Installing an Armstrong LED lamp in a suspended ceiling with your own hands

Step-by-step instructions for dismantling the Armstrong ceiling

If you only need to replace the Armstrong suspended ceiling, or rather its slabs, then removing the old panels and installing new ones will not be difficult. It is enough to lift the panel in the cell, turn it diagonally and remove it from the ceiling structure.

In this case, there is no need to dismantle the lighting raster devices. It is enough to remove only the spotlights that are installed in the slabs to be dismantled. To do this, disconnect the device from the power supply, disconnect the wiring, and then remove the lamp from the stove.

If the Armstrong metal ceiling is dismantled, that is, the slabs are removed and the supporting frame is dismantled, then more large-scale and complex work awaits. Therefore, we will describe the disassembly process step by step and in more detail.

Tools and materials for work

Of course, all work can be carried out with a standard minimum set of tools, but it is better if you have everything necessary for dismantling. This way you can carry out the work faster and with less risk to yourself.

To dismantle the Armstrong suspended ceiling, stock up on the following materials and tools:

• screwdrivers;
• screwdriver;
• set of wrenches;
• putty knife;
• pliers;
• wire cutters;
• stationery knife;
• narrow nose pliers;
• insulating tape;
• stepladder or small scaffolding;
• safety glasses and gloves;
• polyethylene film.

Also prepare a rag to wipe off dust from the back of the slabs and profiles before storing.

Dismantling sequence

After preparing all the necessary materials and tools, you need to prepare the room itself. It is advisable to remove bulky furniture from it, which interferes with access to all areas of the ceiling surface. Cover what you decide not to remove with plastic wrap to prevent debris from getting on it.

After this, we carry out the work in the following sequence:

1. First, we dismantle the blind ceiling slabs. Since all the panels are not attached to the frame, but are simply laid on the shelves of T-shaped profiles, dismantling the panels is not particularly difficult. It is enough to lift the panel up from the cell, turn it diagonally and, tilting it upside down, remove it from the ceiling metal structure.
2. Similarly, we take out all the remaining slabs and store them horizontally in the corner of the room, because elements in good condition can be used for installation in another place.
3. After removing the blank slabs, we proceed to dismantling the built-in spotlights. To do this, release the spring mechanism that holds the device in the slab and carefully remove the lamp down through the hole. We disconnect it from the electrical wires and insulate their ends with construction tape.
4. To dismantle raster lamps, they are disconnected from the supply wires, reaching the back side of the unit through adjacent cells from which the blind plates have already been removed. After the device is disconnected from the power source, we wrap the ends of the wires with electrical tape, and remove the lamp by lifting it and turning it diagonally.
5. After this, it remains to disassemble the frame. First, we remove short transverse profiles 0.6 m long. To do this, it is enough to remove them from the lock in the longitudinal slats.
6. Then we dismantle the 1.2 m long longitudinal profiles, removing them from the lock on the supporting rails. But first you need to disconnect them from the ceiling suspensions on which these elements are suspended from the base surface. To do this, it is enough to loosen the tension of the suspension by opening the ears and remove the suspension hook from the groove on the profile.
7. We remove the supporting rails in the same way. That is, we first disconnect the hangers, and then remove the slats, which are simply laid on the wall profiles and are not attached to them with any fastening devices.
8. Next, you need to disconnect the ceiling hangers, on which all the frame elements are suspended from the base ceiling surface. To do this, use a screwdriver or screwdriver to unscrew the anchors or screws from the ceiling and remove the suspension rod.
9. All that remains is to dismantle the wall profiles, which in cross-section resemble a corner. To do this, we unscrew the screws from the walls on which the slats are attached.

Carefully store all dismantled frame profiles in separate piles, sorting them by purpose. In the future, these slats can be used to install a new suspended ceiling in another room.

As you can see, dismantling a suspended ceiling yourself is not difficult. It is enough to stock up on all the necessary tools and devices and strictly follow the sequence of disassembling the structure.

Installation of Armstrong suspended ceiling

The instructions for installing the Armstrong suspended ceiling, which are set out below in the text, are extremely simple and are divided into several stages.

Preparatory work

The technology for installing an Armstrong suspended ceiling with your own hands is easy to master, if you follow all the rules, even an unprepared person can handle it.

First of all, you need to purchase all the necessary materials and missing tools. We purchase the material with a reserve of 5-10%. This will allow you to avoid the well-known problem in the future when the work is coming to an end, and there is just a little bit of material missing.

It is also worth thinking about choosing a ceiling tile. Armstrong ceiling tiles are typically textured or smooth. If necessary, it can be painted in any color, with water-based or acrylic paint.

More recently, ceiling panels with 3D patterns have begun to appear. Their designs are very diverse and are practically limited only by the customer’s imagination.

Ceiling 3D panel 600x600

Assembling the suspended ceiling frame

First you need to mark the perimeter of the room with a horizontal line.

To do this, you must retreat from the ceiling at least 100 mm. Usually the indentation is 100-200mm. Next, use a building level to make markings. You can also use a marking cord. To mark them, we make marks in the corners of the room, not forgetting about the distance from the ceiling. Next, we fix the cord on one of the marks and stretch it to the next one. The cord will leave a perfectly even trail behind. The remaining walls are marked in the same way. A laser level or axle builder will help to significantly reduce the time spent on this stage of work.

After marking, we proceed to installation of the corner profile. It is installed around the entire perimeter of the room. Fastening is carried out, as a rule, using a dowel nail with a diameter of 6 mm. The fastening pitch is no more than 400mm. If the wall is wooden, self-tapping screws with a length of at least 35 mm are used.

The rail can also be positioned at an angle to the wall. In this case, we will get a diagonal layout of the slabs. But at the same time, labor intensity increases significantly.

In parallel with the installation of the supporting rails, we install the suspensions. With their help, the rail is attached to the ceiling. The step between the hangers is 1.2 meters. The first one is attached to the wall at a distance of 0.6 meters.

The suspension has a design that allows you to adjust its length and consists of three parts: a suspension rod with a hook, this part is attached to the support rail; suspension rod with an eye, this part is attached to the ceiling with an anchor, dowel with a nail or self-tapping screw; spring suspension, with its help the length of the suspension is adjusted.

• After fixing the supporting slats, it is necessary to mount slats 1.2 meters long. They are fixed perpendicular to the supporting rail. The step is 0.6 meters. The distance from the wall is 0.6 meters.
• Next, we fix the slats 0.6 meters long. We fasten them in increments of 1.2 meters. These elements are placed parallel to the carrier rail. Strictly observe the specified pitch of the slats, otherwise you may later encounter the fact that the ceiling panels may simply not fit into the resulting cell or, conversely, will fall out of it.
• If you intend to install lamps, then this must be done immediately after assembling the canvas frame. It is for the installation of lamps that a minimum distance of 100 millimeters is made from the ceiling
• The final stage is laying the slabs. If necessary, the slab can be easily cut with a hacksaw or an electric jigsaw with a blade for a clean cut.

At this point, the installation of the Armstrong ceiling can be considered complete. As you can see, there is nothing extremely complicated in the DIY installation technology. All the tools used are available and usually already available to the home craftsman. In the article we tried to highlight all the features and nuances of the work.

If, after reading the article, it still doesn’t become clear to you how to install Armstrong suspended ceilings with your own hands, a video instruction will save the day:

After watching the video, you should not be left with questions about how to install an Armstrong suspended ceiling.

