An LED is a semiconductor that is located on a special substrate, its main function is to convert the supplied electricity into light. LED lamps are gaining popularity. They are used both for the main lighting in rooms and for interior decoration. And also many prefer to hang LED-lamps in the role of illumination on the street, in cars, public transport, special equipment and industry. The most common form of a light converter is, of course, a lamp. There are a variety of small LED lights. They differ from each other not only in design and appearance, but also in that each type has a certain installation method and its purpose.
LED light sources
Industry does not stand still, and there are more and more modern lighting products, and the model range is more diverse. Therefore, today lamps from the usual incandescent bulbs differ not only in power, size, but also in the type of cap.
As soon as electronic products with LEDs began to go on sale, the price of such a novelty was beyond the means of many. The cost was justified by the savings on electricity costs, as well as bright lighting and a long service life - up to 15 years. After all, these are the main problems of conventional incandescent lamps. But over time, production improved, somewhat simplified, new solutions were found in the manufacture of LEDs and devices with them. In addition, huge competition began to appear in this spectrum among manufacturers and sellers. So, with the increase in offers today, LED devices have become available to every customer. Moreover, a modern product has become an order of magnitude higher than the original quality in terms of brightness, light output and other important technical and aesthetic parameters.
Benefit
Thus, replacing the old type of light sources with small LED bulbs, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from heavy metals, mercury and other substances, without which previous lighting devices did not exist. And also the transition to a new type of lamp will significantly affect the cost savings spent on electricity. Such lamps do not emit ultraviolet light, and there is no ripple effect (it has a bad effect on the state of health).
Cap
One of the main elements of any type of lamp is the base. Its main role is mounting in a cartridge and tightly holding the bulb supplying the light flux. Through the base, electricity is supplied to the light converter.
Lighting devices are divided into energy efficiency classes. That is why the types of socles were originally classified according to the attribute. LED devices - analogues are made on this basis. In order to change the lamp to a new one, you only need to understand what type of base is needed.
Threaded plinths
The most commonly used base in the home, which is designated as E27. This cap is one of the most common lamp of the creator of Edison. It features a threaded connection with a standard cartridge and a diameter of 27 mm. The full size range for the name of the socles of this type is as follows: E40, E27, E26, E17, E14, E12, E10 and E5. The first base refers to industrial and street lamps, this is a fairly wide base in diameter. LED bulbs with a small base, such as E14, are popularly called a minion. This type of cap is most often used in small lamps such as candles for chandeliers, balls and mushrooms.
Pin
In this type of socle, the connection with the cartridge is formed due to the 2nd or several pins in the form of a plug located on the lamp. This type has a Latin letter designation - G, GU, GX. Usually halogen or fluorescent lamps are labeled in this way, as well as their analogues - LED lamps. The second letter means that there is a specific feature of the pins, for example, a thickening at the ends. So, marking GU5.3, GU53 and GU10 indicates that the lamps have ends of contacts in the form of tablets for reliable fixation in the cartridge. The letters X, Y, Z mean that the base for mounting in the cartridge must be turned. With a 2-letter marking, lamps are used in spotlights for ceilings. And the figure indicates the distance in millimeters between the contacts.
That is, LED bulbs with a small G9 base are only 9 mm, and G4 is 4 mm between the two pins. Plinths of such a plan can differ not only in distance and ends, but also in the length of the pins themselves. So, G4 has slightly denser contacts, but shorter than that of G9. Usually they are used in decorative lamps, sconces and chandeliers. Power, as a rule, is small. Base G13 is commonly used in tube type T8 fluorescent tubes. Such lamps are Armstrong ceiling, double and single long or emergency.
Recessed contact
Such a base is used to connect with the cartridge in the spotlights of linear halogen lamps. It is indicated by the letter R. The number indicates the diameter of the contact in millimeters.
Type T telephone base. These small LED bulbs are installed in automatic control panels and control panels.
On a note
LED lamps are a complete analog of the previous lamps. But still there are certain points that you need to pay attention to:
- Size can vary significantly with those that are being replaced.
- For LED lamps, you need another transformer, the one that remains from the halogen lamps will not work. And if you purchase small LED bulbs for a chandelier that work from 220 V, then there is no need for additional equipment at all.
- Incompatible with a dimmer that was installed for discharge lamps and incandescent lamps. In order for it to become fully operational, you just need to replace it with a remote controller. And also it is possible to get a lamp for dimming with the built-in special microcircuit. It should be noted that the price of such a lamp will be an order of magnitude higher.
- If replacement of fluorescent lamps is required, then before installing an electronic light source, it is necessary to remove the ballast from the lamp (ballast or electronic ballast). A LED lamp is connected directly to the terminals.
