Have you decided to replace incandescent lamps with more economical diode devices? The prospect of getting well-organized lighting and at the same time saving on utility bills is very tempting. Isn't that right? But you don’t know how to choose LED ceiling lamps and which manufacturer to choose?
We will help you figure out LEDs for ceiling lights. The article discusses the types of devices, their pros and cons. The criteria for choosing the optimal option are given, taking into account the expected effect of the new light bulbs.
The visual illustrations and video recommendations attached to the article will help you make your choice. It will help to list the best manufacturers with a reputation in the lighting market. With our tips in mind, you can make an informed purchase.
What is an LED device?
The operation of the products is based on the principle of electric luminescence. A current flow passes along the boundary of two different semiconductors. At this moment, electromagnetic radiation is released, which lies in the color spectrum visible to the human eye.
Structurally, the lamp consists of a housing, inside of which there are semiconductor light sources, a diffuser lens, a cooling radiator and a power supply (driver).
A light bulb with white LEDs lasts less. It makes more sense to purchase a module with one powerful or several weak blue elements coated with phosphor. Such products will work for the stated period and provide a bright light flow that is pleasing to the eye.
The first LEDs had a distinctly red glow and were extremely expensive. When blue elements were invented, lamps became significantly cheaper and became available for the widest use in industry and everyday life.
Types of ceiling lamps
Ice lamps for ceiling lighting are produced in the most unusual configurations and differ in the type of base. Screw products have a thread at the bottom for screwing in and are marked with the letter “E”. Next to it are usually numbers showing the base diameter of the threaded connection.
For domestic use, screw LED modules E14 and E27 are most often used. These are universal elements suitable for most ceiling lighting fixtures, both modern and vintage.
The second type of base is called pin and o. Structurally, it consists of two small metal antennae that act as electrical contacts. With their help, the lamp is tightly attached to the lamp socket and held securely there during the entire working period.
The marking of pin-type lamps after the letter “G” may contain other letters and/or numbers. All of them mean additional configuration parameters and more clearly outline the area of target use of the LED element
The remaining bases, designated by the letters B, R, P, S, K, T, W, have a more narrowly specialized focus and are used much less frequently in everyday life.
What to look for when choosing?
Ceiling lamps based on LEDs differ according to the following important criteria:
- supply voltage;
- operating current level;
- base power;
- light output efficiency;
- shade (temperature) of the supplied light flux;
- radiation angle;
- shape and size;
- period of degradation.
All these nuances must be taken into account when purchasing. Only they will help you make the right choice and purchase a device that exactly meets all the requirements that the client places on a home lighting system.
The shape of LED lamps is so diverse that finding an element that ideally matches any ceiling lamp configuration is not difficult.
If you ignore any of the above points, the expenditure of financial resources on the purchase will be in vain, and it will not be possible to create the necessary level of coziness and comfort in the living space. LED light bulbs for general household use have an operating power of 3 to 15 watts.
Similar indicators for modules intended for industrial use reach up to 100 W. The emitted light flux demonstrates high intensity and, with minimal electrical costs, allows you to illuminate rooms of any size.
Lamps have from one to several dozen LEDs. This makes it possible to provide diffused or directional light, depending on the individual needs of the client
The efficiency of products is 90% and in this parameter LED products are significantly ahead of any other light sources.
Criterion #1 - Temperature of Light Produced
The luminescence spectrum of all supply sources is divided into three main groups according to color temperature. The first includes elements that produce warm white light ( Warm White ), very similar to the effect of a classic incandescent lamp.
They operate in the temperature range from 2700K to 3200K and are recommended for use in residential areas.
Warm LED lamps for ceiling lamps can create a cozy atmosphere in the room, conducive to comfortable rest and pleasant communication.
The second group includes the spectrum from 3500K to 5000K. This light is called normal or daytime white ( Neutral White ) and visually resembles the hue of the morning sun of good brightness.
It is perceived by the eye as neutral and is excellent for use in technical rooms of a house or apartment, in offices, classrooms and classrooms, production workshops, etc. Experts indicate that neutral lighting helps increase productivity, helps concentrate attention and does not lead to eye fatigue.
