Additional lighting in the kitchen with LED strip. LED lighting for the kitchen: do-it-yourself selection and installation. Favorable placement of LED lighting in the dressing room

Correct lighting in the kitchen is the key to the comfort of the housewife and the excellent mood of her household and guests. Today, thanks to development modern technologies, the lighting market is simply overflowing with all sorts of new products and know-how in this area. LED strips rightfully occupy the leading place among all others.

What is LED

An LED is a semiconductor that emits light as it passes through it. electrical energy. Chemical composition LED determines its brightness. Therefore, depending on the components, such lamps have different lighting intensities. The second name for LED strips is LED strip.

Advantages of LED strips

The variety, attractiveness and versatility of these lamps has made them so popular among designers. This type of lighting is universal and suitable for any room and any interior. LED strips are used to decorate and illuminate living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, restaurants and offices.

Here is a list of their main positive qualities:

Does not require additional time to warm up.
They shine quite brightly.
Resistant to damage.
Will last at least 15 years.
They have a rich palette of colors.
They are inexpensive.
Not demanding on external conditions.
Safe.
They have a wide radiation angle.

How and where you can use LED strip in the kitchen

LED strips are particularly widely used in kitchen interiors. It can be used both as a lighting device and simply as decoration.

Here are some of the most popular ways its operation:

Suspended ceiling lighting
Kitchen top lighting
Illumination of the lower part of the kitchen furniture - creating the “effect of floating above the ground”
Illumination of the working wall (apron)
Illumination of paintings, photo frames, clocks or other decorative items
Interior lighting for cabinets, drawers and shelves

Classification of LED strips

The most popular type of LED strips are SMD LEDs. They are easy to install and have a long service life.

There is the following classification of SMD tapes:

Based on the number of crystals, tapes are divided into one-, two-, three- and four-crystal. This indicator determines the variety of colors - the more crystals, the more colors can be present on the tape.
The type of glow led to the existence of monochrome and full-color LEDs.
If we take the sizes of LEDs, then their indicators range from 1.06x0.8mm to 5.0x5.0mm.
Based on the frequency of LED placement, strips with 30pcs/m, 60pcs/m, 120pcs/m and 240pcs/m are distinguished. The denser the bulbs are, the brighter the light will be.
Depending on the moisture protection indicator, the following tapes are distinguished:

IP 20 - with low moisture protection (not for the kitchen)
IP 65 - medium (suitable for kitchens)
IP 68 - high level (can be used in a bathroom or swimming pool).

How to choose the right LED strip for the kitchen

The exact choice of LED strip for kitchen lighting will directly depend on the purpose and location of the strip. That is, first you need to decide what the LEDs will be used for and in what part of the room they will be located.

LED strips are not connected directly - a transformer is required.

As for the colors of the LEDs, the choice is always up to the owner of the kitchen. In principle, it will also determine the required amount of light in the interior. There are only a few recommendations to help avoid mistakes and unforeseen situations.

To illuminate kitchen cabinets and drawers from the inside, you can use an open LED strip with the desired brightness and color. Special sensors are used to trigger the LEDs. Such sensors can be connected to the main light source in the kitchen, or triggered by movement and opening of cabinets. Everything will depend on the wishes and fantasies of the customer. There are sensors that even react to movement nearby their location. This is very convenient if your hands are dirty or wet.

To illuminate the lower part of the kitchen unit, it is necessary to take into account the fact that during cooking or during cleaning there is a possibility of moisture getting on the device. Therefore, in this case it is recommended to use tapes with a higher level of moisture protection - IP65 or IP68.

To illuminate the upper part of the set, you can take IP20, since water ingress is not typical for this part of the kitchen.

When choosing an LED strip to illuminate the kitchen work surface, you should consider several options for mounting it:

You can use a sealed LED strip, which is equipped with a special adhesive layer for easy gluing to the surface.
You can purchase ready-made BAR lamps. Such lamps consist of an LED line and a plastic screen. They are attached to the surface using special clips or double-sided tape. BAR luminaires are controlled via a touch switch.

You can make your own LED lamp using tape and an aluminum profile.

As a rule, to illuminate the apron, three-crystal SMD50x50 tapes with an average level of moisture protection are used, which allows providing a sufficient amount of light. The preferred color is white or warm white. The latter, by the way, gives the appearance of food additional freshness.

The lighting of glass aprons looks very impressive.

To illuminate interior decorative elements, it will be enough to purchase a single-chip SMD35x28 strip.

