Ceiling lighting with LED strip - let's create a unique lighting design ourselves. Ceiling lighting with LED strip: advantages, choice by degree of illumination, type of LED, color and density, installation and connection How to make an LED ceiling

Ceiling lighting with LED strip is an original design solution that allows you to give the ceiling area a unique look. In order for this ceiling design technique to be stylish and appropriate, it is necessary to study the subtleties of its placement and the most advantageous design techniques.

Peculiarities

LED strip is a functional lighting device with a lot of diode lamps. The design consists of a base with an adhesive surface and a protective film. Some varieties are attached to the ceiling using plastic brackets. At the very base there are auxiliary components, a contact pad and LEDs. To ensure uniform lighting, light sources are placed at the same distance from each other.

This material is quite flexible, the tape is sold in reels that prevent the formation of creases, and has cutting lines. It is an auxiliary lighting, although the power of this lighting device often allows it to replace the central lighting. The power consumption of 1 m of tape ranges from 4.8 to 25 W.

In this case, the number of LEDs per 1 m can range from 30 to 240 pieces. Its uniqueness lies in its efficiency: a 10-meter-long piece consumes less energy than a conventional incandescent lamp.

Resistors eliminate the possibility of a voltage surge; they limit the flow of current. The width of the tape can reach 5 cm. The size of the LEDs also varies, so some varieties shine brighter than others. If it is necessary to increase the intensity of the ceiling lighting, sometimes an additional row of diodes is soldered to the strip.

Based on their tightness, LED strips are divided into three types:

• not having tightness (for ordinary premises);
• with an average degree of protection from moisture (for rooms with high humidity);
• in silicone, resistant to water (for the bathroom).

On the modern market, such products are presented in the form of classic white strips, RGB varieties and single-color backlighting.

Advantages

LED backlighting in the form of a strip is convenient and of high quality.

It is a sought-after ceiling design tool for several reasons:

• is an impeccable technique for updating the interior composition of any room;
• sets a unique atmosphere for any room;
• features an even and soft directional glow without flicker or noise;
• attaches directly to the ceiling;
• significantly saves energy consumption;
• has an attractive design;

• durable - has a service life of about 10 years;
• distinguished by the ability to choose a color shade for the interior composition;
• due to its flexibility it can take any shape;
• harmless, does not emit toxic substances into the air during operation;
• fireproof;
• does not affect TV and communication signals (does not create interference).

Such a ribbon can be a decoration for any room in your home.

You can decorate the ceiling with it:

• living room;
• children's;
• hallway;
• corridor;
• bathroom;
• bay window area;

• kitchens;
• work office;
• home library;
• glazed loggia;
• balcony;
• storage rooms.

LED strip lighting is affordable. It is easy to install; you can install it yourself, without involving outside specialists.

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Criterias of choice

LED strip lighting has a lot of varieties. Before purchasing, determine the type of lighting.

If this tape will serve as general lighting, all lighting fixtures are removed from the ceiling. Then several tapes of higher power are fixed on the ceiling, placing them around the perimeter, as well as behind the stretch ceiling film (a costly method). To emphasize the contours, this self-adhesive lighting is fixed around the perimeter of the niches, creating diffused light and the visual effect of increasing the space.

If you need to highlight a figured protrusion, you can partially repeat its shape, which is especially important for suspended structures. At the same time, the flexibility of the tape does not limit the curvature of the line.

If the ceiling lighting is planned to be repeated, for example, by highlighting the shape of a mirror or the lining of a kitchen apron, varieties are purchased that are identical in glow. In order to choose the right LED strip and not get confused in the wide range of the presented assortment, you need to decide on the type of fastening, the shade of the glow, the power of the light sources and their number. The design idea also matters, on which the final effect of light transmission depends.

Therefore, when purchasing, you should even pay attention to the backing: you don’t want it to be conspicuous. It is purchased to match the color of the main background of the ceiling. She can be not only white. On the market for similar products you can find options with a brown, gray and even transparent base.

Shade of glow

Ribbons are not simply divided into plain and colored. In the first case, these are light bulbs that burn exclusively in one shade (for example, white, blue, yellow, orange, green). In addition, these varieties can emit infrared and ultraviolet light. The second ones are a strip with built-in light bulbs that can glow in different colors alternately or simultaneously. The different capabilities of the tapes affect the price: options with a light switching mode are more expensive.

Power and density

If the main requirement for backlighting is the brightness of the luminous flux, you should purchase a product with a smaller gap between the diodes. In this case, electricity consumption will be greater than that of varieties with sparse bulbs. If the lighting in the ceiling design will only have a decorative function, it is enough to buy an LED system to decorate the ceiling area - a system with the number of LEDs per 1 m of about 30-60 pieces. For the main lighting, a strip with a number of bulbs of 120-240 pieces per 1 m length is suitable.

In this case, a nuance is important: the more spacious the room, the larger the width of the tape should be. A narrow option on a high ceiling of a large area will be lost. It is better to decorate the ceiling area with a wide variety of LEDs in 2 rows.

Studying the board

In fact, everything is simple here: the abbreviation SMD indicated on the tape means “surface mount device”. There are 4 numbers next to the letters: this is the length and width of one LED. Of the options presented, the most relevant choices are parameters 3020 (3 x 2 mm), 3528 (3.5 x 2.8 mm), 5050 (5 x 5 mm). The larger the diodes and the density of their placement, the brighter they shine. Each type of belt has a different capacity. For example, SMD 3528 with 60 diodes per 1 m consumes 4.8 W, if there are 120 light sources, the power is 9.6 W. If there are 240 of them, the consumption is 19.6 W.

