How to choose the best LED lamp for home?

Based on modern realities, it can be stated that energy-saving light sources almost replaced incandescent lamps. A key role in this was played by energy saving, durability, as well as reducing the cost of a new generation of LED bulbs (abbreviation from English light emitting diode, which translates as Light-emitting diode). Unlike LN, when choosing LED lamps for the home, not only power should be considered source, as well as its other characteristics, only in this case it is possible to ensure lighting comfort premises. Consider the main criteria that you should pay attention to when buying an LED electric lamp.

We will not consider the device and circuits of diode bulbs, since this information is detailed reflected in other publications on our website, and immediately move on to the main parameters of household LEDs fixtures.

What parameters should be considered?

Given the large number of varieties of LED sources produced by domestic and foreign manufacturers, the selection is made taking into account electrical and operational characteristics. The first include:

1. Rated or equivalent power.
2. Luminous flux level.
3. The parameters of the glow temperature, color rendition and angle of illumination.
4. The magnitude of the operating voltage.
5. Base Type

Performance refers to the life of the device and the manufacturer's warranty. Now briefly consider each of the listed parameters.

About rated and equivalent power

Despite the fact that this parameter is indicated in the labeling, it is incorrect to make a choice based on this criterion only. LED bulbs of the same power can vary significantly in brightness. You can find sources with a power of 6.0 and 10.0 watts, positioned as an alternative to a 60-watt LV.

Many foreign and Russian manufacturers on the packaging indicate power equivalent to the corresponding source with a filament.

As can be seen from the figure, the packaging shows the ratio of power to LN. Despite the fact that such a comparison is quite convenient, we do not recommend selecting LEDs for an apartment, only by the criterion of equivalent power. The fact is that many manufacturers (with it, not only Chinese ones) sin by somewhat overestimating this parameter. That is why an adequate source of illumination can only be selected according to the level of luminous flux, more on this below.

Light level

This term refers to the brightness of the source, for its measurement it is customary to use lumens. To tentatively calculate this value for LN, it is enough to increase its power by an order of magnitude. For example, there is a 75 W source, therefore, the luminous flux emitted by it will be about 750 lm. Accordingly, to replace the source with LED, it is necessary to purchase a device of the appropriate parameters.

Note that for advertising purposes, this parameter can also be overestimated by the manufacturer, and sometimes the real and declared characteristics can diverge by two to three times. As a result, the source, which should correspond to a 75-watt LV, will work like a 40 W lamp.

The actual flow level can only be set using a special light meter device.

Glow temperature, color rendering and lighting angle

The spectrophotometric parameter (color temperature) directly affects the comfort of the light source. Below is a scale where the light source corresponding to a particular color temperature is indicated.

The range from 2000 ° K to 3000 ° K is considered warm light; it is the most comfortable for humans. It is in this range that LNs operate. If you plan to illuminate an apartment or room in warm colors, then the ice bulbs should be of the appropriate color temperature.

For workrooms (offices, trading floors, workshops, etc.) it is better to select LEDs of neutral temperature. Such light favors increased efficiency.

As for the cold spectrum, such lamps are installed in street lamps, and are also used for storage or other utility rooms.

Briefly about color rendering.

For this coefficient, the notation R_A. It reflects how visible the color matches the natural. The lower this indicator, the worse shades are perceived by human vision. In this case, there are discomfort, and it is not immediately possible to determine their cause.

It is believed that an acceptable coefficient of R_A should be at least 80, for good ICE sources it is within these limits. Quality products boast an index close to 90. Unfortunately, unscrupulous manufacturers practice overstating this parameter.

Note that the LN of the coefficient R_BUT no less than 98, which is why theaters use such bulbs for spotlights. On the other hand, high-quality LED sources allow you to visualize stunning lighting effects.

Light scattering.

An ordinary source with LF shines at 360 °, halogen devices form a luminous flux with a small scattering angle, for LED bulbs, not everything is so simple. The design of low-cost LED luminaires is designed in such a way that the hemispherical bulb is made of the same diameter as the body (see In fig. 7). Such a source creates a luminous flux directed only downward. If you install such bulbs in a chandelier, the ceiling of the room will remain unlit.

Such sources are best used for spotlights. For high-quality branded products, this drawback is minimized. This was achieved thanks to models in which a transparent or matte bulb is larger in size than the body (see And in fig. 7). Thanks to this, it was possible to increase the maximum angle of illumination.

