Please help an absolute beginners with LEDs

[majapi69]

As an absolute beginner with electronics, I'm looking for a little help.

If I cut the strip and connect to the ground pad and the other lead to R, G or B pad, I will get Red, Green or Blue respectively to light up?

Please help a total newbie.

 

[Harald Kapp]

Your power supply needs to match the strip, usually the strip is 12 V.
Connect '-' of the power supply to GND.
Connect '+' of the power supply to any of R, G or B or a combination thereof and the corresponding LEDs will light up.
Corrected as per @bertus' excellent labeling of your photo:
Connect '+' of the power supply to +5V.
Connect '-' of the power supply to any of R, G or B or a combination thereof and the corresponding LEDs will light up.
No other circuitry is required (current limiting is done on the strip by series resistors, no need to care about these).

 

[majapi69]

In this case it's 5v but thank you for confirming my thoughts. As I said, first timer with electronics.

 

[Nanren888]

Can you give us the description, or a supplier and part number for the led strip.
It appears to have only +5, R, G, B without the usual ground connection.
Is there a GND connection on the back of the strip?
If not, it may be that the R, G, and or B need to be connected to ground (supply negative) to make those LEDs light.
I have not personally used this sort of strip.
.
Is it described as "common anode" anywhere?

 

[bertus]

Hello,

As @Nanren888 said, the leds have a common + 5 Volts:

Bertus

 

[majapi69]

Thank you all for your responses. I apologise for my misuse of ground when I mean power.

 

[Howard A Read]

It was good information. I have an idea for my office setup that is presently in progress and needed to design an LED sign that would be wall-mounted. I like to program simple messages into it. What all would I need for this? I'm personally looking at the pixelpusher. I am familiar with circuit schematics but new to electronics interface programs. Anyway, I will take a try if it is not succeded I may reach one of my friend's sign making company. I'm doing this project mainly to learn about this. Your help and suggestions are needed.

Moderators note : Again removed hidden spam link, next time you'll be banned.

 

[Harald Kapp]

I apologise for my misuse of ground when I mean power.

No need to apologize, your use of "Ground" is correct, as shown in the labels added by @bertus .

If not, it may be that the R, G, and or B need to be connected to ground (supply negative) to make those LEDs light.

Right so. A common way to drive these strips as N-MOSFETs can be used to control the connection to GND.