Footage

The meter of the tape depends on the perimeter of the ceiling plane being pasted. Since LEDs differ in the intensity of their glow, they are not bought at random: if the space is small, excess light will hit the eyes. Simply put, a total of 11 watts will replace a 100 watt incandescent light bulb.

To select the light level, measure the required footage of the illuminated area using a tape measure. After this, the resulting figure is multiplied by the power of 1 m of tape. This value will allow you to decide on the purchase of a power supply or controller if you plan to purchase a strip with multi-colored light bulbs to decorate the ceiling.

As a rule, the length of tape for ceiling lighting is 5 meters, although today such a product can be purchased in shorter lengths.

Protection class

Each type of LED strip is designed to decorate the ceiling of different types of rooms.

Returning to the topic of notation, it is worth considering the marks:

• IP 20 is a label indicating the possibility of using LED strips in dry rooms (living rooms, children's rooms, work rooms, corridors).
• IP 65 is an indicator indicating that the board can withstand contact with moisture; it can be used in “wet” areas (places where leaks are possible from neighbors above).
• IP 68 – category with insulation.

When purchasing, it is worth considering that varieties with a silicone layer are not suitable for decorating the ceiling, as they conceal the intensity of the light flux and force the substrate to heat up, which provokes heating of the surface of the ceiling finish.

Installation

Installing LED backlighting with your own hands is easy. However, before installation, it is worth considering the fact that the tapes dissipate some of the energy in the form of heat. Therefore, before fixing and connecting the lighting, in some rooms it is necessary to consider insulation. For higher power diodes this may be an aluminum substrate. If the backlight power is low, the lamp is needed as decorative lighting; insulation is not necessary.

Into the baseboard

This method is convenient because the lighting can be mounted on the ceiling after the ceiling covering has been installed. The main task is to purchase a skirting board that is attractive in appearance, but it is important to take into account that it is not thin. This can cause the backlight to lose its expressiveness. At the beginning of work, a plinth is attached to the ceiling using reliable glue (for example, liquid nails), leaving a channel about 8 - 10 cm from the ceiling. To ensure that the cornice is level, you can mark it using a level.

After the glue has set and dried, begin installing the tape. To do this, clean the surface of the plinth, remove the adhesive layer from the back of the backlight, and attach it to the ceiling or the back of the plinth in the gap left. If laying the self-adhesive tape seems unreliable, you can glue it in several places with silicone glue or double-sided tape. All that remains is to connect the power supply, and for multi-colored varieties, the RGB box, taking into account the polarity. After checking the voltage in the system, you can connect the tape to a 220V power supply.

In a plasterboard cornice

You can hide the lighting in a plasterboard box while installing the ceiling. At the time of construction of the system, an open or closed niche is created for laying the built-in strip lighting. The box structure is made according to markings, connecting load-bearing profiles with CD elements to the walls, forming a niche. In this case, whatever the system is (single-level, two-level or multi-level), it is necessary to mount it with a gap of 10 cm in order to ensure the passage of light from the LEDs.

Sheets of plasterboard are placed on the frame, leaving a niche for strip lighting. The perimeter of the box is covered with a side (cornice), which will subsequently hide the fastening of the tape. The seams are masked, primed and painted, then the self-adhesive backlight is mounted directly on the drywall. Fixation is carried out in such a way that the light of the LEDs is directed from bottom to top. After observing the polarity, the system must be connected to the current conductors.

Design

Ceiling decoration using LED strip is varied. It depends on creativity, the design of the ceiling, the presence of protrusions, patterns and the type of lamps. The light strip can be located around the perimeter of the ceiling and can be a decorative element for multi-level structures. There are many options for its location, in each case it creates an individual effect.

The lighting of the ceiling with LED strip looks especially interesting, participating in emphasizing the protrusions of the structures. For example, the lighting of the second level with a combination of strip and central lamp will be beautiful. At the same time, they try to select the backlight in such a way that its shade matches the temperature of the central light.

The tape, hidden in a niche of the suspended structure, will emphasize the desired area of ​​the ceiling, due to which you can zone the room. For example, in this way you can highlight a dining area in a living room combined with a dining room. The same technique can advantageously accentuate the guest area, creating a special atmosphere in it due to the color shade.

The illumination of the curly lines of a certain part of the ceiling composition looks beautiful. This can be a single-color coating or a stretch ceiling design with photo printing. The use of diode strip around the perimeter of the picture gives the image volume and a special effect. Lighting small prints changes their perception and is a tool for adding the right mood to the interior. Such lighting makes the ceiling visually wider and lighter, even if the structure consists of several levels.

The texture of the ceiling covering also matters. For example, LED strip lighting is reflected in a glossy canvas, visually adding light to the space, which is especially important for rooms with north-facing windows and spaces with small window openings. Directing the diodes upward creates a soft light; mounting to the side of the niche provides a directed flow and a “floating ceiling” effect.

Installing a tape between the coating material and the base creates the illusion of a glow from within. A complex technique is to create designer lighting using a strip inside a stretch ceiling. Often, for such systems, additional threads with a glow source at the ends of the fibers are used.

To make the backlight as correct as possible, the cut locations must be fixed using a connector or soldering iron. In this case, you cannot act on the material for more than 10 seconds. In single-color varieties, it is necessary to connect the “+” and “–” contacts.

In RGB type boards, the contacts are combined based on color and markings, where:

• R stands for red;
• G – green;
• B – blue;
• 4 contact = 12 or 24 V.

Some time ago, the only source of light on the ceiling was a chandelier; many had no idea about decorative lighting. Nowadays, this situation has changed radically. Nowadays, various finishing materials have appeared for beautiful ceiling decoration (for example: suspended ceilings, etc.), which make it possible to create a variety of lighting designs with your own hands. We will talk about LED strip that will complement any room and make it cozy.

