How to choose a LED bulb
LED bulbs - an economical and modern option for home lighting. They are durable, and their variety allows you to choose the right shape, color temperature and a certain angle at which the light will be diffused. The right lamps will make lighting in any room comfortable.
Types of LED lamps
LED lighting is used more and more often. Bright LED lamps can save significantly on electricity in the home and at work.
Corn .
The bulb bulb bulb looks like an ear of corn: an elongated cylinder, with a diameter approximately equal to the base. The yellow diodes are arranged on polyhedron-like substrates. They provide good light scattering exceeding 300° angle.
Convenient for horizontal or spot lighting with a plafond that has a shading function. It is quite rare to find filament type.
Pear
The pear lamp with point LEDs distributes light at an angle of up to 180°. It is usually chosen for chandeliers with horns that point downward to illuminate the center of the room. If the sockets are oriented toward the ceiling, the lower part of the room will not be illuminated enough.
Candle
The candle bulb has a limited angle of dispersion and low wattage. It is mainly used for nightlights and tabletop devices.
There are bulbs with a variety of shapes: from simple to imitation of a candle in the wind.
Examples with a filament version are versatile, because they have a large angle of light scattering. They are capable of household tasks - illumination of separate zones in rooms.
Selection Criteria
It is important to relate your requirements to the characteristics of LED lamps.
Before choosing an LED lamp, you need to consider where it will be used. By location, there are lamps for streets, houses and special purpose rooms. According to the purpose of the lamp - to create general and decorative lighting in a room or spot lighting.
Differentiate LED lamps and the type of installation: ceiling, wall, floor, table, furniture. By type of installation are recessed, suspended, overhead, on support.
Among the additional functions that may be one of the criteria for the buyer's choice - setting the intensity and color of the glow, switching modes, built-in speakers, radio, USB port, etc. Before you buy a lamp, you need to familiarize yourself with the main characteristics.
Power
High lamp power is necessary in rooms with high ceilings, in outdoor areas and in landscape design. For comparison, you can read the table.
| Power of incandescent lamp, W | Power of fluorescent lamp, W | Power of LED lamp, W | Luminous flux, Lm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 5-7 | 2-3 | 250 |
| 40 | 10-13 | 4-5 | 400 |
| 60 | 15-16 | 8-10 | 700 |
| 75 | 18-20 | 10-12 | 900 |
| 100 | 25-30 | 12-15 | 1200 |
| 150 | 40-50 | 18-20 | 1800 |
| 200 | 60-80 | 25-30 | 2500 |
To calculate the required power for the house, you need the illuminance value, which is measured in lux. Thus, we calculate the required light flux per 1 m²: 1 lux = 1 lm x 1 m².
Also recommended: Variety of Sirius lamps
The calculation of the luminosity makes it possible to divide the room into zones that require more or less light. This way you can save on utilities.
The base
Ice lamps are now manufactured with an E40 or E27 base, provided with IP64 protection, which allows you to use them in all weather conditions.
Classify the types of bases on the application. Threaded is denoted by the letter "E". This type can easily replace an incandescent bulb. In homes, diode lamps with a standard E14 or E27 base are used. E14 lamps are called mignons.
The size of the bulb determines the size of the base. GU10 connector has 2 pins thickened at the ends, where G is the pin type, U indicates the presence of thickening at the ends, and the distance between the pins shows the numerical value. The design of the base corresponds to the connectors of starters, serving as one of the elements of gas-discharge light sources. The attachment in these lamps is rotary.
Electrical safety and ease of installation are the main advantages of the pin base.
Lamps with such a socket are used in reflector ceiling luminaires.
The GU5.3 and GU9 socket is used for suspended ceilings and has the same advantages as GU10.
LED fixtures shaped like a tube have a G13 base. They can replace fluorescent light sources and illuminate large areas and rooms with high ceilings.
The GX53 base is used for recessed lighting, furniture and ceiling finishing.
Useful reference: Main lamp bases
Lamp Warranty
Conscientious manufacturers give a warranty on LED devices for at least 2 years. The warranty for LED lights is on average 6-12 months, for fixtures designed for the interior - 1-2 years.
Some manufacturers may not provide a warranty period, in which case the store assumes this obligation. If the store does not meet the condition, the warranty period is automatically set at two years.
Having detected a malfunction before the expiry of the warranty period, the buyer has the right to demand that the store respects its rights under Article 18 of Law No 2300-1. If there is no warranty period, the buyer can make a claim for a period of up to two years.