When choosing LED strips for the ceiling, it is worth considering whether this lighting will be primary or additional. Depending on its purpose, the required brightness is selected. If this is just a decorative element, then SMD35x28 will do just fine.

LED strips are sold in rolls of 5 meters. Included with the tape, you need to select a power supply and fasteners.

In order to select a suitable transformer, its power and size should be taken into account. The following formula will help you calculate the transformer power required for a particular tape:
We multiply the power of the tape by the length of the tape. We multiply the resulting number by a factor of 1.25 and obtain the required power of the power supply.

These are, perhaps, all the most important tips for choosing an LED strip for kitchen lighting.

LED backlight under the cabinets in the kitchen - it’s ergonomic, beautiful and modern. In the article we will talk about how to choose the right system elements, what connection schemes are available, how to install the tape as an independent element and in a special box (profile).

Choosing an LED strip for lighting under cabinets is an interesting, effective and not too complicated solution for the home craftsman. Such additional lighting undoubtedly also fulfills aesthetic purposes - it highlights individual functional areas, accentuates decorative elements with color, and sets a fashionable, modern tone for the kitchen design.

Selecting LED strip

An important characteristic of LED strips for installation under cabinets in the kitchen is resistance to water vapor. Insufficient moisture protection can lead to a short circuit, and, therefore, to the risk of fire. When purchasing a tape, you need to pay attention to the degree of protection of the shell, which is marked with a two-digit number after the Latin letters IP. The first number indicates protection from dust and dirt, and mechanical damage. The second number is protection against moisture. The security of a device or device is assessed on a scale from 0 to 9 for both parameters.

In terms of tightness (moisture and dust resistance) led lamps and tapes may be marked:

IP33 - open type of conductor, not recommended for kitchens;
IP65 - one-sided tightness of the side on which the electronic elements, allowed for installation in a damp kitchen environment;
IP67, IP68 - double-sided, completely sealed tape - recommended for installation in the kitchen.

If the selected lamp or strip with LEDs has insufficient security, it is necessary to use a protective shade or special profiles to collectively ensure the proper level of security.

In order for the LED strip to provide enough light, it is important to choose the right power density, which is characterized by the number of LEDs per linear meter. Each type of strip can have a different number of LEDs. This can be determined both visually and by reading the characteristics of the product.

For decorative purposes, 30 or 60 LEDs per meter are usually sufficient. To fully illuminate the work surface, it is better to choose a strip with 120 or 240 diodes.

When calculating the illumination, you need to take into account the power consumed by the tape, remembering that compared to incandescent lamps, the luminous flux of LEDs is about 5 times higher.

Table. Belt power calculation

The numbers in the strip markings indicate the size of one LED:

SMD-3528 - diodes measuring 3.5x2.8 mm;
SMD-5050 - diodes measuring 5.0x5.0 mm.

For monochrome strips with the specified characteristics, the luminous flux, measured in lumens and which is another characteristic of LEDs, will be maximum. For polychrome RGB tapes, the color of which is set depending on the settings of the regulator or control controller, the total number of crystals in each diode corresponds to a combination of basic colors that do not turn on simultaneously. Consequently, when only part of the crystals that produce a certain color are working, the luminous flux will be lower.

The colors of monochrome diodes with their own crystal glow are:

red;
orange;
yellow;
green;
blue;
violet.

The color of monochrome diodes is characterized by a narrow spectrum of emission, which should be taken into account when choosing a backlight. The color of objects and, most importantly, products is significantly distorted; they may not look the same as under natural light or illuminated by fluorescent lamps.

The white monochrome LED is an ultraviolet-emitting semiconductor coated with a phosphor. The principle of operation is similar to what is familiar to most fluorescent lamps. The shade can also be from “warm” to “cold” and is indicated in the form of the corresponding glow temperature, measured in Kelvin as in conventional LED lamps.

The color of the surface of the printed circuit board on which the LEDs are located is usually white, but you can choose other colors: brown, yellow, black, which will look better on furniture when installed openly. For ease of installation, the tape is equipped with adhesive tape on the reverse side.

Selecting a power supply and additional devices

You cannot plug the LED strip into a household outlet - it will burn out immediately. It is designed to work with DC with a voltage of 24 or 12 V, obtained through an appropriate pulse converter (power supply). The power of the device must correspond to the total power consumption of all connected tapes. For example, you need to connect three 5 m SMD-5050 reels with a power of 7.2 W/linear. m. The total capacity is:

5 m 7.2 W/linear m = 36 W

The power supply is selected with a margin of 20%, therefore, you will need a device with a power of at least 45 W.

