Energy-saving lamps have withdrawn from the stage of history. Almost all household lights are LEDs.
However, there are so many LED lamps on the market that it is difficult to distinguish the good from the bad. This article will teach you how to select high-quality LED lights.
LED lamps are made up of three components: the driver, the light source board and the heat sink. Let’s start with the driver. Normal household LED lights generally choose non-isolated drivers. This driver has average cost, high efficiency, and good reliability. Voltage fluctuations do not affect the lights’ ability to work.
However, in order to compete with prices in the current market, many companies will use resistor-capacitor step-down or linear power supplies instead of non-isolated power supplies. Both of these power supplies are not very resistant to impact. It is likely that a nearby storm will cause a surge in voltage. Can only operate at a set voltage.
For example, 220V, as long as the voltage fluctuates, the light will also fluctuate, so when purchasing, be sure to check the input voltage range.
Resistance-capacitance and linear voltages are generally writt-en as 220-230v, and non-isolated power supplies are generally writt-en as 175-250v, and some can be 110 -250v voltage fluctuation has no effect on this lamp.
When choosing, be sure to consider the input voltage range.
Next, let’s talk about the light source board. Currently, the majority of LED light sources are welded to the aluminum substrate. The quality of the LED light source is hard to judge with the naked eyes, but it’s not an issue after a few use years. You can check the light that is on the package. For color temperature, it is generally better to choose a color temperature below 6000k. Color temperatures of 3000k are preferred by Europeans and Americans. This is a slightly yellowish color, like the sun rising in the morning.
In our country, we like whiter ones. Generally, 6000k is like the sun at noon. It is whiter, but more dazzling. The best choice is to use a light source with a 4000k color temperature, as it is a more moderate option. The light will appear blue if it is above 6000k. Blue light hazards are what we call this, so don’t choose a temperature higher than 6000k.
Finally, let’s talk about the heat sink. Since the LED light source generates heat when it is working, if the heat is not dissipated in time, it will damage the LED, so a heat sink is needed.
Generally, the bulbs on the market are plastic-coated aluminum heat sinks, which means they feel like plastic to the touch. There is a layer aluminum in the bulb.
The greater the power of the LED, the greater the heat. Generally, the heat sink has a maximum power limit, so when buying a lamp, do not be greedy for high power. Generally, the A60 should not exceed 10 watts. It will be discounted if it is over the lifespan.
What to look for when choosing LED lights
Blue light is the most important factor to consider when choosing LED lights.
The blue light can be very harmful to children, especially those under the age of eight. You can learn more about blue light by searching on Baidu.
Since the light from LEDs is a white light that is synthesized by combining three colors, red, yellow, and blue, blue light is unavoidable. A lot of LED research is being done abroad to try and solve the blue light problem. I hope that in the near future we will all be able to use LED lights without blue light.
Online, it is uploaded that you can judge the LED strobe using your mobile phone. This is not a very accurate standard, and you have to make a comprehensive judgment from all aspects of light color.
Energy-saving lamps vs LDE lamps
Compared with energy-saving lamps, LEDs are more energy-saving and can make full use of light efficiency. Especially when the weather is cold, the phosphors in energy-saving lamps need to be fully preheat-ed before they can reach the brightness of the logo. LEDs are not requir-ed.
For children’s bedrooms, it is recommended to use neutral lighting with a 4000K color temperature.
The living room can use lights that convert between three color temperatures (neutral light, white light, yellow light)
In the living room, ceiling fan lights should not be used. The light intensity of the ceiling fan lights is insufficient for use in the living room.
As far as household LED lights is concerned, yellow light is less harmful to the eyes, white light is more harmful to children’s eyes, and blue light is only more harmful to children under 8 years old.
When choosing the right lighting fixture, you should consider:
- If the light of the LED light is bluish, it means there is too much blue light, which is not good. White light is normal.
American-style lampshades are relatively thick, so it is recommend-ed to use white light bulbs.
- The right size
- The style should match the overall decoration style of the home.
The finishing touch is the lamp. Not only must we choose the style but also the color of the light. For simple Nordic style, choose simpler lamps. European and American chandeliers are more suitable.
- Pay attention to the quality and light color when choosing
Popularize the issue of hanging lamp height:
Customers have said that the new Chinese and American style lamps are so thin, they can be touched with their hands. uncomfortable!
The answer is: leaving aside the aisle, the best effect of the golden ratio is: the distance between the floor and the lamp in the living room is generally 1.8 meters to 2 meters, and the distance between the dining table and the lamp in the restaurant is between 0.85 meters and 0.95 meters.
Nowadays, we buy lights not only for lighting, but also for decoration and light effect, to create a warm and comfortable home.
How much wattage should you choose?
Generally, it is better to use 30-40 watt lamps for 10-15 square meters.
In general, 70-75 Watt lights are better for a living room that is 15 to 20 square meters. For 20-25 square meters, it is better to use 80-90 watt lights. If you have more than 25 square metres, then 105-watt LED lights are better.
Our common lamps:
light strip
Nowadays, most of the flexible light strips are use-d, but now LED has come out with T5, which is brighter and more stable than light strips.
It is easy to replace a broken section of the middle because it is connected one-by-one. But the light strip is more convenient to install.
spotlight
The light can be focused and the angle adjusted. It can be used to highlight certain points. Designers use spotlights as a way to emphasize the effect.
downlight
It is flat, and most of its function is as a lighting embellishment.
It is recommend-ed to use 3.5-watt downlights. The hole in the ceiling should be 7.5-8cm.
In general, it is recommended to use a downward light at a distance no less than 60 cm. 80 cm or even 1 meter are also acceptable. If it is use-d for decoration, the number should not be too many.
molecular lamp
The material used for the LED household lights and lamp body as well as its workmanship are the main factors that determine the choice of molecular lamps.
Mainly suitable for Nordic style decoration
All copper lamp
The so-called all-copper lamp cannot be all copper. Copper is a relatively soft metal, so it can slip easily. The national standard is that the copper content is 60%, which can be call-ed a full copper lamp.
American and European styles are more commonly use-d in decoration.
corn light
Big corn brands don’t do much because they have technical bottlenecks and it’s difficult to achieve stable quality.
Its light-emitting surface is quite large. If you buy a chandelier with a lampshade, you can use this corn lamp. It is generally not recommend-ed to use corn.
Halogen lamp
Halogen lamps emit a yellowish light with a color temperature below 3000k. The color temperature is too high and is bad for your eyes.
Filament bulb
These are imitations of the old tungsten filament lamps, which were high-wattage bulbs. They are not made by many domestic factories. Most of the current filament bulbs have a color temperature of 2700, which is generally use-d to create atmosphere. It may be a little worse for lighting.
If the lamp is simple or European, this type of LED bulb will look better with many Nordic and American lamps. Placing a filament light bulb in a lamp may not look great.