LED lamps for the bathroom: ceiling, wall, tape and lamp, backlight

The desire for beauty and comfort makes you look differently at the bathroom decoration. Negative feelings can be associated with the tightness of these premises in most projects. Ugly pipes, old-fashioned paint - it's time to get rid of them as well as from the disgusted whitewash and plaster on the ceiling. But not only the new tile will make the bath cozier and more pleasant to the heart of each owner. It is very important to approach the issue of coverage rationally and thoroughly.

Literate light will make the room spacious and bright, will make the interior play in a new way, will give a sense of purity and inspiration. Among many options, designers offer to stay on spotlights with diode or LED-lamps, which will help solve the most unusual problems.

The design of this lamp( in other words, the spot) is different from the usual understanding of the lamp. Electrical wires are connected to a semiconducting crystal that converts electricity into light. This radiation is amplified by the plastic box on top of the structure, it is also a lens that dissipates or directs the rays. Between the plastic and the crystal there is no vacuum or air, in this hermetic space is a silicone. Under the crystal and wiring there is a special metal base made of copper or aluminum to reduce heat generation. This design saves from overheating and fire. The diode wires are hidden in the insulating tubes, making them even safer.

Choosing diodes is a great pleasure for techies, for ordinary people this too can be an exciting activity.

In any case, this is a very useful acquisition, there are many explanations, for example:

• Cost-effectiveness. Spot consumes tens of times less energy than a typical Illich lamp, so it will be necessary to pay less on the meter. The brightness of the illumination is much greater.
• Environmentally friendly. LED consists of safe components, does not carry harmful to human and environmental radiation or radiation.
• Versatility. Diodes are able to solve a variety of tasks: from lighting the shelf and lighting a beautiful panel to the main ceiling lighting. LEDs withstand loads of various kinds and tolerate mechanical stress and significant temperature changes.
• Security. This is a very important parameter for wet rooms. The intrinsic isolation of the lamps, as well as additional measures of protection, depending on the type of diode and its class, help to use LED without risk. And it's not just about electrical malfunctions( short circuit, fire, current beats), but also about a person's vision. These lamps create an eye-friendly lighting, close to the sun, so the vision is less strained and perceives the "picture" easier.
• Long service life. This is partly related to economy. A conventional incandescent lamp can work 3,000 hours, and a light-emitting diode lamp - up to 50,000 hours, theoretically almost 6 years without interruption. All this time you do not need to change it and touch it.
• Design variations. Diodes are used for different purposes, for color decor, including. Most people prefer to have good basic lighting in the bathroom with a warm tone, there are also outstanding personalities who like extravagant things, and they choose not the tone, but the colors. Let's say a variant of a shower cabin in the style of hi-tech, so that the water of a bluish or greenish hue would remind you of the holiday and warm tropical seas. The water in the hose and the tap will be the most usual, but the muffled main light and colored diode illumination of the water in the watering can and the tap will make it possible to achieve this effect. Still it is possible to change the level of illumination, which is very convenient.
• Product quality. The intensive work of LED determines the requirements for the materials used to create the lamps. They differ in wear resistance, low sensitivity to thermal action, inertness to electrical and chemical reactions. Therefore, the equipment will be safe for families with young children and pets. Many designs with point diode lamps have a certain mobility or flexibility, which allows them to change the direction of light. In this case, all parts are mechanically strong. Only such thoroughness makes possible the operation of the diode during the whole period of operation. Many manufacturers give a guarantee of up to 5 years on their lamps. And this is a very weighty argument.
• Beauty. Most products with diodes at first glance do not cause rapture, because basically the model is characterized by simplicity, minimalism in favor of functionality. Still there are models where designers give vent to fantasies and discover spectacular nuances of light. Cost such beauty will be more. Basically, the same requirements for lighting in the bathroom is not in the fanciness of the lamp, so preference is given to universal models that perfectly fit into any style.

Of course, high technology and safety of diodes are their strengths, from which the main disadvantages are:

• Price. Lamps are very economical and durable, but their initial purchase and installation is more expensive than other lighting options. Although in recent years 5 diodes have become more affordable and cheaper, and they can pay off in just a couple of years completely, many are embarrassed by the cost to be spent on lighting at a time.
• Nuances of installation and replacement. LED lamps differ from their design counterparts, so you need to consider their interaction with the network. If the kit does not have a special filter, or you collect the "tape" on its own, then it will have to be purchased. On the one hand, it protects expensive light from voltage surges, and on the other, it significantly affects safety.
• "Fatigue". Over time, the efficiency of diodes may fall, their radiance will fade. It should be noted that in practice this is not often. Quality manufacturers are serious about this issue, so it is better to buy lamps from them. Moreover, in the event of a breakdown, you will be provided with the necessary parts or will make a replacement under warranty.