As for the various lamps, it needs to be clarified that when designing a lighting design, one should remember about the subsequent operation of lighting devices, namely, replacing lamps. In hard-to-reach places, frequent replacement of lamps can make their operation a nightmare.

Or the worst option - dismantling and replacing the lamps - this, you see, is more than serious. Therefore, it is better to pay close attention to the LED strip, especially since it can last even more than 10 years.

The LED strip is presented in the form of a flat flexible base with current-conducting tracks; diodes are applied to this base. Let's look at the undeniable advantages of LED strip. So.

Advantages

• Easy DIY installation.
• Quite a long service life (about 50,000 hours).
• Low cost.
• Varied choice of colors.
• Flexible LED strip consumes a minimal amount of electricity, which makes it the most profitable in terms of savings.
• This type of lighting is mechanically strong, so when installing the tape you don’t need to worry that it can break, like a fluorescent or neon lamp.

PLEASE NOTE: Along with LED strips, you can use control systems (controllers) that can change the backlight in speed, color and brightness. This technique will help you achieve the best results in your ceiling design.

Choosing an LED strip for the ceiling

In order to purchase the right strip for ceiling lighting, you should understand the following differences:

Illumination level

LED strip can be divided into waterproof and non-waterproof. Waterproof tape usually manufactured with a protective class of at least IP44. If the protection class is a lower figure, then, accordingly, such a tape can be considered not waterproof.

LED type

The most common LED strips are SMD5050 and SMD3528, where 5050 and 3528 are the type of diodes, and SMD is the installation type of the element.

PLEASE NOTE: The SMD5050 LED strip is the most powerful and, accordingly, the most expensive.

Color

Everything is quite simple here, the ribbons can be one-color:

• white;
• blue;
• green;
• yellow;
• red, etc.

Also, tapes can be full-color RGB, which change their colors.

Diode Density

The most popular tapes have a density of 120, 60 and 30 diodes per meter. The higher the density, the greater the brightness.

• The main issue in choosing an LED strip for the ceiling is its cost. If your financial situation is limited, then you can give preference to single-color SMD3528 tape without moisture protection with 60 diodes per meter.
• But this begs the question, why not buy an RGB tape, which often costs the same as a single-color tape? The answer to this remark is simple - you need to purchase a controller for this tape, otherwise the tape will emit a white color.
• If you simply don’t care about the financial issue, then you can buy SMD5050 tape with a density of 30 diodes per meter or SMD3528 with a density of 120 diodes per meter.

TIP: There is no point in purchasing LED strip with a higher density. This can be explained by the fact that tapes with a higher density are used for functional lighting, but we are discussing contour (decorative) lighting.

• The tape should be selected in accordance with the specific situation - you need to take into account the ceiling distance and the color of the main lighting source. So, color is a very important point: blue can seem dull and cold even on a powerful tape, while green is more acceptable to the eye.

IMPORTANT: It is not recommended to buy the cheapest LED strip. Practice shows that after a short period of time, the color balance may be disrupted. This happens due to intense degradation of the diodes, and in some cases the diodes simply burn out.

• Naturally, it’s up to you to decide which waterproof tape to purchase. But if there is a possibility that your upstairs neighbors could flood you, then it is recommended to pay attention to silicone insulated tape.

Installation of LED strip on the ceiling

The procedures for installing the tape on the ceiling are quite simple. The main point is to cut it and connect it correctly. Since the tape is sold in spools of 5 meters, it makes more sense to cut it into convenient lengths. In this case, the tape must be cut in the marked special places.

PLEASE NOTE: For different types of LED strips, the cutting ratio may be different.

Often, ceiling lighting is done in this way: a protrusion in the ceiling (a kind of cornice) is made from plasterboard material, on which the tape is installed. In this case, light is emitted from bottom to top. In order to attach the tape, the surface should be thoroughly prepared, that is, cleaned of dirt and dust (see). Next, the protective film is removed from the LED strip and the strip is pressed to the base.

The order of connecting the tape

• So, you need to connect the light cord to the N and L contacts of the power supply, in case it does not come with a power cord.
• Also, the controller should be connected to the power supply if an RGB strip is used. In this case, polarity must be observed.
• The tape is connected to the controller, and using a single-color tape directly to the power supply.

IMPORTANT: Polarity must always be observed. Double-check that the voltages of the controller, power supply and tape match (they are usually 24, 12 and 5 V).

At first glance, it seems that this is quite a difficult job, but almost anyone can do it with their own hands. To install such a tape, you don’t need special skills and you don’t have to be an electrician; you will certainly get excellent results.

Conclusion

Before writing all of the above, information was carefully collected, which is quite enough to decide which tape to use. In addition to this, you can find a video on the Internet and see some details on installing the LED strip.

Ceiling lighting with LED strip combines functionality, practicality and aesthetics, creating a wonderful mood. Illuminated ceilings can radically transform a room, displaying an exceptionally personal design. A ceiling that emits light will give your room a memorable and bright look.

The most fashionable request for lighting in an apartment is “How to install LED strips for ceiling lighting.” Every year, the demand for LED lighting is growing steadily. What is this, fashion trends or common sense?

LEDs have a number of advantages over other lighting sources:

• Optimal spectrum (as close as possible to daylight);
• ability to choose colors;
• possibility of zone lighting;
• reduces energy costs;
• high service life.

Ceiling lighting can be used as primary, additional (night) and decorative lighting.

If LEDs serve as the main lighting, it is necessary to comply with sanitary standards so as not to harm your health.

