The installation of electrical appliances is increasingly focused on the needs of interior design. This applies to outdoor devices that are not masked, but are used in open form. For example, sockets, switches, various adapters and other accessories. But the most “responsible” devices of this type are lighting sources. Such devices should not only organically fit into their installation location, but also provide the most favorable radiation. A win-win option for such needs can be a recessed lamp in the ceiling that looks aesthetically pleasing in any interior. It remains only to determine the appropriate model and correctly complete the installation.
How to choose ceiling lights?
Deciding on the purchase of such devices should be based on several criteria. First you need to make a rough plan for the organization of light. This can be the provision of spotlight under a reading corner or a general dispersion system covering the entire area. Depending on the lighting concept, lamps are also selected. Although recessed models are more likely associated with fashionable LED devices, such designs can also be found in the form of frames for conventional incandescent lamps. These are the cheapest fixtures for the ceiling, the price of which is on average 100 rubles. In search of budget solutions, it is also worth turning to halogen devices, which differ in a good working resource and pleasant lighting. As for spot LEDs, which are also called spots, they are more expensive - for example, high-quality branded models are estimated at 1-1.5 thousand rubles.
Lamps for a ceiling "Armstrong"
Special attention should be paid to Armstrong type LED devices, which are specially designed for installation in municipal institutions, office premises, factories, etc. Their peculiarity lies in the design containing several LED lamps. Usually this is a rectangular or square case, in which small luminaires are built in rows. As a result, the device allows you to provide light with a large area due to the compact placement of miniature sources.
But there are other features that the Armstrong ceiling luminaires have in modern designs. The designs of such platforms are designed for implementation in frame ceiling niches. That is, the device can be combined with plasterboard panels. This configuration almost smooths the ceiling surface, adding to the interior attractiveness without loss in volume of light. At the same time, Armstrong’s building itself is distinguished by a strict but pleasant appearance - the optimal solution for the office.
Determination of the number of fixtures
Having decided on the type of lamp used, you can begin to calculate the number of sources. If the traditional chandelier due to the scattering case could be limited to one lamp, then the recessed lamp in the ceiling will not be able to cover the area of even a small hallway. The aim of lighting is to achieve uniformity of scattering at optimal brightness. Only a group of devices dispersed in different parts of the ceiling surface will help to achieve this result.
With all the shortcomings of incandescent lamps in this context, this is the most profitable option. For example, a room measuring 3 x 4 m can be served by three devices of this type. Halogen lamps on the ceiling in similar conditions will have to be installed in the amount of 5-6 elements. There are nuances in power indicators, which also affect the determination of the number of light sources, but the disadvantage of this indicator is fully compensated by 1 lamp.
Luminaire configurations
Even at the stage of choosing fixtures, there should be an idea of how the devices will be located on the ceiling surface. The distribution scheme should ultimately not only cope with the main function of lighting, but also be of design interest. The original solutions of today include the circular and border configurations. If it is planned to install a recessed luminaire in the ceiling with a fragmentary lowering of its separate part, it is recommended that the sources emphasize the lines of this allocation. Usually, a circular arrangement is formed in this way - it looks especially impressive in the dining room above the dining table of the same shape. The border scheme suggests that the luminaires will be lined up in one line, which runs along the entire area of the ceiling. This option is suitable for narrow rooms, such as corridors.
Preparation for installation
In accordance with the selected distribution scheme of light sources, it is necessary to separate the power supply circuits. Ideally, each device should have its own wire, but this depends on the sequence in which the fixtures are assembled - before installation or during installation. In addition, with a large number of devices, it is more advisable to independently distribute not over the lamps, but over the lighting zones. But in any case, it is important to adhere to the optimal power values, without going beyond.
The device, which is responsible for the power supply, must be provided with protection against an automatic differential switch. Only under such a condition can the fixtures be installed indoors. At the same time, all electrical connections that do not directly affect lighting devices must have reliable insulation and accessibility. I must say that the last condition is not always met, but it is easy to fulfill when installing fixtures in a suspended ceiling niche - it also organizes wiring.
Assembly and connection of halogen lamps
Marking is performed on the surface of the ceiling and a circle is cut, corresponding in shape to the body of the device. Next, connect the wire that protrudes from the terminal block of the suspended ceiling to the device. As a rule, after the wiring information, you can proceed to the assembly operations. In the simplest versions, halogen recessed luminaires require only a turn of the cartridge for a complete installation. However, complex cases with several elements may need additional connection of individual parts of the structure. One way or another, the finishing touch should be the introduction of a snap ring into the device, which will fix the device.
Assembly and connection of directional light devices
This event is largely reminiscent of the integration of halogen lamps, but there are also fundamental differences. Work begins in the same way - a circle is cut for future installation of the housing of the lighting element. Then, if a model with a removable cartridge is used, it should be placed in a special glass. After that, the springs are installed, although the options may be different - it all depends on the configuration of the device by the manufacturer. Springs can be provided in the set, and then this step can be skipped and immediately proceed to screw the lamp. If we talk about the standard installation scheme, the question of how to connect a lamp with directional light, involves the elementary connection of wires from the ceiling to the lampholder. Depending on the user's preferences, the optimal arrangement of the device is then adjusted, at which the mounting springs are clamped accordingly.
The nuances of mounting in the bathroom
Rooms with a high humidity coefficient are especially demanding for the installation of electrical devices. Follow safety standards even when buying a device, focusing on waterproof models. Direct assembly and connection are carried out according to the same rules as in the rest of the rooms, but it is important to consider the very arrangement of the devices. It is advisable to place the built-in fixtures in the bathroom so that they do not affect the least safe areas. For example, only the models with the highest IP protection index should be used within the area where the bath is located. The same applies to places where showers are located. Not so high requirements are imposed on the area with a sink and toilet bowl, but even here it is advisable to use only devices with special protection.
Installation of lamps with a transformer
Transformers are used as an addition to low-voltage lamps - of the order of 12 V. Usually this refers to halogen devices, which in this combination provide intense and saturated radiation. Installation begins by connecting the transformer to the luminaire. Next, the auxiliary element is removed into the ceiling niche and is fixed there at a distance of 20 cm from the main device. After that, the luminaires are mounted on the ceiling according to the general scheme: the springs are pulled up, and the housing itself is integrated into the socket. If necessary, you can use the snap ring for mounting, if provided in the kit.
User reviews of recessed fixtures
To the indisputable advantages of devices of this type, users attribute a pleasant appearance. The possibility of maximum concealment of the communication liner and lamp housing increases the attractiveness of the interior and, to some extent, the reliability of the design. As for the negative reviews, the recessed lamp in the ceiling is criticized for the complicated installation and the need for detailed calculations when drawing up the arrangement of devices. Since we are talking about compact devices in large numbers, the responsibility of the event also increases in terms of the structural effect on the plasterboard ceiling, which, incidentally, is not cheap.
Conclusion
The possibility of using built-in lighting fixtures has opened up new horizons, primarily for designers. Quite bold experiments with the use of point LED and halogen devices can be found today in ordinary apartments. For their part, manufacturers are also fueling this trend by releasing special luminaires for plasterboard ceilings in various structural designs. However, apart from the stylistic effect, such decisions do not introduce anything fundamentally new. The advantages of LED and halogen lighting, for example, can be obtained through the usual enclosures of overhead appliances, sconces and floor lamps. Moreover, according to some radiation characteristics, even incandescent lamps are ahead of fashionable technological sources in a qualitative way.