LED strips for ceiling lighting. LED strip lighting: advantages, choice of equipment, installation rules

Correct lighting in the kitchen is the key to the comfort of the housewife and the excellent mood of her household and guests. Today, thanks to the development of modern technologies, the lighting market is simply overflowing with all sorts of new products and know-how in this area. LED strips rightfully occupy the leading place among all others.

What is LED

An LED is a semiconductor that emits light when electrical energy passes through it. The chemical composition of an LED determines its brightness. Therefore, depending on the components, such lamps have different lighting intensities. The second name for LED strips is LED strip.

Advantages of LED strips

The variety, attractiveness and versatility of these lamps has made them so popular among designers. This type of lighting is universal and suitable for any room and any interior. LED strips are used to decorate and illuminate living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, restaurants and offices.

Here is a list of their main positive qualities:

Does not require additional time to warm up.
They shine quite brightly.
Resistant to damage.
Will last at least 15 years.
They have a rich palette of colors.
They are inexpensive.
Not demanding on external conditions.
Safe.
They have a wide radiation angle.

How and where you can use LED strip in the kitchen

LED strips are particularly widely used in kitchen interiors. It can be used both as a lighting device and simply as decoration.

Here are some of the most popular ways to use it:

Suspended ceiling lighting
Kitchen top lighting
Illumination of the lower part of the kitchen furniture - creating the “effect of floating above the ground”
Illumination of the working wall (apron)
Illumination of paintings, photo frames, clocks or other decorative items
Interior lighting for cabinets, drawers and shelves

Classification of LED strips

The most popular type of LED strips are SMD LEDs. They are easy to install and have a long service life.

There is the following classification of SMD tapes:

Based on the number of crystals, tapes are divided into one-, two-, three- and four-crystal. This indicator determines the variety of colors - the more crystals, the more colors can be present on the tape.
The type of glow led to the existence of monochrome and full-color LEDs.
If we take the sizes of LEDs, then their indicators range from 1.06x0.8mm to 5.0x5.0mm.
Based on the frequency of LED placement, strips with 30pcs/m, 60pcs/m, 120pcs/m and 240pcs/m are distinguished. The denser the bulbs are, the brighter the light will be.
Depending on the moisture protection indicator, the following tapes are distinguished:

IP 20 - with low moisture protection (not for the kitchen)
IP 65 - medium (suitable for kitchens)
IP 68 - high level (can be used in a bathroom or swimming pool).

How to choose the right LED strip for the kitchen

The exact choice of LED strip for kitchen lighting will directly depend on the purpose and location of the strip. That is, first you need to decide what the LEDs will be used for and in what part of the room they will be located.

LED strips are not connected directly - a transformer is required.

As for the colors of the LEDs, the choice is always up to the owner of the kitchen. In principle, it will also determine the required amount of light in the interior. There are only a few recommendations to help avoid mistakes and unforeseen situations.

To illuminate kitchen cabinets and drawers from the inside, you can use an open LED strip with the desired brightness and color. Special sensors are used to trigger the LEDs. Such sensors can be connected to the main light source in the kitchen, or triggered by movement and opening of cabinets. Everything will depend on the wishes and fantasies of the customer. There are sensors that even react to movement nearby their location. This is very convenient if your hands are dirty or wet.

To illuminate the lower part of the kitchen unit, it is necessary to take into account the fact that during cooking or during cleaning there is a possibility of moisture getting on the device. Therefore, in this case it is recommended to use tapes with a higher level of moisture protection - IP65 or IP68.

To illuminate the upper part of the set, you can take IP20, since water ingress is not typical for this part of the kitchen.

When choosing an LED strip to illuminate the kitchen work surface, you should consider several options for mounting it:

You can use a sealed LED strip, which is equipped with a special adhesive layer for easy gluing to the surface.
You can purchase ready-made BAR lamps. Such lamps consist of an LED line and a plastic screen. They are attached to the surface using special clips or double-sided tape. BAR luminaires are controlled via a touch switch.

You can make your own LED lamp using tape and an aluminum profile.