Lighting with neutral LED modules emphasizes the sparkling cleanliness of the bathroom and gives sanitary fittings an elegant and bright shine
In the range from 5000K to 7000K there are cool white lamps that produce very bright daylight ( Cool White ). They are practically not used in living rooms.
These modules are mainly used in hospital buildings, laboratories, corridors and technical premises.
Criterion #2 - radiation angle indicator
Such an important parameter as the radiation angle varies from 20 to 360 degrees for lamps from different manufacturers. This means that the LEDs shine brighter in the center, and reduce the illumination level towards the edges of the dispersion angle.
Modules with a wide dispersion spectrum differ from conventional LED lamps in that they have a front matte lens rather than a transparent one, through which the internal arrangement of the product is visible
This principle of operation allows us to ensure high-quality light supply to a specific space, spending significantly less power on the task. If there is a need to increase the useful illuminated area, an additional diffusion lens is built into the lamp.
Criterion #3 - marking of the size range
All manufacturers of LED ceiling products produce lamps of fundamentally different sizes and configurations.
The most common forms are:
- A – corresponds to the type of classic incandescent lamp;
- B – resembles an oval with a blunt end;
- C – looks like a candle flame;
- CA – called a “candle in the wind” and has a pointed edge slightly curved to the side;
- CW – looks like a candle twisted to one side;
- G – represents a traditional ball;
- E – is an elongated ellipse;
- R – equipped with a reflector (reflector);
- BR - has a convex reflective surface and is slightly larger in size than the R-module;
- MR – equipped with a mirror reflector;
- PAR – has a reflector of an unusual parabolic shape;
- T – is made in the form of a tube, on the surface of which working LEDs are located.
It is these ice lamps that are most popular and are most often used for arranging household and home comfortable lighting systems.
Criterion #4 - glow degradation time
A decrease in the intensity of a lamp's glow over time is a natural process caused by clouding of the crystals during prolonged use. Professionals call this degradation. When this happens, the efficiency of the lighting element decreases and the light saturation of the flux is noticeably weakened.
For LED products from well-known brands, the light intensity decreases closer to the end of the declared service life. Unnamed Chinese-made modules are more susceptible to this and may begin to fade at the very beginning of their operation.
How to choose LED ceiling lights for your home: lighting requirements
LED products are available in a huge range. It is very difficult to choose suitable lamp models among the thousands of options offered. Moreover, it is necessary to take into account not only the original design and construction of lighting devices, but also their compliance with certain requirements: efficiency, safety and illumination level.
The modern market offers a huge range of LED lamps for various purposes.
The allocation of lamps into separate groups depends on the following factors:
- scope of use – office, industrial, decorative, landscape, architectural, emergency;
- installation location – ceiling, wall, furniture;
- design – built-in, overhead, linear, with built-in and external driver;
- shape – round, square, rectangular, triangular;
- purpose of the premises - for the living room, bedroom, children's room, hallway, kitchen, bathroom, etc.
In addition, LED lamps are available with a built-in converter and with an external one. As a rule, built-in drivers are mounted in overhead lamps, since they have a larger body. The designs of some lamps have an LED lamp, while other models use a matrix of several LEDs instead of a lamp. Such models are the latest and fairly reliable option.
When choosing LED ceiling lamps, special attention should be paid to the degree of illumination for a particular room and the ability to regulate it. To do this, you should consider devices with a dimming function, as well as models with a built-in motion sensor.
Skillful use of spot lighting will highlight the dignity of the interior
To correctly determine the power of wall-ceiling LED luminaires planned for installation, it is necessary to use a certain rule. If, before replacing the light source, an 80 W incandescent lamp was used, then a similar level of illumination can be obtained using a 12 W LED lamp.
Designs of overhead LED ceiling lamps for home
The advantage of using overhead lamps is that there is no need to pre-prepare a recess for mounting them. They are mounted on a flat ceiling surface using self-tapping screws. Moreover, the ceiling structure can be made of any material: concrete, plasterboard, wood. The absence of fragile parts in such lamps prevents accidental damage to the lampshade.
