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Kitchen lighting under cabinets: light sources and installation technology

Greetings, comrades! Today I want to tell and show you how to place lighting in the kitchen interior working area what light sources can be used as lighting, how to mount them correctly and ensure safe operation of the lighting. Let's get started.

Where is lighting needed?

As you know, there is no arguing about tastes. If desired, you can illuminate any surface - lighting can not only be functional, but also be an element of the design of the room. However, there is one place where it is absolutely necessary: ​​the kitchen work surface must be lit brightly enough to ensure comfortable cooking.

Where exactly can the light sources be located?

• On the bottom surface of the cabinets above the work surface with a maximum offset towards the wall. In this case, your hands kitchenware and the dishes will cast a minimal amount of shadows on work surface;

Please note: if tempered glass is used as an apron, the refraction of light in it will give interesting effect: The apron will glow throughout its entire height.

• At the wall and at the facade. Bright and uniform lighting will be combined with the absence of shadows.

Sources of light

What light sources can the backlight use?

Recessed luminaires

This type of lamp is fixed in the cutout (in our case, in the cutout of the lower surface of the cabinet) with a spring clip. A lamp with a standard socket (for example, E14) can be equipped with an incandescent light bulb, a halogen light bulb, a compact fluorescent lamp (the so-called energy-saving lamp) or a LED lamp with an appropriate base.

It’s interesting: manufacturers often supply lamps for recessed luminaires with reflectors and lenses. Due to them, the scattering of light is reduced and, with a constant power consumption, the illumination of the kitchen working area increases.

Advantages and disadvantages

How good is a spotlight with a standard socket as a kitchen light and does this idea have any disadvantages?

• Replacing failed light bulbs is extremely simple;
• When replacing, you do not have any problems with compatibility: lamps for standard sockets (the same E14) are sold in any hardware store;
• Adjustable spot lights allow you to direct the flow of light to the desired point on the working surface, creating the brightest lighting possible at the expense of other areas;

• At the same time, through holes must be drilled for recessed lamps in the bottom wall of the drawers, which is inconvenient for their operation and negatively affects their strength;
• In addition, connecting the lamps to the power supply needs protection from moisture (in cabinets, you know, dishes often dry out) and from mechanical damage. The obvious solution is an additional shelf separating the lamps from the cabinet; but it will reduce the useful volume of the latter and worsen heat dissipation.

Advantages and disadvantages

What advantages does a diode lamp have compared to more conventional lamps - halogen, incandescent and fluorescent?

• Unlike the latter, any LED lamp gives maximum light immediately after switching on. It does not require time to warm up;
• Minimum power consumption is another argument in favor of LEDs. With the same luminosity, they consume 10-12 times less incandescent lamps, 8-10 times less halogen lamps and half as much as compact ones fluorescent lamps;
• LED service life, subject to normal temperature regime varies from 25 to 150 thousand hours. The only thing that comes at least somewhat close to them in this parameter is a full-size fluorescent lamp with an electronic driver (8-15 thousand hours);

• A lighting device based on LEDs does not suffer from a decrease in service life with a significant number of on-off cycles. Other types of lamps most often burn out at the moment of switching on, at peak values ​​of the currents flowing through them.

LED panels have only one noticeable disadvantage: they still have a slightly lower color rendering index compared to halogen lamps and, to a lesser extent, incandescent lamps. In practical terms, this means some color distortion compared to objects illuminated in bright daylight.

LED tape

LED strip is a flexible conductive substrate, on one side of which LEDs are soldered, and on the other side Velcro is applied, which allows you to securely fasten the strip to a solid base. Its main practical difference from LED panels is its small thickness, which makes it possible to make the source of illumination of the work area completely invisible to the viewer, even if the bottom wall of the cabinet is flat.

LED strips are divided into two categories based on supply voltage:

1. For a high-voltage (220 volt) strip, the length of a group of series-connected LEDs is usually one meter. It is with this step that you can cut the tape into segments, and it is precisely this section that will go out when any LED fails. To connect a high-voltage strip to the network, you only need a plug and a wire with a built-in rectifier (a diode bridge that converts 220 volts AC to 220 volts DC);

1. To connect to a low-voltage strip outlet, you need a switching power supply. The tape can be cut into pieces of 3-6 LEDs. If any of them burns out, only this segment will go out.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages and disadvantages LED strip They repeat the features of LED panels, but with one caveat: they are supplied without a diffuser (which also protects the LEDs and current-carrying paths from splashes and accidental damage) and a rigid substrate that provides heat removal.

