home Stoves and fireplaces How to choose spotlights for suspended ceilings. Lamps for suspended ceilings

How to choose spotlights for suspended ceilings. Lamps for suspended ceilings

Choosing the right lighting for a stretch ceiling is as important as stretching the canvas itself. Not only the durability of the PVC film itself depends on this, but also how the room will “play out”, whether the lamps will make it more beautiful or just ruin it. In cases where it is impossible to install a chandelier or its light is not enough, spotlights come to the rescue.

Peculiarities

The lighting of any room must be planned, especially when installing a stretch ceiling. This is largely due to the fact that not all spotlights will cope with their role equally well. Some of them will heat up and melt the canvas, another part may overheat and catch fire, the third will simply be too heavy or have fastening parts that are too long.

The first and main difference between spot lighting for suspended ceilings is the choice in favor of low-power lamps. Only such models will not cause problems and will not require dismantling the entire tension fabric.

In second place is the need to install the base in a fairly small space without ventilation. It just so happens that few of the owners of the premises are willing to “give up” 12-15 cm of the room’s height for the sake of several lamps, and for already low apartments in houses built by Khrushchev, this is scary to imagine.

An honorable third place was given to the dimensions of future spot lighting. Due to the design features, holes larger than 15 cm in diameter cannot be made in the tension film. Accordingly, lamps or their fastening elements must be less than the indicated number.

Thus, for successful installation of spotlights, it is necessary to take into account the features of the suspended ceiling itself, as well as the requirements for lamps. If you ignore at least one of these aspects, there is a high risk of quickly losing the original appearance of the room after renovation, and the prospect of having to redo a fresh renovation almost immediately will not please anyone.

Kinds

Various types of lamps can be used for a stretch ceiling. Built-in lamps are available in different variations: LED, halogen and in some cases even incandescent lamps. Each of the listed types has its own characteristics, which will be further discussed depending on the category. It is worth mentioning in advance that LED lamps are the best choice today.

An interesting solution is lamps installed in pairs. They are excellent for illuminating rooms if it is not possible to install the lamps at the required distance from each other: the lamps in combination are equipped with additional insulation that prevents them from overheating and interaction.

There are hanging spotlights, reminiscent of the cylindrical parts of some kind of comic ship. They are located below the level of the tension fabric and stand out noticeably against its background. Such models are used to focus attention on any part of the room.

There are also overhead models. They come in various configurations and are made in a variety of sizes. The choice of materials is also quite large. Such structures, just like wall-mounted ones, “give off” maximum light, however, they play a more decorative role and carry an aesthetic load.

Embedded models are the most commonly used. The choice of shapes and materials for them is limited to only a small list of possible combinations, and installation takes a lot of effort and time even for experienced contractors. A huge advantage is their inconspicuousness against the general background, due to which chandeliers are often complemented with built-in spotlights.

Dimensions

As mentioned above, the size of spotlights is limited to 15 centimeters in diameter; the stretch ceiling fabric is simply not designed for large lamp sizes. It is worth noting that large lamps are used extremely rarely. Firstly, they do not fit the style of all rooms. Secondly, their functionality is often limited due to the meager range of design ideas.

Traditionally, models are selected whose diameter rarely exceeds 80 mm. This is due to the fact that such models have high light output, are relatively easy to install, require the installation of low-power lamps and open up wide scope for experimentation with design.

The width of the spot illumination depends on the selected light bulb. Thus, ordinary incandescent lamps require at least 120 mm of clearance between the main ceiling and the canvas for installation. For the minion lamp – 90-100 mm. Of course, for rooms with low ceilings, a couple of the given lighting options are not considered: 12 cm is a serious distance even for high rooms.

For halogen lamps the numbers are much smaller - about 60 mm. Despite the relatively small figure, few people are ready to “lower” the ceiling by 6 cm.

The most advantageous option is LED lamps, the installation adjustment for which starts from 35 mm. Sometimes this is a smaller distance than is required for installing the profiles on which the ceiling sheet is attached. Due to this feature, many consumers order the installation of LED lamps, despite their high cost.

