The choice of LED lighting for the kitchen for cabinets, installation rules. Kitchen lighting: varieties and installation rules

In order to make the lighting in the kitchen under the cabinets with your own hands, you first need to decide where exactly it will be located, and which lamps for this zone will be the most optimal.

Illuminated lower cabinets in the kitchen

Illumination of the kitchen under the cabinets can mean both the illumination of the working area under the hanging furniture, and the illumination of the floor under the lower cabinets. First, consider the second lighting option.

The so-called “floating cabinets” look very attractive and aesthetically pleasing in the interior of the kitchen. Such an unusual effect is easily achieved using led strip located below the bottom kitchen set.

To install such a backlight you will need:

1. Think carefully about wiring electrical wiring so that the wires do not stick out throughout the kitchen and are hidden in a place inaccessible to children.
2. A transformer is needed for the operation of the LED strip, therefore a secluded place should also be allocated for it.
3. To illuminate the lower cabinets, you can use LED strips, as in open form, and in the form of closed lamps. In the first case, it is worth choosing a tape with an increased degree of moisture protection IP 65 or IP 68, since the likelihood of moisture getting on the tape body is very high in this part of the kitchen.
4. Before you go to the store for LED strip, you need to decide on colors light bulbs and the required brightness. Professionals recommend taking SMD35x28 LEDs for lower illumination. Their power will be enough for these purposes.

There is one caveat! For a kitchen with a glossy floor, it is better to choose closed lamps, since open LEDs, reflected in the mirror surface of the floor, will hit the eyes.

In order to install LED lighting in the kitchen under the lower cabinets with your own hands, you will need the following tools:

• LED strip ( desired length+ 10% for marriage)
• PVA cable with a cross section of 0.5 or 0.75 mm. sq.
• Transformer 12W
• Scissors
• soldering iron
• Solder
• Rosin
• Insulating tape

Do-it-yourself LED strip installation steps:

1. At the required piece of tape, you need to expose the extreme contacts by 1-1.5 cm.
2. Solder two cables to them and insulate them with electrical tape.
3. Before attaching the tape, the surface must be degreased.
4. If the tape is mounted without a lamp, it is enough just to remove the protective film from it and stick it to the furniture. If the LEDs are closed, the tape must first be attached to a protective strip or profile. And then the profile, together with the tape, is attached to the bottom of the cabinet using double-sided tape.
5. By soldering, the tape must be connected to the transformer, and it, in turn, to the plug.
6. All joints must be treated with electrical tape.
7. All wires, together with the power supply, are hidden in a specially designated place so as not to spoil the picture.

Here are some tips to help you avoid the most common mistakes:

• When purchasing an LED strip in a store, you need to choose the right transformer for it.
• When buying, you need to ask to check all appliances.
• All exposed wires must be insulated.
• Instead of connectors, it is better to use a familiar soldering iron and rosin to fasten wires.
• To control the intensity of lighting, you can install an amplifier and a dimmer together with the power supply.

Illumination of the working area in the kitchen

Unlike floor lighting, a whole variety of different fixtures can be used to illuminate the work area. Almost all of them are mounted quite easily and do not require special knowledge and skills.

Top lighting in the kitchen under the cabinets with your own hands can be done using the following lighting fixtures:

• The leading place today is occupied, of course, by the same LED strip. Its installation above the working area is almost no different from installation below the cabinets below. One has only to pay attention to the characteristics of the LEDs. Since the work area requires quite bright lighting, SMD50x50 LED strips are suitable for its illumination. It is worth remembering that if the tape is to be used in an open form, it is necessary to take into account its waterproofing. However, it is not recommended to use an open LED strip to illuminate the working area, as its light will strongly hit the eyes.
• Many people prefer the old fashioned way fluorescent lamps. Their main advantages:

1. uniform light
2. Ease of installation
3. economy
4. Cheapness

This type of lighting is quite easy to install. Lamps should only be attached using a special mount to the wall or to a pre-designated hole in the furniture above the work surface. That's all! You can turn on the lamp in the network.

• Spotlights have always been popular, because thanks to their small sizes they can be located in any part of the furniture and illuminate the space reserved only for them. There are three types of spotlights:

1. Mortise- the location of such lamps must be planned at the stage of the kitchen sketch, since they require special recesses and space inside the cabinet for themselves and the transformer.
2. Overhead- easy to attach directly to the surface of the cabinet, but work from the mains.
3. Modular- can be used in any part of the kitchen set, and do not require electrical power.

For uniform illumination of the working surface, it is recommended to place spotlights at a distance of 0.5 meters from each other.

• Recently, in the backlight under the cabinets, along with the LED strip, they began to use such interesting and colorful devices as neon tubes and duralights.

neon tubes Is it glass or plastic tubes filled with an inert gas. The ends of the tubes are powered by electricity. Such tubes work with the help of a transformer. The service life of the tube is about 12 years, but the transformer is smaller, therefore, during installation, you need to leave access to the power supply to replace it if necessary.