As a rule, to illuminate the apron, three-crystal SMD50x50 tapes with an average level of moisture protection are used, allowing to provide a sufficient amount of light. The preferred color is white or warm white. The latter, by the way, gives the appearance of food additional freshness.

The lighting of glass aprons looks very impressive.

To illuminate interior decorative elements, it will be enough to purchase a single-chip SMD35x28 strip.

When choosing LED strips for the ceiling, it is worth considering whether this lighting will be primary or additional. Depending on its purpose, the required brightness is selected. If this is just a decorative element, then SMD35x28 will do just fine.

LED strips are sold in rolls of 5 meters. Included with the tape, you need to select a power supply and fasteners.

In order to select a suitable transformer, its power and size should be taken into account. The following formula will help you calculate the transformer power required for a particular tape:
We multiply the power of the tape by the length of the tape. We multiply the resulting number by a factor of 1.25 and obtain the required power of the power supply.

Here, perhaps, are all the most important tips for choosing an LED strip for kitchen lighting.

Increasingly, modern apartments use LED lighting of all kinds. It’s understandable why - ceilings decorated with diode systems seem higher than they actually are. At the same time, a minimal amount of space is hidden.

LED strip is especially popular for background lighting. Such lighting can be used for zoning or decorating premises. Using ribbons of different colors, with high or low glow intensity, you can effortlessly change the appearance of a room beyond recognition - especially for those who like frequent changes in decor.
For installation on the ceiling, models with an adhesive backing are very convenient; just remove the protective film and apply it to a dust-free surface - installation is completed.
It is imperative to take into account the aggressiveness of the indoor environment. So, to illuminate the ceiling in the bathroom or kitchen, it is recommended to use tapes in sealed casings made of silicone or plastic. Otherwise, the boards and diode crystals will become damp, oxidize, or become covered with a layer of greasy soot. Therefore, when choosing a suitable model for wet rooms, be sure to pay attention to the IP marking (dust and moisture protection index) the higher the value on the right, the higher the degree of protection. For the mentioned rooms, it will be enough to install products with IP 44 - anything higher will simply be an unjustified waste of money.

Informed selection

Manufacturers offer us a lot of LED products, and their build quality often varies greatly, making it difficult to navigate. How to choose the best option in terms of price-quality?

LED strips

Today there are several main types of diode strips on the market. Plain: SMD 5050, SMD 5630, SMD 3028, SMD 3528, color RGB SMD 5050 and others. These numbers indicate the dimensions of the luminous elements - for example, the marking 3038 indicates dimensions of 3.0 by 2.8 mm. Model 5050 has larger diodes, and therefore shines much brighter, see for yourself:

Dimensions of diodes on the tape

Colored tapes contain three diodes: red, green and blue. Don't think that this is not enough, when mixing these basic colors you can create millions of combinations of different shades. It is better to buy systems with three crystals, they are almost three times brighter than single-crystal ones. They can be identified by the six “legs” leading to the board. Here's what they look like when zoomed in:

Pay attention to the landing frequency of the diodes on the flexible board. The performance of the tape directly depends on this - the more there are, the brighter it shines. Modifications with 15, 30, 60, 72, 120 and 240 diodes per 1 meter of tape are usually offered.

For ceiling lighting, it is best to choose products labeled SMD 5050 (with three crystals), having at least 30 LEDs per meter (or better, more).

However, you need to remember that if you decide to install a powerful LED strip, it will also need a more powerful power supply, and it is bulky, and hiding it on low ceilings will be problematic.

It’s better to spend a lot of money initially and choose a universal RGB strip. It is bright and durable, plus it significantly expands its operational capabilities. As a more budget-friendly solution, single-color diodes with a warm white glow would be optimal.

Inspection and purchase

First, eyeball the quality of the ribbon in the reel. All board elements must be attached evenly and symmetrically to each other. Soldering must be neat. In the most advanced cases, it is possible to identify a low-quality counterfeit just by appearance.

Tape quality

Marking must be present on the plastic reel indicating all technical parameters, information about the manufacturer and its warranty obligations.

