Specifications and types of LED lighting

The last years are very popular LED light sources. The fact is that such lamps can be used in a wide variety of conditions, while the quality and brightness of the illumination is much higher than that of incandescent lamps.

It's no secret that LED lamps are activebuilt into cars, machine tools and many other devices. To date, LED lighting in homes is not used very often, but it can safely be said that in many respects it is much better than fluorescent.

Moreover, LEDs are the best options for decorating rooms. It can be confidently shown that with the help of these funds you can really successfully decorate the room even if it has a number of shortcomings. For a long time, LEDs have been used to decorate and illuminate stretch ceilings, as well as gypsum board structures.

In this material we will analyze the main characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of modern LED fixtures. Running a little ahead, you can say with certainty that LED lamps are the most optimal option for a home and for any other places.

The main features of LED lighting fixtures

It should be noted that many people do not recognize LED lights because they have too bright light, and homes often prefer dim lighting that does not irritate the eyesight. However, you need to know that LED lamps have a fairly flexible color temperature. Of course, it's not that easy to find dim LEDs in stores, but nothing is impossible. Mostly LEDs are built into flashlights, which, as you know, should be as bright as possible.

Of course, as a replacement for fluorescent lighting is a good option, but you need to pay attention to the fact that it is often necessary to make a complete replacement of socles. This, of course, does not attract everyone, especially when it comes to lighting large premises, including industrial ones.

If you look at the range of products of most stores, you can understand that often you can find spot lights on the market. They are small in size, and, as already mentioned, they are used for embedding in suspended ceilings. However, as the main lighting of the room - this is not the best option. Large lighting facilities are called spotlights, but they are not used inside the rooms.

Characteristics of LED fixtures

First of all, you need to determine the characteristics of LED fixtures, and only then make a choice in favor of a particular product.

• Power consumption of luminaires: from 3 to 20 W.
• Shade of emitted color: from 2700 to 6700 K.
• Type of execution: E14, E27, G5, G13, GU4, GU5.3.
• Voltage: 12V DC, and up to 220V AC.

In addition, it is worth paying attention to the fact that many fixtures support the function of adjusting the brightness of light. This feature is especially necessary in conditions of energy saving with a large number of fixtures.

Distribution is another important aspect that needs to be focused on. Many point lights, in spite of the external similarity, can illuminate different areas. Of course, this is indicated in the characteristics of fixtures.

Well, separately, it should be noted the design of luminaires with LEDs. Accordingly, it is possible to find overhead light sources, shear, embedded and many others. Depending on this characteristic, the luminaires can be used in a wide variety of conditions, ranging from dwellings to industrial halls.

At home, the E27 socket type is often used. It has the most suitable characteristics and dimensions for convenient integration into the apartments. If we talk about lampshades or night lamps, then it is best to use the socle E14.Smaller lighting options are found in microwave ovens and even refrigerators. Here the decisive factors are the dimensions of the lighting, as well as the brightness.

The E40 socket is most often used for street lighting or industrial buildings. Accordingly, this is the largest option, which can be found in free sale.

If there is a need to replace the fluorescent lamps, use plinths with two contact pins.

As we have already mentioned, most often LED light fixtures are built into suspended ceilings. It is about the designs of the socles, labeled as GU4, GU5.3, GU10, and GU13.In this case, the voltage is from 12 to 24V, so the base cap is extremely thin.

Analysis of the power consumption of

It has already been mentioned that the power of lighting is a rather serious aspect, especially in the context of taking into account every kilowatt of energy. The thing is that LED lights are very often used in industry. Accordingly, such means of lighting can be several hundred, and even thousands. In such conditions, even before acquiring fixtures, it is necessary to make detailed calculations to understand what will be the consumption of electricity.

Obviously, LEDs are significantly more economical than many other lighting products that are used today. On a large scale, their use is the most acceptable option, allowing you to save tens of thousands of rubles.

At home, if you replace all incandescent lamps with LEDs, you can also feel substantial savings. This is especially important if we take into account the constantly growing tariffs for electricity.

Well, the end is worth noting that it is not possible to determine the degree of brightness or light output, even if the power consumption is known.

Specialists advise paying attention to the power consumption in the first place, since it is from this characteristic that what excites ordinary consumers depends.