Manufacturers produce models of overhead LED ceiling lamps in round and square shapes. They are installed mainly in technical rooms: kitchen, bathroom, toilet. It is possible to use them to illuminate the living room and children's room. The choice of a specific model depends on the style and dimensions of the room.
In the interior of spacious rooms, large models of overhead lamps are usually used.
When planning the lighting of a room, focus on the power, size and color of the lighting of the surface-mounted lamp. The glow colors of such lamps can range from standard white, warm and cold shades to warm yellow light.
Helpful advice! If you plan to use an overhead LED square ceiling lamp in a combined bathroom, pay attention to the level of moisture protection of the device.
In the interior of spacious rooms it is customary to use dimensional models. Large overhead LED ceiling lights 595x595x50 mm are more often used in office spaces. However, if your home has a billiard or sports room of impressive size, such a device can be used to illuminate it. A photo of overhead LED ceiling lights for the home illustrates the possibility of using them as a replacement for Armstrong-type ceiling tiles.
Surface-mounted ceiling lamps do not require special recesses and can be easily mounted on any type of ceiling
Advantages and disadvantages of LED lamps
Lamps powered by LED elements have a whole range of unique advantages that allow them to be used not only exclusively for lighting, but also to create an original and unique atmosphere in the premises.
With the help of these progressive tools, you can add bright accents to even the simplest interior and make an ordinary room stylish and exclusive.
Advantages of LED products
The operating temperature is so low that the device can be placed in close proximity to materials that are flammable or prone to melting.
With the help of LED lamps, you can brightly and unusually arrange the lighting of a stretch ceiling. LED elements will give the fabric a pleasant glow and create an overall radiance effect.
The option to adjust the direction of the light flow makes it possible to create zonal lighting in the room, emphasizing the style and originality of the design solution.
In this option, some places will be illuminated brighter, while others will go into the shadows and acquire some intimacy and intimacy.
If a ceiling lamp is used for background lighting, it is better to equip it with low-power lamps with different radiation temperatures. When you need to direct the beam to a certain area, you will need a spotlight with a mode for adjusting the direction of the light supply
Another undeniable advantage is the resistance of LEDs to cyclic load. They easily withstand a huge amount of activation, immediately flare up at full power when turned on, and instantly go out when the user presses the “off” button.
LED products are completely environmentally friendly and incredibly durable. Unlike conventional energy-saving modules, they do not contain mercury, are not afraid of shocks, vibrations and low temperatures
The ability to consume electricity economically also adds points to Led light bulbs. They consume 20 times less electricity than similar classic devices, while producing lighting of the same power.
The service life of LEDs is measured in hundreds of thousands of hours. They burn for a record long time without replacement, without forcing the owner to constantly spend money on buying new lamps. The absence of UV radiation is one of the very attractive features of LEDs.
Working indoors even for a long time, they do not provoke fading of furniture upholstery, do not contribute to the fading of wallpaper and do not cause cracking of paint on paintings. It is these moments that make ice products attractive and encourage users to give them preference.
Disadvantages of LED ceiling products
LED products also have disadvantages, although not as many as their advantages. The main thing that is reproached about LED elements is the initial high cost. Of course, this applies to devices produced under well-known and popular brands.
LED lamps cannot be screwed into closed lighting fixtures. Being subjected to constant overheating, they lose brightness and fail much earlier than the manufacturer promises.
Unbranded Chinese versions are readily available, but should be purchased with great caution. And you shouldn’t expect that cheap options will meet all the parameters and last a long time. The price reduction here is achieved by saving on components, which, naturally, has a bad effect on the quality of the products.
Sensitivity to elevated room temperatures somewhat limits the scope of use of ice products and does not allow their use in baths, saunas and other similar places
In addition, LED products cannot work correctly with switches equipped with LED backlighting. They flicker or begin to glow faintly when the device keys are turned off and create inconvenience for people who are in the room at that time.