However, even an outwardly perfectly designed product may turn out to be a low-power “fake”. Therefore, if you take a large batch at once for the first time, do not be lazy to ring it with the device. Often the output parameters are very underestimated. This is because in handicrafts, obsolete weak crystals are installed - they are cheap, and getting them is not a problem. In terms of power, they are several times inferior to the original products, and their service life is an order of magnitude shorter. Therefore, the game is not worth the candle.
Sometimes, under the guise of more expensive colored ribbons, they slip in cheap “one-color” ribbons. The main distinguishing feature is the color of the upper luminous part of the diode. The yellow coating is a phosphor that enhances the original light temperature. Only single-color white diodes are coated with it; multi-colored ones do not have such a coating, so as not to distort the emitted spectrum when mixing colors.
An important criterion for the quality of tapes is their cost. Often, a high-quality original product cannot be distinguished from a fake by appearance. However, the quality of work of the latter does not stand up to criticism - when buying such LED systems, you are simply throwing money away. They will not provide you with the vaunted long work, nor even, bright illumination, nor minimal energy consumption. The only justification for such a purchase is the desire to try out the LED workpiece in action, learn how to assemble circuits correctly, without fear of damaging expensive equipment.
High-quality models are offered by: JAZZway, Gauss, Philips, etc. – it’s clear that they are expensive. If you want to purchase a reliable LED strip in the middle price segment, feel free to buy products from Camelion or Navigator, certified in Russia.

Camelion and Navigator

They are suitable for the ceiling and for illuminating any other surfaces in the house: floor plinths, furniture, niches in the walls, etc.

Without components - no way!

The selection of the necessary components plays no less important role than the selection of the LED strips themselves. The intensity of light and the duration of operation of the assembled circuit will directly depend on their quality. Having decided on the length and power of the LED strip, calculate what power supply you will need for uninterrupted operation.

To do this, multiply the total length of all sections of the tape by the power declared by the manufacturer (indicated in W/m on the packaging of the tape), not forgetting to provide a margin of 25-30% so that the unit does not work at the limit of its capabilities.

Connection diagram

An important point - check the power supply for noiselessness, if anything happens at night or during rest, it will be uncomfortable to sleep with such a quiet hum.
If you intend to install a long LED chain around the entire perimeter of the ceiling, be sure to use special amplifiers that evenly distribute the currents between all sections connected together. Make sure you have a set of wires of sufficient length so that you can easily link several sections into a single circuit. You also need high-quality clamp terminals.

Nuances

Installing multi-colored LED ceiling lighting will cost an order of magnitude more than installing a single-color one. This is because such a circuit requires adding a more expensive LED strip and a special RGB controller. It allows you to set any color. Moreover, you can set both a constant glow and automatic change of all the colors of the rainbow.
For greater ease of use, the controller is equipped with a compact control panel. With its help, you can change the atmosphere in your home with a simple touch: make it soothing, romantic or fun - for parties. By the way, there are even models that respond to sound. They pulsate to the beat of musical compositions - it turns out to be a kind of ceiling light music.
It would be nice to install a system with a built-in dimmer. It allows you to smoothly adjust the brightness of the diodes. Again, there are models with a remote control, and some can be built into the wall like a regular switch.

Connection diagram

An important nuance - it is not recommended to use a tape longer than five meters, as this will lead to an uneven distribution of currents along the entire length. Diodes far from the power supply will glow dimly, and nearby ones may even burn out. Therefore, if the perimeter of the ceilings in the room exceeds 5 meters (and this is what most often happens), it is recommended to use another roll of tape with a separate power supply.

To connect it to an existing circuit, you will need to add a special RGB amplifier, and you can use one controller for everyone, etc. In this case, consistent illumination is achieved in different operating modes and uniformity of illumination along the entire length of the tapes.
For beginners, ready-made LED kits make installation much easier. They contain all the necessary elements, assembled and tested for functionality by professionals. And you don’t need to invite strangers to your house, overpaying 20-50 percent of the cost of materials.

Ready-made LED kit

Whatever LED strip you decide to choose to illuminate the ceilings in your house, remember the tips presented above - and then everything will work out for you!