Separately, it is necessary to mention the Filament technology, which allowed the use of LED filament as a source. For such samples, the scattering angle is comparable to LN.

Working voltage

This type of light source is designed to be powered from a standard 220 V household network. Since the LEDs used in them are designed for lower voltage, a pulse converter and a stabilizer are installed in the device case. Modern technology will minimize the size of electronic ballast.

Note that high-quality branded products can work with low voltage, for example 110 volts. Most manufacturers do not indicate the permissible voltage range in the characteristics, so the lower limit can only be determined empirically.

In addition, 12 V. power supplies are available. It is characteristic that such devices do not contain electronic ballast and can operate both from constant and alternating current, in the latter case there will be a ripple, the frequency of which will correspond to the frequency power source. To get rid of this, you need to assemble a simple rectifier. Such lamps are often installed in cars with batteries of appropriate voltage.

The rated voltage of the lighting device, as a rule, is indicated both on the package and on the case. This is especially true for devices with standard E27 and E14 caps. If a 220 V bulb is connected to a 12-volt power supply, nothing bad will happen, while 12-volt lamps burn out from high voltage.

Dimming.

Speaking about the rated voltage, it is necessary to touch on the topic of brightness control, dimming. Only 12 volt light sources can control the intensity of the light flux by changing the voltage. This is due to the fact that they do not have a built-in pulse voltage converter.

To realize this possibility in luminaires powered from 220 V, you must purchase dimmable light sources, that is, those that have the ability to control brightness glow. In addition, you will need a special dimmer.

Base Type

In the LED sources can be used as a "classic" socles E27 and E14, as well as other common modifications. The table below shows the most popular socles and their description.

About the period of operation and warranty

Most manufacturers on the packaging optimistically print a long service life of 10-50 thousand hours. It should be borne in mind that this is a marketing move that has nothing to do with reality. Such an inscription is not an indicator of quality and reliability, therefore, we recommend that you first focus on the duration of the warranty. It depends on how long the replacement of a failed product will be made.

But it is not so simple with a warranty replacement, for its implementation it is necessary to provide the product packaging and a sales receipt. Most branded appliances have a warranty of up to 5 years. Lesser known manufacturing companies limit their warranty to a year.
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How to choose a manufacturer?

There is nothing complicated with it, it all depends on the requests. If you want to buy quality products, you should opt for such well-known brands like Ecola, Uniel, Foton, Nichia, Eleganz, etc. The products of such brands are quite reliable and durable. Naturally, for the "solidity" of the light bulb you will have to pay a little more than for non-name products.

Those who prefer the economy option can be advised to purchase products of lesser-known brands, in fact, there are inexpensive Chinese products that are quite acceptable in quality. At the thematic forums you can find detailed reviews and descriptions of both top manufacturers and lesser-known brands.

To avoid the purchase of counterfeit products, check with the seller for a certificate of conformity.

How to choose LED lamps for home?

On the network you can often find questions about which bulbs to choose, which LEDs are better, etc. Give specific answers to such questions, not knowing the conditions of technical operation, and other aspects - a thankless task, so we allow ourselves only a few recommendations:

1. The ripple index should be between 10-30% (the smaller the better).
2. The intensity of the light flux should correspond to the previously used LN. For example, a replacement with an E27 base for an analogue of 100 W is needed, so you need to choose a source with a luminous flux of at least 1000 lm.
3. It should be borne in mind that the electronic ballast heats up during operation, so it is not recommended to install sources in closed shades. Overheating may cause electronic components to malfunction.
4. It is recommended to install warm yellow sources in residential premises.
5. Pay attention to the production date, if it was released more than a year ago, it is better to refrain from buying. This is due to the fact that progress does not stand still, as a rule, new bulbs are more economical and reliable.
6. If economical LED sources fail, and the warranty is over, do not rush to throw them away, repair is quite possible (replacement of tape or electronic components of the ballast).
7. For compatibility, the choice of light bulbs must be done taking into account the socle used in the lamp.
8. The minimum guarantee should be at least a year, if a shorter period is indicated, it is better to refuse the purchase.
9. Pay attention to how the packaging looks, counterfeit products often have problems with the quality of the material and the printing house.
10. After the first start at the source, the intensity of the light flux may change after a few minutes of operation, this is a perfectly acceptable phenomenon, which will disappear after a few hours of operation.
11. Check that the designations on the packaging and on the cabinet are identical.
12. Do not believe the rumors that the use of LED sources is harmful to eyesight, advise those who claim this to familiarize themselves with the lighting standards.