That is why tape with a power of over 14 W/m is usually mounted on aluminum profile: It dissipates excess heat. The profile can be secured with self-tapping screws or glued with double-sided tape. The presence of a diffuser in the profile is desirable for IP20 tape, but protected tapes with silicone or PVC insulation do not need it.

Calculation

According to current regulatory documents, kitchen illumination should not be less than 150 lux (lumens per square area).

However: cutting meat or vegetables in low light can lead to an unplanned and unwanted change in the number of fingers on your hands, so I strongly advise you to increase the lighting in the kitchen work area to at least twice the standard level.

At a small distance from the light source to the working surface, the dispersion coefficient can be roughly taken to be 1.5: at least 2/3 of the light emitted by the lamps will reach the table surface.

By the way: a light or mirrored apron will increase the illumination of the work area while maintaining the same luminosity of the backlight.

If so, the luminosity of the light sources is selected at the rate of approximately 450 lumens per square surface of the working surface. This value roughly corresponds to:

• For incandescent lamps - 40 watts;
• For halogen lamps - 35 W;
• For fluorescent lamps - 10 W;
• For LED light sources - 5-7 W, depending on the generation of LEDs used in its assembly.

Installation

What does the installation of light sources look like in each specific case?

Installation of recessed halogen lamp

• The hanging of LED panels is usually done using self-tapping screws screwed into the bottom wall of the boxes, into pre-drilled holes with a smaller diameter;
• The grooves for the mortise heat sink profile are selected using a router. An overlay aluminum profile that is easier to install can be attached, as mentioned above, with self-tapping screws or double-sided tape;

• Low-power tape (less than 12 W/m) can be applied directly to furniture cabinets.

Nutrition

How to connect the backlight to power in each of the described cases?

• When installing built-in lamps, each lamp is connected to zero and phase with an insulated wire with a cross-section of 1.5 mm2 (for LED lamps it is permissible to use a copper wire with a cross-section of 1 mm2). Grounding is necessary only for the metal housings of protected lamps, which are practically not used as kitchen lighting;
• The LED panel or fluorescent furniture lamp is connected with a standard power cable. The small distance between adjacent panels allows them to be powered from a common wire using insulated conductive inserts;

• The tape is powered from an external power supply installed in a ventilated niche protected from moisture.

When connecting an LED strip, you should consider a couple of basic rules:

1. The total power of the tape should be 10-30% less than the rated power of the power supply. Operating in extreme conditions will significantly reduce its resource;
2. Two or more tapes must be connected to the power supply in parallel. Serial connection is fraught with overheating of the current-carrying conductors and a decrease in the brightness of the tape.

Safety

• All connections of luminaires to power wires must be insulated or made inside the luminaire body;
• The power supply for the LED strip must be protected from the curiosity of children and pets. Its partially open housing with contact terminals (including high voltage) can cause serious electric shock;
• It is advisable that the button or switch completely de-energizes the backlight (including drivers and power supply). This power supply will make the lighting safe even if the kitchen is flooded by neighbors.

Conclusion

As you can see, installing kitchen lighting with your own hands is not difficult even for a beginner. The video attached to the article will help you learn more about the options for its implementation. Good luck!

March 14, 2018

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The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. People spend quite a lot of time in it: cooking, eating, reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee, etc. The significance of this room is great, so when arranging it it is very important to choose all the interior details with special attention. Illuminating the work area in the kitchen requires a carefully thought-out approach. Places like the car wash hob, table top, most often remain in the shade. This is mainly due to the fact that there are wall cabinets and a hood above them. This is what leads to some discomfort during use. The solution to the problem is quite simple - beautiful LED lights kitchen work area.