Secrets of choosing halogen chandeliers with remote control

The design of a modern kitchen involves the installation of high-quality lighting. It advantageously emphasizes the interior of the room and makes it possible to do homework without damaging your vision. Conventional incandescent lamps do not always fit into the concept of a comfortable and beautiful kitchen, so alternative sources are being considered. - a vivid example of organizing basic lighting or lighting in the kitchen. Let's figure out what it is, how the strips are installed, and whether it is possible to connect the LED strip with your own hands. For convenience, let’s give the LED strip the abbreviation SDL.

LED lighting is a new direction in room style

What is LED strip and how does it work

The main element of the SDL is the LED. An electric current passes through it and the semiconductor begins to glow. SDL is supplied in 5 meter reels and differs in a number of parameters. Lighting with the help of SDL creates a cozy and extraordinary atmosphere and saves energy consumption.

Attention!!! LED is connected using additional equipment - 220V voltage is not suitable for it

Additional equipment includes:

Dimmer
Amplifier
Mounting profile if necessary

Each device and device has special requirements.

How to choose LED strip

To make the right choice of LED strip, pay attention to the following parameters and features of semiconductors:

Density of elements - the further the LEDs are spaced from each other, the more dark spots there will be on the illuminated surface. The table shows the dependence of brightness on the number of LEDs

LED strip is sold in any specialized store

Type of LEDs - three-chip is suitable for basic lighting, single-chip is an LED strip for kitchen lighting.
Color rendering is indicated in Kelvin. A lower value corresponds to a warmer glow. For example, 2000 K is comparable to the flame of a candle, 2600 K is an incandescent lamp, 5000 K is the light of a fluorescent lamp.
Power - indicated per linear meter in watts. To illuminate one square meter of a kitchen, 2 W are required, which corresponds to approximately 20 W of a conventional incandescent lamp. The LED strip in the kitchen should produce an illumination level of 150 lux.
Moisture resistance - optimal for the kitchen is SDL marked IP65.
The base is usually adhesive; if not, double-sided tape is used for installation.

Knowing the design of the LED strip, the glow parameters of the elements, the marking features, and the dimensions of the room, the lighting for the kitchen is selected.

Additional equipment for LED lamp

Let's take a closer look at what you will need to have if you plan to install an LED strip in the kitchen with your own hands.

Light can be installed in any nook and cranny of the kitchen

Typically, one power supply is designed to operate 5 meters of tape. Depending on the SDL, the voltage is selected - 12V or 24V. The power is taken 20% more than required for the connected backlight. Pay attention to the type of cooling of the power supply:

Active - the fan constantly draws air into the power supply, the equipment operates without interruption. The noise and size of the power supply are among the disadvantages of this cooling method.
Passive - heat is released into the environment, rapid overheating occurs, but the small size of the power supply is attractive

Dimmer and amplifier

A device that regulates kitchen lighting using an LED strip. It has a built-in potentiometer that stores the last brightness values in memory. The dimmer is controlled mechanically or works using a remote control.

Installed if the dimmer cannot cope with the load or several power supplies are used.

The mounting profile for the LED strip is perfect for keeping the overall appearance of the kitchen beautiful.

Mounted slightly below the ceiling when organizing the main lighting or at the required level when lighting. Preference is given to an aluminum profile, which is equipped with a diffuser. You can use a plastic profile for the LED strip, but then choose a high-quality material that will not melt from the glowing diodes. The dimensions of the profiles are selected in such a way that it is possible to stick a strip with LEDs inside.

Self-installation of LED lighting in the kitchen: in the work area, ceiling and other locations

In addition to the SDL and additional equipment, you will need a drill, a screwdriver, self-tapping screws for fastening the profile, a miter box for forming corner joints of the profile, and a degreaser. If the base of the strip is not self-adhesive, then double-sided tape will be required.