The required illumination of a room depends on its purpose. The optimal parameters according to SNiP are shown in the table below.

Knowing the required lighting, you need to select the LED strip and power driver.

The most popular are LED strips based on SMD 3528 and SMD 5050 modules. Detailed technical characteristics of these LEDs can be found.

Both options suit us. SMD 5050 will require a shorter length (but is more expensive) due to its increased brightness. Let's look at the calculation using an example.

Calculation of ceiling lighting with LED strip

Let's look at the calculation of backlight using a specific example. Input data:

• Room - 20 m2;
• LED strip SMD 5050.

Method I

LED strip SMD 5050 white 60 led per 1 m has a luminous flux of 800 lumens per linear meter (characteristics of popular LED strips are collected at the end of the article). With a room area of ​​20 square meters, the illumination from 1 meter of tape will be 40 lux (800 lumens / 20 square meters).

For a living room or kitchen, a comfortable illumination level of 150 lux. Let's multiply it by the ceiling height coefficient:

• up to 2.7m - 1;
• 2.7 - 3m - 1.2;
• 3 - 3.5m - 1.5.

This means you will need the following tape:

150Lx / 40Lx * 1 = 4 meters

But with the length of the tape being 4 meters, it is difficult to evenly position it around the perimeter of the room. Let's use another calculation method, based on a fixed length of tape (along the entire perimeter of the room).

Method II

With room dimensions of 5 by 4 meters, the perimeter length is 18 m. Based on the need for 150 lux, we use the following formula:

Required tape brightness(lumen/m.p) = required illumination * room area / room perimeter

Required tape brightness = 150 * 20 / 18 = 170 lumen/m.p.

Considering that this is not a direct light flux, but reflected from the ceiling, we add 10-20% to compensate.

170 * 1,2 = 200 lm/m.p

In total, we need an LED strip with a brightness of 200 lumens/m.p., for example SMD 3528 60 pcs/m. with a brightness of 240 lm/m.p.

The total power of such a tape 18 m long will be 4.8 W/m * 18 = 86.4 W. We take plus 25% of the power reserve:

86.4 * 1.25 = 110 W

All that remains is to select the driver.

Driver calculation for LED strip

Choosing a suitable power supply for an LED strip is very simple. LED power is designed for:

• Supply voltage – 12V (less often 24V). The required voltage is indicated in the accompanying documentation (on the packaging);
• Current consumption is indicated on the packaging based on 1m. On average 0.02A per 1 LED.

If the current consumption is not indicated, multiply the current of 1 LED 0.02A (SMD 3528) by the number of diodes per 1 m (60 pcs) and by the length of the strip (18 m).

0.02 * 60 * 18 = 21.6A

Final parameters of the power supply: 110+ W and 22+ A.

It would be more rational to divide the entire circuit into 2-4 circuits with several power supplies of lower power.

Connection diagram of the LED strip to the power supply

Do not connect several tapes in series with a total length of more than 5 m. The manufacturer sets the thickness of the conductive tracks on the tape based on the maximum section length of 5 m.

Following from the above, connect the tapes to the driver only in parallel!

Errors when calculating ceiling lighting

On websites dedicated to LED lighting, even basic concepts are often confused. Some people calculate LED lighting in watts, which is fundamentally incorrect, since the light output of each type of matrix is ​​different. Some try to compare the lux of a diode and an incandescent lamp, which is also incorrect.

The power of the lighting device does not matter to us; it is the efficiency of the light source and is used only for comparative recalculation.

Recommendations of 4-5 W/m2 for an LED lamp should be ignored. The luminous flux at this power can be from 180 to 330 lumens per 1 meter (depending on the LED matrix). With a room area of ​​20 square meters, the total illumination will be from 3600 to 6600 lumens. The difference is almost 2 times.

For ease of calculation, we have compiled comparative tables of several popular types of SMD tapes.

Characteristics of LED strips
Tape type	Diodes per meter	Power P, W/m	Voltage U, V	Brightness, Lm/m
SMD 3528	60	4,8	12	240
	120	9,6	12	440
	240	19,2	12	880
SMD 5050	60	12	12	800
	120	24	12	1600

Be sure to pay attention to the country of manufacture. Brightness values ​​may vary significantly among different manufacturers.

Let's take the popular SMD 3528 (neutral white) 60 pcs/m as an example.

Chinese diodes are 1.5 times dimmer than Taiwanese ones and 2 times weaker than European products. Many will argue that they cost 4-5 times less than the “European” ones. You can’t argue with this, but the price of a normal driver for a strip will handle 10 meters of super-budget LEDs.

To make a table lamp, this is a completely decent option, but for lighting an apartment, buying a child from heaven is simply not profitable.

Mounting options

How to install LED strips for ceiling lighting? It depends on what the tape will be mounted on.

Method of mounting LEDs, depending on the base for the LEDs

In principle, installation options are limited only by flights of fancy. But it is advisable to take into account that the LED is a point source of high brightness with a small scattering angle and is unpleasant to look at directly. Therefore, during installation it is necessary to provide a light barrier, which in standard schemes is a baguette, plasterboard or a mounting strip for a suspended ceiling.

Instead of mono, you can use multi-color (RGB) tape, which will serve as night illumination.

The ceiling lighting of a stretch ceiling, placed BEHIND the ceiling canvas, depends on the material of the canvas. If it is dense or dark in color, its light transmittance is low, and ribbons placed above the fabric are only suitable for night illumination.

Illumination of a stretch ceiling using translucent materials, and even with the application of images, allows you to create a unique atmosphere in any home.