LED ceiling lights for home: recessed models
If the replacement of all old light sources coincides with the time of repair, it is advisable to use recessed LED ceiling lights. Even at the project development stage, it is possible to provide for the placement of lamps and carry out the appropriate preparatory measures. Thanks to this, thoughtful lighting can highlight all the advantages of the interior.
Recessed LED luminaires for suspended ceilings
The design of built-in devices consists of a lamp and special fastenings, which are holder brackets with springs. Thanks to the simple fastening mechanism, the lamps are easy to install and remove. If the ceiling space is small, it is recommended to use designs with a thinner housing and an external driver. Models with a volumetric body are suitable for structures with a large ceiling gap.
The recessed round LED ceiling lamp with a diameter of 280 mm with a large luminous flux of 2240 Lumens has a thin body and a laconic design. The diffuser is made of durable acrylic polymer, due to which the lamp emits soft light. This model can be used as the main lighting of the room space.
With the help of spotlights for suspended ceilings you can create a truly unique environment
Helpful advice! The use of ultra-thin LED recessed panels with a thickness of about 1 cm makes it possible to create fairly compact lighting systems.
For an interior whose design is dominated by strict geometry, it would be appropriate to use square-shaped LED ceiling lights for lighting. Depending on the power of the LEDs, several such lamps can be built into one or several rows. Some people prefer to supplement the main light source with small LED ceiling spotlights of the appropriate shape located around the perimeter.
The technique of arranging central lighting with recessed spot LED ceiling lamps (photo examples illustrate this) allows you to achieve high-quality illumination of the entire room and place light accents on individual decorative elements. The combination of several types of lighting operating in different modes significantly saves energy costs.
Installation diagram of recessed LED spotlights
Use of recessed LED ceiling lights in the interior
With the help of recessed spotlights, you can not only illuminate the room with high quality, but also create certain zones, each of which requires different lighting intensities. In addition, spot lighting can be used to delimit space or provide nuanced illumination of decorative elements, setting the tone for the overall interior.
Spot devices consist of two parts: the built-in part is mounted into the ceiling surface, and the front part remains visible. Manufacturers offer many design options for spotlights: with frosted, transparent, reflective glass, with crystal mini-shades, with gold, silver, and matte frames. In a word, you can choose a lamp design to suit any interior style.
There are rotating models of lamps, the design of which provides for rotation of the body. Thus, their glow can be directed to a particularly successful decorative composition. For high ceilings, spotlights have been developed - spots. They can be single, double, or form an entire lighting system. Spots can be rotated in all directions, like a spotlight, changing the area of illumination.
A very popular option is to use spotlights built into furniture. For this purpose, predominantly round lamps with a thin body are used. Installation involves preparing a hole of the required diameter into which the lighting fixture is inserted. The main application is illumination of the working area of the kitchen surface, illumination of the contents of cabinets, dressing rooms and pantries.
Spot lighting built into furniture is one of the most popular lighting options
The use of spotlights in the bathroom involves choosing sealed models with a certain degree of moisture protection and a reduced operating voltage. These parameters can be seen on the product packaging. In addition, it is very important to choose a glow color that is close to natural, since this particular room is used for hygiene and cosmetic procedures.
Helpful advice! It is not recommended to connect LED lamps to a switch with a backlight function. This will contribute to unstable operation of the lamps and shorten their service life.
When using spot lighting for a stretch ceiling, you should take into account a number of nuances regarding the operating conditions of the tension surfaces. To do this, it would be useful to consult with the sales manager of this product.
LED ceiling lights for stretch ceilings
The technical characteristics of LED ceiling recessed luminaires for suspended ceilings must meet certain requirements. Lighting, first of all, should be evenly diffused and create a comfortable atmosphere. You should avoid using massive lamps for structures that are modest in size: they will only enhance the impression of limited space.
] LED spotlights for suspended ceilings[/anchor] offer a very wide selection of options
The limitless variety of LED spotlights for suspended ceilings allows you to find models applicable to any style. It should be noted that among them there are two main groups: devices with internal and external lamp placement. The internal layout of the light source provides directional light, creating a unique effect.
