What you need to know about LED lamps
Tips / / December 19, 2019
About that, what is the difference from the usual LED lamps, what to look for when buying, and so they are good to use them to replace all the light bulbs in the house.
The LED bulbs are different from other
As the name implies, the light source in the LED lamp is a miniature electronic devices - LEDs. In conventional incandescent light is emitted red-hot metal spiral. The energy-saving lamps, light is emitted by the phosphor, which is printed on the inner surface of the glass tube. In turn, the phosphor glows under the action of the gas discharge.
Before proceeding to the actual LED lamp, a brief look at the features of each type of lamp.
incandescent lamp arranged very simple helix of refractory metal is fixed inside the transparent glass bulb, from which the air is evacuated. Passing through the coil, electric current heats it to a high temperature at which the metal is brightly illuminated.
The advantage of such lamps is the low price. However, it is compensated as low efficiency factor: is converted into visible light of less than 10% consumed power lamp. The remaining part futile dissipated as heat - lamp during operation is extremely hot. In addition, the service life of the device is very small and is approximately 1000 hours.
Compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs (This is the exact name of energy-saving lamps), at the same brightness light consumes about five times less energy than an incandescent lamp. CFLs are more expensive and have several significant disadvantages for the consumer:
- for a long time (several minutes) after the flare up;
- lamp with its curved glass bulb looks unsightly;
- CFL light flickers that tiring to view.
LED lamp It represents several LEDs are mounted in a single housing with power supply. Can not do without power supply: for LEDs require a DC power supply voltage of 6 V or 12 V, in the household electric system - alternating current with a voltage of 220 V.
Lamp housing is most often made in the form of the usual "pear" with a screw cap. With this LED bulb installed in a conventional cartridge without problems.
Depending on your LED light color of LED lamps can be different. This is one of their advantages.
incandescent lamp | Energy-saving | LED | |
emission color | Yellow | Warm, daylight | Yellow, warm white, cool white |
power consumption | greater | Average: 5 times less than that of incandescent lamps | Low: 8 times less than that of incandescent lamps |
Life time | 1000 hours | 3-15 thousand hours | 25-30 thousand hours |
disadvantages | strong heating | Fragile, long heating up | Low maximum power |
Benefits | Low price, work in a wide range of conditions | Relatively cost-effective and long-lasting | Very efficient and durable |
Advantages of LED lamps:
- very low power consumption - an average of eight times less than that of incandescent lamps of similar brightness;
- very long life - work 25-30 times longer than incandescent lamps;
- almost not heated;
- light color - a choice;
- stable brightness of the lighting when the power voltage fluctuations.
The main advantage of LED lamps - it's efficiency. It is assumed that due to the low power consumption and long life LED lamps will significantly reduce lighting costs.
The price of LED lamps at the time of this writing was about three times higher than normal. Therefore, in terms of money, they are 50-100 times more economical. Of course, the savings will be achieved provided that the lamp is completely fulfills the promised service life, and will not burn prematurely.
Disadvantages of LED lamps limit the scope of their application:
- uneven distribution of light - power supply built into a housing obscures light flux;
- matt bulb looks ugly in glass and crystal chandeliers;
- brightness, as a rule, can not be changed by a dimmer;
- not suitable for use at very low (in the cold) and higher (in steam rooms, saunas) temperatures.
What to consider when choosing an LED lamp
LED lamps have a lot of characteristics. This makes the task correctly choice more difficult. Let's see what exactly represent different characteristics.
Supply voltage
If your house or apartment unstable voltage, it is necessary to choose a lamp that can operate over a wide voltage range. It is always indicated on the package. Unlike incandescent lamps LED lamps are lit at reduced voltage as bright as in the normal state.
emission color
The color is characterized by a color temperature, which is measured in Kelvin: at higher color temperature light changes from yellow to blue. In most cases, the emission color is specified on the packaging and lamp housing in degrees and the words:
- Warm (2700 K) - approximately corresponds to the radiation of the filament lamp;
- warm white (3000 K) - is considered optimal for dwellings;
- cool white (4000 K) - for offices and production facilities; close to daylight.
There are lamps with variable color: when you switch the mode emission spectrum of such a lamp is changed.
We must bear in mind that many people do not perceive the blue part of the spectrum, so the cold light bulbs will seem dim them. So, if you decide to install a lamp with a cold home range, select them with a supply of power.
Power
On the packaging of LED lamps indicate their luminous flux and power similar to the brightness of incandescent lamps. The actual power consumption of LED lamps on average 6-8 times less. For example, the LED lamp 12 W shines as bright as a regular 100-watt bulb. This relation can be used when the pick up the LED lamp to replace an incandescent lamp.
However, here you can lie in wait for an unpleasant surprise: the stated capacity may not match the actual, and the lamp will shine weaker than expected.
In addition, over time, the brightness of the LEDs is reduced. It is possible that a light bulb will have to change long before the expiration of its service life due to the fact that she was too weak to shine.
Other highlights
- Dimensions. LED lamps in size a little more similar to incandescent bulbs. Therefore, small lampshades may just do not fit.
- If your lamp is turned on through the dimmer, you need the appropriate bulb. On the package it must be stated that the lamp is adjustable.
- color rendering index LED lamps is low: this means that they are somewhat distort visual perception of colors. In some cases, such as when shooting with LED light, it may be important.
transition strategy for LED lamps
potential saving It should not make you lose your head. Do not hurry to run to the store and buy light bulbs at once for all lamps in the house. Should be guided by two principles.
- Replace only lamps with high power - 60W or more. Savings from the replacement of low-power lamps will be small, and the cost of the new bulbs can not be recouped.
- Replace lamp in lighting, burning time for which the greatest day: for example, chandeliers in living rooms. Pointless to change a light bulb to some back room, the light in which lights up occasionally and briefly.
Do not expect that the electricity consumption is reduced significantly.
The main consumers of electricity in the home - all sorts of heaters: iron, electric kettle, washing machine, and especially electric. According to several people interviewed, electricity bill after the transition to LED lamps is reduced somewhere in the 15-25%.
Another tip: do not buy just a lot of lamps of the same brand, first take one to two per sample. The fact that the lamps of the same color temperature from different manufacturers can vary greatly according to the emitted light. Suddenly the spectrum of these lamps you will be unpleasant? Better to try.
conclusion
LED lamps in comparison with conventional incandescent lamps - a fundamentally new solution for lighting.
A few years ago, they were very expensive technical novelty, but today their price is comparable to the price of other types of lamps. As for performance, the LED lamps on them markedly superior to previous lighting. The verdict is clear: switching to LED bulbs is justified.