Connection diagram

To connect to the network, a standard 4x18 circuit is used. Recommendations that will help you carry out everything correctly using the technology:

Lamp connection diagram

1. The wiring under the ceiling should be hidden in a corrugation, which is secured with ties. This will help prevent sagging and damage to fragile decorative boards.
2. The distribution box should be placed near the lighting fixtures, and the power cable should be led from it to each lamp.
3. Install light bulbs and reflectors after placing the lamp in its place.
4. Connecting cables: connect neutral (blue) to the terminal block via the N connector, phase (white/red) - to terminal L.

Expert opinionAlexey BartoshSpecialist in repair and maintenance of electrical equipment and industrial electronics.Ask a question to an expertAdvice! If you need to connect more than 1 lamp, the cables for each of them are stripped, twisted in pairs (by color), and then connected to the terminal block.

Connecting lamps.

They connect quite simply. Zero (blue wire) sits on the terminal block under the connector bolt marked N, and phase (red or white) - L and ground (yellow-green) - with a special symbol shown in the diagram below.

If each lamp comes with two electrical power cables (when connecting one from the other), then you need to strip the ends and twist the wires in pairs with pliers according to the colors and only then connect them to the terminal block.

That's all, anyone can install and connect the Armstrong ceiling lamp.

And most importantly, if you are in doubt about which LED or fluorescent lamps to buy, take the latter, because they are many times cheaper, but they do not consume many times more electricity, as many people think, compared to LEDs. I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the characteristics of fluorescent lamps and fixtures!

PS In my practice, once I had to convince a foreman who demanded that each lamp be attached separately to the ceiling base using hangers. Only a carpenter helped me convince him, who recalled an incident when a poorly secured frame fell and the lamps were left hanging on the wires.

Remember, if you plan to install a lot of lamps, the frame must be strengthened by installing additional hangers!

Features of ceilings

The Armstrong slatted suspended ceiling has its own design features, as well as the lamps suitable for it. Among the main features:

1. Speed ​​and ease of installation with minimal dust and dirt.
2. You can do the installation yourself.
3. Convenience of masking communications of any type and size. The ceiling can be lowered as much as required using special hangers.
4. Easy access to each block.
5. Elementary installation of a special lighting device instead of ceiling sections. In this case, wiring will not be a problem. The size of each ceiling section is 60x60 cm - it’s easy to lay new electrical communications.

Armstrong ceilings have an attractive appearance

Among the advantages of Armstrong ceilings and their lamps:

• Easy to install on any part of the ceiling. The size of the device is the same as the decorative cell; removing the ceiling element and installing a lighting device in its place will not take more than 1–2 hours.
• Uniform lighting. To do this, the devices are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. This helps eliminate dark areas.
• Adding new light sources without restrictions is carried out in the same way as replacing them with decorative ceiling elements.
• Easy access to wiring and fasteners.
• Each lamp has anti-vandal protection, which ensures the safety of light sources. In the case of mercury fluorescent lamps, this is a significant advantage.
• Lamps used for Armstrong ceilings can be mounted in suspended and plasterboard suspended ceilings. In the first case, the light element is only an LED. Installation in such ceilings has its own characteristics.

There are also disadvantages, the main one being the standard appearance. Consumers also note the high price of each individual lamp.

Equipment Features

The main feature of spotlights is their compactness. In this case, lighting is carried out at a slight scattering angle. This does not allow one device to illuminate a large area of ​​the room, but it does provide a concentrated beam of light in a single direction.

The most advanced modifications of lighting fixtures are equipped with rotating mechanisms. The external elements of the devices can be rotated along an axis. Thanks to this function, it is possible to change the direction of the light. Standard non-rotating products are also available for sale.

When choosing a model, it is recommended to proceed from the type of ceiling. For example, to install LED light bulbs, you will need to provide a base with a thickness of at least 6-7 cm. To install an incandescent lamp, the thickness of the base should not be less than 12 cm.

LED devices

LED lamps are a fairly expensive solution. However, LEDs allow you to achieve high-quality lighting in a variety of shades. Diodes fit into any interior, and installation work is not difficult. In addition, LEDs do not overheat, which allows them to be used in conjunction with materials that are adversely affected by high temperatures (for example, suspended ceilings).

Halogen lamps

Halogen light sources are the most popular lighting option when it comes to recessed ceiling lights. Their prevalence is primarily due to affordability, variety of types and forms. Light bulbs are powered from a 220 or 12 V network

The voltage parameter should be taken into account before installing the equipment in a suspended ceiling. For example, to install a 12 V lamp you will need a low voltage power supply

Incandescent lamps

This lighting method is the least expensive. A significant disadvantage of incandescent lamps is their size, which will affect such an important parameter of the room as the height of the finished ceiling. For example, the thickness of the base for an incandescent light bulb should be at least 14 cm.

Ceiling preparation

Like other types of suspended ceilings, Armstrong completely hides the imperfections of the rough ceiling, so surface preparation consists of removing the old peeling coating. If the whitewash or paint adheres firmly to the ceiling, it does not need to be removed. In the event of detachment of individual sections or destruction of the plaster, fallen pieces of the old finish can damage the slabs, so it is better to remove them and seal the cracks and cracks with cement or alabaster putty.

Armstrong ceilings with soft slabs are afraid of water and, when wet, fall to the floor and break. Therefore, in rooms where water leaks are possible, it is necessary to waterproof the ceiling.

There remains a distance of 20-25 cm between the finished ceiling and the ceilings, in which sound and heat insulation materials can be placed. In this case, first install a frame made of a wooden block for fiber insulation boards, positioning it so that it is offset relative to the frame of the suspended ceiling. Lay the insulation and cover it with a vapor-permeable moisture-proofing film. When using polystyrene foam, it is attached directly to the sub-ceiling using glue and mushroom dowels.

List of sources

• potolokspec.ru
• 1posvetu.ru
• remontkvartiri.me
• centro-pol.ru
• KakPostroitDomic.ru
• www.defsmeta.com

Types of mirror ceilings

Mirrored ceilings in any form are stylish and extravagant. In order to clearly understand the principle of their installation, it is necessary to consider each type in more detail. Today, the most popular options for mirror finishes are:

1. Stretch reflective ceiling
   . A system that involves the use of glossy polyvinyl chloride film carefully stretched under the ceiling surface. This type of construction is used in any room, as it is quite resistant to moisture and temperature changes. With the help of stretch mirror ceilings it is easy to create an extraordinary multi-level design that fits any design.
2. Polystyrene boards
   . Impact-resistant material for floor finishing, provided to consumers in the form of rolls. Mirror ceilings made of polystyrene panels are easy to install, thanks to the versatility and strength of the raw materials, as well as the adhesive base on the reverse side.
3. Classic mirrored ceilings
   . Ideal design for the level of reflective effect. Glass mirrors are better than others at expanding and illuminating the space, giving the room a sophisticated, rich look. It is recommended to install this type of ceiling only in the Armstrong system, since in another installation option it cannot be called completely safe.

Meanwhile, not all types of mirror ceilings can be installed independently. Tensile structures require a special tool, and ceilings made of a solid mirror slab are best fixed in the company of at least four people.

Installation options for Armstrong lamps

The lamp body is a square metal panel with dimensions of 600x600 mm, or 595x595 mm, and a thickness of 25-60 mm. It has four surface mounting holes that allow you to mount the lamp to a vertical or horizontal surface. In rare cases, a suspended installation method is used, for which additional parts are used - cables or hangers. They are attached with one side to the same holes, and the other to the load-bearing surface.

Before you buy an Armstrong LED lamp, you need to decide on the method of its installation. With different thicknesses of the lighting fixture housing, different types of installation are used.

Surface-mounted and arranged installation is most often used for Armstrong lamps with a body 40 mm wide. Embedding occurs by simply placing the lighting fixture on the suspended ceiling frame. The lamp body fits into the cell freely, since they are the same in size.