It is worth mentioning separately the “starry sky” stretch ceiling option. How to illuminate the ceiling with LED strip depends on the design features of this solution. There are two types of technical execution of such decor - static and dynamic.

Static- when the design is applied to translucent fabric. In this case, the lighting is placed around the periphery, and, if necessary, on the ceiling itself.

Dynamic- in terms of the design of the picture, it can be completely identical, but a system of fiber optic conductors is mounted above the fabric, transmitting the signal from the projector. Thanks to this, the natural twinkling of stars and the effect of complete immersion are achieved.

How dynamic ceiling lighting is performed

LED ceiling lighting is a completely justified solution. Despite the relatively high initial costs, this type of lighting in an apartment will be pleasing to the eye, and will pay off in the future due to a significant reduction in energy consumption for lighting the apartment.

Sometimes during the process of renovating an apartment, very interesting ideas come to mind on how to decorate the ceiling. Some of them are related to lighting. Often, designers or even the owners of residential premises themselves decide that a ceiling illuminated along the perimeter would look very attractive. And to implement this idea, you will need an LED strip.

Why do you need backlighting?

Ceiling lighting using LEDs is now one of the most commonly used design solutions. If you decide to completely transform the rooms in your home, then she will help you do it with the greatest effect.

On a note! The first experiments with LED lighting began in the not so distant 70s of the twentieth century - it was then that LEDs themselves appeared on the market. But at that time they were not yet of such quality that would allow them to be used in residential premises for the purpose of organizing lighting, as they irritated the eyes.

Previously, only sconces were used as additional lighting or illumination in rooms; later, spotlights appeared. However, it is LEDs that have proven themselves to be the most successful option for installing hidden lighting - after all, you don’t always want light sources to be visible to everyone. In addition, LEDs allow you to implement extremely interesting lighting options, and not only additional, but also primary.

What is so good about LED ceiling lighting?

1. It allows you to implement the idea of ​​​​hidden lighting - the light source, that is, the LED strip, is laid out so that it is not noticeable to humans, but at the same time it gives a lot of light and creates a luminous aura in the room.
2. This type of lighting is easy to install yourself.
3. LED backlighting in certain cases can act as the main light source.
4. This is an opportunity to bring to life the most daring fantasies and design solutions regarding the play of light and color.
5. The backlight can be not only white or yellow - LED strips are available in various color variations.
6. In addition to LEDs, you can also use optical fiber - an excellent “conductor” of light, which significantly expands the possibilities of organizing lighting.
7. LEDs consume little electricity during operation, which means they are economical.
8. Thanks to the lighting, you can clearly delimit zones in the room, if necessary.
9. Finally, lighting can serve a regular decorative role.

Prices for ceiling lamps

ceiling lamps

LED ceiling lighting also has its disadvantages. There are not many of them, but it’s worth knowing about them if you plan to install it in your apartment.

1. The use of colored backlight is not always a plus. Sometimes this lighting can irritate the eyes. Therefore, it will be great if during installation you provide the ability to change the backlight colors.
2. LEDs are not cheap, but they are cheaper to maintain due to their low power consumption.

The service life of the LED is quite long. Some manufacturers claim that this little bulb can burn for about 100,000 hours. But you shouldn’t trust this figure much. The fact is that over time, the LED strip begins to shine less brightly. The service life of this lighting element is considered to be the period from the beginning of its commissioning until the moment when its luminous flux decreases by 30%.

Prices for LED strip

LED Strip Light

On a note! If you use LED lighting for no more than 6 hours a day, the tape will work properly for about 10,000 hours. That is, the human eye will notice a decrease in the brightness of the glow no earlier than after 4 years of this mode of operation of the LED strip.

Types of backlight

There are several types of lighting that can be installed indoors.

Table. Types of lighting for the ceiling.

View	Description
	Gives a gentle, beautiful diffused light. The ceiling is, as it were, illuminated from below along the perimeter, contour. In this case, the LED strip is located on a special shelf (at the lower level in a prepared recess), and the light from it falls on the ceiling surface. A continuous luminous strip is formed.
	In this case, the LEDs will be installed on a slope, which is located between two ceiling levels, shining as if along the ceiling surface.
	This is a ceiling covering with a “starry sky” effect. LED light bulbs are installed in the finishing material. One of the most difficult types of organizing ceiling lighting, since it will require a lot of time.
	LEDs are installed in small lampshades that will be mounted into the finished ceiling. Several light bulbs are installed, one, for example, shines down, several others create “rays” on the surface of the ceiling.

The backlight is also divided into:

• target;
• general purpose;
• designer.

The first type is the installation of lighting to delimit certain zones in the room. Simply put, in this case, lighting is used to zone the room. For example, in the kitchen the work area may be more illuminated - additional light would not hurt.

General purpose lighting is ordinary lighting. True, most often it is implemented not with LEDs, but with the help of spotlights. Although there is an option when an LED strip can turn into a full-fledged lamp - this is.

A luminous ceiling can be installed in any room. For production, an LED strip and a stretched translucent fabric are required. The tape is attached to the rough ceiling and hidden under the tension material. As a result, when we turn on the light, we will get a completely luminous ceiling above our heads.

Attention! Installation of this ceiling is not as simple as it seems. In order for the light to flow evenly, it is very important to correctly calculate the distance from the tape to the canvas. If you make a mistake with this parameter, the ceiling will be “striped.”

Typically, a luminous stretch ceiling is combined with plasterboard edging. A small cornice is made from this material around the perimeter of the room, and a backlight with canvas is placed between its sides.

And finally, a designer version of the ceiling lighting. Such lighting will not provide a large amount of light, but it will make the room cozy and complete. Such lighting includes illumination around the perimeter of the room and the creation of luminous patterns on the ceiling.