Common types of lighting

Choosing lighting for the work area in the kitchen

In order to position correctly lighting, you need to familiarize yourself with some nuances. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the level arrangement. As a rule, the kitchen has 5 levels:

1. The first level is ceiling. Both pendant chandeliers and various compositions of spotlights can be used. Their location must take into account certain and working conditions. For the first option, chandeliers are ideal. They will add harmony and comfort to the kitchen space. And for the work area, spotlights are good, they will handle the lighting quite well.
2. The second level is the upper zone of wall cabinets. If the furniture design has a special cornice, then ideal option will be the installation of spots, you can also use rotating lamps. Their advantage is mobility; if necessary, such devices are turned in a certain direction. This is what allows high-quality illumination of that part of the work area that is needed at the moment.
3. The third level is the lower part of the cabinets. Here, the lighting of the work area in the kitchen can be varied. These are LED strips fluorescent lamps, spots, etc. As a rule, in this matter they are guided only by personal preferences.
4. The fourth level is the countertop. For this part of the work area, only waterproof LED strips are suitable.
5. Fifth level - floor. The lower part of the tables is decorated in the same way as the tabletop.

It is worth noting that the LED strip is ideal for installation at all levels.

What are the lighting options?

The most effective solutions:

Examples of kitchen decoration using LED lighting

1. Skinali is the most common and successful option.
2. A complex ceiling structure in several levels with installed LED lamps of different luminescence.
3. Combining light sources, for example, chandeliers, spotlights and LED strip.
4. The effect of furniture floating is achieved by installing special lighting on the lower part of the tables.
5. It is recommended to additionally install light sources near glass and mirror inserts. This will not only decorate the space, but also visually increase its size.
6. Kitchen lighting of the countertop and work area using lamps and LED strips.
7. The ideal option would be to distribute sources in parallel, for example, on the upper and lower levels of cabinets.
8. In the case of a glass tabletop, you can use an LED strip of a certain color. In combination with skinali, the effect will be stunning.

In fact, there are many more such options, the use of LEDs for illumination kitchen space allows you to widely use imagination and experiment.

How do LEDs work? How they work

LEDs are semiconductors and when connected to electricity they emit light. Depending on the chemical composition its brightness and saturation changes. Direct connection to the network is prohibited, as this will lead to overheating and the LED will burn out. It is recommended to use a special device that stabilizes the voltage in the network - a stabilizer. LEDs come in infrared, ultraviolet, yellow, white and other colors. They differ from each other in the type of glow, size and number of crystals.

LED backlight: advantages

1. Significant energy savings.
2. Resistance to mechanical damage.
3. LED lighting for the work area in the kitchen has a varied palette of colors.
4. Environmental Safety.
5. There are models with an increased level of protection against moisture.
6. Long service life: 15-20 years.
7. Bright but soft light.
8. Affordable price.

Tabletop lighting

When arranging a kitchen, it is important to fully illuminate the countertop area, since this is where a lot of things need to be done. However, when choosing devices, it is worth considering the specificity of its location. The countertop is constantly exposed to water, grease, soot and other dirt. Therefore, it is very important to choose LED strips with certain technical characteristics. There are models that have a special layer, which will protect the lamp from humidity, vapor formation and pollution.

There are several types of LED backlight mounting. The most common:

In order for the work area in the kitchen to please the owners for a long time, when installing it, you must follow the following rules:

1. The power of the tape and power supply must be the same.
2. It is better to connect the contacts with a soldering iron.
3. It is allowed to cut the tape only in the place with the marked “+/-” contacts.
4. To adjust the brightness, it is recommended to install a dimmer.
5. When connecting the tape, the contacts must be completely insulated, that is, they must not touch each other at all.

Illumination of the work area in the kitchen: installing tape

1. Measurements are taken using a tape measure.
2. The required length is cut off on the tape with a margin of 1-1.5 cm to free the contacts.
3. Before gluing, the surface must be completely degreased.
4. Cable sections are soldered to the contacts and then connected to the power supply.
5. It is necessary to install a profile and a special box in which the remaining wires will be hidden.
6. A switch is installed and connected to the LED strip.

The cost-effectiveness, versatility and durability of such lighting bring it to a leading position. However, it also has a weak point - the power supply. It is worth noting that it often fails, so it must be installed in a place where it will be easy enough to replace it with a new one or make repairs.

Ecology of consumption. Home: Modern kitchen equipment makes the cooking process less burdensome. Correct lighting of the room and LED lighting for the kitchen under the cabinets creates comfortable conditions for the home chef.