Duralights- flexible silicone hose with incandescent bulbs or LEDs inside. The service life of incandescent lamps is up to 1 year, but LED duralights will last much longer.
As a rule, such lighting devices are more used as a decor in the kitchen, since it is difficult to call them a source of lighting. Mounting tape can be used to fasten neon tubes and duralights under cabinets in the kitchen.

As you can see from the article, there is nothing difficult in installing lighting for the kitchen under the cabinets with your own hands. All you need is desire, time and a visual aid.

The importance of proper lighting of the working area in the kitchen is difficult to overestimate. Directional and bright light beam makes the cooking process more comfortable. And one of the best lighting options is the illumination of work areas with LED strip.

LED strip: its varieties and features

The LED strip is a thin strip with a self-adhesive base in which the LEDs are assembled. These are special semiconductors that emit light when passing through them. electrical energy. They are characterized by minimal energy consumption, but at the same time provide bright and full lighting. The brightness of the light depends on the type and number of LEDs used on the running meter. Usually it is either 30 or 60, 120 or 240 pieces. But with the types of diodes should be dealt with in more detail.

Types of LED strips

• SMD - tape, or one-color. That is, its color can be any, but the glow shade will be stable. The tape is named after the type of LEDs - SMD 3028 (monocrystalline) or SMD 5050 - consisting of three crystals, and, accordingly, giving 2.5 times more brightness.
• RGB - tape, or three-color. Each of its LEDs contains three crystals - green, blue, red, so it is capable of emitting any spectrum of light. The ribbon glows white when three crystals are activated at the same time. Such a tape, as a rule, is equipped with a remote control to control the change in color and intensity of its glow.

Also, the tapes are distinguished by the presence of silicone protection against moisture. If it is, then the tape can be used not only in the kitchen, but also on the street - it is not afraid of precipitation. Depending on the availability of protection, they are divided into:

Benefits of LED lighting

• Durability. Even with 12 hours of use, the lighting tape can last about 15 years.
• Color selection. Available in white, purple, red, orange, green, blue color illumination, not counting the infrared or ultraviolet spectrum.
• Brightness without warm-up time.
• Affordable price.
• Security.
• Insensitivity to high temperature.
• Environmental friendliness.
• The ability to choose a tape with any angle of radiation.

Using LED strip in the kitchen

Although the tape can be attached anywhere, there are certain rules use of such lighting in the kitchen. It will be about those interior elements in which it will be most effective.

1. Work zone. Usually the tape is attached under the hanging kitchen cabinets, and it must be moisture resistant and bright enough. If the work area is well lit even without it, then the LED strip can play a decorative role - in the form of a color accent.
2. Ceiling. The tape is mounted under drywall construction and is purely decorative.
3. Curtains. Something like a cornice is mounted above them, under which an LED strip is inserted.

There are other places where you can use LED strip, for example, to illuminate the inside or bottom of cabinets, household appliances, bar counter or decorative niches.

Photo gallery: lighting options in the kitchen

Features of installing LED strip in the kitchen

The installation process itself is simple, and it looks like this. First of all, the protective factory strip is removed from the tape, after which it is connected to the power supply using a soldered adapter. Next, the power supply is connected to the wiring. If an RGB tape is used, then a network adapter is also connected to it. Everything is quite simple, but there are certain technical subtleties and difficulties.
During the installation process, it often becomes necessary to cut the tape. You can’t do this anywhere, you need to cut it only where the manufacturer has applied special lines.
Sometimes the tape is sold without an adapter (plug). And if not a whole reel of tape is purchased, but only a couple of meters, then you will have to solder it yourself. It is possible to connect the tape directly, but the polarity must be observed - the “-” and “+” marks on the adapter and the tape must match.

Selecting a power supply

Since power supplies are available in different capacities, respectively, they have different sizes. You should choose one that has a power reserve, but at the same time the transformer is not bulky.

How to calculate the power of a transformer

For a tape 5 meters long, the calculation will look like this - 12 watts multiplied by 5 and we get 60 watts. We add the coefficient - 1.75, and we get 75 watts. Thus, for a tape of 5 m, you will need a 75 W transformer.

Tools for the job

For self-arrangement of LED lighting in the kitchen, you will need the following materials and tools:

1. 12W power supply, dimmer;
2. Tape (12W), wires 0.74 mm;
3. Roulette
4. Double sided tape;
5. Solder;
6. Building hair dryer;
7. soldering iron;
8. Heat-shrink tubing;
9. Mounting brackets.
10. Plastic or aluminum corner;
11. Drill;
12. Scissors.

Step by step installation of LED lighting in the kitchen

Step 1. We cut off the required amount of tape, and clean the contacts from the factory silicone casing up to 1.5 cm. We try not to damage the cable cores.
Step 2. Solder two cables to the contacts. Connecting cables with connectors is dangerous, as this may cause a fire. Soldering time should be no more than 10 seconds at a temperature of 260 degrees. We correctly combine the markings.