Types of unusual mini lamps
There is a huge variety of LED lights and chandeliers on the market. In addition to standard lamps, manufacturers for their products produce even the smallest LED bulbs. Such light sources operate at a reduced voltage of 3-3.5 volts. For a group of these light sources, a transformer is installed in the device. The power of one such bulb is not more than 0.8 watts. The size of the thumbnail is 4.8 mm. Outwardly, it is an LED, closed by a capsule - a bulb, with a base in the form of two metal pins. They are mainly used for decorative lighting.
And also on sale such mini-lamps of different colors. Therefore, you can always replace faulty ones with LED small bulbs in the chandelier - red, blue, green or purple. They are mainly used in New Year's garlands. And they also decorate the space in the bedroom, nursery, living room.
Widely used are small battery-powered LED bulbs. They are used to decorate dresses, suits, balls, flowers, toys and more. They are a transparent plastic case about 3 cm in length, inside of which there is an LED. This light bulb has a switch and operates on two replaceable batteries of type AG3 (tablet). And also the customer is given 5 colors to choose from: red, green, yellow, blue and white.
A variety of such unusual products allows the use of small LED bulbs for crafts. You can create decorative decorations for the holidays at home, on the street or in public places.
LED lamp power
It is believed that the power consumption of LED lamps is the output power multiplied by 10. That is, if the lamp consumes 3 watts, then its lighting level is 30 watts of a conventional incandescent lamp. This is due to the fact that sellers of LEDs on the packaging of their products explain the benefits of the acquisition in this way. But it's not always the case. In most LED products, the LEDs are covered by a matte bulb, which takes up 15-20% of the brightness. And also you need to understand that 1 W of power goes to the driver. Thus, small LED bulbs whose power is 3 W when converted to Lumens - the magnitude of the brightness of the light flux - will be 200 Lm, maximum 250 Lm. And this is much less than the brightness of a WON of 30 W, in which the light flux is 350 Lm.
It is customary to close the LEDs with an opaque flask in order to protect the eyes from heavy duty light, which is harmful to vision. Therefore, in order to choose the right replacement, you need to focus on the level of luminous flux, which is indicated on the box in lumens (Lm). Usually, the most powerful lamps have a larger radiator, the main function of which is to ensure the normal operation of the diodes.
12 volt
This voltage is quite low and does not pose a threat to human life. Lamps with such an operating voltage are necessary for use in hazardous areas, most often used in rooms with boiler equipment.
And also there are small LED bulbs that operate on a voltage of 24 volts. Usually they are installed in cargo or other special equipment for lighting with minimal energy consumption.
Lamps with reduced operating voltage are located in the kitchen area, shower or bathroom. And they are also used in basements to illuminate the front door from the streets or paths on the site. They work in conditions of dampness and high humidity.
Small 12 volt LED bulbs are cheaper to install. After all, low voltage absolutely does not require additional costs for a corrugated pipe or cable channel.
Disadvantages of low voltage lamps
The disadvantages of lamps that work from undervoltage include the following:
- Lamps with a low voltage cannot work directly from a 220 V network, so a transformer must be installed during installation. This device is not insured against breakage, regardless of the performance of the lamps. Thus, the entire electrical circuit is complicated and becomes prone to malfunctions.
- The need for electric current is higher than for lamps from 220 V. The difference will be noticeable if the connected lamps in the room are located at different distances, that is, the farther the lighting device, the weaker it will work.
220 volt
Small 220-volt LED bulbs are easy to install, because they do not require special additional equipment. The transformer in the LED lamp is built-in. So, a 220 W LED bulb with a GU5.3 cap, in addition to LEDs, each of which consumes 1 watt, has a built-in transformer in its design, which allows operation from a 220 W network.
Even more profitable is a bulb with a MR16 base, operating on a voltage of 220 volts. Because these light sources consume an average of 3-5 watts, they do not require additional equipment during installation and specialist assistance will not be needed when replacing. And also in comparison with halogen analogues, which work for about 2.5 thousand hours, LEDs serve from 30 to 50 thousand hours.
The built-in transformer in the bulb with the G4 cap is negatively affected. Since the small size of this light bulb does not allow you to install a full-fledged voltage converter in it, usually only a capacitor and a resistor are placed in it. As a result, a breakdown of both the lamp itself and the device, lamp or other product in which it was used can occur. And also it is unsafe for humans and can be harmful in case of an accident or short circuit.
Finally
On November 23, 2009, the Law on Energy Saving and Improving Energy Efficiency was published. Since then, the original light sources have changed a lot. The lamps worked first from incandescent, then they created mercury luminescent, and now they completely replaced them with LED products. New devices are much more economical to use. The price today is affordable, and the lighting function is not inferior to previous products.
The variety of lamps on the market is great. You can buy a small 220V LED bulb or choose an analogue to any old-style lamp. Manufacturers not only produce sources with all kinds of socles, but also create a wide variety of designs.