WHY LEDS

Everyone knows about the advantages of LED lighting compared to both traditional incandescent lamps and energy-saving lamps. This is extremely high efficiency and durability. It is also important that the LEDs light up at full power instantly, without requiring time to warm up, and their service life does not depend on the number of on-off switches. The only drawback is the relatively high cost. But the costs are justified: LED lighting in the kitchen will last for several decades, saving a lot of money due to low energy consumption.

If you already have a different type of kitchen lighting, do not rush to change it to a new one. Manufacturers produce LED bulbs for almost any type of base and, most likely, you can only replace the lamp itself, without changing anything in the lamp or limiting yourself to minor alterations.

WHERE TO POSITION THE LIGHT

Proper lighting in the kitchen should be multi-zone. This general lighting, light above dining table and of course, LED lighting for the kitchen work area.

A sophisticated consumer, technically savvy and familiar with the latest in interior design, often does not limit himself to functional lighting alone.

Where should and can kitchen lighting be located?

• Work area - lighting under cabinets.

The lighting level in the work area should be as high as possible

• The hood above the stove has built-in lighting.

If the hood light seems insufficient to you, standard lamps can be replaced with brighter and more economical diode lamps

Additional lighting in the following places adds convenience or simply decorates the interior:

• Illuminated glass cabinets. If you don't have collectible dishes, put frosted glass at the door, it’s no less beautiful.

The soft light emanating from the glazed cabinets visually lightens the kitchen set

• Above the upper cabinets, if the room has sufficient height. Light directed to the ceiling will make the room visually higher

• Under the lower tier of cabinets. The light source should not be visible, so a thin and inconspicuous LED strip for the kitchen is best.

LED lighting directed at the ceiling and floor in the kitchen above and below the cabinets is not intended for work, so it may not be white, but colored. The upper light can be bright, and the lower light should be dimmed, noticeably softer than in the work area

• An LED strip in the kitchen can be installed under the countertop and directed along the fronts of the lower cabinets, highlighting their contents.

The tape is fixed directly under the tabletop. The tabletop itself should protrude relative to the furniture front at a distance no less than the width of the light element

• You can also illuminate the tabletop itself from the inside; for this it must be transparent. They are made from several layers of glass and transparent polymer.

An LED strip is installed along the contour of the translucent tabletop

Another option is hidden LED lighting glass table top. The light source is directed from the end. To maximize the effect, the tabletop is made of transparent quartz glass with matte details applied to the surface. They are the ones who will glow

• Bar counter lighting, if available.

LED lighting for the kitchen in the bar area is usually directed downwards

• The luminous skin is the latest fashion. The light does not fall on it from the outside, but comes from within.

The luminous skin came into the kitchen interior from advertising lighting. This is a flat diode panel with an image printed on milky glass.

Actually, LED lighting in the kitchen can be placed almost anywhere. Only financial considerations can limit your imagination.

WHAT ARE THERE ARE LED LIGHTS FOR KITCHENS?

Do-it-yourself LED lighting can be made using ready-made lamps, or the lighting system can actually be assembled independently from individual elements. We list the main types of devices used:

• Surface-mounted linear luminaires. They are sold both individually and in sets, where several modules are connected in series into one block using a special adapter.

DIY LED lighting for the kitchen work area from ready-made linear modules

• Surface mounted spotlights.

LED illumination of the work area, made of corner lamps

Lamps, both linear and spot, equipped with touch switches. It is enough to touch their body in a certain place to turn the light on or off.

The touch switch is usually indicated by a constantly lit blue LED

• Recessed lamps, linear and spot. Being very thin, they are mounted in the bottom shelf of the cabinet flush with the bottom surface.

The recessed LED lighting for the kitchen is completely hidden in the bottom shelf. This is convenient, but installation of such a lamp requires certain qualifications

• LED strips for kitchen lighting are used no less widely than ready-made lamps. The reason for such popularity is the wide choice of brightness and color and, which is very convenient, the tape can be cut exactly to the required length. It is cheaper than ready-made lamps.

The choice of brightness and color is very diverse

INSTALLATION OF LED STRIP WITH YOUR HANDS

With ready-made lamps, everything is more or less clear, but how to make lighting on a kitchen set with your own hands from an LED strip?

WHAT WILL THE LED LIGHTING BASED ON RIBBON BE CONSISTED OF?