Step 3. Isolate the wires heat shrink tube. To do this, cut off a piece 2 cm long, put it in the soldering place and fix it with a hair dryer. You can use electrical tape, but it's less reliable.
Step 4. Fasten on a profile or corner Double-sided tape, remove the protective film from the tape and fix it in place. The surface must be degreased.
Step 5 We hide a transformer nearby, into which wires are soldered on one side, and an electric cable with a plug on the other.
Step 6. The wires lead to the location of the power supply at parallel circuit.
Step 7. We hide the wires in the box.
Step 8. Connect the dimmer, if any.

How to choose a dimmer

The dimmer is used to change the brightness of the backlight, and also has a power on/off function. There are three types of control - stationary on a remote control or on a conventional switch, remote - on an infrared or radio transmitter, or control via Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi.

Cheap dimmers have a significant drawback - this is increased flicker at a low brightness level, which is tiring and leads to headaches and increased fatigue. Therefore, choosing a unit for controlling LEDs is not worth saving.

As you can see, the process of arranging LED lighting in the kitchen is not so complicated, and it is quite possible to do it yourself. The bright and juicy light that LEDs give is pleasing to the eye and makes working in the kitchen more productive.

Illumination of the working area can be arranged using various lighting devices. Let's try to understand what advantages and disadvantages each type has.

Type of lighting	Advantages	disadvantages
Filament lamp	There is a choice of power in the range from 20 W to 500 W	High power consumption and heating at low luminous flux
	Bulbs are pretty cheap.	Short service life
Point LED lights	Possibility to choose the desired color temperature, spectacular design lamps	In small towns it is not always possible to pick up a base for a cartridge
	Durability and energy saving	The cost is much higher than incandescent lamps
	Easy to mount, regardless of surface curvature, low power consumption	The need to connect additional equipment( , controller)
	After installation, the tape is completely invisible	When buying a cheap tape, the diodes will lose their brightness pretty quickly.
LED panels	Easy to install and maintain, durable (more than 50,000 hours), economical	High price
	Emit a soft, uniform light that is pleasing to the eye	Afraid of power surges, which are not uncommon

Approximately in this way, the advantages and disadvantages of highlights of different types were distributed.

How to properly position LED lighting for the kitchen work area

When designing the lighting of the working area in the kitchen, some rules should be observed:

1. The light should not hit the eyes of a person directly in front of the countertop.
2. The shadow from the standing person should not fall on the countertop.
3. If spotlights (spotlights) are used, they should be directed to a specific area of ​​the countertop. So several lamps can provide full illumination of the working area.
4. When using LED strip or panels, they are mounted on the bottom of the hanging cabinets so that the light is directed to the countertop, but does not fall into the eyes of the person standing in front of it.

Read more about the types of LED kitchen lighting

There are 3 main types of LED countertop lighting in the kitchen:

1. LED Strip Light.
2. LED panel.
3. Lamps with and spots on light diodes.

The latter, in turn, are divided into:

• Illumination on suspensions;
• Surface luminaires wall cabinets;
• Recessed panels, ribbons or spotlights.

Let's examine each of these types in more detail.

LED strip for the kitchen: general information

Quite a convenient option for lighting the work surface. Installation is simple, the tape can be bent in any direction. However, there are several disadvantages. The first is the need to purchase additional equipment - a power supply, without which the band will not work. Cost can also be a problem. The fact is that a tape with protection against dirt and dust is quite expensive, and a simple one, if it is not protected, will fail very quickly. In this case, you will have to purchase a special protective corner with a diffuser, which will not only protect the tape from dirt, dust and moisture, but also prevent light from hitting your eyes.

LED panels: by far the best lighting option under the cabinet in the kitchen

This is a relatively new, but already very popular type of backlight. The light diodes here are hidden behind frosted glass, which makes it easy to wipe off moisture, dirt or dust that has fallen on it. One such panel, with a power of only 8 watts, is enough to provide an even, soft light for an area of ​​​​3 m². These panels are easy to assemble and dismantle. The only thing that can be called a minus is the cost. One product measuring 210 × 210 mm can cost from 1000 to 6000 rubles.

Illumination in the kitchen under the cabinets: LED lamp with lamps or spot

Currently a very common option. Spots are called directional spotlights. Between themselves, they may differ in design, location, operating voltage. Let's try to deal with this issue in more detail.

Suspended LED lighting in the kitchen: what is it

Such option is suitable only in the absence of hanging cabinets above the work surface. LED lamps are attached to the ceiling with brackets or cables in such a way that the working area is illuminated as much as possible. Most often, such ideas come to life in kitchens where the work surface is located in the center. The second use case is the lighting of the dining area.

Overhead LED lights for kitchen cabinets: a good solution for the hostess

A very common version of LED lighting under cabinets in the kitchen. The main thing is to correctly position the lamps so that the luminous flux does not hit the eyes. All light should be directed to the countertop. This will greatly help the hostess - after all, on the working surface in the kitchen, you often have to finely cut, get small bones from fish, and the like. This requires good lighting.