The patterns are created according to the same principle as the luminous ceiling. Only the LED strip is placed in the shape of the desired pattern, and not across the entire draft ceiling. When you press the switch, the light will penetrate through the translucent stretch fabric and create the same figure on the ceiling surface that is made of LEDs.

By the way, the ceiling lighting does not have to be white. It can be either single-color decorative or multi-colored RGB, that is, shimmer with red, green, blue and other shades. Colored lighting, if it matches the color of the bulbs with the style of the interior and the general appearance of the room, will look very good around the perimeter of the room both with the main light on and in the dark.

Selecting materials

So, you have firmly decided to add ceiling lighting in one of the rooms at home. It doesn’t matter which one - colored, white, or even decided on a luminous ceiling. But in any case, you need to visit a hardware store where you buy the necessary materials.

The most important element is the luminous ribbon. It comes in LED and duralight. Duralight is a cord, inside of which there is a mass of small light bulbs, diode or incandescent. It is not afraid of water, very durable and flexible. Duralight can be installed on any surface. Its main drawback is its weak glow.

On a note! Duralight is a very durable light element. The fact is that the cavities inside the cord between the light bulbs are filled with polyvinyl chloride, which gives it additional density.

An LED strip is a thin and flexible board where LEDs are located at equal distances from each other.

Its main advantages:

• Possibility of installation on any surface;
• low level of electricity consumption;
• high brightness;
• ease of installation.

On a note! Sometimes other types of lamps, for example, neon, are used to install ceiling lighting. But they are too large in size and will not allow you to create beautiful decorative structures.

Prices for LED lamps

LED lamp

It is the strip of LEDs, due to its advantages, that is usually used for installing such decorative lighting.

And it is important to know how to choose the right detail for future lighting.

1. First, decide what color your lighting will be. This is an important aspect, not only because the shade of light should suit the interior, but also because certain colors, whatever one may say, affect the human psyche.

Table. The impact of flowers on the human condition.

Color	Impact
Red	An irritating, but at the same time exciting color. It is not recommended for use by people with increased irritability.
Blue	It puts you on guard, puts you in a working mood, and makes you collected.
Yellow-blue	Capable of causing hysteria.
Blue, sea, turquoise	It makes you think and calms you down.
Green, yellow-green	Calms.
Orange, yellow	Neutral, does not cause any special feelings.

It is best to choose a tape that has several color variations and a controller. This way, you can choose exactly the shade that you like at the moment to suit your mood. And in your normal state, you can turn on the white light.

1. Look at the density of the light bulbs. It comes in 30, 60, 120 pieces per meter. For contour lighting, experts recommend taking a strip with 60 or 120 diodes, but for directional lighting, a strip with 30 is best suited.
2. Decide on the power of the tape - they also differ in this indicator. For directional lighting, buy a 5 W/m model, and for contour lighting it is better to buy a larger one – 8 W/m. To save on controllers (buy cheaper ones), 5 and 7 W tapes are placed on the slopes, and 7 and 14 W are installed on the shelf. The power of the tape will be determined by its marking, which has an alphabetic and digital code, for example, SMD 3028. The first two digits will be the power value.
3. It is also important to evaluate the total power of the belt, which is calculated over the entire length. Having calculated how many meters of tape you will need, multiply this number by the power of 1 meter. Based on the obtained parameter, select the controller power for the tape.

By the way, look carefully at how the tape blinks. This type of lighting can also have a psychedelic effect due to this parameter. Do not take tapes that flicker at frequencies of 0.5 Hz, 2 Hz and 7 Hz. They can cause the development of epilepsy.

Attention! If you want to get a flickering backlight, then choose a controller to achieve this effect, which will make the diodes smoothly flare up and fade out.

So, to install ceiling lighting you will need:

• LED strip in the required quantity;
• PVC corner (you will glue the tape on it);
• power unit;
• cornice, drywall (if your ceiling does not already have slopes and shelves for placing lighting);
• network cable;
• controller;
• connectors for connecting pieces of tape.

This is the main list of required materials. Depending on how you plan to install the ceiling lights, you may need other items.

On a note! LED strip usually does not require additional adhesive material during installation - as a rule, it is already equipped with an adhesive layer. But cheap tapes usually stick to it poorly. It is better to choose a more expensive but high-quality material.

Installing perimeter lighting

Step-by-step instructions for creating a simple contour LED ceiling lighting.

Step 1. In the niche where the LED backlight will be located, attach a plastic corner around the perimeter using small screws. The fact is that the sticky layer of the tape is in good contact with PVC, but it can peel off from drywall. So do not neglect this stage of installing the backlight.

Step 2. Using a tape measure, measure the required lengths of the LED strip and cut it into pieces equal to the sides of the perimeter rectangle that you will highlight. Cut the tape only at the cut points marked on it, otherwise it will not burn.

Step 3. You can connect the segments using connectors, but it is better to solder them - it will be more reliable. Solder the contacts according to the principle - plus with plus, minus with minus. By the way, remember that you cannot combine too many tapes into one whole - they are usually produced in reels of 3-5 meters. So, more than three reels are not assembled into one structure. If there is more tape, then its segments are connected to the power supply in parallel.

Chandelier prices

Attention! The LED strip can be bent, but only if the angle is less than 90 degrees.

Step 4. Remove the wires from the system that will be needed to connect the controller and power supply. Connect the system first to the controller, and it to the power supply. Check system functionality.

Step 5. Remove the adhesive layer from the tape and attach it to the previously installed PVC corner. The backlight is ready.

Another option is to install an LED strip in a ceiling cornice.