To assemble a working lamp you will need the following materials:

• Diode strip of the required length.
• If necessary, aluminum guide profile.

Kitchen lighting will look neater if placed in a special aluminum profile. This solution makes lighting installation easier

• Power supply 12 W.
• Switch.
• Electrical cable and plug or terminal block, depending on the type of connection. We recommend using a double-braided stranded copper cable with a cross-section of at least 2x0.75 mm2.
• Heat shrink tubing for sealing connections.

LED strip is often sold complete with power supply and control

HOW TO CHOOSE AN LED STRIP

The LED strip in the kitchen must be protected from water, this is one of the conditions safe operation. The minimum level of moisture protection is IP44 (withstands individual drops of water), better than IP65 (water jet). Voltage - 12 W, as the safest.

LED lighting for the kitchen work area should be bright, with a spectrum close to natural daylight. We recommend using a strip with three-crystal LEDs of the SMD 50x50 type, consisting of 30 diodes of 12 lumens each per meter of length. If you want to have brighter light, especially when equipping the backlight with a dimmer, it is better to choose a product with 60 diodes. Colorful temperature ranging from 3300 to 500 K.

Additional lighting for the kitchen, as a rule, should not be bright. Often enough luminous flux SMD 35x28 of 30 diodes of 5 lumens per meter. Color does not play a significant practical role and depends more on the design idea.

Specifications for Recommended Tapes

HOW TO CHOOSE A POWER SUPPLY AND SWITCH FOR AN LED STRIP IN THE KITCHEN

To ensure stable LED lighting in the kitchen, we recommend choosing a power supply with a power reserve of about 25%. The power of the tape depends on the model, specifications can be obtained from the seller. So, SMD 50x50 from 30 diodes “takes” 7.2 W per meter of length. Thus, if the length is, for example, 4 m, the total power will be 28.8 W. Accordingly, a power supply with a 25% margin is 36 W. Choose a compact model, it will be easier to hide.

As for the switch, the following options are possible:

• Simple push-button.
• Sensory by touch.
• Infrared, responds to hand waves.
• Dimmer that regulates the luminous flux. The control can be mechanical, in the form of a rotating handle, or touch.
• A control unit that makes the light flash or shimmer with multi-colored lights if a multi-color RGB strip is selected. Although, such effects are used infrequently.

LED lighting for the kitchen based on several strips should only be carried out using a parallel connection diagram

INSTALLATION OF LED STRIP IN THE KITCHEN WITH YOUR HANDS

LED backlight must be assembled in accordance with the following rules:

• The tape cannot be cut to length arbitrarily, only in certain places. For this purpose, special marks are applied to it.
• If it is necessary to use several tapes, they are connected to the power supply in parallel.
• Electrical cable, coming from the power supply, should be connected to the tape not by connectors, but by soldering, this is more reliable. The connection should be sealed using heat shrink tubing. You can also use electrical tape, but it is more difficult to do and will not look as neat.

LED strip in the kitchen: photo of the connection diagram with adjustable luminous flux dimmer

• LED kitchen lighting is attached under cabinets using double-sided adhesive tape. First, you should only lightly secure the tape in several places and, making sure that it is on in the right place and lay flat, press firmly along the entire length.

If you do not have sufficient knowledge and skills to work with electricity and electronics, entrust the installation of lighting to specialists. published

The kitchen in most cases is considered the main room in the house, so it is very important to arrange proper lighting in it that can meet all the needs of the family.

For illumination kitchen set It is better to use sealed LED strips because they may be subject to negative impacts moisture, steam, various contaminants.

Most often, LED lighting in the kitchen is used to divide the space. The tape can be easily divided into separate segments, and therefore it is possible to design functional areas in a different range of colors. This device appeared relatively recently, but it fits well into antique interiors. In most cases, you can find stationary and remote control LED strip.

A tape of this type is a semiconductor device that forms optical radiation due to the transmission of electricity in the forward direction. The light that travels will be in a narrow spectral range. Its standard characteristics will depend on the chemical composition of the conductors used. Such devices used to be quite expensive.

LED strip is an environmentally friendly, inexpensive, durable and durable device.

