90 and 95
Compatible with RF, wall panel, DALI DT8, DMX and Casambi control

Tuneable range at a glance

Technology: SMD, SOB and COB
Emitters: 2835, 3014, 3838 & 5050 2-in-1
LED density: 60 – 252 LEDs/m
Strip width: 4, 8 and 10mm
Voltage: 12V and 24V
CCT: 1800K – 6500K
CRI: 80, 90, 95
Power: up to 24W/m (both channels)
Wiring: 3-wire, common V+

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The technology

How colour tuning works

The strip has three connections: a common positive (V+) and two negative channels, one for the warm white LEDs and one for the cool white LEDs. A two-channel CCT controller sits between the power supply and the strip and switches each channel using PWM (pulse width modulation).

With only the warm channel on, the strip gives its warmest colour temperature; with only the cool channel on, its coolest. Mixing the two in different proportions moves the colour smoothly between them, while scaling both channels together dims the light without changing its colour.

The power rating is quoted with both channels fully on, so size the power supply for the combined maximum load.

Simplified illustration: a CCT controller drives the warm and cool white channels independently from a common positive supply.

Strip types

Choosing a tuneable white strip

How the warm and cool LEDs are arranged affects how well the colours blend, how the strip looks and where it works best.

Characteristic	Dual-LED SMD	2-in-1 SMD	SOB / COB
Construction	Separate warm and cool LEDs, alternating	Warm and cool chips in the same LED package	Dense warm and cool emitters under a continuous cover
Our emitters	2835, 3014	3838, 5050	SOB and COB
Our densities	120, 224, 228 and 252 LEDs/m	60 and 120 LEDs/m	High density, dot-free
Colour mixing	Good, best viewed via diffuser or bounced light	Very good, both colours from one point	Excellent, seamless line
Appearance	Visible LED dots	Visible LED dots, uniform colour	Dot-free line of light
Best for	Coves, indirect and general lighting	Shallow profiles and close viewing	Visible lines, gloss surfaces, slim profiles

Benefits

Advantages of tuneable white LED strips

Why designers specify tuneable white where one fixed colour temperature is not enough.

Human-centric lighting

Follow the natural daylight cycle with cooler light during the day and warmer light in the evening, supporting comfort, wellbeing and alertness.

One strip, many moods

Switch from warm and relaxing to bright and focused at the touch of a button, so one installation suits many uses of the same space.

Match the surroundings

Fine-tune colour temperature on site to match daylight, existing luminaires or finishes, without changing the strip.

High colour quality

CRI 80, 90 and 95 options keep colours natural across the tuning range, ideal for retail, hospitality and display lighting.

Simpler stock

One tuneable strip can replace several fixed colour temperatures, simplifying specification and stock for installers and OEMs.

Flexible control

Works with RF remotes and wall panels, DALI DT8, DMX and Casambi Bluetooth, from a single room to a whole building.

Control & installation

Getting the best from tuneable white

Use a two-channel CCT controller matched to the strip voltage and the current of each channel.
Size the power supply for both channels on, using the maximum rating such as 24W/m, plus a safety margin.
Choose 24V for longer runs to reduce voltage drop, which can shift colour as well as brightness along the strip.
Diffuse dual-LED strip with an opal profile cover if it will be seen directly; choose 2-in-1, SOB or COB for shallow or open mounting.
Mount on aluminium profile at higher power ratings to keep the LEDs cool and colour stable.
Keep channels consistent across multiple runs so every strip tunes to the same colour.

Control options

We supply a full range of CCT-compatible controllers and drivers:

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1800–6500K

Colour temperature options

CRI 95

Highest colour rendering

252

Max LEDs per metre (SMD)

Independent white channels

Where tuneable white excels

Tuneable white is used wherever the light needs to change with the time of day, the task or the mood.

Offices & education

Human-centric schemes with cooler light for focus and warmer light to wind down.

Healthcare & care homes

Circadian lighting that supports patients' and residents' natural rhythms.

Hospitality

Restaurants, bars and hotels that move from bright daytime service to warm evening ambience.

Retail & display

Tune the light to suit different products, seasons or displays.

Homes

Kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces with bright task light and relaxing warm tones.

Luminaire OEMs

Tuneable linear light engines for pendants, battens and architectural luminaires.

FAQ

Tuneable white questions

Tuneable white, also called CCT or CT adjustable strip, has two independent channels of white LEDs, one warm and one cool. By changing the brightness of each channel, a controller can set any colour temperature between the two, from warm white to cool daylight, as well as dim the overall output.

Tuneable white strip normally has three connections: a common positive (V+) and two negative channels, one for warm white and one for cool white. It needs a two-channel CCT controller or driver between the power supply and the strip.

Dual-LED strip alternates separate warm and cool LEDs along the strip. 2-in-1 strip, such as our 3838 and 5050 versions, places a warm and a cool chip inside the same LED package, so both colours come from the same point. This gives better colour mixing, especially close to the strip or on reflective surfaces.

Not always. At the ends of the range only one channel is lit, while in the middle both channels share the output. Power ratings such as 24W/m are quoted with both channels fully on, so check the datasheet and size the power supply for the maximum combined load.

Any two-channel CCT controller can be used, including RF remote and wall panel controllers, DALI DT8 and DMX systems, and Casambi Bluetooth control. We can recommend a matching controller and power supply for your strip and run lengths.

Tuneable White LED Strip Technology