Armstrong lamps with a body width of 25 mm are installed only in the built-in way due to the presence of hidden parts, namely the power supply, which is located in the inside of the lamp.

The Armstrong lamp is installed in the following way:

1. Before installation, the diffuser is removed;
2. The lamp body is inserted diagonally into the selected ceiling cell;
3. The lamp in the niche is turned horizontally and aligned with the edges of the cell.

For complete clarity, we suggest watching a short video about the installation of Armstrong lamps:

And if, after watching the video, you still have doubts about installing Armstrong lamps yourself, our company’s specialists also provide such services. Phone number for contacting the installation department Vyacheslav.

You can view our assortment in the Armstrong lamp catalogue.

What will be required for installation?

Armstrong ceiling lights are installed when a suspended rack structure is already installed. To assemble the device you will need:

1. Screwdriver Set.
2. Stairs - the height of the streams is usually more than 3 meters.
3. Pliers.
4. Electrical tape or heat shrink tubing.
5. Index.
6. Current lamp.

Cells for installing lamps

Expert opinion

Alexey Bartosh

Industrial Electrical and Electronic Equipment Repair and Maintenance Specialist At this stage, it is assumed that the wiring and terminations for each device have already been completed. If not, you need to stretch cables for each light board, that is, for a cross-section of 600x600 mm you will need a phase wire and a neutral.

Stages of work

The entire process of performing work can be divided into several stages. Moreover, each of them can be performed in several ways and using different building materials. This manual discusses the simplest design of a suspended ceiling, which is produced according to generally accepted standards. For example, let's take the most common Armstrong ceiling.

Preparatory work

• First of all, you need to decide on the number of constituent elements. To do this, draw a ceiling on a sheet of paper to scale, which is divided into 60 cm cells. At the same time, they must be arranged so that there are as few small scraps as possible. If this is not possible, then they are placed on the far side of the room.
• Then add all the sides to get the length of the perimeter. It is necessary to order a perimeter corner according to it.
• By adding the length of the longitudinal sections inside the perimeter, we get the footage of the load-bearing profiles, and according to the number of remaining lines, we order transverse profiles for the suspended ceiling.
• Suspensions should be purchased at the rate of one piece per meter of supporting profile.
• The number of panels should be taken according to the number of resulting cells.
• After the calculations have been made, the ceiling is cleaned and treated with antibacterial primer.

Assembly option

This amount of material and the technology for installing a suspended ceiling are recognized as the most optimal and reliable. It is used all over the world for premises of any size and purpose.

Perimeter installation

• First, it is necessary to mark the perimeter on the walls to the level of the intended ceiling placement. To do this, you can use a laser level or a water level. Also, for convenience, a thread using blue is used.
• The result should be a straight line running along all the walls of the room. The corner should be installed according to it. This is done using impact dowels.

Drawing a line on the wall using a water level and blue thread

Installation of supporting and cross profiles

• The profile is mounted in accordance with a pre-made drawing that was used in the calculations.
• To do this, a special suspension is attached to the ceiling, adjusting it to the required distance.
• We attach a supporting profile to it, the ends of which are placed at the corner of the perimeter or connected to another material of the same type.

Suspension

After the second supporting profile is installed, we connect it to the first using crossbars. At the same time, the technology for installing ceilings involves the use of special locks, the hooks of which are located at the ends of the profile, and the grooves under them are at a short distance from each other along the entire length.

Additional work and installation of equipment

After the frame is completely assembled, you can begin laying out communications and utility networks. All wires are located along the walls, and only the lighting systems of a given room are led directly to the installation site of the devices. For ease of installation, you can temporarily remove several transverse profiles, which will later be installed in place.

Modern technology for manufacturing suspended ceilings involves the placement of special lamps for suspended ceilings in sections. They are attached in the same way as decorative panels, which are subsequently connected to the electrical network.

Installation of panels and lighting

Installation and connection of lamps in Armstrong type ceilings

Armstrong-type suspended ceilings are very often used for finishing ceilings in public and office premises, due to the fact that they are easy and quick to install, but most importantly, everything is inexpensive and with a minimum of construction dirt and dust compared to other types of ceilings.

Even a novice master can install the Armstrong ceiling. It perfectly hides all engineering communications and provides easy and unhindered access to them at any time. For electricians, this type of ceiling greatly simplifies the installation process (open at the base) of electrical wiring and installation of lamps (just insert the lamp into a free cell).

In order to prevent the ceiling from sagging under the weight of the lamps, the metal frame must be additionally reinforced with pendants.

Here is what Armstrong recommends verbatim on this matter: “When installing raster lamps without their own suspension to the ceiling, the distance between the supporting (guide) rails should be 600 mm, and the distance between the suspensions should be 600 mm. When installing raster lamps without installing them independently their pendants and lamps must rest on two supporting slats.” Well, as practice shows, just one pendant near the lamp is enough if all the pendants are fixed through two cells under decorative tiles measuring 60x60 cm.

Installation of lamps in the Armstrong ceiling.

Before starting installation, I recommend removing the raster or transparent plastic or glass from the lamp, which will give us access to the terminal block for connecting to the electrical network and allow us to install the lamps, provided that they do not interfere with subsequent installation and connection - I advise you to install the lamps immediately, because below - this is easier and faster to do.

Depending on the types of lamps, installation technologies will also differ. The main types of lighting fixtures for Armstrong ceilings are shown in the picture.

• The first two are standard sizes approximately 59x59 centimeters. They are very easy to install - at a slight angle both to the ceiling guide and to the plane itself, we insert the lamp inside the cell, turn it and place it in a square cell. See how the wizard does the installation in the picture on the right. Remember, if the distance from the ceiling base or communications to the frame is less than 20 centimeters, you will not be able to install a fluorescent lamp of standard sizes.
• I also had to install lamps equal in size to half the cell, while it is placed along any necessary edge of the frame cell, and the second half is covered with a piece of decorative plate cut to size.
• I often also installed built-in round or square lamps much smaller than the cell size. Under them, it is necessary to carefully and accurately cut a mounting hole in the decorative plate into which the lamp will be inserted. Cutting both round and square holes can be easily done with a sharp knife. In principle, everything is done in the same way as I described in the article: “installing a spotlight.”
• If the ceilings are high, then pendant lamps on cables are often installed above the workplaces, which are attached not to the frame, but to the ceiling base. Read how they are installed in my article “Installing a pendant lamp.”

What's good and what's bad about Armstrong?

In addition to ease of installation and low cost, the Armstrong ceiling also provides excellent sound and heat insulation. The inter-ceiling space is vast; lamps and communications are conveniently placed in it. Access to them and ceiling repairs are easy and do not require tools.

However, the Armstrong ceiling is not very strong and does not actually protect against leakage from above, and if the slabs are fibrous, then it itself is irrevocably deteriorated by moisture. It is impossible to obtain curved configurations with Armstrong, and the diagonal design of the ceiling negates all its simplicity and cheapness: only a highly paid master will undertake such work, and it will require a lot of time.

In terms of the height of the room, the Armstrong ceiling “eats off” at least 250 mm, so it can be found extremely rarely in city apartments. Nevertheless, the Armstrong ceiling is used not only in offices and supermarkets, as intended by its creators, but also in restaurants, entertainment centers, etc. But in such cases, Armstrong is no longer an economic, but a design decision (see picture above).