DIY installation of LED strip in the kitchen occurs in the following order:

Installation of the shield is the organization of a sealed structure in which additional equipment is located. If the dimmer is operated by a remote control, then it is taken outside. If necessary, several power supplies are used and an amplifier is installed for every additional 5 meters of bandwidth. All connections are made in parallel;
Marking - the reference point is the ceiling with LED lighting, and not the floor level;
Preparation of the profile - if there are no mounting holes in it, then they must be drilled before fixing the profile to the wall;
Setting up a profile;
Connecting the strip to the dimmer and power supply, checking the operation of the equipment before installing the LEDs in the profile;
Gluing the SDL to the profile.

To prevent the tape from coming off, degrease the surface of the profile before fixing the LEDs on it

Installation of tape in 6 steps

What else can you do with your own hands?

When you plan to install LED lighting yourself, it is not always possible to find the necessary materials or equipment. In this case, you have to do something yourself.

Profile for SDL

You can make a profile for an LED strip with your own hands from any aluminum profile that has a nice appearance, or a plastic cable channel. It is important that the SDL fits in width and that the plastic can withstand the heat. A cover is used from the cable channel.

You can make a power supply for an LED strip with your own hands from a 19 V power supply for a laptop or monitor. The voltage should be lowered to 12 V. To do this, buy a switching stabilizer, and even Chinese options, which are affordable, work without problems.

The power supply is a must, do not allow water to get on it.

Lamp under cabinets in the apron area

The same components are used for its manufacture - LED strip, power supply, dimmer. Only the aesthetic issue with the body should be resolved. You can use blanks cut out of plastic onto which tape is glued, or an aluminum corner. Or you can attach the SDL to the crossbar on which hangers are hung in closets. A flat chrome profile is ideal. As an option, you can make a double lamp from an LED strip with your own hands. To do this, you need to connect two pieces of the crossbar to each other and glue two pieces of SDL in parallel.

Dining table and countertop with lighting

The decorative qualities of SDL will be used here. The table is assembled on the basis of an old table, so as not to attach legs and use the existing tabletop. You will need 8 mm thick glass to fit the size of the old table, wooden planks for the frame of the new tabletop, a metal strip under the SDL, a low-power LED strip - the table should have a pleasant backlight, but not be a source of lighting for the kitchen. To make a backlit table with your own hands, you will need to follow these steps:

Using sandpaper, make one side of the glass frosted.
Assemble a frame from planks
Glue metal strips to the old tabletop to install SDL on them - the location depends on your imagination, but you can simply do it around the perimeter
The wires from the SDL are routed under the tabletop, where the power supply and dimmer are mounted
The frame is installed on an old tabletop and covered with glass.

It is important to treat the glass cuts well to avoid injury.

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Summing up

Kitchen lighting with LED strip is used to create primary, additional or decorative lighting. It is mounted in a special profile and installed under the ceiling or glued above the work surface. Lighting parameters are selected individually, but remember that the kitchen should not be in twilight. Saving on electricity is inappropriate here, because LEDs consume 7-10 times less electricity than incandescent lamps.

Lighting effects have long been successfully used by designers as a decorative element or to highlight various functional areas. But not each of us is so friendly with electricians that we can install lighting fixtures as we wish. But with the advent of LED strips, it is quite possible to arrange additional light sources and various interior “chips” with your own hands, not only in living rooms, but also in the kitchen. Therefore, we suggest you learn everything about LED strip ceiling lighting: how to install, choose the right components and use it for original room decoration.

To illuminate a suspended ceiling, there are several types of lighting - from various “spot” devices to a system with conductive tracks on which diodes are mounted. The latter option is interesting because it does not require special skills for installation, consumes a minimum of electricity and can be used to illuminate any interior element. Agree, such a solution deserves attention, so we will consider it in more detail.

Lighting effects can become an interesting accent for the kitchen interior:

Interesting! LED backlighting is considered the most profitable in terms of savings, because 1 diode will cost only 0.65 kW/h for 12 hours of uninterrupted operation.

Types of LED backlight

For decorative lighting in a store, you may be offered dense “rulers” on a hard substrate or duralights - cords with a 360-degree glow angle. But it is boards on a flexible basis, which we are accustomed to calling LED strips, that are most widely used.

Boards with diodes are produced wound on round bobbins, this protects the system from creases and other damage

LEDs can be used as a main or additional light source or simply for decorative purposes. Therefore, choose the option that is most suitable for your interior and ceiling configuration.

