How to illuminate the kitchen working area with LED strip with your own hands

LEDs are semiconductors. They transform the energy of light, releasing it in one direction. LED strip is a string of LEDs connected in series on a flexible board. LED illumination of the working area for the kitchen is one of the most successful solutions for additional lighting.

The device and principle of operation of LEDs

The design of the LED includes a body 5 mm long, in the upper part of which there is a lens, and in the lower part there is a reflector. Inside the case is a crystal that emits light. The LED has 2 outputs - anode and cathode. A reflector is attached to the cathode, and a crystal is attached to the anode using a gold wire bridge. By means of the relative position of the reflector and the polymer body, the angle of radiation and its directivity are set.

Electrical energy is converted into light due to the p-n-junction, the essence of which is as follows: in the process of passing an electric current, interaction occurs in the active zone of 2 types of p and n-type conductors. The conductor is positively or negatively charged. In the interaction of differently charged electrons, light radiation is formed.

Advantages and Disadvantages of LED Lighting

Due to the elasticity of the material, the installer has the ability to form any shape from the LED strip. On the reverse side, it often has an adhesive base, which allows you to attach it in the desired place without the use of additional materials and fixtures. The lifespan is determined by the number of hours of operation, not the number of on / off operations, so LEDs last longer. In addition to the above, LEDs have other advantages:

• consume little electricity;
• have high safety indicators;
• used in different temperature conditions, as they are not affected by high or low temperatures;
• resistant to mechanical stress;
• they heat up a little;
• are inexpensive;
• are characterized by high efficiency;
• installation can be done by yourself;
• they shine brightly at once, it does not take time to burn up;
• do not flicker, give diffused lighting, therefore, harmless to the eyes;
• failed elements do not need to be disposed of in a special way.

The user can choose between warm and cold LEDs, as well as adjust the brightness of the light source. Warm yellow light will accentuate the beauty of wood furniture or wood countertops. Light similar in color to natural light and moderately bright can partially replace the main light source. Illumination of different colors, including infrared and ultraviolet spectrum, is used to create decorative effects. With the correct use of multi-colored lighting, the look of the kitchen changes dramatically in a matter of seconds. Standard colors: white, orange, green, red, blue, magenta, but there may be others.

There are many advantages, but there are also some disadvantages:

• LEDs from trusted manufacturers are expensive.
• Products with a high color temperature, which are also found on the market, emit bright white light that hurts the eyes, causes fatigue and disturbs the color perception of the environment.
• Diode lighting is more often used as an auxiliary light source.
• To mount the tape, additional equipment is required, which means that financial resources are needed to purchase it.
• The glow quality of LEDs degrades over time due to changes in chemical and physical characteristics.

According to the manufacturers, the LED strip can last 14 years or more with 15 hours of daily use.

Types of LEDs for the kitchen work area

Different types of diodes can be purchased for mounting LED lighting, for example:

• linear laid on type;
• linear cut-in installation method;
• spot surface mounting;
• conventional cut-in type;
• tape.

Overhead diodes are much easier to install, but if you make a tie-in, the backlight will look more neat and effective. The most simple LED strip is mounted.

When choosing diodes, you should take into account their features, depending on the marking. For example, the SMD-3528 diode emits a negligible amount of light because there is only one crystal in its package. You won't be able to use it to create functional lighting. It serves for decorative lighting. The angle of light propagation is 120 degrees.

The SMD-5050 diode consists of 3 crystals, each of which has 2 leads. Therefore, it can emit light of various colors. It is also used as decorative or additional lighting. The angle is 120-160 degrees.

For the main lighting, it is necessary to select diodes with a bright light emission. These include SMD 5630, 5730, 2835 (compact in size). In addition to high brightness, they have a wide angle of light emission - up to 160 degrees. Luminous intensity is also determined by energy consumption. It ranges from 4.8 to 32 volts per linear meter.

The brightness of the LED strip partially depends on the density of the diodes: the more there are per 1 running meter, the more uniform and brighter the illumination.

There are different types of LEDs depending on the degree of protection:

• Leaking. The conductive paths of the board are not protected from moisture, so they are installed only in dry rooms, which the kitchen is not. Moisture protection index - IP33.
• One-sided. The tracks are protected on one side only. This is the best option for the kitchen. Moisture protection index - IP65.
• The sealed tape comes in a transparent protective case. It has no restrictions on the place of installation, it can even be installed in swimming pools. Moisture protection index - IP67 and IP68.

