Additional lighting is used for both decorative and practical purposes. The most convenient and easy to install modification of the light source in this case is LED backlighting.
Let's consider what an ice strip is, what characteristics and varieties it has, where it is most often used, how to build a lighting system based on it with your own hands, what are the general and specific rules for connecting it in various variations of circuits, and what needs to be taken into account during its implementation installation
general information
LEDs appeared in the middle of the last century. But due to the high cost they were not in demand. In the 90s, manufacturers expanded the range of colors and lowered the price - this attracted a mass buyer.
The scope of application of semiconductor diodes is varied: gadgets, liquid crystal screens, lamps and LED strips for illuminating the ceiling of a room, signs and traffic lights - and this is not the limit. They replace conventional light sources even in street lighting. Attempts are being made to switch areas to LED lighting. We are not talking about cities yet, but this is possible in the future.
Advantages and disadvantages
LED strip
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor device in which a glow is formed when an electric current is applied. The scope of application of these devices is enormous. LEDs are actively used in lighting devices, computer and TV monitors, smartphones, and traffic lights.
LED technology appeared on the market relatively recently. However, diode lamps were able to gain enormous popularity among consumers. This is due to the advantages that solid state lighting devices offer. The advantages include:
- Low power consumption. LEDs require 70% less electricity than classic light bulbs.
- Long service life. If the operating conditions are observed and the power supply circuit is properly designed, the lamp will operate for more than 50 thousand hours.
- Resistance to mechanical damage and vibration. The bulb is made of durable material, there is no fragile filament inside.
- No flicker.
- Minimum heating. All energy turns into light.
- Easy to install.
- Environmental friendliness. There are no harmful elements inside the lamp. Due to this, they do not require special disposal conditions.
A significant disadvantage of LED products is their high cost. A good device can cost 2000 rubles. You can buy a cheap light bulb for 100 rubles, but it will not last long.
Types of LED backlight
The most popular types of LED lighting are lamps, LED panels and strips. The latter are used as backlight on the ceiling or illumination of specific areas and objects. Lamps, on the other hand, are not a creative solution. They are needed for functional and general light. This is a more durable analogue of the incandescent lamps we are used to.
Types of LED lighting can be combined. For example, in the design in the photo they used ribbon and lamps Source remont-stroiteli.ru
Lamps
According to most experts, the future of lighting lies with LEDs. The devices use semiconductor diodes as a light source, which emit rays when current passes through semiconductor crystals.
There are many characteristics on the packaging of an LED lamp and they are all important. The source is LEDs. Their number differs in different models. For comfortable and soft radiation, a matte diffuser is included in the design.
The most important part is the driver. It rectifies, converts, and stabilizes the voltage coming from the network.
There are two options for connection: an Edison socket, like an incandescent lamp, and a bayonet connector. If the packaging is not transparent and it is not clear what type of connection the lamp has, pay attention to the designation. Basically, the base is designated as E-27 or E-14, and the connector as GU5.3.
Light sources can also be compared by their response to voltage changes. The LED lamp remains stable and does not blink, which cannot be said about its rival. LEDs cover more area and last up to 50,000 hours. Of course, such lighting is more expensive. But you can buy new lamps less often.
With proper operation, the high cost of LED lamps will pay for itself, since they do not need to be constantly changed Source p-reliz.ru
Ribbons
The tape is a flexible strip on which LEDs are located along the entire surface. They form a single scheme. The reverse side is adhesive. There are no elements on it except glue and protective film. Thanks to this, the tape can be fixed on any surface. LED strip for the ceiling is the most common design solution.
The number of diodes varies from 40 to 120 pieces per 1 meter. The more elements, the brighter.
The tape is easy to use. It can be bent and adapted to the shape of a wall, shelf and other objects, so it is used as lighting for the ceiling and walls. The length is adjustable - just cut off what you don’t need along the cut lines. This does not cause any damage to the structure.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in electrical work of any complexity
LED panels
LED panels are the most creative diode lighting that amazes the imagination. There are two types that are used in home interiors: panels for general lighting and for decoration.
The first ones have a neutral color temperature. Typically, 4,000K LEDs are used, which emit white-lunar, neutral light. Using decorative panels they create a composition on the ceiling. All lamps are parts of the image.
A fascinating solution in the interior - imitation of the starry and daytime sky Source greendom.by
This brings the design to life as it creates a sense of the presence of nature. Also, compositions from panels are used instead of paintings to decorate walls.
Features of LED strips
LED lighting fits into the design of any room. Some types of tapes are not even afraid of moisture. Therefore, they can be safely installed in the bathroom. Typically, these are designs with a silicone cover that protects from dust, water and fumes. This way you don’t have to worry about drops getting on the backlight. These are the tapes that are installed in saunas and swimming pools.
LED ceiling lighting looks bright, especially if it is of an unusual color. Designers create especially interesting solutions using multicolor
RGB tape. It comes with a control panel. With its help, you can change modes: from blinking and overflowing to static.