General lighting – involves the complete replacement of traditional lamps with LEDs. To do this, several powerful tapes are installed around the perimeter and behind the stretch ceiling film. True, this option is rare, since you will have to spend an impressive amount to purchase a large number of diodes.
Highlighting contours - conductive paths with diodes installed behind the cornices or in specially equipped niches along the perimeter of the ceiling create muted diffused lighting and visually increase the height of the room.
Shaped lighting - the glow of LEDs can highlight a certain area, highlight various protrusions or recesses in suspended structures.

Flexible tapes can take on even the most intricate and curved shapes

On a note! LEDs can be used not only for ceilings, but also when decorating work aprons, floor podiums, window and door openings. Ribbons effectively emphasize the contours of furniture and appliances; they make it easy to emphasize paintings, beautiful dishes and other accessories.

LED decor options for the kitchen:

Starry sky backlight

Speaking about original lighting solutions, of course, we cannot even mention the hit of recent years - lighting with the romantic name “starry sky”. True, this type of decor is easiest to arrange for suspended ceilings. The principle of operation is quite simple: behind the canvas or film, LEDs of various diameters and radiation strengths are placed, which create an effect reminiscent of the twinkling of stars.

To arrange such lighting, individual LEDs of various powers and sizes are selected, which need to be soldered into a network, and then glued to the base ceiling with construction silicone. This is the most difficult stage, since, in addition to maintaining polarity, it is important to enclose each terminal in a cambric - an insulating tube that will protect your “sky” from short circuits. For a more realistic effect, several miniature light bulbs can be brought out by making neat punctures in the film.

Then a power supply is selected and installed, the power of which is calculated according to the number of crystals (100 pieces will require 10 W). It is also worth purchasing a controller-interrupter for each section of 5-10 diodes. With it, the “stars” will be able not only to shine, but also to blink.

Choosing a stretch ceiling film with a space-themed image will increase the realism of the “star” effect

On a note! If you wish, you can install a “starry sky” in a plasterboard ceiling. But to do this you will have to cut a niche in it or drill holes according to the size and number of light spots.

How to choose and install LED strip

Manufacturers present us with so many LED solutions that it’s easy for a person far from electricians to get confused. But since the correct installation of the LED backlight and its operation depend on the purchase, let’s try to sort out the most important technical nuances in order.

Types of LED strips

All systems with LEDs can be classified according to several parameters: type of mounting, number of diodes, color, power. What exactly to pay attention to depends on the design idea that you want to realize with the help of lighting effects.

For example, for decorative lighting the most important parameter is the color shade of the glow. And according to this characteristic, ribbons are divided into single-color and multi-color. The first ones, when turned on, emit light of only one tone. And it doesn’t have to be traditional white, it can also be red, green, yellow, purple or bright light green. Among the non-standard options, it is worth noting tapes with ultraviolet or infrared glow.

You can choose the backlight shade to suit any interior

Despite the wide assortment, the choice of lighting gamut should be approached with caution - psychologists assure that long-term exposure to color has an impact on the psyche. Thus, “calm” tones that can be safely used both in the kitchen and in living rooms include all shades of green and turquoise, as well as yellow and orange. Red, pink and burgundy lighting should be left for the bedroom. But bright blue lights are alarming; a person subconsciously tenses up and feels uncomfortable. The combination of dark blue and yellow is generally not recommended for impressionable people - such lighting has a depressing effect and can cause a nervous breakdown.

Keep in mind that even classic white can have different shades and radiate a warm or cool glow. These “temperature” nuances are important when creating an organic interior; they can be determined by studying the documentation. So, a backlight with an indicator of 3000-3500K will emit warm light, 5500-6000K – neutral, 6500-7000K – cold.

Important! For open installation, you should pay attention to the color of the base so that the tape does not stand out from the general background. In addition to the standard white, you can find a gray, brown or transparent backing.

Multicolor RGB systems can change shades one by one or glow with all the colors of the rainbow at the same time. But they cost an order of magnitude more than their monochromatic counterparts and only work in conjunction with a transformer and a controller that sets the color switching mode.