The design of the block can be different:

Sealed, compact unit in a plastic case.
Sealed power supply in an aluminum case. Expensive, climate-resistant, often used in outdoor, street lighting.
Open block in a perforated housing. The largest, inexpensive, requires additional protection from direct moisture. There are powerful models - one block is enough for all the illumination.
Network block nutrition. Low power, up to 60 W, does not require installation. Multiple tapes will require separate power supplies.

The kitchen power supply must be moisture-resistant or installed in a place protected from moisture. It is desirable that the driver contains protection against voltage surges, which extends the life of the LEDs.

It is not recommended to connect LED strips in series, otherwise wear will be high and luminosity will be uneven. When connecting several tapes, it is correct to use an amplifier that provides uniform current supply to different sections of the electrical circuit.

If desired, the backlight can be connected via a dimmer - a device that smoothly reduces the power and luminosity of lighting fixtures. This way you can maintain the backlight in the “work” and “rest” modes.

To control the LED strip, PWM controllers are used that can provide the correct shape of the pulsating current to adjust the brightness of the LEDs

Amplifiers and dimmers are matched to the lighting system based on current strength.

LED backlight connection diagrams

Basic rules for connecting lighting elements into a circuit and installation:

observe polarity;
power it through a power supply with a voltage of 12 or 24 V in accordance with the type of tape and marking, placing it as close as possible to the tape (maximum distance - 10 m);
The tape should not be sharply bent or twisted. It is better to cut and make the corner by soldering (with care, then insulating the conductive paths with heat-shrink tubing) or with a special connector. Soldering, according to craftsmen, ensures contact without electrical losses;
the fewer connections and the thicker the wire cross-section, the less electrical current loss;
It is better to mount a high-power tape in a profile (box);
pieces of tape longer than 5 m should only be connected in parallel;
Place the power supply in a ventilated place, protecting it from overheating.

The places where the LED strip can be cut are usually shown on the product itself.

Below are the basic connection diagrams for monochrome and RGB strips.

Direct connection diagram for LED strip. Several tapes are connected in parallel to one current source

Connecting an LED strip using a dimmer to adjust brightness

Several LED strips, switched on using a dimmer or PWM controller, must be connected using an amplifier

Connection diagram for RGB LED strips

RGB strips are connected to the controller with four wires, three of which are responsible for one of the colors, the fourth is common. Marking: R - red, G - green, B - blue. The “V-plus” wire is common. The easiest way to connect is using a connector, but you can also carefully solder it. To independently connect the controller and amplifier, two power supplies are sometimes used in the connection diagram.

Tools and materials for installing LED strips

To install the LED strip under kitchen cabinets yourself, you will need:

connection of elements can be done in various ways, and you will need: a soldering iron, solder, rosin and heat-shrinkable tubing, or wire lugs and crimp for lugs, or connectors;
scissors;
insulating tape, double-sided tape, fasteners;
a tool for cutting holes in furniture for laying wires, for example a jigsaw;
selected LED strips;
power supply and other elements of the electrical circuit, if necessary - dimmer, amplifiers, controller;
box (profile) - when performing the appropriate installation;
cable.

It is important to understand that LEDs still produce heat when they glow. It is directed into the substrate, the base of the diode. To prevent overheating of semiconductors, which significantly reduces their service life, it is advisable to glue the tape to a special aluminum profile or substrate with high thermal conductivity.

Selection of cable cross-section

As a rule, to install lighting in the kitchen, a cable with a cross section of 0.5-2.5 mm 2 is used.

I - current, I = P/U or I = U/R (P - power, U - voltage, R - resistance);
ρ - resistivity, for copper cable ρ = 0.0175 Ohm mm 2 /m;
L—cable length;
ΔU is the maximum permissible voltage drop between the power supply (PSU) and the load (tapes), ΔU = U PSU -UΣ tapes, if the voltage of the PSU is 12 V and the tapes are 12 V, then ΔU is taken to be 5-10%, i.e. .0.6-1.2 V.

The cross-section of the cable also depends on the length of the wiring; the longer the wire, the less power will be supplied to the light source, as can be seen from the following table:

Wire length, m	Power released at the load, W
	Wire size
	1.5 mm 2	2.5 mm 2	4 mm 2	6 mm 2
0	50,0	50,0	50,0	50
2	45,5	47,2	48,2	48,8
4	41,5	44,6	46,5	47,7
6	38,1	42,3	44,9	46,5
8	35,0	40,1	43,4	45,5
10	32,4	38,1	42,0	44,4

Installation of LED strip under kitchen cabinets

The basis of a well-executed installation is thoughtful planning - how to choose where and what elements of the circuit to place.