Topical video: How to extend the life of an LED lamp
The seller has the right to deny the buyer a refund or other obligations if it can prove that the lighting device does not work:
- Due to improper transportation;
- Due to an accident;
- Due to improper handling;
- Due to attempted repair;
- Due to connection to defective equipment.
Angle of dispersion
Conventional electrical sources illuminate as much of the area around them as possible, LEDs direct light only in one direction. A diffuser is used to cover a larger area.
Achieve a uniform distribution of luminous flux allows the installation of LEDs in the plane at different angles. LED bulbs can spread light at an angle of 60° or 120°.
Service life
LED bulbs differ from conventional light bulbs with durability, which is why they are loved by buyers. Manufacturers tend to overestimate the service life.
For example, they often indicate a lifetime of 5-7 years. However, after 3-4 years, the lamps begin to lose brightness. This may be due to voltage fluctuations that are not taken into account by the manufacturer in calculating the service life.
Other characteristics of the lamps may be overstated. For example, they indicate the power of 5 W, but the actual power is 8 W. As a result, electricity consumption increases many times over, and the efficiency decreases. If you do not want to be cheated, buy bulbs from proven manufacturers.
Recommended for viewing: What to consider when choosing LED bulbs.
Color temperature
One of the advantages of LED lights over competitors is the color temperature. The choice is color spectrum makes it possible to create different atmospheres indoors.
The color temperature is measured in Kelvin. There is a pattern that shows what the shade of white color depends on. If the Kelvin value is lower, the light is warmer. The higher the value, the closer the light is to sunlight with a naturally cool hue.
2700 K emits warm light with a reddish-white tint, creates coziness in the home and has relaxing properties that provide relaxation and rest.
3000 K emits warm light with a yellow-white hue. Halogen and LED light bulbs have these values and are suitable for apartments and private homes.
3500 K is daylight white light, which is suitable for offices and public places.
4000 K - cold white light, which is used in medical facilities, subways, etc.
5000-6000 K - daylight with white-blue color, good for industrial organizations, factories, greenhouses, etc.
6500 K - cold daylight with white and lilac shade. Used in warehouses and institutions of industrial activity, for street lighting.
What LED bulb to choose for home use depends on individual preferences.
The color temperature indicator can be seen on the package in the list of characteristics. The information is duplicated on the base.
If you do not know how to choose a LED lamp for an apartment or other premises, which shade is more suitable, you can refer to regulatory documents, namely to SP 52.13330.2011 "Natural and artificial lighting," which has recommendations.
The presence of a radiator
The radiator prevents overheating and controls the light output of diodes. There are radiators of aluminum, composite, plastic and ceramic.
The most reliable and long-lasting radiators are aluminum heat sinks or ceramic if there is no dissipating bulb.
A plastic heatsink is handy if the light source will be used infrequently and for a short time.
What is the best LED lamp for the home and apartment
When choosing, the choice is taken into account:
- The color spectrum of the lamp - from 3000 K to 4000 K;
- The optimal voltage - 220 V, 12 W;
- natural color in the lamp with a color rendering index of 80 CRA (Ra);
- the location influences the choice of light flux - diffuse or directional;
- flicker is unnoticeable for lamps with a pulsation range of 5-15%.
You can opt for RGB with interchangeable color. This would be an interesting solution for the home.
See for sure: Comparison of LED bulbs: which is better - for $55 or for $4
The best manufacturers
In the European market is recognized several leaders Among the manufacturers. Philips (Netherlands) uses new technology, the products are safe for the eyes, have a minimal ripple factor, have passed all laboratory tests, the temperature of the glow is switched in one click. The cost of lamps - $ 500-20 dollars. You can buy them at Citilink.
Osram (Germany) has a wide range of LED lamps. The ripple factor - no more than 10-15%, color rendering index - 80, minimal strain on the eyes. The price ranges from $400 to $16. Can be found on Yandex.Market.
Camelion makes vintage and phytolamps for growing flowers at home. Despite the recent emergence of this manufacturer, a huge range of products is presented. The operating time of the lamps meets the stated specifications. The price is $4. You can buy in online stores.
Of the Russian manufacturers, the company Gauss has proved itself excellent.
Products have a long warranty period, high brightness up to 900 lm, characteristic design - antique style. The cost is within $ 20. Not often found in conventional stores. Can be found on Mirsveta-online, Svetelcom.