LED lighting can be called budget. Although it is more expensive than conventional light bulbs, its service life can reach 10 years. In addition, energy consumption is saved.
LEDs do not burst or flicker due to voltage surges. The only way to disable them is to connect them incorrectly.
RGB tape has many possibilities due to the number of colors and modes Source stpulscen.ru
This usually happens when the polarity of the tape is ignored or the wrong power supply is selected. Particularly powerful structures can heat up, but in this case aluminum cases with diffusers come to the rescue. They absorb some of the heat, which prolongs the life of the lighting, saving it from overheating.
Compactness is another feature of the tape. Its width can reach 5 mm. Therefore, in interior design, you can hide the light source under the baseboard or under the ledges of the stretch ceiling.
Due to the flexibility of the tape, it can be glued to non-standard design elements, as it will take any shape. It can also be mounted on corners - to ensure perfect adhesion to the surface, profiles are purchased.
Original lighting ideas
The simplicity, large selection of colors and flexibility of LED light sources allow the implementation of the most original designs. With their help, you can decorate the window space - make hidden curtain lighting. If the house has arches and niches, lamps can be placed along the contour. Tapes can illuminate plants, aquariums, and bookshelves.
There are a huge number of lighting ideas and solutions using LEDs. But you need to follow the rule - LED lighting in the apartment should be uniform and bright.
Recommendations for placement of LED lighting
To understand how to create lighting for different rooms, let’s first understand the types of lighting. Depending on what kind of light environment is needed in a particular room, reflected, accent and directional lighting are used. The living room and bedroom need soft light. In this situation, reflected lighting is suitable - when the light is reflected from the surface of the walls, furniture, ceiling, fills the entire space evenly and creates a comfortable environment for the eyes.
An example of reflected light in an interior Source home-reviews.com
Accent lighting is a bright, directional light that is used when you need to highlight some piece of furniture, make an accent, or attract attention. However, there is one drawback - high brightness, which is blinding. Therefore, it is necessary to use powerful LED lamps, strips and lamps pointwise and only where necessary.
Also, vertical surfaces require lighting, as this is the background of the interior, which is always visible. In 80% of cases a person pays attention to the walls, in 15% to the floor, and only in 5% to the ceiling.
Light control
Multi-colored ribbons are controlled by a controller. According to a given program, it changes the brightness of the glow, color, order and sequence of activation. The brightness of the light and the inclusion of different groups of lamps can be controlled by remote control.
LED lamps can be equipped with motion sensors that respond to human presence.
When is it better not to use LED backlighting?
- When lighting in baths and saunas. LED backlighting cannot operate safely at high temperatures because the design already heats up and requires air cooling. Therefore, it is better not to use such lighting in places with high humidity and temperature.
- If the light source is not important to you. Depending on the power and quality of the luminous elements, the price of the backlight also changes. Installing an LED chandelier is more difficult and expensive than installing a strip. This will require specialists.
- If you don’t have time to figure out how to make backlighting from an LED strip or the financial resources to hire a specialist. For example, lighting with strips longer than 5 meters requires a clear connection procedure. If it is not working correctly, the tape does not turn on or the brightness at the ends is very different.
Example of an LED chandelier Source onlinetrade.ru
Typical installation errors
It is quite difficult to install a diode strip incorrectly, however, there are such unconventional mounting methods that are best avoided:
- Fixation using a construction stapler. Undoubtedly, this is a very fast method and quite reliable, but one wrong move and your tape will become unusable;
- It is also not recommended to use hot melt glue. After hardening, it will serve as a layer that does not remove, but rather accumulates heat. The tape may overheat;
- Often, when peeling off the protective tape from the adhesive layer, places where conductive paths pass are exposed. If you stick a tape with such an unprotected place on an aluminum profile, a short circuit and burnout of the device will inevitably occur. You must first stick a small piece of electrical tape onto the profile in the place where the tracks come into contact with its surface and only then continue installation;
- Do not use cable ducts not intended for this purpose to lay the tape. She'll just overheat.
The article was written for the site.
Tags:Lighting systems
What is needed for connection besides LED strip
A power converter is required for strip lighting to operate. This is the most important device, without which the backlight will not work. If the tape is multicolor, a controller is needed to control the modes. In many cases, additional cooling will be required - profile, otherwise the backlight will overheat and fail. The exception is low-power tapes.
For complex wiring diagrams, an amplifier will be required. If the length of the tape is up to 5 m, there is no need for unnecessary manipulations - you just need to plug it into the power supply.
The question of how to illuminate a ceiling with an LED strip for more than 5 m is usually asked after the first connection failures.
When the length of the backlight is expected to be more than 5 meters, you need to do the work according to a specific scheme - connecting the strips in parallel. Not to each other, as many assume, but to divide them into segments (up to 5 m) and connect each to a wire.
One power supply is not enough for the length of the chain of tapes, so an amplifier is used. The scheme is as follows: the power supply is connected to the amplifier, one piece of tape and several wires are connected to it, which lead to other pieces.