The LED produces a directed beam of light, most often it is a 120° sector strictly along the central axis of the semiconductor. Less common options are 90°, 60° and 30°. By attaching the tape to the bottom of the hanging cabinet and moving away from the wall, a very clear stripe is formed on the vertical surface, moreover, wavy between light and shadow, which can have a detrimental effect on the overall picture.

It is necessary to distribute the light source so that the dividing strip of light and shadow from the backlight falls on a natural boundary, for example, between the edging of the working surface and the wall cladding. In the simplest case, the tape is mounted close to the wall to illuminate it completely. Picking up various options, you can work with the visual “depth” of the work surface to the benefit of the overall design.

Strips with diodes that have a narrow sector of illumination can be mounted at the very edge under the cabinet so that the wall is not illuminated at all. A universal way to distribute light is to use aluminum profiles with light-diffusing protective films. Even with the height of the profile sides, if desired, you can form the required shape of the illumination spot.

The installation itself, with some skill in working with the tool, is not very difficult.

We pass the cable to the connection point as inconspicuously as possible by drilling a small diameter hole on the back of the cabinet.
A low-power LED strip can be attached directly to the prepared and grease-free surface of the bottom of kitchen cabinets. Tapes of measured length, having an adhesive layer, are simply applied to the selected location and pressed, removing the protective film immediately before installation. If there is no such layer, you will need double-sided tape. To disguise the tape, you can protect it with a profile to match the cabinet.
We fix the power supply, make electrical wiring, carefully securing the wires using clips or double-sided tape.
We connect all the elements into a circuit, be sure to check the wiring with a tester for a short circuit between the supply wires, and only then connect it to the network. The backlight is ready.

If, due to increased power or for aesthetic reasons, you plan to install the strip in a profile, then first it is easier to lay the LED strip in the profile and connect the power pins. After this, the profile is secured to the cabinets using double-sided tape. You will have to change the sequence only if the profile is attached using self-tapping screws screwed in from its inside side.

In the next video, the same master as in the previous video gives advice on installing the tape in the box.

How to organize kitchen lighting, the most common lighting mistakes in the kitchen, how to choose the right lamps and save on electricity - in this article.
The main secret to good kitchen lighting is multi-level. Each functional area - where you wash dishes, cut food, eat food - should have its own light sources. Let's figure out which ones exactly.

General kitchen lighting

You can't do without it. Its task is to maintain comfortable illumination at night.

Error 1: Plan lighting before the kitchen design project.
Solution: What kind of lighting your kitchen will have needs to be determined before the renovation begins. But only after you have decided on the layout of the kitchen and decided where the main functional areas will be located - the sink, stove, worktop and dining table. Then you can place the lamps in the best possible way, exactly where they are needed. And you definitely won’t forget to install electrical outlets for equipment and lighting, sockets and switches in all the right places.

Error 2: One lamp in the center of the ceiling
Solution: General lighting of the kitchen using ceiling lamps (one or more) and local lighting of functional areas.
A pendant light in the center of the ceiling has several disadvantages.
When you are cooking, for example, cutting vegetables on the work surface of a kitchen unit, you stand with your back to the light source. As a result, the tabletop is in the shade.
In addition, there is almost always free space in the center of the kitchen. As a result, the lamp does not illuminate anything useful, and the really important areas end up in darkened corners.

Error 3: There is no way to adjust the brightness of the general lighting.
Solution: install a switch with a dimmer (rheostat). It allows you to change the brightness of the overall kitchen lighting depending on your mood. During a family dinner, when you want to relax and unwind, the light will be more cozy and subdued. And during cooking it can be made brighter.
Advice: When buying a dimmer, do not save money. A cheap switch can quickly fail.

5 options for ceiling lighting for the kitchen

The main lighting should be even and as neutral as possible. Each of these options can be used individually (especially if the kitchen is small) or in combination with each other.
So, what is most often used for basic kitchen lighting?
1. Recessed spotlights
2. Surface-mounted lamps
3. LED backlight
4. Bus lights
5. Chandelier or pendant light

An important point - when planning lighting in the kitchen, make sure that the general lighting can be turned on in parts, and not all at once. This is not only convenient, but also practical: it allows you to turn on exactly as much light as you need, which means saving energy.