Recessed luminaires on light diodes and spots: placement rules

A good option is LED lamps for kitchen cabinets. The main task is to install them correctly. And for this it is necessary to think seriously, take into account the angle of dispersion of the light flux, combine with the distance from the cabinets to the countertop. Only after that it becomes possible to understand at what distance from each other you need to place spotlights. With a very rare placement, it may turn out that the light falls on the countertop unevenly, in spots.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW!

When purchasing spotlights with lamps for kitchen cabinets in a store, do not forget to tell the seller where they will be installed. Ceiling lights won't fit here. They will shine in one spot. This is due to distance. Passing from the ceiling to the floor, the beam of light has time to dissipate, but from the cabinet to the countertop - hardly.

Kitchen furniture lamps for cabinets can be made in the form of spots with external fastening. In this case, their installation will be very simple. During operation, the luminous flux can be redirected in any direction, which is the main convenience of the spots.

In a special publication of our portal, we will talk in detail about the LED strip for the kitchen. You will learn the advantages and disadvantages of LED lighting, how to make lighting in the kitchen with LED strip - turnkey solutions how to do your own kitchen lighting with LED strip.

Options for controlling LED lighting in the kitchen

Lighting control can be done in the usual way mechanically, however, the touch type of inclusion is much more convenient. Touch lighting for the kitchen may vary. This can be triggered by touch or the presence of a person (while the lights are supplied), or a sound sensor triggered by cotton. The second option is, of course, the most convenient.

Also, if the lighting devices support the dimming function, you can install a dimmer that allows you to dim the lighting, make it softer when necessary.

GOOD TO KNOW!

When dimming, remember that the fixture and dimmer must be compatible. Nobody canceled dimming protocols either.

Calculation of the required level of illumination of the working area of ​​the kitchen

According to the norms, lighting in the kitchen should be at least 150 Lx per m². Of course, you can calculate everything in watts, but modern energy-saving lamps make us hang the whole kitchen with them. One more nuance: all norms were developed back in the Soviet Union, and therefore the final figure should be made one and a half times more. Let's try to calculate.

For example, we take a work surface of 3.5 m². Then you get 3.5 × 150 × 1.5 = 787.5 Lx. This is the minimum lighting that is needed for the work surface. The indicator can be higher, the main thing is that the luminous flux is not directed into the eyes of the person standing in front of the countertop.

The choice of kitchen lighting for wall cabinets - editorial advice website

In order not to be disappointed later, having bought LED lighting for kitchen cabinets, the editors website I took the liberty of giving you some advice.

1. Before you make the backlight in the kitchen, decide what kind it will be. The best option, despite the price tag, you can call LED-panels.
2. Calculate how much luminous flux (in lux) is required for lighting. Choose a comfortable color temperature.
3. If you decide to mount recessed fixtures, double-check the correct markings several times so as not to spoil the headset cabinets. If you have any doubts about your abilities, it is better to seek help from professionals. The ideal option would be if all the necessary grooves and holes are made in the manufacture of the kitchen set.

Several beautiful interiors created with LED lighting

The most important part of the work can be called the connection of the mounted backlight to electrical network. Now let's talk about this.

Installation and connection of LED lamps to the mains: the nuances of work

The installation of electrical wiring and the connection of lighting fixtures to the mains is a very responsible matter, requiring the utmost care and attention. Each of the types of LED devices has its own nuances that should be considered during installation and connection. Let's try to deal with them.

Installation of LED panels: features and difficulties that may be encountered

By itself, the installation of LED panels is simple, but there are some nuances. When purchasing such a panel, pay attention to the package. It can be of two options - with a separate driver and without it. For the kitchen, it is better to choose the second option - the absence of a separate driver indicates that it is already built into the case. In this case, all that is required is to bring 2 wires to the panel: “phase” and “zero”. If the driver is separate, then the connection is made as follows: the driver itself is connected to the network (the same 2 wires), and the lamp is connected to the driver through a special connector that is already on both devices.

Before the beginning electrical work voltage must be relieved

LED strip: installation and connection rules

LED strip is quite easy to install. All that is required is to choose a place where it will be located, peel off the protective film from the back, and then press the tape to the desired surface.

The connection is made through a special power supply, without which the operation of the LED strip is impossible. The main task here is not to confuse the “+” and “-” outputs from the power supply and the “+” and “-” LED strips. One more important nuance– the length of each of the strips must not exceed 5 m. Otherwise, the LEDs will go out. This is due to the fact that the paths connecting the light diodes do not withstand the load. If the distance is longer, it is better to run a second tape 5 meters long, connecting it in parallel (serial connection is not allowed).

Overhead and recessed lighting fixtures: the easiest option

Such lighting devices do not require additional equipment when connected - they are connected directly to the mains. Here we can only recall attentiveness, accuracy and extreme discretion and compliance with electrical safety rules.