Repair of LED lamp ARMSTRONG | Peling Info solar panels

Repair of LED lamp ARMSTRONG

When buying electronics, you may find that they stop working on their own. It’s one thing when you still have a warranty, and the warranty card itself. But it happens when the warranty has expired or, even worse, the coupon is lost. In this case, you can try to fix it yourself. So that there can be very easy repairs as in this case. Yes, in most cases some parts will need to be replaced, but often the cost is pennies.

LED drivers are designed to limit current and voltage to keep the LED power within limits and the LED to last longer.

Drivers can be purchased for example here – https://got.by/29bkt7

In this video, we will look at a simple malfunction of the LED lamp driver and ways to solve this problem.

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Installation procedure

When installing a frame under “Armstrong” or “Grigliato”, it is necessary to provide a minimum allowable distance between the frame slats and the ceiling of 20 cm. Otherwise, installation of the lamp will have to be done simultaneously with the installation of the frame, and this method does not allow easy access and simple maintenance, and therefore not acceptable.

The Armstrong lamp (pictured below) is easily recognizable; it is a square-shaped design with four light emitters (lamps), covered with a scattering film or a reflective grille.

As a rule, installing Armstrong lamps does not cause problems, since the size of the cell window and the dimensions of the devices are the same. When inspecting the structure of a suspended ceiling, it is necessary to visually familiarize yourself with the suspension elements and their location, since there are cases of “fierce” savings by installers.

It is acceptable when there is one ceiling mount for two cells, and at least four for a square of four cells. Otherwise, during installation it is necessary to additionally fasten the lamp to the ceiling to minimize its weight on the suspended structure.

Before installing the Armstrong lamp, the diffuser is removed from the lighting fixture, leaving the housing with the starting equipment. In this state it is easier to manipulate during installation. A lamp is inserted into the selected cell at a diagonal angle. After it is completely behind the ceiling, it is turned horizontally and combined with the cell.

You can learn how to install a lamp in a suspended ceiling from this video:

Correct housing installation

https://youtube.com/watch?v=YGExpbtJHLY

In addition, we recommend looking at how to evenly position Armstrong-type lamps on the ceiling:

Using a Laser Level

In addition to raster ones, built-in or point lighting sources are also used; holes are cut in decorative slabs for their placement. This solution is well suited for small rooms with low ceilings, or places that require additional light flow.

To install the Armstrong lamp under a suspended ceiling, you must first install special fittings for attaching lighting fixtures. Because after installing a stretch ceiling, it will be almost impossible to correct anything, as is the case with the Armstrong or Grilyato modular ceilings, where the number and placement of elements easily varies.

ceiling installation, video, installation of lamps in a pendant, photo, how to connect, diagram

The Armstrong lamp is easily recognizable; it is a square-shaped design with four light emitters covered with a reflective grille. For the convenience of working indoors, high-quality and reliable lighting is necessary. This is especially true for public buildings such as schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and various offices. Armstrong ceiling lamps are considered one of the most common lighting devices today. They are distinguished by ease of installation and ease of maintenance. That is why they can often be seen in various public places.

Installation of a lamp in a suspended ceiling: characteristics of devices

If we talk about the design of the device, the Armstrong lamp is a fairly simple design made of profiles with dimensions of 59.5 by 59.5 cm. Inside such a lamp there are cooling radiators and LEDs (usually SMD LED), which are attached according to a certain scheme , to the frame.

The scope of Armstrong is quite wide: it is used for ceilings in public places and offices, sports and cultural centers, cafes and shops

The power of such light bulbs is quite high, but depends on the number of diodes available, their characteristics and a number of other indicators.

Varieties of Armstrong ceiling lamps, differing in the type of lighting bulbs:

• LED;
• Luminescent.

Many people prefer to install the second type of device because of its lower cost, but if you look in more detail, LED light bulbs are much more profitable to buy. For example, Armstrong 4x18 lamps with fluorescent lamps operate for about 10 thousand hours, while LED devices last for 50 thousand hours. The difference is obvious.

LED devices require less electricity than fluorescent ones. And they shine brighter, because the light fluxes are clearly directed at the illuminated area, and do not scatter.

LED lamps do not contain mercury and do not emit UV rays, therefore they are safer than fluorescent lamps.

Thus, when purchasing Armstrong lamps for a room, it is better to opt for LED devices.

Simple installation of lamps in a suspended ceiling: advantages

Armstrong lighting devices, like all other devices, have their advantages and disadvantages.

Thanks to the huge list of advantages, the popularity of Armstrong ceilings does not decrease, despite new technologies of suspended and suspended ceilings

The advantages include:

• Simple, unpretentious installation anywhere on the ceiling;
• The ability to replace damaged elements without unnecessary hassles;
• High level of illumination;
• Uniform light distribution;
• Possibility to add or reduce the number of devices if necessary;
• Areas where light bulbs used to be can easily be covered with a ceiling block;
• Free access to wiring and fastenings;
• There is additional protection against mechanical damage;
• The service life with continuous use is at least 3 years.

Of course, despite their undeniable advantages, these lighting devices also have some disadvantages.

Disadvantages of Armstrong devices:

• Standard “office” appearance;
• Long-term use may reduce the brightness of the light and irritate the eyes;
• Quite a high cost.

However, the first two shortcomings can be easily eliminated. To make the device more attractive, it can be additionally equipped with opal diffusers, which are quite capable of refreshing the room. And if the brightness of the lighting decreases, you need to change the light bulbs.

How to connect lamps on a suspended ceiling: operation diagram

Typically, installing Armstrong lamps does not cause any particular difficulties, since the size of the cell and the dimensions of the device itself are completely the same.

The Armstrong type ceiling provides simple installation and easy replacement of elements, allows you to hide communications and wiring

In order to make a connection, you need to use the following tools:

• Step ladder;
• Screwdriver set;
• Pliers.

A person who is not even very familiar with the world of electrics can install lamps in a suspended ceiling with their own hands, since there is nothing super complicated here.

The instructions for installing Armstrong light bulbs are quite simple:

• Before you start working, you need to remove the rasters from the device (usually protective plastic or glass), leaving only the body;
• Next, you need to insert the lamp itself into the selected cell diagonally at an angle;
• When the device has completely “entered” the ceiling, it must be turned horizontally and finally aligned with the cell.

It is considered acceptable to use one mount for two cells, and for four - at least four. Otherwise, during operation, you will have to additionally attach the lamp to the ceiling to reduce the load and eliminate the risk of collapse of the structure.

When working with electricians, you should not forget about safety precautions and be sure to make sure that the voltage is turned off! Only after this can the installation begin.

Standard Armstrong 4x18 lamp diagram: operating rules

After the lamp is installed in the suspended ceiling, it must be connected to the network. This work has its own characteristics.

You can connect the lighting device to the network using the following recommendations:

• Wiring under the ceiling itself is best done in corrugation and secured to the ceiling slab to avoid sagging;
• The distribution box must be located near the lamps and from it lead your own power cable to each device;
• It is better to install light bulbs immediately, and not when the device is already built into the ceiling;
• The neutral cable (usually blue) is connected through the terminal block to connector N;
• Phase wire (white or red) - to terminal L;
• The ground wire is usually yellow-green in color.

If several lamps are connected at once, you need to strip all the cables, twist them in pairs by color and only then connect them to the terminals.

The connection diagram for such devices is quite simple. The main thing is to know the markings of the terminal block wires and connect all the contacts correctly.

Armstrong's self-editing: video of work

Modern Armstrong ceilings have long gained popularity and occupied their own niche in the market.

The advantages of such a ceiling include:

• Easy installation;
• Quick repair;
• Free access to communications;
• Economical material.

To create such a ceiling structure, as a rule, a metal profile is used. During work, they begin to assemble the sheathing from it. The size of the cells themselves is 60x60 cm. Special ceiling tiles will then be inserted into them. The lamps themselves usually have a metal body into which the light bulbs are then inserted.