When choosing the type of lamp, you should take into account the temperature and power limitations of the devices. In this sense, in combination with a suspended ceiling, it is preferable to use devices with an external source. The external placement of the lamp in the lamp creates diffused light and allows the use of devices with a variety of decorative elements: chrome frames, crystal pendants, glass shades, etc. Such lamps do not emit excess heat and cannot cause deformation of the tension covering.
Using spotlights with a flickering effect in stretch ceilings, they create the light illusion of a starry sky. Using such light sources you can create a beautiful ornament or pattern. For owners of multi-level structures, designers recommend using lighting for each tier of the ceiling. Using LED ceiling lights with a control panel will make lighting adjustment comfortable and quick.
When choosing the type of LED lamp, it is necessary to take into account the optimal operating temperature conditions
Price of spot recessed LED ceiling lights
Before ordering and purchasing LED products, you need to arm yourself with certain knowledge in order to really evaluate all the advantages of the chosen lighting. First of all, pay attention to the manufacturer of LED devices. Products from well-established manufacturers will be of high quality and will last a long time.
Helpful advice! When choosing LED products, give preference to lamps from trusted manufacturers.
Main and decorative lighting projects using point light sources make such lamps extremely popular. High fire safety allows them to be used even for lighting poorly ventilated rooms. Laconic design, compactness and versatility of use are the main criteria for choosing such products.
You can buy spotlight recessed LED ceiling lights at lighting equipment sales outlets or on manufacturers' websites. The price depends on the design, materials used, number and type of lamps and many other factors. The cost of the simplest square lamp with a plastic shade and one lamp can be up to 350 rubles. More advanced models with two light bulbs reach a price of over 10,000 rubles.
When choosing LED lamps, you should pay attention to product quality and manufacturer reliability
Online catalogs contain photos and prices of LED lamps for suspended ceilings. This makes it convenient for consumers to familiarize themselves with the range and cost of products. In addition, consultation with professionals will allow you to make the right choice of lamps for use in a particular ceiling construction material.
Experts can also offer an overview of recessed LED ceiling-wall lamps for the rational organization of various types of lighting. All lighting devices are provided with a manufacturer's warranty. Discount systems and product return conditions have been developed.
Applications of Armstrong recessed LED ceiling lights
The design of Armstrong LED ceiling lamps is a group of LEDs combined into a common circuit and fixed in the lamp block. Depending on the number of diodes in the device, lamps can have different power. The devices are fastened by inserting them into sections of the suspended ceiling structure.
The main area of use of Armstrong 600x600 mm LED ceiling lights are public, commercial and industrial premises: supermarkets, train stations, schools, workshops, etc. However, they can also be used as lighting for the residential sector. Typically these are spacious bathrooms, spacious hallways or rooms for sporting events.
Armstrong type ceiling lamps are usually used in public areas
Helpful advice! LED lamps of the Armstrong type create a cool white glow, which does not distinguish them from devices that promote maximum home comfort.
The price of Armstrong type ceiling lamps is quite high. Therefore, their use is beneficial to those who will receive real savings in energy consumption if they are used. Purchasing cheap Armstrong 600x600 mm LED ceiling lamps is possible if you purchase a large batch of products, which is only possible for large institutions.
It is worth noting that in addition to a number of positive technical characteristics, Armstrong ceiling lamps can be used for both built-in and surface-mounted installation. This versatility makes them popular among other models. The price of an LED ceiling overhead lamp 600x600 mm is from 900 rubles.
Top list of the best manufacturers
The market for progressive LED equipment is saturated with offers from various brands. In the segment of lamps for ceiling lighting, the leading positions are occupied by several brands that have proven themselves to be producing reliable, high-quality, durable and environmentally friendly products.
No. 1 - Philips brand products
]Philips[/anchor] produces a wide range of LED ceiling lamps. The line includes modules that differ from each other in power, luminous flux intensity, color temperature and energy efficiency.