For the kitchen, it is recommended to choose LEDs, the luminous flux of which is close to the glow temperature of daylight. For use as an additional illumination, you can take an LED strip with a density of about 30 LEDs per 1 running meter. To use the backlight as the main one, you need to purchase a tape, the density of the LEDs on which is doubled, that is, up to 60 LEDs. The maximum frequency of diodes placement is 120 elements per 1 running meter.

How to choose a power supply and switch

To prevent the LED sources from overheating, it is necessary to install a power supply with a power reserve of 25%. The power of the LED strip itself is indicated per 1 running meter, so the indicated values ​​must be multiplied by the number of meters. From an aesthetic point of view, it is better to choose the most compact, miniature power supply unit, since it is easier to install and hide.

Switches differ in the type of control:

• Push-button. It is operated as usual - by pressing a button.
• Sensory. React to touch.
• Infrared. Recognize the wave of the hand.
• Dimmer. A device that allows you to adjust the brightness of the luminous flux. It is carried out in the form of a mechanical device, in which regulation is carried out using a wheel, or in the form of a unit with a touch panel.

If the design provides for the creation of a certain color effect: blinking, switching colors - a control unit is also required.

Features of LED strip light

In addition to the main characteristics of LED strips and the features of the choice of LEDs, there are a few more parameters that you need to pay attention to.

Glow angle

The glow angle varies from 120 to 160 °. Since the LEDs are quite densely located relative to each other, they are designed to illuminate the space directly in front of them, the light beam practically does not propagate to the sides.

Color rendering index CRI

The color rendering index determines the characteristics of the perception of color shades under different lighting conditions. Solar lighting is taken as an ideal, at which the color rendering index is 100%. LED lighting has a color rendering index of 80-90%.

Glow color temperature

The color temperature of the glow is controlled by mixing different colors or by forming a phosphor layer on a blue reflector. The color of the glow is determined by the thickness of this layer and its composition. With a change in the heating temperature inside the crystal, the glow temperature can change. In addition, when the phosphor layer burns out over time, the device gives out a bluer color.

Purposes and locations for lighting in the kitchen

The LED strip in the kitchen is used to illuminate the work area. However, it is also used to illuminate other areas, for example, it is installed above the slab to increase the illumination area. Replacing built-in lamps with LED lighting helps save energy. It is installed under the countertop or bar counter, which allows you to create the effect of a weightless surface. During installation, they retreat from the edge of 2-3 cm and glue the tape to the lower part of the tabletop. Installation is carried out along the contour of the glass surface of the cabinets in order to accentuate the stained-glass windows, along the cabinet hinges on the side wall, thereby creating uniform illumination of the cabinet interior. Highlight the kitchen apron, place the tape over the top cabinets. If desired, it can be attached in other places, which is very easy to do, since the tape has an adhesive layer. It is mounted along the contour of cornices, multilevel ceiling niches.

How to install the tape yourself

In addition to the LED strip, you will need an aluminum profile to install LED lighting in the kitchen in the working area. It will be used as a guide structure. In addition, you need:

• power supply unit, selected in accordance with the recommendations;
• switch;
• heat shrinkage to protect and seal the joints of the elements;
• electric cable PVA with a cross section of 0.5 and a length of 30-50 cm;
• plug or terminals depending on the type of connection;
• scissors;
• soldering iron with rosin;
• if necessary, a controller that allows you to change the color of the backlight.

It is strictly forbidden to connect the LED strip directly to a 220 V outlet, because it will overheat and burn out.

Installation and connection

Before connecting and installing the lighting system, markings are made, the necessary measurements are taken. Cut the tape according to the measurements. You can cut it only in specific places, in accordance with the marks - usually every 3 diodes. Cutting off the tape of the required length, the contacts are exposed by 1-1.5 cm. It is not recommended to use detachable connectors, since in this case the contacts often burn out. The attachment points are marked "+" and "-". Then the tapes are connected to the power supply in a parallel way.

The connections are made by soldering and then insulated with heat shrinkage. If there is no heat shrinkage, you can use electrical tape. Conventional switches are placed before the power supply, and dimmers after the power supply.

It is easy to attach the tape, as its reverse side is self-adhesive. Before gluing the tape, the surfaces should be degreased. If the tape does not have an adhesive layer, it can be glued onto double-sided tape. Masters recommend first fixing it in several places, and after checking and adjusting its placement, press it along its entire length.

It is not recommended to use the tape immediately after installation, as it may come off.

The connection of several LED strips is carried out in a parallel way so that the luminous flux power does not drop.

With LED lighting, you can easily transform the look of your kitchen. In addition to the aesthetic effect, the backlight also performs a useful function, illuminating the work area for which the main light source is not enough. The special advantage is that the LED strip is inexpensive and you can install it yourself.