Armstrong ceiling installation (video)

When installing Armstrong ceilings and lamps, you don’t have to worry about the fact that this work requires some kind of deep knowledge in electrical engineering. Connecting such a device is even somewhat simpler than a massive, multi-tiered chandelier. Such lighting fixtures are sold in a fairly large assortment, so you can find an option that will fit into any interior. Due to their ease of installation and ease of use, Armstrong devices are often used in public and office premises.

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Varieties

Armstrong ceiling lamps are divided according to the type of light source into:

1. LEDs are gaining popularity due to their efficiency, durability and ease of use. Ice strips are built into the body and do not require replacement.
2. Luminescent - using gas-discharge light sources. Such devices are equipped with ballasts (ballasts), which, in turn, are divided into electromechanical and electronic. Electromechanical ballasts have a big disadvantage - they create pulsation, which negatively affects human health, spoils vision, and increases fatigue. Electronic ballasts increase the service life of fluorescent lamps, do not have a detrimental effect on the visual apparatus and are more economical compared to electromechanical ones.

Example of gas-discharge lamps: LPO (fluorescent ceiling lamps for public buildings) with one or two tubular lamps with a diameter of 26 mm and a length of 0.6 or 1.2 m; LVO (fluorescent recessed for public buildings) with two or four tubular lamps of the same size.

A large number of consumers prefer fluorescent lamps due to their low cost. But an LED lamp will be a promising purchase for the following reasons:

1. The service life of fluorescent lamps, of which there are 4 18 V pieces in the lamp, is 10 thousand hours (they will have to be replaced during operation), and for LED lamps - 50 thousand.
2. Diodes have lower energy consumption; the power of such a lamp is 45 W, in contrast to 120-watt gas-discharge lamps.
3. The diode device provides bright illumination due to the downward flow directed 120 degrees. With luminescent, dispersion occurs at 360 degrees. At the same time, the LED is economical, turns on instantly, without going through the flickering stage.
4. LED sources are safer than gas-discharge ones. The latter contain mercury vapor in the flask and, when destroyed, poison the environment and also emit ultraviolet radiation. Diodes do not make noise and do not emit thermal energy.

Scheme

When connecting fluorescent lamps, a special starting and regulating technique is used - ballasts. There are 2 types of ballasts: electronic - electronic ballast (electronic ballast) and electromagnetic - electronic ballast (starter and choke).

Connection diagram using electromagnetic ballast or electronic ballast (throttle and starter)

Operating principle: when the power supply is connected, a discharge appears in the starter and the bimetallic electrodes are short-circuited, after which the current in the circuit of the electrodes and the starter is limited only by the internal resistance of the inductor, as a result of which the operating current in the lamp increases almost three times and the electrodes of the fluorescent lamp instantly heat up. At the same time, the bimetallic contacts of the starter cool down and the circuit opens. At the same time, the choke breaks, thanks to self-induction, creates a triggering high-voltage pulse (up to 1 kV), which leads to a discharge in the gas environment and the lamp lights up. After which the voltage on it will become equal to half of the mains voltage, which will not be enough to re-close the starter electrodes. When the lamp is on, the starter will not participate in the operating circuit and its contacts will and will remain open.

• Compared to a circuit with electronic ballast, electricity consumption is 10-15% higher.

• Long start-up of at least 1 to 3 seconds (depending on lamp wear)

• Inoperability at low ambient temperatures. For example, in winter in an unheated garage.

• The stroboscopic result of a flashing lamp, which has a bad effect on vision, and the parts of machine tools rotating synchronously with the mains frequency appear motionless.

• The sound of the throttle plates humming, growing over time.

Switching diagram with two lamps but one choke

. It should be noted that the inductance of the inductor must be sufficient for the power of these two lamps. It should be noted that in a sequential circuit for connecting two lamps, 127 Volt starters are used; they will not work in a single-lamp circuit, which will require 220 Volt starters

This circuit, where, as you can see, there is no starter or throttle, can be used if the filaments of the lamps have burned out. In this case, the LDS can be ignited using step-up transformer T1 and capacitor C1, which will limit the current flowing through the lamp from a 220-volt network.

This circuit is suitable for the same lamps whose filaments have burned out, but here there is no need for a step-up transformer, which clearly simplifies the design of the device

Armstrong lamps: pros, cons, main characteristics

Before you buy Armstrong ceiling lamps, you should familiarize yourself with their main features in as much detail as possible and study the positive and negative qualities of the structures. It should be noted that lamps of this type are considered one of the most popular products on the Russian market. This demand is due to the high performance properties of the product, as well as its cost-effectiveness. The use of such lamps allows you to save significant money, since, unlike conventional incandescent lamps, Armstrong lamps consume several times less electricity. Such savings will be especially noticeable if lighting fixtures are used in large quantities in large rooms.

I would like to consider the advantages of Armstrong lamps in more detail:

1. Among the design elements of the lamps there is a special anti-vandal protection, which also serves as a diffuser. Anti-vandal protection not only protects LEDs from damage that may occur as a result of external mechanical influences, but also contributes to the uniform dispersion of light throughout the room.
2. Built-in Armstrong ceiling lights illuminate the room quite well. The maximum number of LEDs in such designs is 32, which allows you to get an excellent level of illumination.
3. The luminaires are also equipped with an aluminum cooling radiator, the role of which is to protect the LEDs from overheating and extend their service life. We add that the service life of LEDs reaches 50,000 hours of continuous use.
4. During their operation, Armstrong lamps make absolutely no noise.
5. If the voltage in the network sharply decreases or increases, lighting fixtures of this type do not flicker.
6. LED lamps do not contain mercury, therefore they are considered environmentally friendly and safe. In addition, there will be no problems with the disposal of lamps that have expired.
7. The light from such devices is diffused and uniform, which allows you to well illuminate every corner of the room.
8. The positive properties of such lamps also include the ease of installation. If there is a need to remove the structure in order to get to the communications laid behind it, dismantling is quite easy.

As you can see, lamps of this type have a number of positive qualities. But we must not forget about the shortcomings of the designs; let’s consider them in more detail:

1. The price of Armstrong built-in ceiling lights is quite high. Those who decide to purchase them are those who see real money savings in the case of using such devices. For example, owners of large premises will be able to save significant amounts of money on electricity bills. But in the case of small rooms or spaces where artificial light is rarely used, the cost of Armstrong lamps will not always be justified.
2. The variety of types and shapes of such devices is small, so it is unlikely that they will fit into any design. Armstrong lamps are best suited for rooms designed in a strict minimalist style.
3. The light emitted by such devices has a cold spectrum, so Armstrong lamps will not add coziness to the room. In addition, cold lighting with prolonged exposure is a little tiring.
4. After about 3-4 years of operation, some of the LEDs may become dimmer or even fade away, so over time they will have to be replaced with new ones.

Characteristics of LED lamp 4x18 Armstrong

Today, Armstrong suspended ceilings are very popular. This fact can be explained by their predominant design feature - free access to any communication systems located between the base of the ceiling and the surface of the suspended structure. This is very important when carrying out renovations in office premises, which often require, for example, upgrading the local computer network and internal telephony in a short period of time. Suspended ceiling structures of this type fully meet these conditions. Modern technologies have not left the lighting system of office premises without attention. The market offers many different options for 4x18 lamps for Armstrong ceilings.

All lighting fixtures for suspended ceilings are structurally similar. They are equipped with a metal case and a special protective screen (reflector grille) for the light source. The only difference between different models of Armstrong ceiling lights is the type of lamp used.