Parallel connection diagram Source uk-parkovaya.ru
How to choose LED backlight
In order for LED strips for illuminating walls and ceilings or lamps to meet your expectations, you need to remember for what purpose the light is needed, in what room, and navigate the characteristics of the LEDs.
For universal room lighting, it is recommended to choose different types of lighting - strips, lamps and lamps - but they should all be of the same color temperature. For the workroom and bathroom, it is better to use natural light - from 4,000 to 6,000 K. In the living room and bedroom, lighting can be warm - from 1,000 to 3,000 K. It is combined with the interior only if the colors of the furniture and decoration are warm shades. Only with this combination can you achieve a cozy and relaxing environment.
If the goal is to illuminate the bathroom, pay attention to LED strips with protection. These can be plastic or silicone casings. Otherwise, the LEDs end up in a humid environment, which is harmful to them. Drops of water and evaporation will damage the luminous elements without protection.
LED strip lighting is also performed using a special housing - an aluminum profile, which is responsible for heat dissipation. Its location must be planned before the installation of the ceiling begins. If you do not accurately calculate the distance, there may not be enough space, and then the only option left is to use a low-power strip for contour lighting.
Main types of lamps
Types of socles
Lighting manufacturers produce products with different characteristics. You should understand these parameters before purchasing light bulbs.
There is no strict classification of lamps, but LED light sources can be divided into several large categories:
- By type of source used. There are lamps that use SMD LEDs, COB models with uniform light distribution, and heavy-duty diodes.
- At the installation location. There are street lamps and products for indoor use.
- By the type of base. Available with standard sockets E27, E14, G5.3, G10 and others.
- According to the form. There are light bulbs in the shape of a pear, candle, oval, circle and other geometric shapes.
Types of flasks - By the presence of a cooling radiator.
- By the brightness of the glow.
- By power.
- By color temperature.
Particular attention is paid to the manufacturer. In order for a lamp to meet the declared characteristics, it must be made of high-quality materials; therefore, such a device will not be cheap. Manufacturers of unknown origin may skimp on circuit elements, which will cause malfunctions during lamp operation.
How to choose a power supply for the tape
You cannot connect the LED strip directly to an outlet. To do this, use a transition element - a power supply. It converts mains voltage (220 V) for LED strip (12 - 24 V).
The transformer must be of the power that the strip backlight consumes. But you definitely need a reserve. If you select a unit with a similar power, the transformer will operate at its peak capabilities. And this does not guarantee a long service life. Therefore, the power supply must be 30% more powerful than the tape.
There are several types of power supply, but when illuminating the ceiling with LED strip, it is better to use an open or network type device. Transformers are also sold sealed and in an aluminum box, which helps with heat dissipation. For this purpose, some models are equipped with a fan.
Video description
In this video, a specialist talks about what types of blocks there are and where to use them, depending on the type:
All these devices differ only in the body. The connection and operating principle are the same.
When choosing a block, you need to make some calculations:
- First, find information on the packaging of the tape about the power of 1 meter of backlight. This is an individual indicator, so it is different for all markings.
- Determine how long the strip lighting will be.
- To make correct calculations, use the formula: Rb = Rl × Ll × K, where Rb is the power of the block, Rl is the power of 1 m of tape, Ll is the backlight length, K is the power reserve factor (always equal to 1.3).
For example, if you bought a 5V strip that is 10m long, you need to multiply 5 by 10 and 1.3. It turns out that in this situation a 65 V unit is needed.
Food is selected for a specific installation project, where the type of room has already been taken into account. If the lighting is installed in a room with high humidity, there is only one choice - a sealed transformer. In addition, it is also used in places where dust is expected to settle in large quantities. For example, in warehouses. A conventional power supply with a punch-hole housing is ineffective in such situations, as it will quickly fail.
In addition to dust and moisture, insects can get inside the case Source prom.st
Models with a fan cannot be used everywhere. Due to the operation of the cooler, the room is noisy, so it is better to use other types of unit in a child’s room or bedroom.
Power dimensions are directly related to power. The higher it is, the larger the size of the structure. Therefore, if you plan to connect a 20 m long backlight, do not count on a miniature transformer.
If the backlight will be used from time to time, you can purchase an adapter. This is a more compact type of power supply, easy to connect and works on the principle of charging a phone. It is enough to connect the plug to the tape and plug the plug into the socket. However, this device has low power - 24 - 36 W.
This is what an adapter for an LED strip looks like Source ledpremium.ru
Briefly about the main thing
LED lighting comes in 3 types: lamps, strips and panels. To understand which option to use, decide on the purpose of the lighting. Tapes are expensive to use as the main light source. They are mainly combined with lamps.
To avoid dark corners in the room, you need to calculate the number of lamps or strips for a specific area.
The LED strip heats up. She always needs a heat sink. The exception is tapes with low-power diodes. It is not possible to remove heat in saunas and baths. Therefore, it is not advisable to use tapes there.
To connect strip lighting, a power supply is required. If it is a multi-color RGB strip, you will additionally need a controller and an amplifier.
Also, structures longer than 5 m will have to be strengthened.
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