Although LED lamps are considered the most safe view lighting devices, when using them, some rules should be observed:

1. It is forbidden to use LED-lamps in rooms where the air temperature is above +40˚C.
2. When dirty, the lamp can be wiped with a dry or slightly damp cloth - the use of aggressive, abrasive products is not allowed.
3. The installation of a voltage stabilizer is recommended. Although LED lamps have their own protection, voltage drops dramatically reduce their service life, and jumps above 244 V completely disable them.
4. It is necessary to periodically check the contacts and the tightness of the base to the cartridge in order to avoid heating.
5. It is forbidden to install ordinary LED-lamps in closed (not having ventilation holes) shades. This drastically reduces their service life.

Summing up

There is no doubt that the illumination of the working area of ​​​​the kitchen is a necessity that should not be neglected. The main task is to do everything right. There should not be dimly lit places on the working surface, the light should not be blocked by a person standing in front of the tabletop. Thus, the most optimal would be the installation of lighting in the kitchen under the headset cabinets. And if the working area is located in the center of the kitchen, then the LED ceiling lamp on suspensions will be the best way out. And remember, there is not much light above the working area. And if it is arranged correctly, then cooking will be many times more pleasant.

Smooth, soft and at the same time bright light - that's what you need in the working area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe kitchen

Lighting is the main component design solution. It is important to make the correct calculation of the number of fixtures and approach their choice with responsibility. It is recommended to use a combined light rather than a single bright chandelier.

As a rule, the kitchen is divided into two zones: working (where food is prepared) and dining (where they eat, drink tea, receive guests). The dining area uses warmer light, not too bright, which adds coziness to the room.

But a bright one is installed above the working area, it makes the cooking process pleasant and comfortable, without causing inconvenience to vision.

If you do not install the backlight, then a shadow will fall on the countertop during work, and it will become necessary to strain your eyesight.

Lighting planning

When planning lighting, consider the following factors:

• The light from the lamps should be diffused - this will avoid blinding;
• Luminaires can be installed in wall cabinets;
• If the work area is in the center of the kitchen, hanging ceiling lights are used.

Luminaires mounted in the lower part of the hanging kitchen cabinets, provide directional light, which makes cooking convenient and comfortable.

Types of lighting: pros and cons of options

Incandescent lamps

They are fixed, or with swivel arms that allow them to be directed. Advantages include their low cost. As for the disadvantages, the brackets and cases take up a lot of space, and this causes inconvenience during cooking, incandescent lamps have a short life and are not economical.

Spotlights

They are equipped protective glasses, which protect against the ingress of moisture and steam into them, they evenly distribute light and do not create penumbra. With the exception of the difficulties of installation, the lamps do not have any special drawbacks..

LED strips

One of the disadvantages of LED strips: serial connection to power. If one LED burns out, they all stop working.

Recently, very often used as a backlight. And not only for organizing lighting under kitchen cabinets.

Economical, long life affordable price, ease of installation and lack of heating during the work served as the reasons why many choose them.

Illumination for the kitchen under cabinets with LED strip has two disadvantages:

1. if one diode has failed, then all must be replaced;
2. additional transformer is required.

LED panels

This type of illumination gives soft, uniform illumination. pleasing to the eye. Their cost is higher than the rest, but their advantages easily cover this. The advantages include: cost-effectiveness, long life of diodes (more than 50 thousand hours), absence of hazardous substances, ease of installation and maintenance

Benefits of LED Lighting

LED panels are used to illuminate offices, apartments and houses, workplaces, even entire shopping malls.

LED panels are rightfully considered alternative, gaining popularity and replacing lamp fixtures that are familiar to us.

They have significant advantages compared to lamps: these panels are energy-saving, have a long service life - able to work for 14 or more years even when working more than 15 hours a day, ease of installation and dismantling, as well as problems with their disposal will not arise. Also, this type of lamp does not require special care.

This panel lighting is used in any premises, since during operation they practically do not emit heat and harmful radiation for eyes. Even in children's rooms they can be mounted without a doubt.

LED panels are considered to be the safest LED fixtures that do not emit harmful ultraviolet or infrared rays. The light from them lies on the surface more evenly and softer than with lamps. And there is no flickering during operation.

Panel design: special LED lamps serve as light sources, and their power source is 220 V. The panels use LEDs that do not contain mercury and other harmful environment and human substance.

The principle of operation of the LED panel: LEDs emit light that falls on the surface of the inner panel at a set angle, namely thanks to this, an optimal lighting solution for a person is obtained..

Benefits of using LED lighting fixtures:

• Durability;
• Resistance to external stimuli;
• Provides bright light;
• No additional warm-up time required when turned on;
• Variety of colors;
• Affordable price;
• Environmental friendliness;
• Safety in use.

If you want to use highlight to underline original interior, then use colored diodes, and to highlight the functional areas - use only white ones.

The tape with semiconductor elements fully provides the norm of illumination. It is a flexible bar, on which there is an adhesive base on one side, and semiconductor elements with resistors on the other.

They are classified according to a number of criteria:

• By color: one-color or multi-color execution;
• According to the number of crystals: 1, 2, 3 or 4;
• By type of glow: full-color or monochrome;
• By the length and density of the arrangement of LEDs;
• By electrical voltage;
• According to the degree of moisture protection.

