To date, decorative lighting has become a widely used design solution that allows not only to give an unusual appearance to ordinary things, but also to emphasize the importance of this or that design element. Used for its creation is nothing like a LED ribbon - it allows you to evenly illuminate a very long stretch of something. On how to choose an LED ribbon, we will tell in this article.
And we start by defining two of its basic types - they are labeled with only three letters of the Latin alphabet. This is a tape called SMD and its improved analog with the RGB label. The difference between them is very significant and it lies in the possibilities of the lighting device. In the first case( SMD), ribbon diodes can only emit one type of glow - either white light, or blue, or some other kind. In contrast, the LED ribbon RGB is able to radiate any color of the rainbow and even its various shades. It is with these varieties of LED strip and it is worthwhile to sort out first, coming to the decision of the issue, how to choose the LED ribbon? This question we will do together with the site "Dream House".
How to choose an LED ribbon photo
How to choose an LED strip: Features of RGB LEDs
This type of LED strip is currently considered to be the most advanced - one small LED of this lighting device includes three even smaller diode. One of them emits red light, the second is green, and the third is blue - in different combinations they create a different type of glow. By the way, it was from these three diodes that the name of this type of tape( RGB - Red, Green, Blue) went.
To obtain a different type of glow, a control element with a remote control is necessarily attached to such a tape. It is with his help with the help of pressing the various keys that you can control not only the type and intensity of the glow of the tape, but also to set it different modes of operation like the New Year's garland. Such possibilities of the lighting device allow creating a different mood in the room and changing the perception of the room as a whole.
Which LED strip to choose for the ceiling light photo
This tape is practically no varieties and can differ from each other only by the number of LEDs( it can normally contain 60 or 120 diodes per meter) or the principle of implementing the RGB effect. In the latter case, there are two options.
- The standard RGB tape, referred to above - the one in which the three LEDs of different colors are combined in one product.
- Alternating on a tape of light-emitting diodes of red, green and dark blue color. This option can be called a garland, and by capabilities it is much inferior to the first. The fact that placed in one body and located close to each other three LEDs are able to create other colors and shades of color( including white glow), and scattered along the tape and far apart diodes can not do this.
The choice of LED ribbon photo
The answer to the question of how the LED ribbon is better, here is obvious. Naturally, the one that gives more possibilities, that is, the RGB tape, in which the three diodes are combined into one. In general for today it is the best tape, capable to solve a lot of design problems - moreover, it can with the same success perform the function of ordinary lighting in the room.
What are the LED stripes: SMD and their variations
The LED ribbon of SMD varieties is much larger and it can be classified not by two signs. The most important, fundamental in the choice, but far from the main one - is the type of luminescence. As mentioned above, this tape can emit a certain color shade. In addition, that we can talk about the main color of the rainbow, there are also different shades. For example, only white glow can be divided into three spectral groups - cold white light( glow temperature is about 6000 K), just white light( around 5000K) and warm white light, which can even be called yellow( about 4000K).
Which LED strip is better than the photo
In addition to these differences, when choosing a SMD LED strip, you should also pay attention to the following points.
- Number of LEDs in meter. This is not only the brightness of the luminescence, but also the uniformity - a tape with fewer diodes creates a less uniform glow. This is very noticeable when one of the diodes fails. Standard SMD LED strips are produced with the number of LEDs in a meter equal to 60, 120 and even 240pcs. The last version of the tape( 240 pcs in a meter) has a double width, since the diodes in it are arranged in two rows.
- The size of the LEDs is the brightness and stability of the glow, as well as the uniformity of the light emitted and even the durability of the tape. It's simple - a large diode size allows you to install a larger crystal in it, which will glow brighter, and work longer. The size of the LED is displayed in the ribbon label. For example, SMD5050 - this means that the tape is equipped with LEDs measuring 5 by 5 mm. In general, the range of the size range of LEDs is quite wide - on sale you can find models SMD2835( 2.8mm by 3.5mm), SMD5630 and the above example SMD5050.These are only basic models, except for which there are other sizes.
Varieties of LED ribbon photo
- Manufacturer. I have nothing against Chinese goods, but choosing their inexpensive products, it should be understood that you are buying not what the manufacturer claims - in reality only the number and size of LEDs can correspond. All the rest of pure water fancy sellers - this is the power, and the type of glow, and even the brightness and lifespan. All these indicators need to be divided at least two and only then you get the true state of affairs.
- By the way, about the power of the LED tape - the indicator is important, but it is not particularly displayed on the choice. It matters when you select an adapter for the selected tape. In principle, these moments can not even bother - any more or less competent seller will offer to your tape exactly the power supply that suits it.
- Degree of protection from external factors. If to speak briefly and clearly, then the tape is of two types( this applies to SMD and RGB tapes) - waterproof and unprotected from moisture. The one that is protected from dust and water, has a silicone shell and is additionally marked with two more letters and two digits - IP65, which indicates the presence of a shell. This tape can be used even for street decorative lighting or lighting.
What are the light-emitting diode tapes of the photo
An important point of the choice is the declared life-time - when deciding which LED strip to choose for the ceiling lighting, you can not ignore it. As a rule, the tape is not installed in sight - in a small niche, so that the lighting device itself is hidden from view, and the light from it breaks out. Changing this tape with an enviable regularity is very inconvenient. Buying it with the same regularity is also not very cheap. The longer the claimed service life, the better( again, this does not apply to products of this type from China) - usually it is either 30 000 hours, or 50 000, or 100 000 hours.
By and large, these are all varieties of LED tape. As you can see, the choice is simple, as, in general, and the scheme for connecting lighting equipment of this type. With the installation of the tape is quite possible to understand even the child.
And at the end of the topic, how to choose an LED ribbon, I will say a few words about the related equipment - about the controller, since the power supply for such lamps is a matter of course. We are all used to the fact that you can control only the RGB tape, changing its key, and so on, but for some reason the SMD tape is forgotten, and yet there are control devices for it. With their help, you can change the brightness of the tape and set different modes of operation - for example, you can make a treadmill or flicker at different speeds. In general, creating interior lighting, this moment should not be forgotten.
Author of the article Vladimir Belov
