LED lighting for the kitchen work area: rules for selection and installation, photo

Advantages of LED lighting

New lighting devices have retained all the advantages of traditional technologies and collected modern scientific achievements.

1. Mechanical strength and durability. The service life of such devices exceeds ten years, while the original technical parameters do not deteriorate. Lighting strips are mounted in durable metal cases, which completely eliminates mechanical damage.
2. Various colors. LED backlighting is most often white, but if desired, consumers can install all the colors of the rainbow. The luminous flux can be stable or variable according to an electronic program.
3. Safety. Lighting devices operate on 12 V or 24 V, such voltage does not pose a danger to users.

LED lighting for the kitchen work area

Selection of cable cross-section

Table for calculating cable cross-section
It is better to connect the lighting device with copper wire. Its cross section depends on the backlight power. An acceptable option is 0.75 mm2. To obtain accurate data, there is a formula: S=(2xIxpxL)/ΔU, where

• S – cable section;
• I – current strength, calculated by dividing power by voltage;
• L – wire length;
• p – metal resistance, taken from the reference book;
• ΔU – permissible voltage drop.

Calculations can be made using online calculators on various Internet resources.

Types of desk lamps

Manufacturers offer various solutions for desk lamps. There are different types of housings, materials for their manufacture, luminous flux power, etc.

When choosing a specific option, it is necessary to take into account the maximum number of individual factors, including the architectural features of the kitchen, the type of furniture and the cost of the system.

Prices for LED strips

LED strips

How to choose a power supply and other circuit elements

Feron power supply for LED strip 60 watt 12V
To connect strip lighting, you need to buy a 12 or 24 V power supply. The voltage of the devices must be the same. The second important characteristic is power. The exact value of the indicator for the converter is calculated using the formula: multiply the length of the lighting device by the specific power of 1 meter. Manufacturers indicate the required indicator on the reel. Add 20-30% to the result obtained. The reserve will allow the unit to function in normal mode, and not at the limit of its capabilities.

Converters are manufactured in housings with varying degrees of protection from moisture:

• sealed - with solid aluminum or plastic walls;
• unsealed - with a perforated body, they are installed away from moisture.

When choosing a multi-color ribbon, a controller must be installed. The most convenient is the model with a control panel. When installing several lamps, you will need an amplifier. The glow intensity is controlled by a dimmer. The control unit is installed as desired.

Step-by-step instructions for connection

As an example, we will look at one of the many options for installing an LED strip. If you understand the principle and sequence of actions, then any other types of lighting will not be a problem.

Illumination of the work area in the kitchen

For installation, an LED strip with a power of 9 W/m is used. linear

Tape and power supply

The power of the power supply is selected depending on the length of the tape. To protect against mechanical damage and contamination, the tape is inserted into a special corner profile, which has a matte screen for uniform dispersion of the LED light flux along its length and a wire for power supply.

Profile with diffuser and wire

The tools you should prepare are an electric drill or screwdriver, a grinder with a metal disc, a soldering iron with all accessories, a degreaser, wire cutters, a screwdriver, a mounting knife, self-tapping screws and measuring tools.

Tools

Prices for popular models of screwdrivers

Screwdrivers

Step 1

. Remove the plastic light diffuser from the profile and drill holes for hardware on one side.

Drilling holes for hardware

The diameter depends on the fastener, the distance is approximately 40–50 cm. We specifically chose the option of fixing the profile to hardware; it is very reliable, although it requires more effort.

The profile will be fastened with hardware

Professional electricians categorically do not recommend mounting it with liquid glue; there is a high probability that over time, due to the influence of high humidity, the structure will come off with all the unpleasant consequences.

Step 2

. Screw the profile to the bottom of the wall-mounted kitchen furniture.

Fixing a profile

Practical advice. A little longer, but much more effective, before screwing it into the bottoms, drill holes of a slightly smaller diameter than self-tapping screws.