LED lighting for the kitchen under the cabinets is protected from moisture and dirt on its surface. For decoration, you can use a single-crystal design, and for lighting the work surface - a three-crystal. The brightness level will depend on the density of the diodes.

Mounting

The length of the tape and the density of the diodes on it depend on the length of the zone, countertops and the distance to it.

Since the LEDs need 12 V for power supply, and not 220, as in the mains, an additional transformer is installed.

It is chosen based on:

• rated output voltage;
• power.

In addition, you will need: scissors, a soldering iron and solder with rosin or connectors, insulating tape or tube, connecting wires and a plastic box for them.

LED lighting for the kitchen under cabinets is attached to the surface with two-sided adhesive tape, connecting clips or on a special profile. We measure the length of the tape with a tape measure and cut off the excess.

You need to cut the tape in special areas(as a rule, they are located through 3 diodes).

The power is calculated according to the rule: the power of one meter of a flexible bar is multiplied by the total installed footage, to which it turned out to add 20% (reserve to avoid overload).

Solder or connect 2 cables to the contacts using connectors and insulate the connection. Only after that proceed with fastening, having previously cleaned the surface with alcohol (to remove contaminants).

The connection of the transformer is carried out strictly according to the instructions attached to it. At the end, check that there are no exposed wires left, and install plastic boxes.

Safety rules during installation

• semiconductor elements should not be subjected to mechanical stress;
• strictly comply with electrical safety requirements. Mounting should be carried out only when the power is off;
• be sure to observe the polarity of the connection;
• when mounted to metal surface install electrical insulating material between the bar and the surface.

Exploitation

During operation, it is necessary to adhere to a number of rules:

• systematically clean the surface from dirt and saws;
• ambient temperature should not exceed 40 ºС;
• it is forbidden to lower it into the water;
• do not increase the supply voltage above the value indicated on the tape;
• minimize moisture ingress.

Is such lighting harmful to eyesight?

There is a lot of speculation about the safety and dangers of such lighting, but in general it is safe. True, this statement is true only for certified fixtures.

It is not possible to independently identify the poor quality of such lamps without a special device; in order to protect your eyesight, buy overhead LED lamps for the kitchen under cabinets in specialized stores.

The only thing that is forbidden is to look at a working lamp that does not have a protective housing.

LED lamps for the kitchen under the cabinets are a modern and convenient source of lighting for the kitchen and only the space.

An important quality is high efficiency. They are transforming electricity into light radiation, practically without releasing heat, therefore, their efficiency is high.

Compared to other types of lighting, they give a uniform, flicker-free light., for which designers love them, and the service life is much longer than other lighting fixtures.

rightfully occupy a leading position in the organization of lighting in the kitchen. Why they have become so popular, you can find out from our article.

About the features of lighting the room under the kitchen hanging lamps tells.

How to create a full-fledged and multifunctional room from a small kitchen? You will find answers.

We also note the advantages of LED lighting for the kitchen under the cabinets:

• copes with lighting darkened corners, especially under or inside cabinets;
• due to its small size, it can be built into furniture, can be glued behind furniture or inside it;
• consumes a meager amount of energy compared to other appliances and even economical lamps;
• with it, you can emphasize the design or focus on individual items;
• service life reaches 5 years;
• hermetic body and solid solid structure of the crystal is not afraid of moisture, temperature changes, which means that they are ideal for the kitchen microclimate;
• the light is directed to the work surface, which makes cooking comfortable and does not hurt the eyes.

Ease of installation and connection is a significant plus in the direction of LED fixtures for cabinets

LED lighting for the kitchen under the cabinets has average service life from 20 to 50 thousand hours.

Its use in modern interior stylish, secure and modern.

This is a sign of aging, so it's worth budgeting for a replacement.

Also a big plus is the ease of installation and installation in place.. Almost every man will cope with this, subject to safety precautions. This means you can save on self installation without the involvement of a third-party specialist.

For lighting modern apartment not only chandeliers are used. For example, lighting for the kitchen under the cabinets may include original LED lights. It is easy to mount such a system on your own - it is important to know the types of devices and the technology for their installation.

Purpose and advantages of LED lighting

When cooking in the kitchen, bright but non-irritating lighting is the best option. Only uniform illumination of the working area without shaded areas and glare will allow you to create culinary masterpieces in a mode that is comfortable for the hostess. It is most convenient if the light sources are located under wall cabinets. This position of the lamps will be comfortable for the eyes, the light will not blind during kitchen work.

Furniture lamps not only play the role of additional lighting. When placed on the upper tier of cabinets, the main lighting will be replaced in the evenings. They also perform a decorative function - they visually raise the ceiling, visually increasing the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe kitchen. Even in daytime in cloudy weather, directed streams of light will contribute to more comfortable cooking. There is different variants additional kitchen lighting:

• on the kitchen apron under glass;
• under the cabinets with an offset to the doors;
• on the facade of lockers;
• at the walls and on the facade of furniture at the same time.

