How to choose an LED strip for ceiling lighting and room lighting: characteristics of lighting fixtures

Interior design took it to the next level exactly when the LED strip was invented. Flexible, malleable and maneuverable, it allows you to decorate almost any element of the room, be it the ceiling, walls or mirrors. The 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

A diode strip is an element of lighting equipment, consisting of a flexible strip-board, into which small LEDs are mounted. These elements are located at the same distance from each other. Most appliances are equipped with self-adhesive tapeallowing you to easily install the lighting fixture on the surface.

Today, backlighting exists in a wide variety of variations. All colors, shades and any power are available to customers. Among the many options, it will be difficult for an inexperienced user to choose the right lighting. In order not to be mistaken 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 appliances fall into two categories. In some, a diode of the SMD 3028 format is used. The latter are equipped with an SMD 5050 element.

The abbreviation SMD itself is an abbreviation for Surface Mounted Device, which is translated from English as "surface mounted device". The creators of the device decided not to rack their brains with the name and captured the main characteristic of the panel in it - an element firmly soldered to the board.

The number after this abbreviation describes the physical characteristics of the diode itself. 3028 - symbolic designation of an element with 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 slightly lower. The 5050 diode consists of three crystals, and the 3028 diode consists of one. Accordingly, their brightness will differ. 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, where both types of diodes are captured.

Manufacturers often indicate the brightness of the luminous flux on the packaging. It is measured in lumens. Typically 3028 diodes are labeled 4.5 lumens and 5050 diodes 12 lumens.

Light color and temperature

In addition to brightness and power, ceiling LED devices are distinguished by color. The tint produced 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 conventional white light boards. The light from such diodes can be either cold or 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 on contact with ultraviolet radiation, just like in fluorescent lamps. Therefore, the white board can be called a miniature fluorescent lamp.

It should be remembered that with heavy use, the white tape will gradually lose brightness. For about a year of service, such lighting dims by 20%.

Colored boards seem very original. But it is not recommended to use such light as lighting for living quarters. It is better to give preference to unobtrusive white or homemade yellowish.

For those who cannot decide on a color, there are RGB tapes that combine three primary colors. Such a board is equipped with red, blue and green LEDs, allowing you to create a wide variety of shades of light. When all three elements are turned on, the tape lights up white. This is due to the laws of physics. But the user can select the rest of the shades on his own using the remote control.

Number of active elements

Another important characteristic of the tape is the frequency of the diodes in one gap of the board. There are several options for devices.

Some belts are equipped with one row of equally spaced elements. There are also those on which the diodes are soldered in two rows. This option allows you to create intense lighting using devices of short length. The type is very convenient for decorating small interior elements - shelves, niches, paintings.

The more elements are 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 diode 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 building facades.

Among the advantages of the device, it should be noted:

• economical energy consumption;
• harmonious and uniform glow;
• service life (more than ten years);
• maneuverability during installation;
• low temperature during operation;
• Fire safety;
• the ability to adjust the length of the board.

Flexible tape will help decorate any room and surface. But such a popular device is 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 dwelling. The lighting here should not be too bright and energy intensive. Therefore, it will be inappropriate to use bright and powerful tapes in the hallway.

Ideal for corridor SMD 3028as well as 3528. A plus will be the remote control, which allows you to change the brightness depending on the time of day. Low power tapes can help save a family's budget.

The color of the diodes can be selected at your discretion. The interior itself and its colors will be key here. 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 floor covering by placing a luminous panel around the perimeter of the skirting board.

Mirrors with a luminous frame look harmoniously. The advantage of this option will be the reflection of light and its multiplication due to the mirror surface.

Bathroom and lighting in it

LED strip has long gone beyond the corridor and living room, becoming an excellent fixture for bathrooms. Thanks to its special sealed design, the diode board can be safely installed in the wettest rooms.

The tape can be used both as the main light source and as additional equipment. The power of the board is selected according to the same parameters. For dim 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 device with the IP68 mark can withstand immersion in water to a depth of one meter. This tape is useful for lighting washbasins, bathroom rims.

In places where the contact of the device with water will be minimal, it is sufficient to use IP65. This tape can withstand dripping, steam and moisture, but is not used for decorating washbasins. It is ideal for lighting ceilings, walls and cabinets. Remember that IP65 is not completely sealed. Only diodes, the front of the board and contacts are protected from water. Therefore, the distance from the source of moisture to the device must be at least 3 meters.

Bedroom and children's room

It is wise to use bright appliances in these areas. You need a lot of light in the bedrooms. But instead of using ten 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 brightness, but also 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 your baby up for study. The night light mode, which gives diffused dim lighting, will also be an advantage. RGB + W tape will satisfy all the needs of the dwellers in the bedroom.

Living room and kitchen decor

There should be a lot of light in these rooms. It is recommended to divide the room into zones and light them separately. This will save energy, as well as decorate every corner of the living room in a unique style.

In the living room, not only the illumination of the ceiling with LED strip looks harmonious, but also the small elements decorated with it. For example, bookshelves and paintings. RGB tape 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 not only help to decorate the room, but will also protect the eyes. The advantages of the device do not end there. Special sensors allow you to adjust the lighting without distracting 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 strenuous work is undesirable.

Diode ceiling lighting is a great way to decorate the interior with original lighting solutions. The key to the installation will be choosing the right fixture. The description of the characteristics will help an inexperienced master not to make a mistake when choosing a tape.