Armstrong 4×18

In this article:

Office ceiling lamps

Lighting fixtures with fluorescent lamps

Such lighting devices are most often equipped with T8 fluorescent lamps with a power of 18 W, less often T5 with a power of 14 W. The illuminator circuit provides for the placement of 4 such light bulbs simultaneously.

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Fluorescent lighting devices are equipped with a trigger control mechanism of an electromechanical or electronic type. The purpose of this device is to start the lamp and further maintain its operating mode.

It is important to know! The disadvantage of the electromechanical starting regulator is that there is a constant stroboscopic effect, which, according to users, is very tiring for the eyes. Electronic mechanisms do not have this drawback.

LED light sources

Armstrong ceiling lighting equipment with LED sources is most often used in office spaces that require sufficiently long-lasting lighting. This is due to the fact that LED lamps provide the opportunity to significantly reduce electrical energy consumption and, accordingly, save company finances.

Advantages! Such light sources are distinguished by excellent technical and operational characteristics, are easy to maintain, create lighting almost similar to natural daylight, do not flicker during operation, and have a fairly long service life.

Characteristics of ceiling lights 4x18

Purpose of the 4x18 lighting device

The raster luminaire 4x18 Armstrong with a mirror grille is mounted in suspended ceiling structures, as well as false ceilings made of plasterboard slabs. This lighting equipment is fastened using special clips.

• Such lighting devices are used in the implementation of lighting schemes for office premises, school classrooms, public buildings, and other premises in which monitors are used.

Description of the illuminator design

• The 4x18 recessed lighting fixture with a mirror grille is equipped with a welded all-metal body, for the manufacture of which sheet steel was used. Its surface is covered with white powder paint.
• A trigger control mechanism is installed in the housing of the lighting equipment.
• To protect the light source, a grille made of mirror aluminum is provided. In the body of the 4x18 Armstrong ceiling light it is fixed using special hidden springs.

Technical characteristics of the lamp

• Illuminator size - 59.5 x 61.5 x 9 cm;
• structure weight - 4.8 kg;
• type of light source - tubular fluorescent lamp with a diameter of 2.6 cm;
• nominal voltage - 220 V;
• power of lighting equipment - 4 lamps of 18 W each;
• climatic zone - UHL4;
• protection class of the lighting device - IP20;
• protection of the illuminator from electric current - class I.

For your information! Lighting devices built into ceiling structures for office premises absolutely do not require specialized tools and equipment during their installation. They are freely mounted in one of the cells of the frame of the suspended ceiling structure. All models of such lighting equipment, regardless of what light sources are used on them, are produced in the same size as Armstrong suspended ceiling slabs 59.5 x 59.5 cm.

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Installation

It is very easy to install the Armstrong system with your own hands, 10-15 sq. m of covering can be installed in 1 day.

For assembly you will need the following tools:

• laser or bubble level;
• roulette;
• drill or hammer drill with concrete drill;
• Phillips screwdriver or screwdriver;
• metal scissors or grinder for cutting profiles;
• screws or anchor bolts.

The good thing about the elements of such ceilings is that they are universal; the parts from any company are identical and are made up of guides and adjustable suspensions with the same fastenings. All profiles, except for the corner ones for walls, do not require self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws; they are connected using their own fastening system. Therefore, to install them, you do not need extra tools and materials.

Installation begins with securing the corner guides around the perimeter. They need to be fastened with the shelves down so that the top edge runs exactly along the previously marked line. Self-tapping screws with dowels or anchor bolts are used, pitch 50 cm. In the corners, where the profiles join, they are cut off a little and bent.

Then you need to screw the fastening units into the old ceiling and hang all the metal hangers on them by the upper hinges. The layout of the fasteners should be such that the maximum distance between them does not exceed 1.2 m, and from any wall - 0.6 m. In places where heavier elements are placed: lamps, fans, split systems, additional hangers must be fixed, at some offset from the location of the future device .

Then you need to assemble the main guides, which are attached to the hooks of the suspensions in special holes and hung on the shelves of corner profiles around the perimeter. If the length of one guide is not enough for the room, then you can build it up from two identical ones. The lock at the end of the rail is used as a connector. After collecting all the profiles, they are adjusted horizontally using a butterfly clamp on each hanger.

Next you need to assemble the longitudinal and transverse slats. They all have standard fasteners that fit into slots on the side of the guides. After complete installation of the frame, its horizontal level is checked again for reliability.

Before installing mineral slabs, you must first install lamps and other built-in elements. This makes it easier to pull the necessary wires and ventilation hoses through the free cells. When all the electrical appliances are in place and connected, they begin to secure the plates themselves.

Blind mineral slabs are inserted diagonally into the cell; lifting and turning, you need to carefully lay them on the profiles. You should not put too much pressure on them from below; they should fit effortlessly.

During subsequent repairs, installation of new lamps, fans, laying cables or decorative panels, the laid slabs are simply easily removed from the cells, and after the work is also placed in their place.

Armstrong type recessed ceiling light

Author: Evgeniy Chertushko Category: Useful tips You are here now: Home » Useful tips » Armstrong recessed lamp - replace or repair?

Armstrong recessed lamp - replace or repair?

Hello, dear readers of Elektrika56!

Just the other day a man turned to us for help. The Armstrong recessed ceiling light has failed. I couldn’t figure it out myself, so I decided to call an electrician.

Unfortunately, at that moment we were at a considerable distance from Orenburg. That's why they couldn't help.

Although there is nothing particularly difficult about repairing an Armstrong-type lamp.

Let's figure out together what could have broken in it. And how can you return the lamp to operation on your own without deep knowledge of electrical engineering and special tools?

In general, you come across such lamps quite often. Armstrong is a common and rather capricious thing. Please note that in places where many Armstrong lamps are installed, there will always be one where 2-4 lamps do not light.

This refers to the fluorescent version of the lamp, the one with lamps, starters and ballasts (EMRA or electronic ballasts).

First of all, let me remind you about safety precautions. Try not to work under voltage and be careful on the stepladder!

So, in order to determine the malfunction, it is necessary to remove the reflector. To do this, bend the latches located on the sides.

First of all, use a tester screwdriver to check the voltage at the input to the lamp. Because anything can happen. Maybe it's not the lamp at all.

One of the most common faults is a burnt out lamp. If there are two EmRAs in a lamp, a pair of lamps will not light due to one burnt lamp. If there is only one EmRA in the lamp, the burnt out lamp extinguishes the entire lamp.

Sometimes, a faulty lamp can be identified by eye, by the presence of dark areas near the contacts. In any case, it is better to replace the darkening lamp. She doesn't have long to work.

If there are no dark areas, we change everything one by one, installing known working ones. At this stage, it would be a good idea to carefully inspect the sockets into which the lamps are inserted. We are looking for loose wires or melted contacts (this does not happen very often).

In 73% of cases, replacing lamps helps.

If it doesn't help, we look further.

In luminaires with EmRA there is a starter.

They look like this.

They differ in color and operating voltage. You can ignore the color. We select the same voltage as it was installed. For 18W lamps this is a ST151 4-22W starter (Experienced owners of Armstrong-type recessed ceiling lamps usually have two or three new lamps and a dozen starters in stock. Their price is low.)

A faulty starter cannot be determined by eye. Sometimes the starter housing crumbles due to age, but it works. But it happens the other way around.

So, one by one, we replace the starter with known good ones. I usually check the starter and lamps on a work light. Well, to reduce the time spent under the ceiling.

If replacing the starter does not give the expected result, there is only one option left - replacing the starting device. It is also called a throttle. In my case, this is an electronic ballast that is simply asking for replacement. Note the darkening and swelling on the body. This happens due to power surges.

