Replacing fluorescent lamps in luminaires with LED

If the fluorescent lamp is out of order or starters are constantly on on it, do not rush to throw it away. The lighting device can be easily converted into an LED one. Fluorescent and LED lamps have the same base. Replacing fluorescent lamps will significantly improve the optical and energy properties of the old luminaire.

Benefits of replacing fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs

An LED lamp of any form factor literally surpasses a lamp with a phosphor deposition in all characteristics. At the same time, LED manufacturing technology is constantly progressing, so LED lamps will be even better in the future.

It is possible to calculate the approximate savings from replacing a fluorescent lamp with an LED using the example of apartments.

The apartment uses 10 fluorescent lamps, each of which works 3 hours a day, respectively, 90 hours a month. Thus, 10 lamps with a phosphor are consumed per month: 50 W x 90 hours x 10 bulbs = 45 kW. At a price of 5.5 rubles per kilowatt, the monthly maintenance of such lighting fixtures will cost the owner 247.5 rubles.

Practice has shown that in an average two-room apartment, when LED lamps are installed instead of fluorescent lamps, the electricity bill is reduced by 2-2.5 times. At the same time, in winter, the efficiency is significantly higher, since the lamps are used for more than 3 hours.

An approximate calculation of the efficiency of LEDs: 10 W x 90 hours x 10 bulbs = 9 kW, which in terms of financial resources is 49.5 rubles. With a difference in the cost of a fluorescent lamp of 150-200 rubles and an average LED lamp of 250-300 rubles with a similar light output, it turns out that almost 1 lamp pays off every month. All 10 bulbs will pay off in energy costs in less than 1 year. Further, the owner will save about 2,000 rubles a year on energy consumption.

These are only rough estimates; in practice, the savings can be much higher.

Calculation of the efficiency of replacing fluorescent lamps with LED

Replacing fluorescent lamps with LED lamps will be expedient not only from a financial point of view, but also in terms of efficiency.

Fluorescent lamps:

• The service life is 2000 hours and depends on the number of inclusions, but not more than 2000 cycles.
• The luminous flux is distributed in all directions, as a result of which the luminaires need a reflector.
• The brightness increases gradually when turned on.
• The ballast is causing network interference.
• The protective layer gradually degrades, which entails a decrease in the luminous flux by 25-30%.
• There is mercury vapor in a glass flask, so it requires careful handling.

LED torch:

• The service life is at least 10,000 hours, regardless of the number of inclusions.
• The luminous flux is directed in a specific direction.
• The maximum brightness is recruited immediately after switching on.
• The driver does not interfere with electrical networks.
• Over the entire service life, the brightness decreases by 10%.
• Significantly lower energy consumption.
• Complete environmental friendliness and safety.

The light output of LEDs is 2 times higher for the same level of energy consumption. Such luminaires are less likely to fail. Any number of LEDs can be placed inside the bulb, which allows you to achieve an optimal degree of illumination. Instead of fluorescent lamps with a power of 18 W, you can supply LED lamps with a power indicator of 9 W. Thus, the alteration of fluorescent lighting devices for LEDs is fully justified.

What needs to be redone

The overall dimensions of LED lamps are similar to those of fluorescent lamps, so the ceiling lamp itself does not have to be structurally altered. The changes only concern the internal wiring diagram. LED lamps operate directly from the mains and do not need ballasts, so this unit must be removed from the luminaire.

Alteration implies such actions

• removal of the starter;
• closing and subsequent extraction of ballast;
• disconnecting the capacitor.

After completing these steps, you can begin to implement the final scheme of the luminaire.

Before converting a fluorescent lamp to an LED one, you need to pay attention to the type of base. They are rotary and rigidly fixed. The most versatile are the swivel type plinths. They can be installed in any redesigned lighting fixture, regardless of the type of slot in the socket - horizontal / vertical. In addition, swivel caps allow you to change the angle of inclination of the luminous flux.

LED construction

The LED tube is a transparent plastic bulb, inside of which there is a driver and a getinax bar with LEDs mounted on it. For this reason, there is no need to install an external driver. Such a lamp is connected to a standard 220 V network.

The LED daylight lamp is equipped with a G13 base. The pins of the lamp are connected to each other inside the bulb by means of copper wire, so that voltage can be applied to any of the pins.

LED tubes are available in lengths of 600 or 1500 mm. Their power varies between 9-25 watts. The light emitted can be either warm or cold. LEDs are 60-65% more economical than fluorescent lamps.

