How to choose an LED strip for lighting niches and ceilings
Interior design has risen to a new level exactly when the LED strip was invented. Flexible, plastic and maneuverable, it allows you to decorate almost any element of the room, whether it be a ceiling, walls or mirrors. Tape is easy to work with. It is enough to choose the right LED strip for lighting the ceiling and correctly fit it into the environment.
What is LED strip
Diode tape - an element of lighting equipment, consisting of a flexible tape-board, in which small LEDs are mounted. These elements are located at the same distance from each other. Most appliances are equipped with self-adhesive tape, allowing you to easily install the lighting device on the surface.
Today, lighting exists in a variety of variations. All colors, shades and any power are available to buyers. Among the many options, it will be difficult for an inexperienced user to choose the right lighting. In order not to make a mistake with the choice, you should understand the main characteristics of the device.
Types of Diodes Used
The main difference between all tapes is the type of lighting element used. The most popular devices fall into two categories. Some use a SMD 3028 format diode. The second are equipped with an SMD 5050 element.
The abbreviation SMD itself is an abbreviation for Surface Mounted Device, which translates from English as a “surface-mounted device”. The creators of the device decided not to rack their brains with the name and imprinted in it the main characteristic of the panel - an element firmly soldered to the board.
The number after this abbreviation describes the physical characteristics of the diode itself. 3028 - symbol of an element having a size of 3x2.8 mm. It is easy to conclude that the 5050 is a tape with a 5x5 mm diode.
Since the first option is smaller in size, its power is somewhat lower. The 5050 diode has three chips, while the 3028 has one. Accordingly, their brightness will be different. To measure the difference between the two types, special measuring instruments are needed. You can notice the differences without additional equipment by comparing them in the photo, which shows both types of diodes.
Often, manufacturers indicate the brightness of the luminous flux on the packaging. It is measured in lumens. As a rule, 3028 diodes are marked 4.5 lumens, and 5050 - 12 lumens.
Color and temperature of light
In addition to brightness and power, LED ceiling fixtures are distinguished by color. The hue emitted by a diode depends on the type of die used to create a particular board.
Today there are four colors of lighting elements:
- blue,
- red,
- yellow,
- green.
Of course, there are also regular boards with white light. Light from such diodes can be both cold and warm. Since a crystal that emits white light does not exist in nature, a blue element is used to create a white ribbon. From above, such a diode is covered with a phosphor. This substance glows when it comes into contact with ultraviolet light, just like fluorescent lamps. Therefore, a white board can be called a miniature fluorescent lamp.
It should be remembered that with intensive use, the white tape gradually loses its brightness. In about a year of service, such lighting dims by 20%.
Color boards seem very original. But it is not recommended to use such light as lighting for residential premises. It is better to give preference to unobtrusive white or home yellowish.
For those who can't decide on a color, there are RGB strips that combine the three primary colors. Such a board is equipped with red, blue and green diodes, allowing you to create a variety of shades of light. When all three elements are turned on, the tape lights up with white light. This is due to the laws of physics. But the rest of the shades can be selected by the user using the remote control.
Number of active elements
Another important characteristic of the tape is the frequency of the diodes on one gap of the board. There are several instrument options.
Some tapes are equipped with one row of elements located at an equal distance. There are also those on which the diodes are soldered in two rows. This option allows you to create intense lighting using devices of small length. The type is very convenient for decorating small interior elements - shelves, niches, paintings.
The more elements will be mounted in one meter of the tape, the brighter the light emitted by it will be. However, the cost varies depending on the number of LEDs. The brighter the device, the more expensive it will cost.
Benefits of LED Lighting
The popularity of diode lighting is due to the mass of positive reviews and the scale of the use of ribbons in decor. They are used to illuminate living rooms, offices, commercial buildings and even to illuminate the facades of buildings.
Among the advantages of the device should be noted:
The flexible tape will help to decorate any rooms and surfaces. But such a popular device was not without some drawbacks.
Cons of newfangled lighting:
- high price;
- the maximum length of one segment is 5 meters;
- the need to purchase a power supply.
Options for different rooms
Most often, diode lighting is used to illuminate the ceiling. It is not difficult to choose an LED strip for a living space. It is enough to take into account the features of the interior and the size of the room.
Ceiling in the hallway
The corridor is a kind of periphery of the living space. Lighting here should not be too bright and energy intensive. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to use bright and powerful ribbons in the hallway.
SMD 3028 is ideal for the corridor, as well as 3528. A plus will be a remote control that allows you to change the brightness depending on the time of day. Tapes with low power will help save the family budget.
The color of the diodes can be chosen at your discretion. Here the key will be the interior itself and its color scheme. With the help of diffused light, you can decorate not only the ceiling, but also other elements. For example, niches and doorways. The tape is also used to illuminate the flooring by placing a luminous panel around the perimeter of the baseboard.
Mirrors with a luminous frame look harmonious. The advantage of this option will be the reflection of light and its multiplication due to the mirror surface.
Bathroom and lighting in it
The LED strip has long gone beyond the hallway and living room, becoming a great fixture for bathrooms. Thanks to special hermetic designs, the diode board can be safely installed in the most humid rooms.
The tape can be used both as the main light source and as an additional equipment. According to the same parameters, the power of the board is selected. To create subdued lighting, SMD 3028 is suitable. If additional devices are not used in the room, preference should be given to more powerful types.
IP67 and IP68 are fully sealed board type. The IP68 rated device can withstand immersion in water up to a depth of one meter. Such a tape is useful for lighting washbasins, bathroom sides.
In places where the contact of the device with water will be minimal, it is enough to use IP65. Such a tape can withstand drops, steam and moisture, but is not used for decorating washbasins. It is ideal for lighting ceilings, walls and cabinets. Please note that IP65 is not completely sealed. Only the diodes, the front of the board and the contacts are protected from water. Therefore, from the source of moisture to the device must be at least 3 meters.
Bedroom and children's room
In these rooms it is reasonable to use bright devices. Lots of light in the bedrooms. But instead of using a dozen meters of tape, it is better to give preference to adjustable devices.
It is optimal if with the help of a dimmer it will be possible to control not only the brightness, but also the color. This is especially true for rooms where children sleep. Bright colors will help create a mood in the nursery, and the ability to turn on the white light will set the baby up for learning. The advantage will be the night light mode, which gives diffused dim lighting. The RGB + W tape will satisfy all the needs of the inhabitants of the bedroom.
Living room and kitchen decor
There should be plenty of light in these rooms. It is recommended to divide the room into zones and light them separately. So it will be possible to save energy, as well as decorate every corner of the living room in a unique style.
In the living room, not only the ceiling lighting with LED strip looks harmonious, but also small elements decorated with it. For example, bookshelves and paintings. The RGB ribbon will allow you to choose the color of the light depending on the event.
In the kitchen, it is advisable to highlight work surfaces and wall cabinets. Diffused light will help not only decorate the room, but also protect the eyes. The advantages of the device do not end there. Special sensors allow you to adjust the lighting without being distracted from work if your hands are dirty.
For kitchen decor, it is better to choose neutral unobtrusive colors. The original options will decorate the room, but their prolonged exposure to the eyes during hard work is undesirable.
Diode ceiling lighting is a great way to decorate the interior with original lighting solutions. The key point in the installation will be the choice of the correct device. A description of the characteristics will help an inexperienced master not to make a mistake when choosing a tape.