Main advantages of LED strip:

1. It is possible to achieve good light output. In terms of this parameter, lighting of this type in the kitchen can be compared with a halogen or gas-discharge lamp.
2. There are no sensitive components in such a tape, and therefore the device is quite durable and resistant to vibrations.
3. You can use such a device for 20-30 years, provided that the lighting in the kitchen works for about 8 hours a day. You should be aware that the brightness may gradually decrease if the backlight is used in conditions of insufficient cooling.
4. This device has little inertia, so you can turn on the tape as brightly as possible without any delays. For other designs, this interval can range from 1 second to 1 minute.
5. The number of on and off cycles does not at all affect the possible service life of the LED strip, which cannot be said about other devices.
6. Such designs are relatively inexpensive.
7. A high level of environmental friendliness, which is achieved due to the absence of harmful elements such as phosphorus, mercury and so on.
8. An additional advantage is safety of use. This is ensured by the absence high voltage and the relatively low temperature of such tapes.

Lighting helps highlight individual elements in the kitchen or visually expand them.

The design uses LED strips to illuminate the kitchen, as well as special devices that are equipped with many small light bulbs.

The last option is the most common because it helps to emphasize individual elements or visually expand them.

Illumination can be arranged from above wall cabinet or at the bottom of a base cabinet.

The top of the wall cabinet will not be subjected to any external influence, so in this case an open type tape may be suitable. Then the LED lighting can be connected directly to the hood.

Such structures are coated with silicone during production.

A protective layer of silicone will protect the LED bulbs from liquids, and will also make it possible to clean them with a dampened cloth, if necessary.

Ready-made lamps

Linear LED luminaires are easy to connect with each other.

There are also ready-made lamps with LED bulbs on sale, which are installed in transparent or matte shades. They are quite easy to install. To attach them to the wall, you do not need to have any special skills.

Linear luminaires, for example, can have different sizes and quality of shutter screens. To reliably hide LED bulbs from view, it is recommended to purchase lamps of 30, 60 and 100 cm.

Lamps of this type can easily be connected to each other to create a composition of light for the kitchen.

If it is not possible to choose a ready-made lamp, you can use an aluminum profile to place a strip with LEDs in it.

Return to contents

Diagram of lighting options in the kitchen.

1. If you place the device around the perimeter of the cabinet in the upper and lower parts, you can get lightness and airiness in the room.
2. If there are open shelves in the kitchen, then lighting that is fixed along their surface, where the side base is fixed, may look good.
3. In rooms where there are glass countertops, another technique can be used - spot lighting of the workspace. In this case, the lamps will need to be placed under the lid of the bedside tables.
4. LED strip is often installed along the perimeter of the walls (near the floor or ceiling). If there is a glossy flooring, then the devices can be placed flush with the bottom of the cabinets.
5. In the kitchen, which is made in classic style, interior lighting of the cabinets can be arranged. You can also focus on specific elements of the decoration.

If you want to make lighting in the kitchen with your own hands, it is important to understand that for modern interior It is better to use cold colors, and for classic ones - warm ones.

Today, quite often, LED strips are installed inside cabinets. It is best to use sensor furniture lamps for this, which are able to respond to the opening and closing of the door. This way you can create beautiful spot lighting. There are also special sensors on sale that react to movement. When used, the lights inside nightstands and drawers will turn on and off.

Light sources in the kitchen: natural, spot lighting and chandelier.

In specialized stores you can also purchase infrared switches that are designed for non-contact operation. They are convenient to use in everyday work environments.

To illuminate the work surface, it is recommended to use LED bulbs white. The light that comes from them will illuminate the dishes with natural light, in which they can look natural. If you select backlight yellow color, the food will look appetizing and beautiful. You should know that cold tones will only spoil appearance dishes.

The cooking room has a high level of humidity, so when choosing an LED strip, you need to take this nuance into account. Designs differ in the level of protection against moisture. The following types of devices can now be found on sale:

1. IP68 is a tape that is completely protected from moisture. This design can be used in any room. If necessary, this device can be lowered into water 1 m.
2. IP65 is a product that is protected from moisture. It can be easily used in the kitchen and bathroom. In some cases, such tape is installed on the street.
3. IP20 is a device that can be used in rooms without strong moisture. In most cases, it is installed to illuminate the ceiling in the living room or bedroom.