Practically constant humidity in a small room is the main difficulty of most bathrooms. And since dampness and electricity are a dangerous combination, electrical appliances and lamps in particular put forward their own requirements, which will make their use as safe as possible. Spots due to their design fit well. But also for them lighting in the bathroom is a serious task.

When selecting lamps and luminaires in bathrooms, you need to pay attention to:

• Construction. The body of the lamp, the lens, the cap, especially the wires should be well hidden, they should not come into contact with water and steam. Even if you plan on ceiling lighting, remember that water splashes can reach so high. Take into account the critical scenario, because nobody plans it( forgot to switch the water from the shower to the tap, the water overflowed, the neighbors flooded, etc.).It is good, if the luminaire is tight or there is a rubberized insulation tape on the joints of the parts.
• Voltage. Within the bathroom it is better to use lamps operating at low voltage( up to 24V).To compensate and adapt the voltage in the network, special transformers or filters are needed.
• Actually electricity. Place outlets and similar transformers as far as possible from the water, in some cases - even outside the bathroom.

For example, an LED bulb labeled IP21 can be used in a humid room, withstands vertical drops of rare drops of water. The farther from the shower cubicle or the sink is such a device, the better. Often used such markings: IP23( well withstand moisture and sparse spray), IP44 denotes resistance to frequent splashes, IP45 emits lamps that withstand water jets in all directions, IP67 diodes are used to illuminate the water and can be installed in the dampest places( the bath itself, sink, shower head).The icon IPx8 is marked with LEDs in demand for highlighting deep industrial or artificial objects( deeper than 1m), so for home use, there is no point in searching for them.

Actually for the purpose, type of lighting and location on the surface of the LED-lamp are divided into several groups. Salespeople sometimes sin in that they offer more expensive models to the common man in the street, using his incomplete knowledge. However, for application in an apartment or a private house, the requirements for the devices are usually lower, and the price is lower.

For the purpose of meeting:

• street,
• industrial;
• household diode lamps.

Street lighting means highlighting buildings, sidewalk and roads at night. They have medium power, high-quality rigging and high resistance to temperature and mechanical effects, to water, including. Industrial lamps are characterized by high performance, brightness. They are installed in large warehouses, offices, where good lighting is required everywhere. They withstand physical impact, dust, but are not protected from water. Household diodes are offered to ordinary consumers for a variety of home design needs. They can illuminate and decorate any corner, however less powerful, in places even sparing, in comparison, with industrial ones.

Diodes can be located outside the lamp or hide under the lampshade. This depends on the purpose of use, lamp power, location. Also diode lighting is found in the form of embedded( embedded) structures or overhead. The first option involves the preparation of the surface and the use of a screen, behind which will be hidden electrical wires( ceiling lighting, multi-level ceilings).The second option is found in the idea of ​​compact lighting systems, where the wires are hidden in a neat body( chandeliers, sconces).In this case, no additional preparation of the surface is required, the lamp can be installed directly in the luminaire, and it, if necessary, is attached to any( including the concrete surface).

For household needs, stores offer options for the use of LED diodes, which are similar in appearance to incandescent lamps. This allows you to apply them in the existing conditions, adapts to any design of the room. There are also LED bands, they are used to decorate individual zones, art objects, peculiar raisins of the house. For example, a ribbon can be a flower bed or an aquarium, a niche or a shelf with utensils. They do not create full-fledged lighting, but they quite claim the title of an intimate or romantic lighting scenario. Still, manufacturers offer and very powerful LED-tapes, competently using which, you can create high-quality basic lighting.

Understanding the purpose of the room and lighting in it will help greatly when choosing lamps. Decide for yourself such moments:

• How much do you plan to change your bath? What amount are you willing to allocate for this?
• What role do you play in the bathroom? Do you need to highlight or highlight some zones( mirror, shelf)?
• Do the selected fixtures match the general style of the bathroom?

Because of the small size of the room, the large ceiling chandeliers in the bathroom look ridiculous, but small lamps, with neat shades, on the contrary, easily fit into any design. There is another danger of diode large luminaires: often the quality leaves much to be desired, because they are produced in China by little-known firms. For a bathroom, such a purchase can prove to be not only dubious, but also dangerous, since the tightness of such products does not always correspond to the norms. But unpretentious lighting fixtures from leading manufacturers not only fit well into any interior, but are also very practical and reliable.