Price issue

Many designers and craftsmen note: lighting accounts for approximately 10-15% of the budget allocated for kitchen renovation. Half of this money will be needed to purchase the lamps and switches themselves, the rest - for installation, if you do not plan to install kitchen lighting yourself.

Designer's advice
To illuminate the kitchen, you should choose lamps that provide neutral white or warm light. This is why cheap fluorescent lamps are not suitable for the kitchen. Most often they shine with a bright but lifeless bluish light. Such lighting causes a subconscious feeling of anxiety and spoils appearance food. You can't imagine a worse thing for the kitchen.
Color temperature is indicated by special units, kelvins, and is indicated on the packaging of the light bulb. Need a lamp with warm light? The box should have a number between 2700 and 3300 Kelvin. Look for a bulb with neutral white light in the range of 3300 to 5300 Kelvin.
It's good if the box also shows the Energy Star energy efficiency standard. Lamps marked A and B are more expensive, but consume much less electricity, helping you save your family budget.

4 secrets for illuminating the work area in the kitchen

The countertop on which you prepare food requires the best lighting. That is why it is impossible to imagine a modern headset without local illumination of the work area.
If you are making a custom-made kitchen, the furniture manufacturer will probably offer you their own lighting option. kitchen countertop. However, most furniture companies make a large markup on components, such as lighting or household appliances. Therefore, if you want to save money, it is better to purchase the backlight yourself.
So, what lighting options are best for this purpose?

Pay attention to overhead furniture lamps - halogen, fluorescent and LED. They are specifically designed for installation on the bottom of wall kitchen cabinets. Such lamps do an excellent job with their main task - providing directional lighting and making your work in the kitchen convenient and safe.
The market offers the most different options such lighting. Most often these are round spotlights with a metal body or elongated lamps with a protective plastic case. Such a pencil case not only protects the lamps from moisture, steam and grease. It also does a great job of hiding technical parts and wires. The result is that the kitchen always looks neat.
Round and elongated furniture lamps also have alternatives that are more interesting from a design point of view. For example, RGB LED strip in aluminum or plastic profile. In addition to working white lighting, with its help you will get spectacular tabletop lighting in the most incredible colors. It can be controlled using a remote control or switch.
Open shelves made of tempered glass that glow from the inside or glass bottom panels of wall cabinets - no less original solution for local lighting in the kitchen work area.
Another unusual lighting option is a glass apron with built-in LED lighting.

When planning the lighting of your work area, don’t forget about the number of sockets sufficient for your needs! Our infographic will tell you where they are most important:

The brightness of the light in the work area can also be adjusted if desired using a dimmer. However, most often this is not necessary.

Recently, large manufacturers of kitchen lighting are increasingly relying on LED lamps. They have a very significant plus - excellent energy efficiency. A high-quality LED lamp shines brightly, consumes significantly less energy (savings can reach 85%), and lasts 20 times longer than a conventional lamp. But such lamps are more expensive than halogen or fluorescent kitchen lighting.

Dining table lighting - 6 popular options

If the kitchen also serves as a dining room, you should take special care to ensure that the dining table is always sufficiently lit. This goal can be achieved in different ways.
1. The most popular solution is a large pendant lamp with a beautiful shade or lampshade, located above the center of the tabletop. Ideally, the length of the suspension of the selected lamp can be adjusted.
The optimal height from the light bulb to the surface is approximately 1.5 meters. If you raise the lamp higher, the lighting of the dining area will be brighter and more formal. If you omit it, it will be more intimate, homely and cozy.
It is important that the light does not hit the eyes of those sitting at the table. It is worth giving preference to lamp models with translucent frosted glass shades. They softly diffuse the light.

When choosing a lamp, pay attention special attention on the lampshade material. You should not buy a pendant or chandelier with a fabric lampshade. No matter how good the hood is, it gets dirty faster and is difficult to clean. A glass or plastic lampshade is much more practical.

2. If you don't like big light, good choice- several elegant pendants with small shades. Most often for the dining table standard sizes 2-3 such lamps are quite enough. They can be hung in one group or distributed along the central axis of the table at an equal distance from each other.

If the table is round or square, one light in the center of the tabletop is often sufficient. If you have chosen an oval or rectangular model, a bar table or a bar counter, buy two or three pendants that will evenly illuminate the dining area

3. If the dining table is close to the wall, you can use sconces or spots, the light flux of which is directed downwards, as local lighting. However, this option loses in comparison with a pendant lamp in several ways. The pendant illuminates the entire surface of the table much more evenly. A wall lamp will leave part of the tabletop in the shadow. In addition, a sconce will not be appropriate in every interior style. In addition, it scatters light more strongly, and the illumination of the table may not be sufficient.