Most often to create kitchen lighting LED lamps or light-emitting diodes are used. They have great advantages over other types of fixtures:

• long service life - up to 15 years, even with regular work;
• a wide range of appearance, color, shape, models;
• instant warm-up, unsurpassed brightness;
• lack of body heating, safety for furniture;

• profitability due to long-term operation and low power consumption;
• no toxicity - diodes do not contain and do not emit harmful substances;
• the presence of models that are reliably protected from moisture, grease, mechanical damage (such diodes cover epoxy resin, silicone);
• ease of installation, the ability to do the work yourself.

There is also an LED strip on sale - it not only gives a high-quality glow, but can also repeat all the curves of furniture, be located at any angle.

Types of LED backlight

Depending on the security and a number of other indicators, the characteristics of the LEDs may vary. In order to illuminate the kitchen, you can use a tape with diodes, spots (lamps) of an overhead, hanging, mortise type. It is necessary to choose the type of device according to personal preferences and in accordance with the design.

Tape with LEDs

LED strip - a universal illuminator that can be placed at any level kitchen furniture, walls. The lighting from the tape will be uniform, glare-free, not giving shadows. Under the cabinets, the tape is attached to the bottom, or along the junction line of the apron and cabinets. If you supplement it with lamps from above - on the "visors" of the cabinets, you can not mount the chandelier at all.

The LED strip looks neat, discreet, it is used in any type of kitchen interior. By color, products are monochrome (one-color) and multi-color. The best option considered a white ribbon, too bright colours can distort the kitchen light, be uncomfortable for the eyes.

open ribbons

Devices of this type are used only with the complete exclusion of moisture. They have low class moisture protection (small degree of sealing) - IP 20-33. They can only be placed on the top of the cabinets, otherwise the penetration of water or grease cannot be avoided.

Single sided tape

One-sided tapes are called those that are hermetically protected from the side of the LEDs. They are represented by hundreds of models with different brightness, power, color, shape. It's best to put them on upper part lockers, on the facades away from the sink.

double sided tape

Such tapes are completely sealed, they are protected from moisture from all sides and can even be installed on a kitchen apron.

LED lights above the work surface

The design and method of fixing spots for the kitchen can vary greatly. There are such types of them: overhead, hinged and mortise. It is important to correctly install any of them in order to avoid shading, glare.

Outdoor hanging

It is convenient to install such devices in the presence of high ceilings in the kitchen, where large cabinets are placed. Much more often, such lamps are mounted on the ceiling. They are suitable for stretch, plasterboard, and other types of ceilings. Fastening is carried out with special cables, brackets.

Overhead on furniture

Similar lamps are mounted on metallic profile, wooden lattice, attached directly to the furniture. The mounting technique is simple, a novice master can handle it. Spots can be removed, then used on other furniture - they do not deteriorate when re-installed. Most luminaires can be rotated to direct the light in the desired direction.

Overhead spots are sold in a large assortment; metal, plastic, even plaster moldings are used for their manufacture. Also, the lamps vary in thickness. Thicker ones give the furniture a solid look, thin ones save space, are less striking.

Mortise spots

Another name for mortise fixtures is recessed. They are usually used for suspended ceilings, but for kitchen cabinets are no less relevant. Their cases are equipped with spring-loaded legs, with the help of which the devices are fixed on special platforms.

Mortise lamps look great on lids, kitchen cabinet doors, in niches on the wall next to the headset. The shapes of the spots are different - round, square, triangular, rectangular, asymmetric. Installation of such lamps is done at the stage of furniture assembly according to a pre-compiled scheme.

Surface luminaires under cabinets

LED panels are widely used to create beautiful lighting in the offices medical institutions, trading floors. Small panels are used for kitchen lighting. They are equipped with LED lamps, so they serve for many years. You can connect them yourself - this will require only self-tapping screws. LED panels do not tire the eyes, give soft diffused light, and are very comfortable to use.

Built-in furniture lamps on diodes

With the installation of built-in lamps, a novice master may have difficulties. To mount such devices, you need to make holes in the cabinets, stretch the wiring there. In order not to spoil the furniture, it is better to order such lighting in advance when designing a kitchen. The light from the built-in spots is bright, directional. They are easy to use and are a very practical option in the kitchen. There are several types of lamps - touch (wireless or with a switch), furniture, linear.

Touch

Sensor-triggered spots are considered best solution for kitchen. Depending on the type of lamp, it can be switched on by touching it with a hand or by the presence of a person in the working area. In the second version, the device is equipped with a motion sensor. This saves energy and time for the user.

Linear

Similar elongated devices are usually available in white or silver color. Despite the very bright glow, linear spots have low power. They can operate from 220V or 12-24V, in the latter case they are mounted together with a voltage converter.

Furniture

This solution will be successful if you need to brightly illuminate any area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe kitchen, to make an important accent. Furniture or facade lamps will emphasize the design of the kitchen set, provide proper lighting working area. Their size is small, so they look great even on the elegant facades of cabinets.

Selection Criteria for LED Lighting

When selecting devices, you should pay attention to a number of important parameters so as not to change them to new ones in the future.