Forms

The shape of the lamp depends not so much on the preferences of the home owners, but on the features of its mounting. Most models are produced in a standard round configuration, but there can be square, multifaceted, and shaped options.

Built-in lamps can only be round. Such restrictions are imposed for safety reasons: the PVC film of the ceiling will easily “come apart” on the corner section of the lamp. However, the market offers a huge selection of cases of various designs and even complemented with decorations (for example, “rain” of crystal drops).

Overhead lamps offer more room for maneuver. They can be of various forms, since in this case there is no direct relationship between the configuration of the lamp itself and its fastening element. It is worth noting that the fasteners are still presented in the form of a ring, but the large size of the lamp body easily covers all the “filling” that does not harmonize with it.

Some spotlights are equipped with a mini-shade that covers the surface of the light bulb. The lampshade itself resembles a hemisphere with various coatings, both smooth and faceted. There are also square mini-shades that repeat the shape of the body, but on a smaller scale.

The variety of lamp shapes allows you to choose a model to suit every taste in a variety of interiors, not only modern, but also classic. If you add an ornament to the shaped body of the lamp, you will create something like a small work of art. A covering with an embossed pattern, with the illusion of cracking or simply with many facets will refract the light, creating an unusual lighting in the room, thanks to which the entire atmosphere of the environment will change.

Materials

The materials for making the body and decorative elements differ.

Most often the body is made made of heat-resistant plastic. It is quite lightweight and allows you to easily install low-power lamps. A large selection of colors and textures adds to the popularity of the material.

A more expensive alternative is metal. It is also interesting, but metal conducts current well, which means that you need to make sure that the wiring is completely insulated several times, so that if something happens you don’t get an electric shock.

Lamps only from glass used as overhead models. They transmit light well, allowing you to illuminate the area as much as possible. These options are expensive because they use tempered glass. Some manufacturers offer shock-resistant options so that if dropped, the lamp can survive and the user does not have to buy a new one.

Ceramic and gypsum products are extremely rare, but such options also exist. They have not received wide acceptance due to their high fragility and low performance properties. Moreover, such options are quite difficult to fit into the interior due to the specifics of the material.

Various decorative details are used as decoration elements: crystal pendants, crystals, stained glass, wooden inserts - in a word, everything that will help the lamps look as harmonious as possible in the interior.

Colors

The choice of colors is quite large. Metallic coatings, pure colors, and textured patterns are used.

The most popular transparent lamps. They transmit light well, and when turned off they look like crystals on the ceiling. Many buyers are impressed by this effect, which is why such models have gained universal love.

White color It is used mainly for built-in lighting, as it allows you to make the lamp as invisible as possible against the background of a stretch ceiling, which is traditionally also white. When you turn on such lamps, it seems that a stream of light is pouring directly from the ceiling itself.

Black models They look appropriate when it is necessary to emphasize the ceiling surface, for example, when intricate plasterboard structures are used. Black lamps are quite difficult to match to a white ceiling, since they can stand out in inappropriate contrast against its background.

As an alternative, we can suggest using metal coatings: gold, bronze, silver, copper. Such models will look no less interesting, but much more harmonious.

Drawings on lamps- a relatively new trend in fashion. The drawing can be anything, from marble stylization to excerpts from world masterpieces of art (only partial, of course). The latter are made to order using special devices, less often hand-painted. It is popular to use Greek ornaments, as well as imitations of cracked stones with shiny gold or silver veins.

Power

Depending on the type of lamp chosen, the power allowed for use on the surface of a stretch ceiling also varies. What is noteworthy is that the largest lamps also have the maximum permitted power.

For frosted glass incandescent lamps, the maximum permitted wattage is 60 W. Incandescent lamps are practically not used for suspended ceilings, since the electricity consumption to power them is too high. The average service life of a tungsten model of the specified power is about 1000 hours, which is not at all impressive compared to other alternative options.

The power of energy-saving lamps should not exceed 45 W. Twisted energy-saving elements are used along with LED ones. They absorb little electricity, but these samples take some time to flare up to full strength.