Carefully disconnect the wires, having previously photographed or sketched the circuit. This will make it easier to assemble. The fastening of the electronic ballast to the body is one-piece, I simply drilled it out.

All that remains is to buy and install it in place. If you can’t buy exactly the same one, pay attention to the operating parameters, dimensions and number of contacts. Can be secured with short self-tapping screws. Let's put together a diagram. Let's check. Everything should work.

If suddenly the lamp does not want to burn, we carefully put all the components in a bag and with a calm heart we go to the nearest trash can. It is with honor that we bid farewell to the Armstrong-type fluorescent recessed lamp for its well-deserved retirement. We did everything we could.

Then we head back to the nearest electrical goods store. There, we select an LED recessed lamp of the same type Armstrong.

Judge for yourself.

• The power consumption of the lamp with EmRA is 120 W, with electronic ballasts - 90 W, and the LED Armstrong consumes only 45 W. The difference is obvious.
• LED lamps, with lower consumption, provide a more even and rich luminous flux. Plus, they lack the flickering characteristic of lamp models.

• The stated service life of the LED lamp is 35,000 hours. This is almost 9 times more than a tube one!
• They also operate silently and do not heat the air.

Well, such lamps look prettier and more modern.

Of course, LED models are more expensive than fluorescent ones. But the difference in power and less frequent maintenance allows them to pay for themselves faster.

This is how the advertisement turned out, out of the blue.

Install beautiful and economical lamps.

Best regards, Elektrika56!

Article on the topic: DIY Armstrong LED lamp, how to make it and save money.

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Installation process

The minimum distance between the level of the finished Armstrong ceiling and the rough base is 20 cm; less is not allowed, since standard raster lamps cannot be built in. Before installation, you should check whether there are additional reinforcing hangers in the areas where the luminaires are installed.

It is allowed if there is 1 fixture on 2 cells for the lamp, but each individual square must have 4 hangers. If the performers saved money, then during the installation of the device they should additionally fix it to the rough ceiling using special suspension cables. Due to this, it will be possible to reduce the pressure on the suspended structure of the slatted ceiling.

Before fixing the lamp, you should remove the lamps, reflectors, and lenses from it; only the starting equipment remains on the body. Such manipulations will help reduce the weight of the lamp, and you can install it yourself. Next, the frame is placed in the cell and combined with it like a puzzle element.

If non-standard lighting fixtures are mounted, either spotlight or suspended, then a hole is cut out for them in the decorative slab and the device is inserted there, similar to installing them in plasterboard suspended ceilings.

LED modules - installation features

The choice in favor of LED lighting for the Armstrong suspension system is clear. The products allow you to achieve uniform illumination without harmful flicker while maximizing energy consumption.

Installing such lamps into the system is not difficult. To do this, markings are made on the device body for attaching the power supply and LED strip. According to the marks, holes are drilled for fastening with self-tapping screws. The fastening elements are fixed so that the LED strip fits against the device body without gaps. If you use adhesive, apply it to the back of the tape in several places.

As soon as the installation of the lamps is completed, check that the elements are connected correctly and install the light diffuser. The final stage is testing the device in working condition.

Experts recommend that when installing modular LED lamps, fix the LED strip to the body with self-tapping screws complete with polyethylene washers for the tightest fit of all elements.

Attaching the chandelier using a mounting strip

As a rule, chandeliers come in two types:

• Equipped with a fastening strip. The bar is mounted on the ceiling, and then the chandelier is attached directly to it.
• Attached to a ceiling hook that is securely screwed into the ceiling. We will try to cover in more detail how to attach a chandelier to the ceiling surface, using each of the indicated methods.

Mounting the mounting strip

Fastening the ceiling chandelier begins with installing the fastening strip to the surface:

1. To begin with, they try on the chandelier in the place where it is supposed to be installed in the future. The decorative element of the chandelier, covering the mounting point and wires, must fit tightly, without gaps or play, to the ceiling.
2. If there is a hook from an old lamp at the installation site, bend it to the ceiling so that it does not interfere. It is not recommended to cut off the old hook, since your next chandelier may be mounted using it, and you will need to re-install this type of fastener, which is impractical.
3. Make markings for fastening the mounting strip and install fasteners for the chandelier on the surface. To do this, apply the strip to the ceiling in such a way that it does not interfere with the wiring connection, and use a pencil to mark the mounting location. Next, drill holes and drive dowels into them. Then they attach the plank to the ceiling using screws (read further: Attaching a chandelier to a suspended ceiling).

A chandelier mounting strip correctly attached to the ceiling will be the key to the reliability of the installed lighting fixture.

Connecting electrical wiring

Before attaching the chandelier to the ceiling surface, it is necessary to connect the power supply wires provided in it to the power system of the house. Before connecting the chandelier, it is imperative to turn off the power to the house wiring and make sure there is no voltage using an indicator.

The rules for connecting a chandelier to the electrical network are as follows:

• If there is a single-key switch, the ceiling wiring under the chandelier usually consists of two or three wires - phase, neutral and optionally a ground wire. The presence of a grounding wire often depends on the time the house was built - in Soviet times such a wire was extremely rarely provided.
• It is necessary to determine the purpose of each wire, both among the ceiling ones and among those available in the chandelier. The phase wire is usually hidden in black, brown or red insulation, the neutral wire in blue, and the ground wire in yellow-green.

Connecting the chandelier wires to the electrical network must be done with the power supply turned off and in accordance with electrical regulations

Regardless of the presence of color or other markings on the wires in the ceiling, they should be tested with an indicator screwdriver. To do this, you will need to turn on the current supply for a while. You should touch the exposed part of the wires one by one and record the indicator value. The indicator that lights up will indicate the phase wire; if the indicator does not light up, it means the wire is neutral.

• Wires of the same type are connected through terminals, and if there is a wire “without a pair” (grounding), it is isolated and moved to the side. After this, you can continue further attaching the chandelier to the ceiling.
• A two-key switch assumes the presence of two-phase wires in the ceiling (see Ceiling lamps: select the one you need). They are connected respectively to the phase wires of the chandelier of the 1st and 2nd groups (if any). The neutral and ground wires are connected in the same way as in the first case.

Operating principle of a fluorescent lamp

Fluorescent lamps take advantage of the ability of mercury vapor to emit infrared waves under the influence of electricity. This radiation is transferred into the range visible to our eyes by phosphor substances.

Therefore, an ordinary fluorescent lamp is a glass bulb, the walls of which are coated with a phosphor. There is also some mercury inside. There are two tungsten electrodes that provide electron emission and heating (evaporation) of mercury. The flask is filled with an inert gas, most often argon. The glow begins in the presence of mercury vapor heated to a certain temperature.

Basic design of a fluorescent fluorescent lamp

But normal network voltage is not enough to evaporate mercury. To begin work, start-up and control devices (abbreviated as ballasts) are turned on in parallel with the electrodes. Their task is to create a short-term voltage surge necessary to start the glow, and then limit the operating current, preventing its uncontrolled increase. These devices - ballasts - come in two types - electromagnetic and electronic. Accordingly, the schemes are different.

Ceiling decoration

With the advent of Armstrong LED ceiling lamps, designers have the opportunity to bring original lighting schemes into reality. The lamps can be easily and quickly installed in the ceiling so that the integrity of the perception of the existing interior is not compromised.

With the help of these lamps you can create very beautiful lighting for a stretch or suspended ceiling. Being built into the ceiling trim, the LED lamp will not take up much space, which saves space.