They differ in the color of the metal used in the case. Pay attention to the color of such metal combined with the general style and fit the color( warm / cold).Usually, the cases and metal rims of such lamps make neutral shades: glossy or matte, copper and gold, more often chrome. And it's very practical, because they fit well with any interior.

Many designers recommend making a suspended ceiling with built-in diode lamps. This is a very good move: equip the room with a reliable and beautiful ceiling, which will last a long time and neatly hide the system for diode lighting. Installation of incandescent lamps is better to be carried out simultaneously with the installation of the ceiling.

Surface luminaires are easier to install. They can be fastened to any surface, including concrete, and they do not need such a serious preparation of the surface. For a small number of lamps( up to 3) this solution may be more profitable.

Buying diodes is a long-term acquisition, so give preference to market leaders( Philips, Osram, Ecola, Cree, etc.). They give long-term guarantees for their products( up to 5 years), during this period the investment will fully pay off.

Interior specialists and craftsmen like to work with diode tapes when decorating rooms. Separate LED lamps and light panels made of them can also add a touch to the style of the room. With an unlimited budget and a spacious room, you can get a unique interior. Most citizens are still limited in the means and size of the room, especially when it comes to the bathroom.

The correct lighting option will help to make the room visually larger, lighter, and if you use diodes for zone lighting or highlighting some places, mirrors, then the light will have additional useful functionality, and the bath will become surprisingly beautiful and elegant.

For example, the illumination of a mirror is always appropriate: this decision will be to the liking of both men and women. Comfortable light will make any angle successful, so it will be convenient to impose makeup or shave. It is possible to make such lighting additional, to include separately from the ceiling lighting.

Bath - a zone of comfort, additional mood can make the decoration of the area on the borders of the bath and wall or podium for the Jacuzzi( shower).To do this, use built-in designs or diode tapes. For discerning owners with an unusual taste offer a highlight of the water. These options are better discussed with the designer, because they require a more thorough approach to installation.

There are "experts" who believe that when working with LED, the most difficult thing is the installation. Such a statement is not always true, as a rule, this opinion is artificially supported by those who are very little aware of the device and the capabilities of LEDs. Or on the contrary increases the cost of their services. The complexity of mounting directly depends on the type of spots and its application.

The beautiful and effective backlighting is not so easy to install. Measure the desired length, up to 15 meters is enough for 1 transformer and 1 controller, with more you need an additional current converter. After cutting, you need to connect the soldering iron sections, strictly observing the polarity( + and -).

When working with a ribbon of several colors, then the controller is attached to the circuit, and only then the diode band. The scheme of such illumination should be planned in advance because of strict polarity, and also because the tape can not be bent so as not to disrupt the integrity of the circuit.

Silicone coating completely protects against moisture, but can not protect against mechanical damage. The tape can be glued using its adhesive backing. In order to keep the diodes better, it is first necessary to clean the surface, removing any dirt and grease, the metal surface is additionally insulated. You can use it through a simple switch, or you can connect it with a special regulator - a rheostat and even a remote control. Thus, you can not just turn on the backlight, but set the desired brightness of the lighting.

Such work can be done on almost any surface. Used self-tapping screws or special fasteners "molly", reminiscent of dowel-nails. The choice of fastening depends only on the material to which the luminaire is attached. Screws are screwed at once, and for "molly" first a hole is prepared, then the fastener is inserted. This option is quite strong, but does not imply work with suspended structures.

Suspended ceiling with recessed lighting is only possible with pre-conditioning( larger inserts than fixing hole).It should be remembered that the overhead luminaire has its own height, and the hinged structures "steal" a few centimeters, which can be significant for a bathroom. Therefore, this combination of the lamp and the ceiling is rarely used.

Such lamps are distinguished by the fact that the main part of the diode with wires will hide, the upper lens-plafonchik will protrude slightly above the rest of the surface. The initial stage of work is carried out before the installation of the suspension structure( placement of wires, bases).By the same scheme make holes in the canvas, through which the lamps are connected to the cable. The spots for the built-in lighting on the case are provided with pawls which are pressed against the diode body until it sits in the socket. Released paws firmly hold the lamp in the ring on the mortgage.

If one of the operations is performed independently is problematic, it is easier and safer to apply for professional services, rather than be presumptuous. Specialists pay attention to the polarity and tightness of joints, protection from moisture, and also hiding in plastic pipes.

Working with electricity requires certain knowledge and experience, the bathroom is not the place for similar experiments and first experience. The approach must be thorough. But more experienced masters will probably be able to manage themselves. But to show their imagination and originality can anyone, conceiving interesting lighting and nice color lighting. Create your mood yourself, and professionals will be happy to help you in implementing the plans!