LED tape is a flexible plastic strip with amazingly bright white LEDs in them. The back side of the plastic strip has double faced tape so it can easily stick anywhere. The strip is fed by a thin power cord that runs to a power adapter.
The LED lights are crazy bright - almost too bright! The bulbs last almost forever, they use very little electricity, and generate almost no heat. In addition the tape light has a low profile, is flexible, and is easy to install.
I am testing the Utilitech LED Tape Light from Lowes. The product is sold under other names such as Good Earth Lighting Tape Light. These come in two lengths: 18 inch and 12 inch.
One can also buy tape light by the spool and cut it to length, but that requires the ability to do some custom wiring. Utilitech has already taken the spool, cut it to length, and soldered connectors on it for the general consumer.
The spool tape says it can be used inside cabinets but the Utilitech manual says it can't. It is the same product, so, why not? An I have read reviews where people have installed Utilitech tape light inside cabinets.
A possible reason for not using a particular light within a cabinet is heat. I have heard of halogen puck lights used inside cabinets and they generate enough heat to fry an egg. The concern for heat is valid and warranted a heat test of the tape light.
As a test, I ran the 36 inches of tape light inside a cabinet for several hours with a thermometer. The thermometer went up only one degree. In addition, when I handled the tape light it was warm but absolutely not hot.
The supplier, Utilitech, says not to do it. But the tape light manufacturers say it is OK. I recommend following the guidelines in the manual and if you don't and feel comfortable with the risk? That is your call. I don't advise it, but this is America and people can do stupid things. I am comfortable with the risk so I will do some more testing and will be installing the tape light inside the cabinets.
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