4. A track system with lamps above the dining table can also be a good lighting option for a modern kitchen.

5. If you are planning to illuminate the dining area in a large kitchen or a kitchen combined with a living room, you can make a suspended plasterboard structure with built-in spotlights above the dining table. In this case, it will serve as an additional element of space zoning.

6. Furniture lamps above the dining table can be built not into plasterboard, but into a furniture canopy made of laminated MDF or chipboard.

Interior lighting for kitchen cabinets

It is worth lighting wall cabinets or drawers from the inside, and using them will be much more convenient. It looks very beautiful in combination with facades made of frosted or stained glass.
LED backlight - best solution for lighting kitchen furniture: it does not heat up, therefore it is completely safe to use, and consumes very little electricity.
By the way, such lighting can work constantly or turn on only when the drawers are pulled out.

Illumination of the stove or hob

The best option is lighting built into the hood casing. However, special lighting for the hob is rarely needed. As a rule, general lighting is enough for the housewife to keep an eye on the pots.

Currently, in the world of modern technologies, LED devices are successfully used for lighting rooms in the form of:

LED lamps single type LED class.
Combined lamps, located in one lampshade.
LED strips.

LED technologies have found their application in various fields of technology and industry:

For basic, interior and decorative lighting premises, establishments and salons.
For street lighting.
For illumination of traffic lights and in car headlights.
To give effect mystery and unusualness of decorations, toys and garlands.

Methods and places for interior lighting in the kitchen

The receptivity factor of the kitchen environment as a whole depends on the lighting.

When choosing the type of lighting, location and method of installation, you should consider:

Room dimensions.
Furniture design, already installed in the kitchen.
Finishing style and the color background of individual elements of the room.

When choosing the type of LEDs, you need to take into account that:

Classic interior spaces require warm spectrum lighting.
Cold Spectra fit perfectly into a kitchen decorated in a high-tech style.

Applying a combined lighting style. The meaning of this decision is the presence additional sources light, highlighting individual elements of the room using a zoning effect: cabinets, niches, paintings, decorative elements. The lighting inside drawers and cabinets looks impressive, starting to function after they are opened. By lighting the bar counter you can create the effect of a real bar.
Multi-level lighting, used mainly for plasterboard ceilings.
Selecting LED strip you can effectively decorate a glass ceiling, stained glass and kitchen apron.
Backlight installed directly under the furniture will create a floating effect.

Please note that for convenience installation work When installing lighting equipment, planning its type and method of placement should be carried out before carrying out repair work and installing furniture.

Currently, the following types of kitchen lighting are popular.

LED, where LEDs are used as the main artificial light. Additional lamps with LED lamps are used to illuminate additional elements in the form of a work area, cabinets, hob and hood.
Spot lighting equipment, in which the kitchen is evenly illuminated with diffused light. Installation of spotlights is carried out in a suspended ceiling. To illuminate the tabletop, you should install the equipment in the bottom of the cabinet located above it.
Using several large lamps. They can be adjusted in height and light brightness. It should be noted that single chandeliers have not been popular for a long time. A set of large lamps goes well with spotlights.

Advantages

has many advantages, the main parameters of which are listed below:

Simplicity carrying out installation work on equipment installation.
Durability and safety of lamp operation.
Security comfortable level of illumination.
Opportunity adjusting the brightness of lighting and the angle of inclination of the components (typical for some lamp models).
Economical consumption electricity.
Not required special knowledge for operation.
Saving performance characteristics when used in low temperature conditions.
Sustainability to exposure to dust and moisture.
Relatively low cost.
Possibility of selecting models components of LED lighting in accordance with the preferred color characteristics and brightness.

Classification and comparison

the frame itself

When decorating indoor lighting using LED strips, you should use a special transparent frame made of an acrylic shade and an aluminum profile, inside which the lighting device is installed.

The product market offers buyers profiles with various characteristics:

length;
width;
sections for fastening;
with a device for embedding into the ceiling or cabinet material;

The profile is attached to various building materials:

drywall;
plastic;
tree;
metal;
concrete;
brick.

Independent use of LED strip is not recommended due to the need to equip it with additional protection from factors that negatively affect it. In addition, without decoration it does not look entirely aesthetically pleasing.

