LED or LED-lamps have been used relatively recently, but are already very popular. However, many buyers are unhappy with the operation of these devices. In addition, there are rumors about the dangers of LED lamps for human health. How true are these statements? How to choose the right LED lamp?
Description
In appearance, the LED lamp is similar to an incandescent lamp by the presence of a base, to the housekeeper - by the outline of the contour. It consists of LEDs, an optical system, and a semiconductor chip (or two) on a substrate.
According to the principle of operation, this is a semiconductor device that converts the voltage of the electrical network into light. The name LED is a shorthand for Light Emitting Diode.
These technologies are now being actively developed around the world. There are all new areas of use of LEDs. The quality of the light produced by LED lamps is improved.
LED lamp benefits
What will the user have when replacing incandescent lamps with modern LEDs?
- bulbs do not heat up;
- durable;
- lungs;
- do not contain mercury, as "housekeepers";
- do not emit ultraviolet radiation harmful to the eyes;
- warm up in less than 1 second.
A 10 W LED lamp illuminates the room in the same way as a 100 W incandescent lamp.
If we compare lamps of the same brightness, then LED lamps, or LED lamps, consume less energy than incandescent lamps, 10 times and 2 times less than energy-saving (fluorescent) ones.
But such lamps have one definite minus: the cost of one LED is much more than a fluorescent and even more so an incandescent lamp. What then is the saving?
The resource of LED lamps is from 50 thousand hours. This means that the lamp that is used every day for a long time will serve the owners for about 10 years. And the one that is turned on from time to time can last 50 years!
Therefore, real savings will be felt quickly enough. For a year and a half, the cost of the lamps will pay off, and it will work for many more years. Although the quality of light deteriorates over the years. So, after 25 thousand hours of operation, the lamp will give 10 or 20 percent less light.
The use of LED lamps will save energy costs by 70%.
This will lead to the fact that there will be no point in turning the bulbs on and off when leaving the room.
In addition, one more problem will be solved. Every year in our apartment or house there are more and more electrical appliances. Often the network is not designed for such an amount, overloads occur and, as a result, fires. After replacing conventional incandescent lamps with LEDs, the voltage to the wiring will significantly decrease.
LEDs
- SMD 5630, SMD 5730 medium power LEDs have excellent light output.
- SVL 5630 is the next generation LED. It contains two crystals, so the power is 1 watts. The luminous flux of such LEDs is 158 Lumens per Watt.
- The SMD 5050 LED can also be equipped with an ultra-bright crystal.
LED lamp parameters
In addition to the power indicated by the letters W or W, the quality of the bulb is characterized by the amount of light (luminous flux), the power of the emitted light. It is measured by lumens (Lm, Lm). If the power value should be as low as possible, then the illumination - more. The light rays of the lamp can diverge in all directions, and can be directed by a narrow beam. In order for the lamp to be comfortable, it is necessary that the angle of light scattering be at least 150 °.
The color of light is of great importance. It can be determined by the temperature of light, which is measured in ° K. The higher the indicator, the whiter the color. For home use, lamps with a color temperature indicator from 2700 to 3500 ° K are suitable. They produce a yellowish light that does not irritate the eyes.
Most corn lamps sold through Aliexpress have low power diodes. They are much weaker than branded ones, from Samsung, Phillips, LG. Chinese manufacturers indicate that this is Samsung products. And after the bulb is bought and starts to burn, it turns out that its power and brightness are several times less.
LED lamp price
The cost of LED lamps for domestic use ranges from 200 to 1000 rubles. There are more. It depends on the specifications and the manufacturer. So, the price of a streetlight lamp E40 can reach 17 thousand rubles.
It is predicted that prices for LED lamps will decline, and after a while they will become much cheaper.
LED lamp warranty
And what happens if the LED lamp still stops lighting before the end of the warranty period? Usually it is 3-5 years. It can be replaced in the store where you bought it.
But for this you need to present a check and a box in which the lamp was packed. Usually it is on her indicate the date of purchase. Please note that the warranty on energy-saving bulbs is 2 years, and there is no guarantee on an incandescent lamp.
