Spotlights: types, how to choose, manufacturers

Spot lights are used as a practical and elegant way to illuminate spaces or as a decorative accent. Finish deflector, material and texture are chosen based on individual preferences, and select the type and functional features of the lamps is technical in nature.

Types spotlights

Spotlights can be divided into types by the following set of criteria: the method of installation, adjustment and functionality.

mounting method

overhead

External or overhead spotlights are being increasingly used in the frameless grounds:

• concrete ceiling;
• brick walls.

They are indispensable in cases when it is required to elevate the interior, without interfering with the dimensions of the room.

The design of bulkhead - mounting pad and body with a diffuser. Its characteristics imply the installation of the mounting plate above the opening of smaller diameter than the body itself. Otherwise, it would not overlap bubble. It is important to attach the strap to the grounding wire. The housing is fixed to the mounting site by means of lateral screws after wiring.

recessed

Recessed or Mortice model - the kind mounted on the frame basis:

• drywall structures of all types;
• panel or slatted ceilings and walls;
• Stretch ceilings;
• furniture partitions;
• wall niches.

Alternatives to the use of the embedded points - in the floor, on the stairs, swimming pools, bar.

Lamp Configuration - housing with integrated clamps for lamps and fasteners. Additional reinforcement is required - Foot unclenched behind the plane when installing the ceiling. The design involves mounting body inside a previously prepared hole with painted to the point of exit wires.

False

Housing suspended spotlights mounted at a distance from the mounting surface. The lamp hung on a decorative power cable attached to the ceiling. Parts, can strengthen the construction is not required. However, embodiments of massive complementary fixtures recommended when installing the mounting rail - suitable assistants and made of timber or metal.

Pendant lights are suitable for installation on all types of grounds and more established as an independent element of decor.

type of adjustment

A further division is by the type, intensity and angle of light.

• Swivel lamps. Used to create accent lighting with continuously adjustable angle. It should provide for enhancement of fixing points for mounting as mobility means accelerated wear of the material.
• swivel model illuminated part of the room without adjusting the light flow.
• Tilt-and-slide devices suitable for a change of emphasis and coverage areas at the discretion of the owner.
• cardan LEDs remarkable strength and expanded control the direction of flow. The body is placed multiple diode lamps.
• spots - lamps with twist mechanism, giving directional light. They are plastic and are manually adjustable. Interesting solutions with varying amounts of lampshades on general Clamps - six or more. They are arranged in the form of geometric shapes or chandeliers. Spots are available in variations of embedded and surface-type.
• downlight It is used for spot lighting and accent certain interior elements.

Functionality

Functional division of spotlights on the determined types of basic configuration:

• possibility of remote control;
• advanced illumination angle;
• adjustable in different planes;
• embedding depth (depending on the type of fastener);
• moisture and dust protection;
• dimming to adjust the illumination.

Presented the basic types of points are chosen taking into account the peculiarities of a particular room and interior elements.

The principle of operation and design

Spot luminaire consists of three elements:

• framework, which is attached to the surface;
• housing with clamps;
• connecting cable.

In the vast majority of devices is provided housing the continuous type.

Spotlights under incandescent structurally divided into two types:

• Characterized the open-type U-shaped design.
• Closed type involves the use of a casing to protect the lamp from the condensate, is optimal when used in humid environments.

Additional body protection against high service temperature is required. It provides features built-in point lamps. Their outside mirror flask covered with amalgam, which serves to protect the structure from overheating. Contact matt surface of the bulb, which contributes to a uniform distribution of light.

Characteristics

Spot lights have a number of features:

• Small angle light scatter (an average of 30 degrees). Keep in mind that one point can not provide a sufficient amount of light the room, even in cases when it comes to bathrooms.
• The cone-shaped beam of light. For uniform distribution of needed intersection areas above the chest level.

What with spotlights complete

The luminaire is supplied with a set of components and accessories, enough to connect to the existing supply chain:

• Housing. In addition to the Attached clip for the lamp or lens.
• Mounting bracket or fastening struts.
• Terminal block - more whole, but sometimes the manufacturer is making a couple of terminals in the set.

Not always present in the base part of the lamp, more often it is bought separately.

