Guide to Cut the Vibe X5 RGB + Tuneable Zero-Dot

This document describes the recommended steps to cutting a HYP-FX Led Strip without causing the cut-ends to malfunction. The main cause of led malfunction is found to be exposed LED chip at the cut end.

A Vibe X5 RGB + Tunable Zero-Dot strip cuts cleanly if the blade stays exactly on the marked cut line. Therefore, a cut that does not land exactly on the line, or crosses it at an angle, will slice into the last LED package and exposes its die contact/traces, resulting in the LED-strip’s end to be permanently damaged.

Recommended Cutting Instructions:

Step 1

Disconnect the LED strip from the controller. Never cut the LED-strip, while it's powered.

Step 2

Get a clean, straight pair of scissors. A dull or nicked blade tears the copper pads instead of shearing them.

Step 3

Place the cutting blade exactly on the marked cut line.

Step 4

Check that the blade is parallel to the marked line before closing it. An angled blade reaches the LED at one end of the cut even when the clearance looks correct.

Checking the cut

Inspect the cut end before reconnecting. Two outcomes are possible:

Result	Cut	LED at the cut end	Outcome
1	Incorrect: not on the line, or angled across it	Package breached, die and contacts exposed	Malfunction
2	Correct: exactly - on the line	Package intact	Works normally

         

·        If the blade cut was not made exactly on the line as shown in above figure, the LED’s die/traces got exposed, hence when powered up, the segment at the cut-end lights up with wrong color while the rest of the strip is correct. That LED strip-end cannot be repaired, so trim back to the next cut line and cut again.

   

·        If the cut made is made exactly on the line as shown above, the LED-strip lights up evenly, right up to the end and can be reconnected.