# Source: https://learn.adafruit.com/digital-led-strip/advanced-separating-strips.md

# LPD8806 Digital RGB LED Strip

## Advanced: Separating Strips

All our LED strips are manufactured in 1/2 meter long sections, and these sections are then joined to produce strips up to 5 meters long. For other lengths, you can normally cut the flex strip between each pair of LEDs…but if this coincides with one of those 1/2 meter joins, you must instead pull apart the soldered sections. It’s not terribly hard, but worth documenting!

For this, we use the wide flat tip on our METCAL iron. A wide tip isn’t required but it sure is handy!

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/174/medium800/led_strips_widetip_t.jpg?1396769759)

Using an X-acto knife, cut two slices from the top on either side of the solder connection:

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/175/medium800/led_strips_top1_t.jpg?1396769763)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/176/medium800/led_strips_top2_t.jpg?1396769771)

Then slice the rubber coating between the two cuts you made:

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/177/medium800/led_strips_edge_t.jpg?1396769775)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/178/medium800/led_strips_edges_t.jpg?1396769777)

Pull off the thin rubber piece between the cuts:

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/179/medium800/led_strips_open_t.jpg?1396769782)

Press the soldering iron against the four joints while pulling the two pieces apart:

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/180/medium800/led_strips_press_t.jpg?1396769788)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/181/medium800/led_strips_separate_t.jpg?1396769794)

Cut the remaining rubber underneath with scissors:

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/182/medium800/led_strips_rubbercut_t.jpg?1396769797)

Thats it!

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/183/medium800/led_strips_separated_t.jpg?1396769806)

- [Previous Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/digital-led-strip/troubleshooting.md)
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/digital-led-strip/f-a-q.md)

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