In the design engineering, the production of finishing work and arrangement of modern interiors in the premises of private houses and apartments, there is a need to calculate and select the lighting system and, accordingly, the lamps. This issue should be approached responsibly and intelligently, as low and poor-quality lighting significantly affects human health and comfort. An excellent solution for these purposes and all types of ceiling coverings are ceiling spotlights. This review will help to understand the varieties of ceiling lights, choose, install and connect these lighting devices.
Contents
Classification of ceiling spots
Ceiling lights are widespread and can have different configurations. The main distinguishing features of lighting fixtures by design, in addition to appearance, are their method of installation and type of lamp used.
According to the method of installation there are ceiling fixtures:
- Recessed .Often used in combination with suspended or suspended ceilings, looking very aesthetically pleasing, compact and characterized by a simple method of installation.
- Suspended .: in a broad sense are not spot, but belong to the groups of chandeliers, sconces and others. Often used for decorative lighting or when mounted to standard ceilings and chandelier fixtures from the builder.
- Overhead .: mounted directly to the ceiling using dowels and self-tapping screws.
According to the type of lamps used:
- Halogen .Efficient and environmentally friendly lamps with long life and high luminous efficacy, but they have significant drawbacks such as high power consumption, heating and high sensitivity to mains voltage fluctuations.
- LEDLED: safe and energy efficient lighting fixtures, have a long service life and a wide range of light temperature, they heat up little and have a high efficiency factor. The disadvantages of this type are: flicker lamps when buying cheap Chinese lamps from unknown manufacturers (affects vision and eye fatigue) and a higher price than other options.
- Incandescent bulbs.Incandescent: are losing their popularity due to the fact that they are uneconomical and short-lived devices, have low efficiency, heat, but are still used by many consumers because of the very affordable price.
- FluorescentLEDs are very efficient and economical, as well as more affordable. Disadvantage of these lamps is that they are not safe if damaged (contains poisonous vapors of mercury and argon) and not eco-friendly.
Diagrams for connecting a 220V
Depending on the design of the voltage light fixtures are available for 220 and 12V. When installing lighting fixtures for 12 V use a special device - step-down transformer, which is calculated based on the number and power of connected devices. When installing a 220 V luminaires do not need a transformer and they are connected directly to the network In series or parallel.
Connection in series
This connection scheme is not often used, because it has some disadvantages. Serial circuit - a simple way of installation, in which light fixtures are connected one after the other. First lamp is connected to the phase wire, then another wire connects the next lamp, the next lamp from him, and so on. The neutral conductor is connected to the free wire of the last spot.
This scheme is not particularly effective, because if one lamp fails, the whole circuit will not work and you have to look for a blown device, looking through and checking all the lamps.
Parallel wiring
Is a time-consuming method of installation, but is highly efficient because of the independence of individual lamps from the performance of other lamps. In parallel connection the lamps will have the same light output regardless of the number of lamps connected. Parallel connection can be by beam or by daisy-chain.
In the ray connection power cable is led to the junction box, and from her each ceiling fixtures connected separate cable with the correct cross section. There is no difficulty in this method of installation, but it takes more time and is characterized by a high consumption of electrical cable.
A daisy-chain connection consists of bringing a cable and connecting the first lamp and then connecting it to its terminals (zero and phase) of the second lamp, from both leads of the second lamp connect the third lamp and so on.
Assembly steps
Warning! When you perform the installation work it is obligatory to observe all requirements on electrical safety, work only with switched off power supply! If there are any doubts that you will be able to manage this type of work, you'd better contact a professional electrician - it will save your nerves and time.
Choosing the placement of spotlights
The choice of the location of lighting fixtures depends on the room and the interior, the number of ceiling levels and the purpose of lighting. To understand what number of fixtures for basic lighting is necessary, consider the following rules when making a design or layout:
- Arrange fixtures at a distance of at least one meter one meter from each other;
- From the wall, the lights are usually placed at a distance of 50-60 centimeters from the wall;
- Take into account the areas where additional lighting will be needed;
- The distance from the ceiling frame and the finished ceiling must be at least three centimeters for easy installation of fixtures.
Calculation of materials
Calculation of the required amount of materials is made depending on the number of fixtures to be installed.
Based on the interior design or layout of lighting fixtures takes into account the number of lighting points, the distance to them from the junction box and the switch. Then selects the method of connection and, in accordance with it, calculates the length of electrical cable and the number of connecting terminals (For a high-quality, neat and fast installation is recommended to use terminals).
As a result, a list of the necessary materials and make their purchase and delivery to the place of installation.
Wire Installation
Install wiring It is best to install the wires to the places where the ceiling fixtures are located before installing the tension or suspended ceiling structures.
If the ceilings are suspended, the places of lighting fixtures should be marked, special embedded parts should be installed on which the spots will be installed later on.It can be fixed to the ceiling with special mounting clips).
When installing the framework stretch ceilings, cables are mounted on a metal frame to the ceiling cladding with plasterboard or plastic panels. The wire is led to each installation point of the lighting fixture and fixed to the frame with plastic cable ties.
To the lighting fixtures, depending on whether they have grounding or not, pull a two or three-core electrical cable. The type and cross-section of the cable depends on the power of the luminaires. Often, for small power luminaires are used SchVP 2x1, but you can use other types of cable.
Preparing the holes
Preparation of the holes also depends on the type of ceiling. With a stretch ceiling, a special ring is glued strictly according to the hole of the embedded part, on the inner contour of which the hole for the lamp is cut out. With a suspended ceiling, made of plasterboard or plastic panels, the center of the holes on the structure itself is marked, the required diameter of the drill bit is selected and the holes themselves are drilled with a screwdriver or drill.
Connecting spotlights
After completing the work on the wiring of the electrical cable, it is necessary to connect the devices. If the luminaires to be installed are designed for 12 V DC voltage and the cable is led from the transformer, it is important not to mix up the "plus" and "minus", otherwise the lighting will not work. If you are installing AC lights with 220V voltage does not make any difference to which terminal of the device mount the "zero" and to which "phase".
Mounting the luminaires
The fixing of ceiling luminaires depends on the design. Recessed luminaires are fixed by means of special brackets located on them. Surface-mounted luminaires are mounted with screws, and suspended luminaires with hooks.
When fixing, you must make sure that the mount or self-tapping screws will not touch the electrical cable.
When all the work is complete, all that remains is to turn on the lights, make sure that everything works properly and enjoy the light.
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