Variable and constant current source

The LEDs themselves, built into the luminaires, operate on a direct current with a voltage of 12V.In this case, you need to know that often in the schemes there are special drivers that conduct the voltage to the light source itself. Accordingly, the driver can be connected to alternating current with a voltage of 220V to the most common socket. You can also find variants with a constant and alternating voltage from 12 to 24V.

Before buying a lamp, of course, it is worth to clarify the issue of the source of the current. If the choice is made incorrectly, then the LED can simply burn, and thus the spent money can not be returned.

If the LED lamps have a driver, then the risk of light source burnout is extremely low. Such lamps, most often, easily tolerate any voltage fluctuations.

It is also interesting that when the voltage drops, LED lamps practically do not change their brightness. This is another advantage over incandescent lamps, which, under similar conditions, can fade or dynamically blink.

Light emission power of

Many owners who want to purchase LED lamps are interested in the power of light emission. This value is measured in lumens. In order to determine this value, it is necessary to know the ratio of A to Bt.

If we compare incandescent lamps with LED light sources, then, often, we have from 10 to Lm / W.The most common LEDs that are used at home, have a much higher efficiency - from 70 to 90 Lm / W.

There is a table with which you can compare the light ceiling of incandescent lamps and LED light sources:

If you buy an LED lamp in a regular store, often manufacturers do not indicate the packaging immediately and the efficiency and power of the light flux. Accordingly, in this situation, we will need to manually install the necessary information.

Color temperature

As mentioned earlier, people pay attention to this characteristic, who decide to switch to LED lamps. Unlike all the same common incandescent lamps, LED lamps have a really wide range of emitted light. Accordingly, we only need to know what degree of color we need. To do this, you can use the following scheme:

We also talked about that you can often find bright color variants on sale. The thing is that LEDs for many people are a good replacement for incandescent lamps because of the bright daylight color. Accordingly, if there is a need for dim LEDs, it is best to order through the Internet, or directly through the manufacturer.

In general, in order to navigate, remember the following values:

• about 2500K( degrees Kelvin) - the temperature of yellow glow;
• about 5000K - white fluorescent color;
• more than 6000K - cool blue color.

If we talk directly about the practical application of LEDs, then, of course, for home conditions, yellow light is best suited, and for industrial buildings - the other options.

If you use tiny LED lamps that are built into the stretch ceiling, then white is also fine.

The possibility of brightness adjustment

Unlike many light sources, which are already gradually disappearing into the past, LED lamps can be equipped with devices called dimmers. With their help you can adjust the brightness of light. In this case, only the frequency of the diode flashes, but for the human eye, this will not cause any discomfort.

The ability to adjust the luminance of the luminaire is really an important point, which allows you to adjust the most comfortable light in your home, as well as not forgetting about saving energy. Although you will not be able to save much, however, there will still be some effect from the dimmer.

Unfortunately, not all LED light sources can be adjusted to brightness. In some cases, the built-in drivers do not allow you to bow out of the set operating frequency. Obviously, lamps that support brightness adjustment are somewhat more expensive than conventional ones. Accordingly, if there is no need for flexible brightness adjustment, then it is better to abandon this idea simply.

Direction of luminous flux

Unlike incandescent and fluorescent light sources, LED lamps emit light only in one direction, and even in a small sector ahead of themselves. This, of course, is a significant drawback, especially when it comes to the use of LEDs at home.

On the other hand, if you take into account the spread of heat from the lamp, the LEDs are much more attractive. Often the heat goes away in the direction opposite to the light flux. Accordingly, it allows without any problems to use this light source for a stretch ceiling, which under other conditions melts and becomes unusable.

In order to evenly illuminate the entire room, several spotlights are required, installed throughout the entire area of ​​the room.

Disadvantages of LED light sources

As it became clear from the above information, LEDs have many advantages, which, most likely, will lead to a complete replacement of outdated lighting options. Despite this, LEDs have some drawbacks.

• Price issue. Unfortunately, not everyone can decide to purchase LED lamps. The fact is that price tags sometimes discourage buyers. One LED lamp costs as a dozen incandescent lamps. Under such conditions, the choice is obvious.
• Effect on human health. Some experts argue that LED lamps do not have the best effect on human health. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to establish whether this is true, but on the Internet you can find whole articles devoted to the negative effect of LEDs on human health.