LED strips differ in the type of LEDs:

Single color SMD LEDs. A distinctive feature of the configuration is the ability to glow in one color from the rainbow spectrum. Only white has 3 varieties - warm, cold and just white. The remaining colors are presented in one form without the presence of additional shades.
RGB color tape can provide illumination simultaneously with all colors of the rainbow. The device has 3 diodes (blue, red and green) combined into 1 LED. The color effect is achieved by mixing luminescence in a certain proportion. To ensure full operation of the equipment, a controller is needed that provides the backlight color and various flickering modes.

Selecting a power supply

The power supply must provide a voltage of 12 or 48 volts at the output of the LED strip, depending on the device modification. Before purchasing equipment, you should familiarize yourself with technical characteristics tapes.

The technical characteristics of the tape and power supply must comply. To do this, it is recommended to check all the data in a special catalogue.

The required characteristic of the block power indicator is calculated independently based on the footage of the LED strip used, taking into account a safety factor of 1.25.

The total power consumption will correspond to the product of the number of devices in meters and the power consumption, based on the calculation per linear meter.

Basic requirements that should be followed when choosing a power supply:

Tape power consumption must be less than the power of the power supply.
For equipment installation in a dry place, it is enough to use the block model without additional sealing. When installing in damp areas, use semi-sealed or sealed models

Installation of lighting - step-by-step instructions

connection diagram

Illumination of the ceiling in a room can be done according to a simple scheme, gluing it with the side treated with adhesive makeup to the ceiling. Working using this method, you will not need fastening tools and auxiliary elements. An important condition reliable fastening of the device is a well-treated and cleaned surface to which it is planned to glue.

When preparing the tape, you should take into account important nuances:

Selling tape carried out in winding of 5 meters on reels. If a different length is required, it should be cut to the desired size with scissors.
On tape The dotted line marks the location of a potential cut. The cutting of the material is carried out with a multiplicity of 3 diodes.
When making an erroneous cut in the wrong place of the tape, it should be taken into account that the outermost diodes will not function. To fix the problem, you need to solder the inoperative diodes to the contacts.

Required tools and materials:

scissors;
pliers;
screwdriver;
rosin;
solder;
self-tapping screws;
screwdriver with attachments;
power unit;
LEDs;
insulating tape;
protective caps;

Tape under the ceiling

installation process

When installing an LED strip under the ceiling, the method of installation in a plasterboard niche is mainly used.

To carry out installation work, you should follow the recommendations of specialists:

Directly During construction work, electrical wires should be placed inside the suspended ceiling frame.
When equipping the room with lighting With the finishing work already completed, you will have to carry out additional measures to install the wire under the ceiling material or above it in the form of a decorative element.
For the kitchen lamps are usually chosen closed type with silicone filling. Their advantage is that during prolonged operation they heat up to a temperature not exceeding 35 degrees, which ensures their safe operation.
Hole cutting in plasterboard under lamps.
Connecting lamps to the electrical wiring located in the niche above the drywall.
Installation of lamps with the power supply into the prepared holes.

Headset backlight

Selection kitchen sets produced in accordance with the color and design preferences of the owner of the room.
Headset backlight Attaches to the bottom of kitchen cabinets. The color of the glow and design of the lamp or luminaire is selected in accordance with the existing furniture and the finishing work carried out.

Tabletop lighting

Cooking food usually takes quite some time. Therefore, it is important to provide high-quality and correct lighting work area kitchen, which will bring an element of comfort to the moments of cooking and ensure pleasant performance of household chores without fatigue.

Equipping the tabletop with lighting should be done in accordance with building regulations:

Taking module measurements, on which the tape is supposed to be attached. Typically, objects located directly above the tabletop are used.
If the mounting surface is flat, then it is enough to wash it with detergent and degrease with alcohol. Do not use cleaning agents that can dissolve or damage the integrity of the module coating.
For uneven surfaces you need to provide a base for attaching the tape in the form of an aluminum profile, which must be attached to the object using self-tapping screws.
Attachment to the prepared surface of the LED strip.
Connecting the power supply to the tape.
Carrying out insulation work using special caps and electrical tape.

Dining area lighting

When decorating a kitchen in the dining area, it should be taken into account that the optimal lighting for the table when the household is eating is natural.

Artificial lighting sources can be organized in several ways, depending on the interior of the kitchen, the location of the table and the personal preferences of its owners:

If the table is near the wall, then an excellent solution for lighting it would be to mount several sconces on the wall.
When the table is located in the central zone, designers recommend using lamps with adjustable heights.
To the kitchen area small sized sconces placed directly above the table will fit.
Installed unusual lamps the table will create the effect of a “candlelight dinner”.
For eating area miniature in size, designers allow the option of combining general light with lighting of the dining area.