Power

Power in watts (W) is used to indicate the luminous efficiency of fixtures, it reflects the rate of electricity consumption. If for other types of lamps the power determines the strength of the glow, then for LEDs it is a secondary figure. Even low power ratings give such a bright light that it would take 10 incandescent lamps to provide it. Instead of a 100-watt conventional light bulb, you should choose a 9-10-watt LED.

Glow power

The strength of the glow in lumens (lm) is directly related to the power. The luminous flux of diodes is the power of the beam energy, or a set of quanta emitted into space. The higher the power of the diode, the greater the luminous flux will be. So, at 5-7 W, the lamp gives out 250 lm, at 10-13 W - 400 lm, at 25-30 W - 1200, etc.

Also, when choosing a lamp, it is necessary to take into account the temperature of the glow in kelvins. More high performance give a cold glow, low - warm:

• 2500-4000 K - warm white;
• 4000-6500 K - neutral white;
• 6500-9500 K - cold white.

Best of all, the human eye adapts to a warm white glow, and such lamps should be chosen for LED lamps.

Protection

The instructions for any LED lamp for the kitchen always indicate the degree of protection against dust and moisture. It is denoted by two letters (IP) and the same number of digits. The first (0-5) indicates protection against solid contaminants, the second (0-8) - against water. The first marking "5" means reliable protection even from the finest dust, the second "8" makes the lamp completely waterproof.

Type of LEDs

All lamps have cartridges, diode bulbs are screwed into them. Therefore, when buying LED lamps it is necessary to pay attention to the suitability of their base for a particular cartridge. All of them are classified into types B, E, P, G, S.

In addition, lighting diodes are divided into the following types:

1. SMD LED. By design, these are crystals coated with a phosphor on a heat-removing substrate made of copper and aluminum. They have great power, are available in white. They emit light at an angle of 100-130 degrees.
2. COB LEDs. They are chips on a board, they consist of dozens of SMD crystals under one case, covered with a phosphor. Their luminous flux is even more powerful than that of the previous variety. Due to the large scattering angle (180 degrees) of light, such diodes are not suitable for creating narrowly directed radiation.
3. Filament LED. Most often used for decorative lighting. They have a spectrum of light that is very pleasing to the eye, reminiscent of that of incandescent lamps. The angle of the light flux is 360 degrees due to the cylindrical shape of the substrate.

Installation and necessary materials

To install the LEDs yourself, select desired option tapes and other devices. After doing the necessary work.

Choosing an LED strip

Before buying, you need to clarify how many diodes are per linear meter of tape. It can be from 30 to 120 pieces on a single strip, up to 240 on a double strip. Usually for the kitchen they buy from 60 LEDs / running meter. They also choose a tape according to the dimensions of the diodes, which are determined by the first digits of the marking. For example, in the SMD3528 model, the size of the bulbs is 3.5 x 2.8 mm.

Selection of a power supply

Usually, LEDs operating from 12-24 volts are purchased for the kitchen, since 220 V devices are used only in rooms with low humidity. Therefore, luminaires will require step-down transformers or power supplies. For them, it is important to correctly calculate the power, given the total length of the connected tapes.

Preparing for installation

Before starting installation, it is important to prepare a number of tools, fixtures, materials:

• tape reel;
• cable (section 0.74 sq. mm);
• dimmer with or without remote control;
• solder with rosin;
• scissors;
• soldering iron;
• double-sided tape;
• insulating tape;
• PVC corner or aluminum profile;
• drill;
• self-tapping screws;
• voltage indicator;
• milling cutter, if you need to cut the tape into the bottom of the cabinet.

Mounting

First, the location of the future location of the tape is chosen, taking into account the need for lighting and the design of the room. Universal method of fastening diode tapes - using aluminum profiles with protective light-scattering films. The installation order will be as follows:

1. Route the wire to the connection area by drilling an inconspicuous hole on the back of the cabinet. Measure the required amount of LED strip, cut off, strip the edges from the silicone coating by 1.5 cm.
2. Solder 2 cables to the contacts or connect them with connectors, if possible. Make joint insulation.

1. If there is an adhesive layer, the protective film is removed, the tape is pressed to the selected location. If there is no such layer, use double sided tape. If necessary, you can fence off the tape with a profile or corner in the color of the camouflage cabinet (the profile is fixed with self-tapping screws).
2. Fix the power supply, carefully connect the wires with the attached clips. The room must first be de-energized.
3. Check the wiring for a short circuit with a tester (voltage indicator). After connecting the tape to the network.

Installation Features

You should not buy and fix cheap tapes on kitchen cabinets, they fail faster. Increased attention should be paid to the insulation of wires, because the kitchen is always very humid. The markings on the tape will help you connect the cables correctly - plus and minus. Connectors are used only in the absence of a soldering iron, but professionals do not recommend this method of fastening wires, it is less reliable.

LED lighting in the kitchen is a beautiful and practical lighting option. It does not interfere with bright, annoying light, while fully illuminating the entire working area, therefore appreciated by users.