Some models of LED ceiling lamps consist of only a few parts - a driver and a panel in which the LEDs are mounted. Thanks to this design, it has become possible to install ceiling lighting fixtures in very narrow and low rooms, for example, in corridors. Very often such products are installed in the kitchen. Considering that LEDs have a reliable protective coating, they are not afraid of moisture, so their installation is reasonable both in the kitchen and in the bathroom.

LED ceiling lights can be used as main lighting and as decorative lighting. There are models that are equipped with special blocks that ensure the operation of lamps in the absence of electrical energy. However, despite the multiple advantages of LED ceiling lamps, they have one, but very significant drawback - the high price. But in just one and a half to two years it will pay off in full.

Can't do without a diagram

If you decide to install the lamps yourself, you cannot do without an electrical diagram. Start developing only when you have decided on the type of lamps, the number of points and lamps, and have made an estimated power calculation.

Standard connection diagram

When choosing the place where you will install the lamp, take into account the presence of a computer or TV in the room. This is due to the reflection of the incident beam. Therefore, when choosing lighting installation points, think about the layout of the room in advance: where the furniture, TV, hanging mirror, etc. will be placed.

Essential elements

The design of LED lamps is quite simple. Its elements are:

• LED module.
• Housing with filter and base.
• Power supply board (driver).

The electronic board of the device can be accessed after disassembling the case. Cheap lamps use capacitors to limit current and voltage. The operating voltage of the LED is 3.3 V, and the current, depending on the type of lamp, ranges from 20 to 50 μA. When these values ​​are exceeded, the crystal overheats and the semiconductor fails.

LED light bulbs have a fairly simple design: several dozen LEDs are connected in series, forming a single light-emitting element. Using an electronic board, the current and voltage are reduced to the desired value.

When the electric current increases within reasonable limits, the diode begins to emit a stronger luminous flux. As a result, the light bulb has a brighter glow than other types, with other parameters being the same.

How to change a light bulb

There are 3 ways to attach the light source. Depending on this, as well as on the type of light bulb, replacement is carried out using different methods.

Before work, the lighting must be turned off on the panel and a stable base must be prepared. You can change the lamp only after the housing of the lighting fixture has completely cooled: there is a very high risk of damage to the glass part, which could result in injury to the worker.

There is no need to disassemble the suspended ceiling for this; the device is not even removed from the cell.

A special cartridge is typical for fluorescent and LED devices. First of all, remove the fixing ring, remove the glass from the transparent part of the device, and then unscrew the light bulb. The special chuck requires an additional 90 degree rotation.

To change an LED or fluorescent model, you should wear cotton gloves or protect your hands in some other way: greasy stains on the quartz glass of the bulb sharply reduce the service life.

In the lighting panel, replacement of any device is carried out only after its complete dismantling. The module is detached from the wires and removed from the ceiling frame.

The video discusses in detail all replacement methods.

How many Armstrong lamps do you need per square meter of an office, store or other premises?

To calculate the number of light sources for a store, hotel, school or other institution, you need to contact professionals, for example, specialists from the MAXUS store. Below we provide data for approximate purposes only.

SNiP requirements are taken as a basis:

• in the warehouse, utility room, corridor and other places where visual tasks are not performed, lighting of 100–150 lux is acceptable;
• in living rooms, including hotel rooms, this figure should be about 200–300 lux;
• in libraries, laboratories, offices, classrooms and similar premises, lighting of at least 500 lux is required;
• in drawing rooms, in production and other places where they work with small parts - from 1000 lux.

To calculate how many Armstrong lamps need to be installed per square meter, consider the size and shape of the room, the layout of light sources, the color and reflectivity of walls, ceilings and other surfaces.

What matters is the height of the room and the distance from the floor to the illuminated surface. After all, if a model with a luminous flux of 1000 lm is located a meter from the desktop, then the illumination will be 350 lux, and if the target plane is 3 meters away, the indicator will drop to 115 lux. In addition, the KSS, brightness and other characteristics of the light source are taken into account.

An example of calculating lighting for an office in a lighting design program

Principle of operation

The main design element of an LED lamp is the driver. The mains voltage is supplied to the electronic board and passes through a smoothing capacitor with a resistor. Due to this, the electric current is limited. Then the supply voltage goes to a diode bridge consisting of 4 multi-directional semiconductor devices. This structural element is necessary to convert alternating current to direct current. After the diode bridge, there is another capacitor and resistor in the circuit.

With their help, the electric current is again reduced and the required frequency is set to it. As a result, the supply voltage with the necessary parameters reaches a group of series-connected LEDs, which begin to emit a luminous flux.

How many lamps do you need?

When it comes to premises with high traffic, we should not forget about the norms and rules. This especially applies to the choice of the number of lamps. When choosing, it is worth considering the power of the luminous flux that the light source emits. If we are talking about rooms in which visual tasks are performed, then for 1 m2. area will need 150 Lumens. For libraries and office premises, this figure increases to 500 Lumens. In production facilities where work is done with drawings, small parts and much more, at least 1 thousand lumens will be needed to illuminate one square meter of area.

When the required lighting power is known, you can begin to select the number of lighting elements. A 4 W fluorescent lamp produces a luminous flux of 120 Lumens. Lamps 8 W – 450 Lumens. As the lamp power increases, the luminous flux increases. It is worth considering that LED lamps have a more powerful luminous flux than fluorescent lighting elements.

What's special about them?

The Armstrong ceiling structure consists of metal profiles. They create a sheathing that is sheathed with lightweight panels. The size of each cell is more standard - 60x60 cm. Armstrong suspended ceiling lamps themselves also have a body made of light metals, into which the lamps are mounted.

Lamps of this type can illuminate large rooms

All Armstrong lamps have a common characteristic - they are covered with plexiglass or a screen. Also, all of them necessarily have mirror surfaces, which help to use each lamp more efficiently. Varieties with plastic diffusers are often used in hospitals and kindergartens.

Everyone has definitely seen such lamps in shopping centers and supermarkets.

It would seem that all Armstrong lamps should be more or less the same, but this is not the case. These recessed lighting fixtures are varied and can be tailored to suit any environment.

Built-in Armstrong lamp - nothing superfluous

Design

Armstrong type lighting fixtures have the following standard design:

• A housing that is mounted in the ceiling of the same name.
• Lamp and starter holders.
• Raster grid.
• Throttle.
• Starter.
• Capacitor.

The Armstrong inlay looks original

Flaws

There is also a negative side to such lamps. There is essentially only one drawback - the price. Diode ceiling lights for Armstrong ceilings are much more expensive than similar fluorescent lighting fixtures. And nothing can be done about it - the technology itself is more expensive, which means the products in which it is used are also more expensive.

However, for a large company, this disadvantage can be reduced due to the fact that the service life of such lamps will be much longer. This will allow you to not change them so often, and adding to this, saving on electricity, we can say that the disadvantage is not so significant.

How to choose?

In order to receive enough light, when choosing such a lamp you need to pay attention to the technical characteristics. As for energy consumption, one fluorescent lamp will be 5 times more economical compared to an incandescent lamp, but its energy consumption also goes to the ballast system

If we talk about LEDs, they are 2 times more economical compared to fluorescent ones.

It is also worth paying attention to the service life. For the type of lamps under consideration this is:

• Luminescent - 7 thousand hours.
• LED - 50 thousand hours, but this is only possible if negative factors are excluded. For example, to ensure a stable voltage and eliminate “clattering”, that is, it is cheaper not to turn off such lamps at all.

Original LED glow When choosing, you also need to pay attention to the intended placement of the lighting panels. Often this is a checkerboard pattern, this way it is possible to cover all zones and make the lighting holistic and bright