LED corn lamp
The Ecola LED corn lamp, which can be screwed in instead of the usual incandescent lamp in a residential building, can be with the E27 base. The number 27 indicates the diameter in millimeters. They work from a voltage of 220 V. There are two types:
- with a flask;
- LED lamp "corn".
The lamp got such a name because of its appearance. It is oblong, similar to an ear of corn. On its surface there are a large number of yellow LEDs resembling the grains of this crop.
The LED corn lamp is also called corn led bulb. This is the name of these devices in foreign online stores.
They produce LED LED lamps (corn) in China.
Three groups of LED lamps of this type can be distinguished:
- large on 0.15 W diodes: these are SMD 5630, 5730, 5050;
- small on 0.08 W LED diodes;
- on COB LEDs.
The big lamp LED "corn" on 42, 44 and 60 light-emitting diodes is reliable in work. To find out its real power, multiply the number of LEDs by 0.15 W (power of one). Although users note that over time, luminous flux decreases by about 30% in two years. Plastic slightly turns yellow, but this does not affect the quality of work. Elements are located on a metal plate that removes heat. Sometimes the LED lamp "corn" E27 blinks and pops after switching on. This may be due to the fact that the rectifier bridge is poorly soldered.
User reviews say that the corn lamp LED E27 has a diffusion angle of 360 °. This is better than any bulb lamp.
You can even take it apart to fix the problem. It turns out that the plastic cap is easy to remove and put on if you snap fasteners.
Lamps with a plastic bulb
On top of the lamp LED corn can be closed with a plastic bulb. At the end there are small openings so that air enters the LEDs and cools them. Customer reviews say the lamp is never hot, but it still gets a little hot. Lamps can be safely picked up while they are on (for example, unscrewed from a cartridge).
User reviews say that these small lamps with plastic bulbs are not very high quality. They are:
- Warm due to small size and bulb.
- LEDs are mounted on the PCB, which does not contribute to heat dissipation.
- They are placed very close to each other, so textolite sometimes even burns out.
- Almost half of these lamps cease to shine after a few months due to burnt LEDs.
Lamps on OWL LEDs
It differs from other "corn" in the large size of the LEDs. Accordingly, their number is less than the previous ones, and they look less like corn.
LED lamps E14
Many modern fixtures and chandeliers have a base with a diameter of 14 mm. For such devices use LED lamps, "corn" E14. Good lighting is provided by 9 W lamps. Their price is about 200 rubles. a piece.
It is difficult to find LED bulb lamps E14 of the same power. Usually it is 5-6 watts, and the illumination is up to 500 Lm. It is not enough for high-quality lighting of the room.
LED lamps E40
LED lamp "corn" E40 is used for street lighting. They replace high pressure sodium lamps . They serve 4 times longer than sodium. In addition, light output decreases by 30% after 50 thousand hours of operation. And in sodium by 50% after 2 thousand hours. In addition, they require additional equipment (ballast). A LED only needs a driver that is already built into the lamp. It allows the lamp to not respond to power surges. The radiator lowers the temperature of the LEDs. Such a lamp operates at a temperature of -40 to 50 degrees.
Benefits of Corn
- It is easy to calculate the lamp power by multiplying the power of one LED by their number.
- LEDs do not blind your eyes because they are arranged in a circle. Therefore, a matte bulb that reduces brightness from 20 to 50 percent is not needed for the lamp.
- They have an excellent angle of dispersion (360 °).
- Lamps are easy to disassemble and repair.
- It does not require cooling, so their price is lower.
disadvantages
- The main disadvantages lie in the non-compliance with fire safety rules. These are open voltage contacts. Although it is small, not life-threatening.
- Some users do not like the quality of the light emitted from LED lamps. You need to buy a lamp with a light temperature of about 3000 ° K.
- Customer reviews say that the driver on the capacitor causes high ripple when working on a 220 V network. You can fix this at a frequency of 100 Hz by soldering another capacitor to stabilize.