The fact is that the vast majority of furniture is made from laminated chipboard, and these boards crumble when screws are screwed in; you cannot install a self-tapping screw twice in the same place. If it becomes necessary to correct minor errors, problems will arise. It is much easier, after drilling holes in the profile, to place it in place, transfer the pitch of the holes to the furniture, and then make holes along them.

Step 3

. Prepare the profile for a corner connection, if such a need is caused by the design features of the furniture above the desk.

How it's done?

1. Accurately measure the length of the required profile. Be sure to take into account the size of the plug, otherwise it will protrude slightly beyond the plane of the cabinets.
2. Carefully trim the element. When cutting, do not overheat the metal and do not allow the decorative coating to burn.
3. Prepare a hole of the appropriate diameter at the location where the power cable is connected.

Profile measurements and markings

Profile cutting

Drilling a hole for the wire and attaching a section of profile to the cabinet

Continue installing all remaining profiles using the same algorithm.

Step 4

. Solder the LED strip to the power cable, be sure to pay attention to the polarity.

Soldering the tape

There are special marks on the tape, and the wires have different insulation colors. Standards regulate the color of only two wires: ground (green with yellow streaks) and neutral (blue). Phase wires can have different colors, they are established by industry regulations.

How to solder LED strip

Wires are soldered to the tape

The current supply wire must be hidden behind the back walls of kitchen wall cabinets.

Step 5

. Glue the tape to the inner surface of the profile.

Important. Despite the fact that the profile seems clean and does not require preliminary preparation before gluing, it must be degreased.

Profile degreasing

The fact is that the technology for producing rolled products in bending machines uses technical lubricant. If it is not there, then microcracks and roughness will form on the metal surface. The lubricant layer is very thin, invisible to the eye, but it has a negative effect on adhesive compositions - adhesion indicators decrease by an order of magnitude. There is a risk that the tape will peel off and fall onto the diffuser; in some places its glow will become much brighter than the average length. This position does not have a negative impact on the performance characteristics of the lighting, but the appearance suffers.

Step 6

. Glue the tape to the profile.

Gluing tape

Remove the protective tape step by step and press the lamps tightly. The excess length must be cut off. Keep in mind that you only need to cut according to the marks. If it's a little longer, that's okay, bend the excess.

Step 7

. Reinstall the diffuser and install the plugs.

Diffuser installation

The plug is on

Step 8

. Connect the power supply. It can have different sizes and appearance; such factors do not influence the installation process. The power supply is connected in several stages.

1. Remove the front housing cover. Behind it are terminals indicating the polarity of connecting the LED strip power wire.
2. According to the polarity, firmly connect the wires to the terminals.
3. On the other side of the power supply there are three terminals: ground, neutral and phase. Screw the power cable wires to them.
4. Install the device in an unused space of the kitchen furniture. Most often it is placed next to the hood fan.

power unit

Turn on the backlight, if everything is normal, then you can safely use the device.

Using lighting in the kitchen work area

LED lighting is used not only in the kitchen. For example, tapes are used to create the effect of a floating stretch ceiling. You can make such a design from different materials, and which ones you can read on our website.

Video - Installation and connection of LED strip

How to do your own kitchen lighting with LED strip

If you know how to work with hand tools and have basic knowledge in electrical engineering, you can install the LED strip yourself. To complete the work you will need:

• LED strip in the required quantity;
• power supply that meets the technical specifications;
• copper wire grade PVS or equivalent with a cross section of 0.5 mm2;
• heat-shrinkable tube or electrical tape;
• scissors;
• soldering iron, solder and rosin.

If you use an LED strip without an adhesive layer, you will also need a screwdriver and a set of screwdrivers necessary to attach the frame into which the light source will be placed. Installation of LED strip in the kitchen is carried out as follows.

When using a frame, first mark the places for its attachment at the points where the LED strip is placed on the surface of furniture or building structures. After this, the frame is drilled in the marked places and installed using fastening bolts or self-tapping screws, into which the LED strip is subsequently mounted.