A few words about soldering: LED strip does not like high temperatures, so soldering time should not be more than 10 seconds, and the melting point should not be more than 160 degrees.

Video - Installation of LED lighting

Starry sky

The “starry sky” ceiling is a real hit, which is becoming more popular and is increasingly used for the design of the ceiling surface. It can be made from fiber optics and using LEDs. Let's consider the second option. The main difference from the installation of the previous backlight is that this time you will need individual LEDs, and not a strip.

Step 1. This step is performed before covering the ceiling frame with plasterboard. Make many small holes in sheets of this material in a chaotic manner.

Step 2. Connect (solder) all the diodes into one circuit using wires. Check it for functionality.

Step 3. Install an LED in each of the holes in the drywall. It is best to choose light bulbs of different power - then you will be able to create a more realistic starry sky.

On a note! It will not be possible to create many stars this way - as a rule, for the appearance of real galaxies in the sky, you need an optical fiber.

Step 4. Attach the drywall to the ceiling frame as usual.

Step 5. Connect the system to the controller and power supply. The backlight in the form of a starry sky is ready.

This system also has a drawback - the LEDs glow very brightly, so diffuse starlight cannot be obtained. As an option, you can try experimenting with light diffusers.

Ceiling lighting is undoubtedly one of the best options for decorating a room. And almost anyone can handle the installation of an LED strip. The main thing is a little desire and patience, and you will succeed.

Currently, there are many different ways to decorate the ceiling. Most often, owners turn to decorating ceilings with LED strip. With this addition, the interior transforms and becomes more harmonious.

Today we will talk about how to choose the right lighting for the ceiling and how to install it correctly.

photos

What it is?

First you need to understand what an LED strip is. This is a flexible strip, the width of which can be 5-50 mm. On one of its sides there are LED resistors, which are connected to each other by electrical conductors, forming a single circuit. On the other side, as a rule, there is double-sided tape. With its help, the tape is fixed on one or another basis.

Different LED strips have different numbers of LEDs. In addition, they can have different sizes. To obtain brighter and more saturated light, one or two more rows of LEDs are often soldered.

Features and Benefits

In stores you can also find the most durable moisture-resistant tapes. They are not afraid of dampness and moisture, so they are often installed in bathrooms. Devices classified as IP68 can be installed underwater. Thanks to these features, these light bulbs can be found in swimming pools, landscape compositions, as well as on the facades of various buildings.

The popularity of LED strips is due to the many positive qualities that are characteristic of them.

Let's take a closer look at them:

• Many consumers choose LED strips for ceiling decoration because they are affordable, but do not consume a lot of electricity.
• LED strips are distinguished by bright and rich light, especially if they have many bulbs. Of course, if you want to achieve a more subdued light, then you can choose options that have fewer of these components.
• Such lighting fixtures are installed quickly and easily.
• LED strips can have a variety of colors. You can choose the best option for any interior.

• Such devices are absolutely safe, as they are not subject to overheating. In addition, LED strips do not damage ceiling bases. This quality is especially important if the room has fashionable stretch ceilings.
• These lighting devices are not afraid of power surges. In such cases, ordinary light bulbs can burst, leaving behind many small fragments. There will be no such problems with LED strips.
• Typically, LED strip lights are customizable. For example, you can independently change the lighting intensity. Such devices most often contain built-in sensors and special regulators that allow you to adjust the tapes to your needs.
• LED light bulbs are long lasting. They can last more than 10 years.

• Such lighting fixtures can complement the ceilings not only in the bedroom or living room, but also in the bathroom.
• LED strips are very light in weight, so they do not put any stress on the ceiling finish.
• These lighting devices are flexible and bend easily enough, so they can frame any ceiling base.
• LED strips are environmentally friendly. The light bulbs in such devices do not emit harmful substances.
• In addition, the tape can have absolutely any length. You can adjust it yourself.
• Strips with LED bulbs do not have any effect on TV signals and do not cause interference.

Kinds

Currently, there are strip lighting devices with different types of lamps.

Tricolor

Typically these options are called RGB strips. Each diode in them is assembly of red, blue and green LEDs. These diode strips are equipped with 4 outputs. One of them is general, and the rest are intended separately for each color. From the combination of these colors you can get a rich shade range. In a similar way, a variety of colors can be achieved on a TV screen. It is worth considering that three-color diode strips need to be controlled. A special controller is suitable for this.

Using a controller, you can regulate the speed of changing colors or set one fixed color. In such a feed it is not at all necessary to launch multi-color options. You can get by with plain white.

Today in stores you can find more high-tech varieties of diode strips that are equipped with built-in Wi-fi. It is convenient to control such lighting devices using a smartphone with the appropriate application.

Strips with RGB lamps can withstand supply voltages of 12 and 24 V. You should pay attention to these values ​​when choosing a power supply. In such models, the controller can control several devices at once, but the unit voltage must match the voltage of only one specific tape.

Sealed

Such strips with diodes are very popular today, as they are durable and resistant to wear. Otherwise they are called waterproof or waterproof. For an example of such a tape, consider the 3528 120LED-24V IP65 device. Judging by the markings, such a light strip is made on the basis of SMD3528 light bulbs with the number of LEDs 120 per meter. The sealing of these devices is achieved using a silicone shell, securely framing the part on all sides.

Sealed options can work without problems in open air and even in water. These devices are used to illuminate aquariums and swimming pools. When choosing such LED strips, you should pay attention to their markings.

Power

One of the most important parameters of LED strips is their power and placement density. The most popular are devices with 60-120 diodes per meter. However, there are also other strips that have 30, 72, 90, 240 light bulbs - they can be arranged either in several even rows or linearly.