One of the most important parameters from a technical point of view is the power of LEDs and the density of their placement. The most popular are LED strips with 60 and 120 diodes per 1 m, but there are other options - 30, 72, 90, 240, and the bulbs can be arranged linearly or in several rows.

Types of LED systems by LED density

Important! The smaller the gap between the diodes, the brighter the backlight and the greater the energy consumption. For decorative purposes, 30-60 diodes/meter is sufficient, but if you plan to replace the main light source, you should choose a strip with 120-240 light bulbs.

Inspection and purchase of tape and components

To determine which material is suitable for implementing your ideas, study the symbols on the board. Standard strips for household lighting have the abbreviation SMD (short for SurfaceMountedDevice - “surface mounted device”). The numbers indicate the dimensions of each LED. For example, SMD 3528 means that the parameters of 1 diode are 3.5 by 2.8 mm.

On a note! The most common are 3 types of LEDs: small - 3020, medium - 3528 and large 5050.

The intensity of the glow directly depends on the size of the diodes and the density of their placement on 1 m of strip. We dealt with density above, and now we’ll tell you how to find out the power of the system, because the choice of power source depends on this.

Backlight power consumption at different LED placement frequencies

To calculate the required footage, arm yourself with a tape measure and measure the perimeter of the illuminated area. Multiply the resulting figure by the power of the meter of the selected type of tape and get the value that you should focus on when purchasing a power supply (transformer), and for multi-color products, a controller. These components can be rated for 5, 12 and 24V, but if you do not plan to replace the main lighting, 12V devices are sufficient.

Important! The total power consumption of the backlight should be no more than 80% of the rated power of the transformer.

LED strips have different protection classes. This indicator affects their ability to withstand the effects of moisture, dust and other negative external factors. To determine it, you need to look for an abbreviation on the packaging with the letters IP (stands for IngressProtectionRating).

IP 20 – intended for indoor use and not sealed.
IP 65 – suitable for lighting areas in contact with water: work apron, sink, aquariums, etc. This material can be used not only for interior work, but also outdoors.
IP 68 - fully insulated systems that are even approved for use in water.

The presence of protection can be determined even by visual inspection - ribbons that are not afraid of a humid environment will be filled with a thin layer of transparent silicone.

Important! To illuminate ceilings (including in the kitchen), you can use a regular board designed for open mounting. The fact is that the silicone layer not only dims the light intensity, but also leads to heating of the substrate and surfaces in contact with it. Therefore, you should not use protection where it is not needed.

DIY LED lighting installation

To install the lighting on the kitchen ceiling yourself, it is important to know that according to the type of fastening, all strips are divided into:

Self-adhesive (most common) - mounted on a sticky backing that is equally suitable for wood, plastic or glass. The disadvantage is that the glue may come off over time due to humidity or several re-gluings.
With fastenings - fixed using special brackets-clamps on any material. Such installation will be more reliable, but will take much more time and effort than adhesive-based tape.

Important! Tapes are available in 5-meter rolls, but most sellers also offer retail pieces of the required length. The places for divisions are most often indicated by the image of scissors; you need to cut strictly along the dotted lines so as not to damage the chain.

On some tapes, cut locations may only be indicated by a vertical line

When installing yourself, take into account another important feature for any LED products - thermal conductivity. The fact is that manufacturers have still not been able to achieve one hundred percent efficiency from miniature crystals, so part of the energy is dissipated in the form of heat, which heats the surfaces in contact with the tape. And since high temperatures in the kitchen are common, for powerful or frequently located LEDs It is worth considering the insulation, for example, attaching a substrate to a thin aluminum profile. But if we are talking only about decorative lighting, you can do without it.

To assemble the track necessary to illuminate the selected area, the cut points must be secured using a connector or a regular soldering iron. Please note that the temperature of the device should not exceed 260 degrees, and the exposure time should be a maximum of 10 seconds.