When choosing a tape you should consider:

Room humidity level. For example, for a bedroom you can safely use an open, leaky configuration, while for the bathroom and kitchen you should definitely use a one-sided or double-sided model.
For the kitchen, the main color of additional lighting should be white with warm or cool shades.

LED bathroom lights (LED), unlike other versions (for lighting rooms, kitchens), must be characterized by additional parameters: strength characteristics and a sufficient degree of protection. This is important for safety, because the level of humidity in the bathroom is high, and drops of water may fall on the lamp, regardless of its type (built-in, ceiling-mounted, etc.).

More about bathroom lighting

When creating a bathroom design project, the main factors are taken into account:

the ability to visually reduce/enlarge the space;
lighting should be characterized by a sufficient level of brightness, but not dazzle;
division into zones (central light source, mirror illumination, etc.), which is implemented by installing lamps for different purposes;
ensuring safety during operation of lighting devices.

The last factor is based on the use of moisture-proof finishing materials premises, in addition, the lighting must correspond to a certain degree of protection: IP54, IP65, IP66, IP67, IP68. The first three of these options are not completely protected from moisture, but drops of water will not affect their performance.

Based on the last two versions of lamps (IP67, IP68), this is a completely safe option, because lighting with such characteristics is created specifically for working underwater.

Types of lighting fixtures

Bathroom lighting comes in two versions:

basic;
local.

Central ceiling lights are usually used as the main light source, which provides a normal level of visibility. Usually, too bright lighting is not used in the bathroom; soft, diffused, sometimes slightly dim light is preferred. But local illumination should provide a more intense glow in certain areas, for example, in the mirror area.

If LED sources The lights are divided according to their intended purpose (both local and main lighting are used in the room), then there is no need to install high-intensity ceiling fixtures, since, if necessary, local lamps with a bright glow are turned on.

In addition, bathroom lamps are divided according to installation method:

invoices;
built-in;
wall;
floor;
ceiling

Overheads do not require much effort during installation and can be attached to any surface (mirrors, cabinets, etc.). Built-in versions are installed during renovation, since cable routing must be provided, for example, behind a suspended ceiling.

If the room is small, in such cases you can not use ceiling lamps, but choose wall option, located at the top of the wall.

The classification of lighting fixtures for the bathroom is also carried out according to functionality:

Spotlights – provide directional illumination. Therefore, if you need to obtain diffused light, you need to determine in a practical way (check several options) the sufficient distance at which point devices should be placed. The intensity of each lamp is also important.
LED strip. Such light sources provide uniform illumination of the room. There are single-color and multi-color designs, which allows you to create the desired atmosphere in the room. Besides, LED strip can contain a different number of light sources per 1 m length: 30, 60, 120, 240 pcs. Depending on this parameter, the illumination intensity will vary: the fewer diodes are located on the strip, the weaker the radiation will be.

Both options (spotlights and strip) can be used when organizing local lighting. In addition, with the help of wall versions it is also possible to provide lighting to certain areas of the room.

Important options to select

The basic characteristics of lighting fixtures are key. These include: the luminous flux of the lamp used, which is responsible for the intensity of the glow; method of fastening (overhead, ceiling, tape versions, etc.); degree of protection. It is no less important to install an energy-efficient lighting system in the bathroom than in other rooms. And LED lamps are characterized by low energy consumption.

1 - Top lighting 2 - Working 3 - Bottom

Lighting standards for a bathroom determine the sufficient luminous intensity - 200 lux or 2000 lumens per square meter. m. Approximately this value is provided by LED lamps, the power of which is in the range of 2-3 W.

Lighting should be planned before repairs begin. This is the only way to achieve an efficiently functioning lighting system. The size of the room is taken into account. Based on this, the question of whether ceiling lights are needed is decided: the larger the room, the greater the likelihood that you cannot do without them.

If the bathroom area allows, you can implement various ideas. One option is to replace wall-mounted light sources with floor-mounted versions (floor lamps) of interesting shapes.

Spot recessed lamps can be arranged in the form of a pattern (for example, imitation of a starry sky when installed in a suspended ceiling). LED strips installed on the back side of translucent, matte panels can also become an interesting accent.

Thus, diode-based lamps are one of the most suitable options when equipping a bathroom. To get the lighting system long term functioning, you need to select lamps of proven brands, since in this case the design probably uses high-quality crystals, which directly affects the rate of their degradation.