In addition, the power of one meter of strip depends on the type of LEDs installed:

• SMD 3528(60 LEDs per meter) – 4.8 W;
• SMD 3528(120 LEDs per meter) – 9.6 W;

• SMD 3528(240 LEDs per meter) – 19.2 W;
• SMD 5050(30 LEDs per meter) – 7.2 W;
• SMD 5050(60 LEDs per meter) – 15 W;
• SMD 5050(120 LEDs per meter) – 25 W.

Today in stores you can find tapes with a power of 220 V. They do not need standard 12V power supplies. All that is required is a small rectifier through which they will be connected directly to the outlet.

Protection class

LED strips are also divided by protection class. This parameter affects the moisture resistance of the lamps, as well as their resistance to dust and other external factors. As a rule, the protection class of the device is indicated on the packaging and is designated by the letters IP.

IP20– These diode lamps are designed for indoor use. They do not have additional sealing.

IP65– these types of flexible diode strips can be used to illuminate areas that are regularly in contact with water. For example, this could be an apron in the kitchen, a sink or an aquarium. Such devices can be installed not only indoors, but also outdoors.

IP 68– such lighting fixtures are completely insulated. They can even be placed under water.

Features of choice

Today, many buyers purchase LED strips for ceiling decoration.

They should be selected based on the following criteria:

• LED colors. The appropriate shade of such a device depends on the task set by the owners. Using an LED strip, you can highlight some decorative element on the ceiling or simply decorate the ceiling around the perimeter.
• Brightness level. This parameter directly depends on the size of the semiconductors, as well as their quantity in the tape. The more LEDs on the device, the brighter the glow it will have.

• Degree of protection. In this case, you should pay attention to the degree of protection of the flexible tape from dust and moisture. As a rule, the device class is indicated directly on the packaging.
• Controller. Buy high-quality and easy-to-use tapes with controllers. Using this device, you can independently change the brightness of the lighting, as well as its hue.

Backlight options

Beautiful ceiling lighting with LED strip can be done in different ways:

• Spot. With this lighting option, the devices are positioned in such a way as to emit light directly downwards. The most popular and well-known option for spot lighting is the “starry sky”.
• Directed. With this lighting option, the tape is placed in a special way on slopes. Thanks to this location, the devices shine along the ceiling.

• Absent-minded. Otherwise, this lighting option is called contour lighting. When used, LEDs form a single light strip on the ceiling base.
• Figured. In this case, the devices are installed in special small lampshades. Thanks to this solution, you can create almost any lighting configuration.

Before attaching the LED strip to the ceiling base, you need to determine its location. Consider in advance whether protrusions will be made in the plasterboard box.

Most types of LED strips are equipped with an adhesive layer. With its help, these lighting fixtures can be glued to almost any surface. However, before attaching the tape, it is necessary to carefully prepare the base and clean it of dust, dirt and other similar elements. Such actions will ensure more reliable and high-quality adhesion of the adhesive side of the device to the ceiling.

To glue the LED strip, remove the protective film from the adhesive side, and then place the device on the base and press. Don't press too hard. Such devices must be mounted carefully.

The LED strip can also be glued to the ceiling base using double-sided tape.

Most often, such lighting fixtures are installed in pre-prepared niches made of plasterboard sheets. Typically, the tapes are laid under the surface of these materials.

Ensembles in which the tape with diodes is attached to the curtains of the curtains or to protruding decorative elements look interesting. These devices should be installed in such a way as to direct the flow of light onto a wall or a certain area of ​​the ceiling.

The diode strip can be hidden under the ceiling plinth. In such cases, it will not be conspicuous and seem intrusive. Its light will neatly “peek out” from under the lining, making the interior more interesting.

How to connect correctly?

After proper installation, the LED strip can be connected with your own hands.

As a rule, this type of lighting consists of the following important elements:

• power supply;
• controller and sensor:
• control panel;
• semiconductor lighting system of the required length.

If you have securely fastened the LED strip, then you can proceed directly to connecting it.

Let's look at this process step by step:

• First, you need to connect a network cable with a plug to the power supply.
• Then you need to connect 2 contacts belonging to the controller to the block. This action should be performed if the lighting will be an RGB system.
• Now you will need to connect the contact cables to the controller.

There are times when a room already has one controller installed, designed for a strip of one length or another, but it needs to be adjusted to accommodate a larger number of LEDs. In such situations, it is recommended to install an additional amplifier.

Many users are interested in how to do the wiring then. You will need to connect the power supply to the amplifier and the other end of the LED structure. On the opposite side, to reduce the load, another piece of the light strip should be fixed.

Along all connections polarity must be observed. In addition, you should monitor the compliance of the voltage of the controller itself and the power supply with the lighting device.

As a rule, LED strips are sold in small 5 m reels. If you need shorter strips, you can simply take scissors and cut off the excess part of the strip. The incision must be made in the designated place. If you are going to solder an LED strip, then you should stock up on a low-power soldering iron.

Also, to increase the length of decorative lighting, you can use special connectors for this. They are small devices that are designed to complete an electrical circuit with an easy click.

If you decide to add an LED strip to the ceiling in one of the rooms, then you should take into account some of the tips and recommendations of experts:

• For the eyes, a color with a temperature of 2700-3000K is more comfortable. In terms of their spectrum, such sources are closer to simple incandescent lamps than to daylight.
• Keep in mind that one LED can have different luminosity, which depends on the voltage applied to it. However, we must not forget that as voltage increases, energy consumption also increases.
• LED strip can also be used as the main lighting device in a room. To do this, you should purchase brighter options with a remote control.