LED lamps have been positioned on the market for several years as the most advanced devices for organizing lighting. Progressive LED technology finds its place in the industry, in providing public buildings and, of course, is widely used in private homes. The popularity of such devices is promoted by aggressive advertising, in which manufacturers list their numerous advantages. However, in some parameters and operational properties, LED bulbs are still inferior to traditional lighting. Even incandescent lamps in some cases turn out to be a more attractive solution.
LED Lighting Features
LED lamps in a standard format are a complex structure that includes several functional elements. It can be radiators, capacitors, and even drivers that control the characteristics of radiation. The 220V LED bulbs themselves consist of three components - a diffuser, a chip, and a printed circuit board.
The diffuser is the simplest structural element, which is made in the form of a hemisphere, serves to increase the angle of direction of the light flux. As for the material for diffusers, they are usually made of polycarbonate or other types of transparent plastic. LED chip can be called a source of radiation. One device may have from one to hundreds of such elements. But most often, LED-bulbs for the home contain no more than a dozen chips. Thanks to the printed circuit board, the design does not heat up. Its aluminum base removes heat to the radiator, which ensures safety during operation of such devices.
Types of devices
There are a lot of classifications of LED devices. First of all, it is worth highlighting the difference in lamps in power - this is a range from 1 to 7 watts. Like halogen devices, LED models can be powered from a 220 V network or from controllers with a low voltage of 12 V. Lamps differ in the type of cartridge. Manufacturers produce devices designed for basement designs of the E14, GU10 and MR16 formats. The most common E27 LED bulbs are those that support advanced control capabilities through an integrated driver. Ceiling lamps are a special category. They are specifically designed for installation in suspended structures with point placement.
LED lamp benefits
Marketing campaigns that popularize LED lighting, of course, can exaggerate the advantages of this lighting technology, but in most cases, positive positioning has real reasons. So, LED devices have the following advantages:
- Low power consumption. Compared with conventional lamps, savings can reach 20-30%.
- Durability. The average service life is 40-50 thousand hours.
- Environmental friendliness . If you break the LED-bulb, it will not emit hazardous fumes to humans.
- Aesthetic appearance. The absence of massive radiating elements opens up wide opportunities for manufacturers to experiment with cases, which leads to a variety of design solutions.
- Security. In addition to environmental safety, it is worth emphasizing the minimal risk of fire due to thermal contact with closely spaced surfaces. Again, due to the specifics of the internal device, the scattering bulb does not heat up.
The disadvantages of LED lamps
Significant advantages still could not make the LED technology indispensable and universal in all areas. The following shortcomings prevented this:
- Unnatural color spectrum. This is an ambiguous parameter of LED lamps, but many users consider the nature of the glow as their weak point. Spectra can vary, but most often the lamps emit either dazzling white or yellow light. There is a plus in terms of the quality of lighting, but for the eyes such a beam is tiring.
- Design flaws. This applies to models with flat surfaces. As a rule, such LED bulbs have a narrow scattering angle of 120 degrees.
- The complexity of the installation. To implement a complete LED lighting system with the ability to control parameters, a large number of electrical operations are required.
- The risk of acquiring a fake. You can rely on the benefits of LED devices only if you purchase a quality copy, which is also not easy.
How much are LED bulbs
Actually, high cost and determines the widespread use of low-quality fakes. Initially, experts recommend focusing strictly on OSRAM and Philips products. These companies offer standard household lamps with price tags in the range from 500 to 1000 rubles. But this is not the limit - large-format lamps can be sold for 3-4 thousand. There is also a wide segment of budget LED-bulbs in which you can run into a fake. Typically, such models are produced by little-known manufacturers, asking for a lamp about 200-300 rubles. Devices of a similar price level are also offered by many domestic manufacturers who use the element base of the same OSRAM and Philips brands in their designs. But, of course, the operational properties in this case will be far from those promised in advertising booklets.
Conclusion
As you can see, the feasibility of switching to LED technology is not yet so obvious. On the one hand, the unnatural and tiring light that office workers complain about can scare them off. And on the other hand, the high cost does not allow large enterprises to re-equip their lighting communications. Nevertheless, the popularity of 220V LED bulbs is steadily increasing. Such a choice is made for various reasons. Ordinary homeowners value reliability, durability and original design in LED devices. Utilities upgrade former LED bulbs due to low energy costs. Still, large spotlights in conditions of complex lighting of objects often form the first lines in the cost of electricity, so even a small percentage of minimizing consumption provides significant savings.