LEDs come in many different shapes. The most common design is the classic 5mm case. The top is equipped with a lens, and the bottom is equipped with a reflector. A crystal is placed inside the case, which emits light when a current passes through it.

The design of the LED is trivial: it has two outputs - an anode and a cathode. A parabolic reflector made of aluminum (reflector) is located on the cathode. Outwardly, it is similar to a bowl-shaped depression.

The key component of an LED is a semiconductor single crystal, in which a p-n junction occurs. The single crystal itself has the shape of a cube with dimensions of 0.3x0.3x0.25 mm.

The crystal is connected to the anode by means of a gold-plated wire bridge. The body is made of polymer, it is optically transparent and synchronously serves as a focusing lens. Together with the reflector, they set the angle of radiation of the LED and the directivity of the light flux.

Advantages of LED lamps over fluorescent

The key advantage of LED lamps in comparison with fluorescent lamps is complete environmental friendliness. No substances harmful to humans are used in the design of LEDs, while mercury vapors are present in fluorescent lamps.

The second important plus of the LED lamp is the absence of flicker, the frequency of which is noticeable to human eyes.In luminescent analogs, this effect is present. LEDs operate on direct current, which prevents them from flickering. This advantage makes it possible to make LED lighting over rotating mechanisms, where fluorescent bulbs will cause rapid eye fatigue.

In order for the human eye to perceive the surrounding space as naturally as possible, it is necessary that the lighting device guarantees high-quality color reproduction. In this characteristic, LED lamps outperform fluorescent ones, since their radiation spectrum is correct, as close as possible to natural.

The luminescent light flux seems to be "inanimate" and unnatural, as a result of which the eyes perceive certain colors incorrectly.

Varieties of lamps

Luminaires with pin-shaped contacts are identified with a “G”. The accompanying numbers indicate the distance between the centers of the pins. If there are two numbers, the second indicates the diameter of the circle into which you want to connect the pins.

The G13 type base (the distance between the pins is 13 mm) can be connected to LPO, Armstrong, LVO and others class lamps. Sometimes G13 lamps are labeled as T8, their mounting contact element is the same.

LED bulbs with G13 socket can be connected to a standard fluorescent type luminaire.

Replacement instructions

The scheme for converting a luminaire from fluorescent to LED lamps is quite simple, even an inexperienced electrician can handle it.

Algorithm of actions:

• disconnecting the circuit breaker and checking the absence of voltage;
• removing the luminaire cover to access the circuit components;
• withdrawal from the electrical circuit of the capacitor, starter and choke;
• separation of wires going to the terminals of the cartridges. They need to be connected directly to the phase / zero wires;
• removing or insulating the rest of the wiring;
• installation of an LED lamp and a test switch.

To convert fluorescent lamps with electronic ballast, it is necessary to evaporate or cut off the wiring that goes to and from the ballast. Further, the phase / zero wires are connected to the wires of the lamp holders, both left and right. The connection itself must be insulated. Finally, you can replace the light source with an LED lamp and apply mains voltage to it.

Connection diagrams

There are two main schemes for connecting LED lamps: No. 1 - for AC 220V; No. 2 - at AC 110V.

Scheme No. 1

This option assumes that the lamps are powered from a standard 220 V 50 Hz network. In this case, remove all ballast components from the luminaire.

Procedure:

• blackout of the network;
• extraction of fluorescent lamps;
• removal of the old electronic circuit: removing the ballast, removing the starter and ballast, disconnecting the condenser;
• installation of LED lamps;
• network connection.

This scheme is the simplest and requires a minimum of time for rework.

Scheme No. 2

This variation assumes that the electronic ballast remains in the luminaire. Only the starter can be removed. In this case, the power supply of the LED lamps will be 110 V.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• blackout of the network;
• extraction of fluorescent lamps;
• removal of the starter;
• installation of LED lamps;
• finally, power is supplied.

This scheme is less popular, since with it the power consumption of the lamps will be higher than with the first option. Accordingly, the saving effect will not be so noticeable.

Working with a cartridge

Holders in luminaires can be installed in different ways: horizontally or vertically, in some models at an angle. Since fluorescent lamps illuminate 360 ​​degrees, it doesn't matter how they are installed in the socket.

The luminous flux of LED lamps is directional, so here you need to pay attention to the placement of the slot in the socket. It may happen that the luminous flux of the connected lamps will be directed not downward, but to the side.In this case, the most universal will be the swivel type plinths. They are suitable for any model of luminaires and allow you to adjust the direction of the light.