Flexible 12V LED strip fried?

[charl9]

As an accountant I never checked the voltage of the 12V eBay flexible LED strip and plugged it into the 220V mains. Can anyone tell me if the entire strip is fried or if I can cut one out to rescue the rest? How do I know which one (if it is only one)? Apologies if this is a very basic question but I am not an electrician.

 

[telectrix]

difficult to say. try putting a 12v supply on it. see if it works. ( car battery might do for a try.)

 

[needasparks]

Whoops. hope it wasn't too expensive to buy. from how you say that some is obviously melted.

 

[charl9]

I will try that. If it doesn't is there a way to check which LED is faulty or do I ditch the entire 5m?

 

[charl9]

Nope - fortunately Chinese mass production.

 

[needasparks]

I would think you have damaged some of it if your lucky, if not all. If it was cheap enough i would get some more, cut to after the damaged section at the markings for cutting and try as Tel says above. But be careful it has not gone short circuit or you will not play the guitar again which is why i said replace it.

 

[Marvo]

It's pretty certain that the strip will by damaged beyond any hope of salvage. I would just dump it and write it off as school fees. Sorry boet.

If you buy another 12v LED strip rather get a kit that includes a suitable driver/power supply in the same box. This is much easier (and probably cheaper) than trying to find a compatible power supply separately.

 

[micknew]

The LED's are in parallel so probably all are blown.

 

[charl9]

Thanks guys for all the advice. Will reorder and be more careful next time!