Lamps from Philips from the Essential series are suitable for surface-mounted ceiling luminaires. They provide natural light in the room, do not cause eye fatigue and create a soft, pleasant atmosphere around
Products from Philips are considered one of the most reliable and environmentally friendly, almost always fully exceed the service life declared by the manufacturer, and are sold for very reasonable money.
The manufacturer has official representative offices all over the world, so buying a real original product from Philipps, and not a Chinese fake, is not difficult.
No. 2 - Osram LED modules
Products from the German ]Osram[/anchor] are no less popular. This is one of the oldest brands operating in the manufacturing of lighting equipment. It first entered the market in the spring of 1906 and since then has been increasing production and providing customers with high-quality elements for comfortable, economical lighting.
Osram LED lamps, designed for installation in ceiling luminaires, are characterized by record low energy consumption and immediately after switching on they supply 100% luminous flux without the traditional ignition delay
Today Osram is part of the industrial sector of the international concern Siemens and is considered one of the leading manufacturers of innovative high-level lighting products.
The company's annual turnover exceeds 5 billion euros. Lamps of the German brand are produced at 48 modern factories located in 17 countries. The brand spends 5% of all profits on progressive research that helps improve LED products.
No. 3 - lamps from Foton Lighting
Foton Ligting Ltd is located in London. It produces and sells various types of elements necessary for modern lighting systems. The brand's priority is the production of advanced, innovative and high-tech products.
Ceiling lamps from Foton Lighting are recognized as favorites in the budget segment of the market. The combination of reasonable price, reliability and impeccable quality has made them a competitive product that immediately stands out among analogues from other manufacturers
The product range is very wide and includes both basic standard models and creative products that satisfy the most extraordinary customer requirements for lighting systems.
No. 4 - Gauss products
The Gauss trademark is owned by a young but very promising Russian company, founded in 2009 by the former development director of the Wimm-Bill-Dan corporation Denis Frolov. At the dawn of its founding, the company sold compact Chinese fluorescent lamps under the personal brand Gauss.
Products manufactured under the Gauss brand are of high quality, serve reliably for many years and have a company guarantee. By purchasing them from an official representative, the client can exchange the lamp for a new one within 3 years if it suddenly burns out
In 2010, Vatron acquired a co-owner, Ilya Sivtsev. A little later, both managers decided to refocus on the implementation of elements for LED lighting.
This thoughtful move brought the entrepreneurs a solid profit and allowed them to buy an abandoned plant in the Tula region to organize the production of their own LED products.
Effective investment in development, the creation of an advanced research laboratory and the organization of a research and production center allowed the company to begin producing progressive LED products.
By 2015, Vatron took control of about 18% of the domestic Russian market for lighting devices and related elements. Today the company produces modules of various shapes and designs and does not give up its leadership position in the budget segment of LED products.
No. 5 - Kreonix brand LEDs
The Russian manufacturer of LED equipment and related elements KREONIX Ltd offers customers about 400 types of progressive products manufactured according to the basic needs of consumers.
Kreonix provides a 3-year warranty on its products. During this period, the buyer will exchange the lamp for a new one if some of the LEDs in the old one have burned out (5% or more) and the brightness of the light flux has decreased by at least 10%
Modules are made in our own factory or purchased from popular and reliable Chinese factories, branded and sold on the domestic market under our own brand.
Among the advantages of the products are record-breaking economical electrical consumption, the absence of flicker visible to the eye, and an impressive service life. As well as a modern, attractive and functional design, which allows Kreonix lamps to be built into ceiling lamps of any design, even the most complex.
The following article will introduce you to guidelines for choosing all types of light bulbs for spotlights, which we highly recommend reading.
The main differences between LED chandeliers and other lighting devices
The main difference between this product and others is the use of special diodes, which are concentrated in groups. A large number of diffusers and mirror reflectors help create a unique light pattern, which subsequently changes its color tone upon refraction.
Controlled LED chandeliers on the remote control allow you to adjust the lighting intensity, its shade and energy consumption level. Additional lighting located around the entire perimeter makes this model a real favorite on the lighting market.