Single-color track connection diagram

The connection is carried out according to this principle:

In single-color boards, the plus and minus contacts are soldered together.
In multi-color RGB, 4 wires are combined with the same contacts on the block, focusing on the markings (R - red, G - green, B - blue, fourth - 12 or 24 V).
The transformer power cord is connected to contacts N and L.
In RGB strips, a controller is additionally connected to the power supply. It is important here not to confuse the positive and negative terminals, otherwise the device will fail.

Ready-made kit for connecting color lighting

Important! The maximum length of a chain designed for one transformer is 15 meters or 3 standard reels. If your area is larger, you will have to use another power supply.

Depending on the type of finish of the kitchen ceiling, there are various options for installing strip lighting. The easiest way to hide the decor is in suspended plasterboard structures, but even if your kitchen has a smooth, single-level ceiling, you can create lighting effects using a regular cornice.

Installing tape in the baseboard on the ceiling

This installation method is applicable even if the kitchen renovation is long overdue. It does not require any special alterations, the main thing is to buy a beautiful ceiling cornice that matches the overall interior design, and glue it to “liquid nails” at a distance of 80-120 mm from the ceiling. In order for the structure to come out smooth and look impressive, you should first make markings for the level.

Important! When choosing a cornice, pay attention to its thickness - through thin walls the tape can shine so brightly that the baseboard itself will shine.

When the baseboard is installed and the glue has set, we proceed in stages:

We clean the surface of the cornice from dust and degrease.
Remove the adhesive backing from the back of the tape.
We mount the LEDs on the wall or on the side of the cornice. True, many experts do not trust factory-made “self-adhesives” and recommend additionally securing the structure with silicone glue or double-sided tape.
We connect the power supply (and for multi-color RGB - also the controller), observing the polarity.
We check the voltage in the board itself and all components - they must match. Now you can connect the power supply to a 220 W network.

Step-by-step installation of lighting in the ceiling plinth

Installation in plasterboard cornice

It is best to install lighting in suspended ceilings during their construction. For this, a standard design made of metal profiles and plasterboard sheets is used, which provides an open or closed niche for a line of LEDs.

You will need the following tools and materials:

Drywall and self-tapping screws.
Metal profiles CD and UD.
Dowels and screws.
Hacksaw and hand scissors for metal.
Drill, screwdriver.
Level, measuring tape.
Pencils or markers.
LED strip with accessories.

The operating algorithm is as follows:

A drawing of the future box is created, according to which the markings are made.
The frame is being erected. To do this, load-bearing UD profiles are screwed to the walls using screws and dowels, and CD elements are, in turn, attached to them. The recommended step is 50 cm. Then, sections 10-15 cm high are installed perpendicular to the ceiling and connected to the profile on the ceiling so that a niche is formed.

On a note! The structure may consist of one or several levels. In any case, it is important to maintain a gap of at least 10 cm for the passage of light from the diodes.

The finished frame is sheathed with plasterboard sheets laid end to end. A niche is left at the ends of the structure to accommodate the LED strip. The outer perimeter must be covered with a side to disguise the constituent elements of the backlight.

Installation of plasterboard cornice for hidden lighting

The correct choice of the height of the protective edge will help you create a bright or dim strip of light.

Important! Do not forget to provide space in the design for power supplies and a controller.

The seams are masked with putty, and after complete drying, with primer and painting.
Now it's time to install the backlight. The tape must be attached to an adhesive base directly to the drywall (additionally, you can use clamps or an aluminum profile). The light from the diodes should be directed from bottom to top. Then you can connect the system to the current conductors, remembering to maintain polarity.

Connection diagrams with one and several transformers

Video: installing LED strip

To clearly demonstrate the work of installing the backlight, we suggest studying a small video selection of training materials:

How to connect an LED strip - important nuances that will help you mount the backlight circuit correctly.

How to make a plasterboard cornice for hidden lighting - one of the options for arranging a U-shaped box for an LED strip.

As you can see, you can handle the installation of LED backlighting yourself. Therefore, the main task is to choose the right length of material, transformer and controller, taking into account the configuration of the kitchen ceiling and the expected decorative effect. But if you doubt your abilities or the correctness of the calculations made, it is better to entrust the purchase of components and installation of the lighting to a qualified electrician.