Lamps for spotlights

Spot lights are available in 3 ", 4", 5 "and 6" diameter variations of armature. The values ​​are in inches - of international standard. Acceptable to use with different types of lamps:

• incandescent;
• compact fluorescent;
• halogen;
• LED.

At one and the same body is usually accommodate different types of lamps. Specify when you purchase, whether the design is compatible with a selected variety of lamps.

Incandescent lamps

The most common in the spotlights thanks to the low price and ease of replacement.

A number of disadvantages inherent in this type of lamp, slowly displace them from the market:

• "Voracity" in terms of energy consumption;
• Fastener size not less than 7 cm, requiring the carcass appropriate depth.

Replacing bulbs in the points - the usual screwed into the ceiling.

halogen

Interesting choice of combining power and long life. Tungsten-halogen device outputs more light per watt than standard incandescent lamp. Voltage available at two variations: linear at 220 and 110 W or lower is 12 volts.

Halogen incandescent variations bypassed on these indicators:

• low power consumption;
• durability;
• higher brightness;
• shallow depth of fasteners - 2-4 cm.

Cons halogen lamps:

• strong heating;
• sensitivity to contamination with fat;
• the formation of high temperature zones.

Installation is carried out in gloves or use a cloth supplied.

replacement:

1. It is necessary to remove the decorative cover, if it is available in the structure.
2. This will open up access to the locking ring - it removed when gently squeeze the two protruding legs.
3. After that, he unscrewed the bulb itself.

Point diode lamps

Led-technology in lighting known as practical and durable alternative to incandescent lamps.

This contributes to their performance:

• record low power consumption;
• No overheating, which means compatibility with all types of stretch ceilings;
• Safety - are suitable for use in children's rooms and bedrooms.

fluorescent

Optimal for imitation of natural light. Their high price is compensated by longevity. The main disadvantage - they are unsafe environmentally due to the presence of mercury. Their caution is used in residential premises.

Each type of lighting has a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. The most important factors when choosing a lamp:

• Luminous efficiency - the ratio of the light flux from the lamp to the same index W input.
• The preferred lifetime, difficulties in replacing and disposing.
• Maintenance of lumen output - this factor is important to have a certain minimum level of illumination.
• The need for auxiliary equipment.

Benefits

Technical advantages are based on the following points:

• Possibility of partial or directional illumination to emphasize the individual zones.
• Illumination uniformity, without shaded corners.
• The service life is much higher than the usual trimmings.
• Safe and economical supply of light, especially in variations with a voltage of 12 volts.
• The point devices can be built different types of light bulbs.
• Beauty and compactness. Due to their small size they are stylish and elegant look to any room.
• Reduced power consumption as compared to conventional lighting devices, wherein the high efficiency.
• Reliability. Resistance to vibration and mechanical damage.
• High utilization of light flux.
• No glare, noise and flicker in operation.

disadvantages

Electric light bulb has a number of drawbacks.

• The complexity of the organization and design of lighting systems.
• The need for installing or replacing transformers greatly complicates installation and calculations. To comply with demands of the distance from the device generally means a partial frame and the bulkhead rasshivanie finished (sometimes coated decor) plane. When replacing the requirements are the same.
• The need to use a larger number of devices for general lighting.
• Most types of spotlights require changes in the design of the ceiling or walls. For models without a built-in rack mounting is indispensable.
• When overheated down light can damage the PVC stretch ceiling.
• The complexity of care for a large number of lampshades.

How to choose the spotlights

Standard spotlights have a regulated measure of protection. The instructions on the package or it is designated IP abbreviation.

Numerical values ​​of abbreviations

Close to a put down two figures:

• First digit - protection against ingress into the design of the solid particles. It ranges from 0 to 5. Zero means no protection. Values ​​from 1 to 4 correspond to the particle size fractions in descending order, in the range from 50 to 1 mm. Figure 5 - protection against dust.
• The second digit - degree of moisture protection, the standard values ​​of 0 to 8. Indicators correspond to the intensity of the water flow. Zero - no moisture protection and 8 means that the device is protected from prolonged immersion in water.

additional factors

• Pick up technique in the same style from the same manufacturer.
• Check the package of the light reflecting and cooling element.
• Low power devices require the installation of 12 watts down transformer.
• Cable cross section selected from special tables, starting from the total power and number of lamps.
• Recessed ceiling model should be chosen in advance to correctly calculate the height of the frame based fixtures and overall size of the transformer.