Proper lighting in the room is the key to harmony in the interior and maximum comfort in the home. Proper distribution of light in the kitchen will create correct accents in the design of the room and will make the work of the housewife easier. Most often, diode lighting in the kitchen using LED strip is used to illuminate individual areas. LEDs are chosen due to the fact that they are bright, consume little electricity, the tape is almost invisible and does not take up extra space. This kind of lighting is not difficult to do with your own hands if you plan the light distribution correctly.

An LED is a semiconductor element that emits light when current is applied. The brightness of the LED depends on the chemical composition with which it is filled. LEDs are connected to the power source through a stabilizer, since direct connection threatens overheating and damage to the diode.

LED strip is a flexible base with a stabilizing resistor on which LEDs are applied. An important advantage of the LED strip is the ability to adjust the brightness and shade of the glow. LED lighting is used as backlight functional zones premises and as decoration.

Lighting using LED backlighting has the following advantages:

1. Glow brightness;
2. Resistance to various types of mechanical damage;
3. Wide selection of light shades;
4. Long service life (about 16 years);
5. Saves time when turned on (does not require heating, but immediately shines brightly);
6. Affordable price;
7. Different radiation angles;
8. Safety of use;
9. Easy connection;
10. Resistance to temperature changes;
11. Environmentally friendly (does not emit harmful substances during operation).

DIY LED backlighting: where to start

Before you do LED lightening, you need to decide on the location where the tape will be installed.

LED lighting in the kitchen can be installed:

• Inside cabinets;
• In furniture niches;
• Above the work apron;
• As ceiling lighting;
• Along the bottom of the cabinets.

Before purchasing materials, you need to decide on the required quantity and type of lighting itself.

Rules for choosing LED strip:

1. Apron lighting. To illuminate the work area, a strip with an SMD 5050 LED containing three crystals is suitable.
2. Room decor. To decorate furniture and interior items, SMD 3528 tapes with one crystal are used. The brightness of their glow is quite enough for decorative purposes.

LED strip is sold in rolls; in addition to the strip itself, in order to install and connect it, you need to purchase fasteners and a power supply.

Before purchasing, the tape must be checked for visible creases or damage, and the voltage of the tape must match the voltage of the power supply. power unit required power selected based on the total length of the LED strip. Also, based on the power and length of the tape, an electrical goods store consultant will select everything you need for its installation.

DIY LED lighting. Preparatory stage

In order to make lighting with LED strip in the kitchen with your own hands, you need to prepare everything you need:

1. LED strip in the required quantity;
2. Power supply 220 - 12 volts;
3. Copper cable PVA 0.5x0.5 mm;
4. Electrical insulating tape or heat shrink tubing;
5. Scissors;
6. Soldering iron with rosin and solder.

After everything you need is available, you need to prepare the LED strip for installation.

You can find out what RGB or multi-colored LED strip is from the video below:

Installation of LED strip

Installation LEDThe tape is divided into several stages:

1. Preparing the tape. After preliminary measurements there is a need to cut the tape. The locations of the cuts are marked on the tape with transverse lines at the junctions of the fields. The field contacts should not touch when connecting the tape to the cable. Otherwise, the backlight will not function.
2. Connection of tape with cable. Using a knife or scissors, the ends of the cable are stripped to 1.5 cm. Connectors can be used to connect the LED strip to the cable, but soldering is a more reliable method. The soldering iron heats up to desired temperature, the white wire of the cable is soldered to the minus, and the brown wire to the plus. When soldering wires prerequisite is the use of rosin.
3. Contact insulation. Using electrical insulating tape or a thermal tube, each contact connection is insulated separately, then the insulated contacts are wrapped together. Insulation work must be carried out with the utmost care so that the connections are not damaged.
4. Connecting the cable to the power supply. If there are no lead-out wires on the power supply, the cable is connected to the block to the terminals inside the block. The clamps are marked, so connecting them yourself is not difficult. If the connection was made in another way, it must be insulated. If you have doubts about the polarity of the block or wires, you can check it; when supplying power to the power supply, you need to attach the ends of the cable to the clamps. The correct polarity will be indicated by a glowing LED strip.
5. Installation of the tape at the destination. LED strips have a self-adhesive base, so their fasteners do not require special labor. The main thing is to install it on a degreased and cleaned surface.

DIY installation of LED strip in the kitchen (video)