LED lighting has appeared on the domestic market relatively recently, but due to its economy, flexibility and high production resource, it is gaining more and more popularity in various industrial sectors, as well as in everyday life. One of the main structural elements that make LED lighting comfortable, and the diode itself is protected from damage, are diffusers for LED strips.
Diffuser Functions
Although traditional incandescent bulbs are quite uneconomical to use and short-lived, the light spectrum emitted by them is most optimal for human eyes, since it is largely identical to natural light. The diode tape provides bright, but cold and unpleasant for the eyes lighting.
The solution to the problem was diffusers, which are the structural part of many fixtures that make the light warmer and more natural. But there are also objects that do not need to "refine" the light spectrum. An example is architectural monuments or devices that do not require damage protection.
The tasks that diffusers for LED strips perform are not limited to obtaining inexpensive lighting. Such devices are used to decorate the appearance of an object: a room, car or interior item. We must not forget about the protective function and anti-vandal, which is especially relevant in public places.
Materials
Modern technologies have significantly expanded the range of materials used for the manufacture of diffusers. Today, in addition to ordinary classic glass, combined compositions are used.
Diffusers for LED strips can be made of such materials:
- Polymethylacrylate materials (acrylic / organic glass) are characterized by high transparency, strength, resistance to aging, ductility. It is also worth noting the flammability and brittleness of the material.
- Transparent polystyrene - a thermoplastic polymer is durable, versatility, low cost.
- Polycarbonate Products are characterized by increased strength, durability due to resistance to UV radiation, high transparency and lightness. The addition of flame retardants and extinguishing elements makes the material ideal for the manufacture of diode lamps. At a cost it is more expensive than acrylic.
The choice of material depends on the financial capabilities of the buyer and the requirements for lighting equipment, as well as environmental conditions.
Types of diffusers
In addition to differences in the composition of the material, diffusers for LED strips have differences in the method of supplying light and the surface structure, thereby expanding the scope of their application. The surface may vary in color and structure.
Luminaires made of prismatic glass, due to the refraction of light rays, give the greatest light scattering effect (up to 90%). Using frosted glass, we have a coefficient of no higher than 60%, while providing a room with a cozy, subdued light.
A separate type of diffusers, characterized by a variety of patterns and colors, is made using 3D-polymer material. Such devices are mounted on luminaires of large dimensions such as Armstrong.
Installation methods
Profile with diffuser for LED strip can be installed:
- Consignment note / universal.
- Mortise. Installed in chipboard or cardboard: ceilings, furniture.
- Angular. For lighting rooms, furniture.
- Interior. It is easily combined with any room decoration; it is used for installing LED strips.
- For mounting on glass shelves with silicone gaskets.
Convenience and ease of installation allow you to perform work yourself, the main thing is to choose the right type of glass. It is also worth keeping in mind that, due to the fragility of acrylic, it is advisable to order delivery from a trusted company, since installing a damaged profile can be hazardous to health. Diffusers based on plastic and polycarbonate are more practical, as they have a structure more resistant to mechanical shocks.
Types of fastening
The diode strip has several installation methods, therefore, the diffusers are available in the form of blanks, allowing for the fastest and most convenient installation.
To install the tape, you need a flat and smooth surface structure, specially designed profiles for LED lighting correspond to these requirements. This ensures the installation of LEDs in the form of rulers, strips, fixtures, spotlights, rings, allowing you to decorate the headlights of a car, etc.
A flexible diffuser for LED strip is most often mounted on a plastic profile to provide illumination of various interior objects in the form of a circle or in an arc on arches, headlights for a car, and circular lamps.
Fields of application
Diffusers for luminaires made using acrylic materials come in several types: with a high level of transparency, as well as with a prismatic or matte structure. The disadvantage is fragility. Therefore, such devices are recommended for use indoors. They are made with a smooth or grooved surface.
Due to the ease of processing, the use of plexiglass is very popular for decorating the interior of apartments, nightclubs and other public buildings.
For street lighting, including transport, public places and in rooms exposed to constant vibrations (metro, stations, passages), the most optimal option would be monolithic carbonate diffusers. Indoor use is impractical due to their relatively high cost.
The plastic diffuser for the LED strip is made of polystyrene, which is distinguished by its low price and ease of installation. It is widely used for installation on street lamps and indoors, as well as in the industrial industry. Types: mirror raster of aluminum (Armstrong lamps), opal (matte), prismatic, transparent.
Nuances
The objective of the diffuser is to give a soft and uniform glow, removing the punctuality inherent in LED strips and lamps. Since the level of lighting for different residential areas and objects is different, the fixtures must have a different degree of dispersion. In this regard, a separate sale of components for installation is practiced. The diffuser is selected separately depending on the requirements of the customer. Ease of installation allows you to independently replace a failed or damaged profile.
In the process of planning expenses, it must be borne in mind that the matte lamps, most often used to create a warm twilight in bedrooms and children's rooms, have a higher cost than transparent ones.
Outdoor diffusers for luminaires must withstand temperature extremes and shock. Such devices should not contain cracks through which moisture can penetrate.
Finally
The new century also requires new types of lighting. Due to its low cost, an ordinary fluorescent lamp still holds a strong position in the domestic market, but the situation is changing. LEDs in combination with a diffuser, despite their high cost, are being selected by an increasing number of buyers who want to not only light up and decorate the room, but also save energy.