Rules of lighting devices determine their number and completing the selection.

what better

The simpler the design of the luminaire, the easier care for him. Most often it concerns kitchen lighting fixtures, which in addition to the dust accumulated over time fatty plaque.

• For suspended ceilings are better rounded models - their installation and subsequent maintenance of the material damage of sharp corners is unlikely.
• Devices with incandescent light projected bright usual, but their hardware is not too compact. Ceiling and wall frames are mounted with fasteners Given the size, as a result of "eat" the precious centimeters of height or room space.
• Headlamps for halogen lamps may be inserted into the frame at a short distance from the surface - is lost only 4 cm. Additional advantages - reduced energy consumption, brightness and durability. Lamps with ceramic cartridge and a glass lens does not cause any problems with overheating.

How to use

From the correct use depends on the attractiveness of the interior fixtures and their service life.

Recommendations for placement

1. Headlamps are mounted at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other and at least 20 cm from the room corners to uniformly distribute backlight.
2. Used for ceilings, saving or LED illumination variations that are heated less.
3. The points on the perimeter of the walls visually expand the space of the room. Ceiling lighting in this case is not required.

Care

• Once a year, it needs cleaning equipment and check the wiring integrity.
• Dry cleaning to be performed using a cotton cloth.
• Do not use solvents, and abrasive cleaning agents.

When replacing bulbs specify the maximum power, this will prevent the backlight from overheating and burning.

Precautionary measures

• Do not expose to light an open flame.
• Do not drop the appliance in water.
• Use as directed and only indoors.
• Do not connect to power sources that are not listed in the instructions to the lighting device.

Faults and repairs

Common fault in most cases reduced to operate incorrectly installed accessories.

After a while after the appliance stops working

A possible reason is the overheating of the transformer and the subsequent actuation breaker. In this case, the transformer needs to be replaced with a more powerful version of the transfer or the open space to improve heat dissipation. Alternatively, a current transformer is replaced by several instances less power.

Twinkling lights with the lights off

This disadvantage is inherent in LED or energy-saving lamps, is shown at the incompatibility with illuminated switch. Solving the problem will require the replacement of fittings or the type of lamps used.

frequent burnout

There are a number of reasons why this may occur from frequent power drops to imported lamps, designed to operate at 220 V. To solve this problem install the protection devices or replace the lamps for energy-saving or low voltage.

Not included either immediately extinguished

A common reason for this phenomenon - a banal overload the transformer while connecting too many devices. Require replacement device or increase the number of transformers.

Oplavilsya and cracked lamp

Perhaps the power of the installed lamp exceeds the allowable. Verify the figures can be on the boxes, if they survived. You need to install the correct wattage.

Manufacturers spotlights

Selection includes representatives of different price categories:

• Ambrella. It produces its own line in 2012. Ambrella light products are original designs, bonus - comparable to the European level of service. Low-end models.
• ARTE LAMP. The Italian company ARTE LAMP 2001 supply interior lighting products, is represented in more than 20 countries worldwide. The average price level.
• Donolux. The Russian company with 15 years of experience, producing fuel-efficient models of lamps. Materials are supplied world producers. product quality at a decent level. The pricing policy is not designed for the middle class.
• EGLO. The Austrian company, which specializes in creating lighting systems, the range of 3000 items for each taste and budget. Available low-end models and the mainstream versions.
• Elektrostandard. Another representative of Russia, on the market since 1998. Products traditionally high quality. The price level in the standard range.
• Lightstar. The European company offering interesting design solutions in lighting. In Russia, presented since 2001. Moderate pricing policy.
• LUSSOLE. Lyussol - inexpensive Italian production presented in an exquisite and uncommon format.
• Massive. Belgian units with concise design. The company offers a series of average prices for each room. Noteworthy options tailored to the interior of a child.
• Novotech. Reliable Hungarian company, 20 years in the market. It offers special lighting series for bathrooms. Budgetary pricing.

Once you have decided on a functional and the model will need to calculate the number of luminaires and make a circuit of the room layout. Common installation options: perimeter spaced from the corners and the walls of 20 cm in a staggered shape or geometric shapes.