Halogen lamps should not be more powerful than 30 W. They heat up easily and can melt the canvas. Please note that the installation of such models cannot be carried out with bare hands; it is imperative to use gloves, but in justification it is worth noting that halogen samples will not have to be changed often. Their service life is about 3000 hours. An additional feature is the inability to regulate the warmth of the lighting; halogen lamps have a fixed filament temperature of 3000 K.

LED samples are recognized as the best. The required power is at 40 W. The advantages are that LED options practically do not heat up, last longer than all the listed alternatives (on average, up to 30,000 hours), and also have different light temperatures: from cool white at 8000 K to warm yellowish 2700 K.

Location

A plan for the location of the lamps must be drawn up before installing the ceiling covering, since it will first be necessary to place the wiring and their housings. A good solution is to pre-mark the places for the lamps on a regular sheet of paper in a box, and then transfer the markings directly to the ceiling using scaling.

Both chaotically located spotlights and symmetrical ones, arranged in a semicircle or in two parallel lines, look beautiful. Many designers build a diagram of the location of the relative main ceiling lamp - a chandelier. This approach is completely justified, but not necessary; spotlights can easily exist on their own.

Depending on the number of lamps, possible options for their placement vary. The arrangement of lamps of different power depending on the illuminated area is a classic of the genre. You can use two schemes, as if superimposed on one another: for brighter and less bright lamps.

A good idea is to place LEDs around the entire perimeter of the room. The distance between them should not exceed 1 m, and to the nearest wall - at least 60 cm.

Group placement will help put emphasis on a specific area, and even distribution throughout the room will create diffused light. Correctly calculate the required number of lamps. Experts note that one should proceed from the need to use 1 lamp per 1.5 square meters. meters of area. For example, for a room of 12 square meters. m will need 8 lamps.

For various rooms

Depending on the specific room, spot lighting should be placed differently. It will help adjust the proportions and make the room more harmonious.

In the bedroom It's best to keep the layout design as simple as possible, highlighting unusual details, such as placing lamps along the wall above the headboard. In this case, they will also serve as reading lamps.

For hallway, corridor and any rectangular room faces the same task: to visually expand the room. In this case, it is best to shift the emphasis to the side parts of the room, placing intense lighting along the walls, and leaving the central part darkened. In addition, it will add depth to the ceilings.

In the bathroom increased demands are placed on the lamps themselves; their IP index must be equal to 67, which means they are completely waterproof. For a room with high humidity and the risk of water getting into the lighting fixture, this point is extremely important.

In the living room spot lighting must be installed not only depending on the required degree of illumination, but also in order to highlight a particular functional area. Guests are received in the hall, so it is necessary to highlight the area with sofas, and also pay attention to the most elegant decorative elements: paintings, figurines, photographs.

In a nursery, especially a small one, it is important to highlight every corner. The use of multi-colored spotlights is encouraged, which can paint the child’s room in all the colors of the rainbow.

Which ones are better?

When choosing a lamp for suspended ceilings, pay attention to its brand. Sometimes you don’t want to overpay for a brand, but remember that if you buy a low-quality light bulb, you may have to replace the entire ceiling.

LED lamps are recognized as the best choice today. They do not require leaving a lot of space under the plinth between the ceiling and the stretch film, do not heat up during operation, are distinguished by remarkable durability and have a wide range of different light temperatures and colors. The only significant disadvantage is the high cost of such options, however, in the perspective of saving on frequent replacement and electrical energy, their price does not seem so outstanding.

The choice of lamp design depends on the goals you are pursuing. Perhaps you just need to add light to a dark room, decorate the ceiling or divide the room into functional zones - as you can see, there are a lot of options.

In the first case, built-in models are perfect for the role of a lighting element. Such lighting will not attract undue attention, and the room will become noticeably livelier.

If you need to highlight a separate object or area, you can use spotlights. They come in both built-in and overhead. Their difference from standard lamps is the ability to rotate in different directions, directing the light flux in a fixed manner.

How to choose?

The choice of lamps depends on many factors, including the ceiling covering and the number of its levels. A single-level ceiling will be an excellent backdrop for spotlights of any configuration, but only built-in models are suitable for multi-level structures.

A simple lamp will look too boring on a matte ceiling, but glossy PVC will sparkle with new colors. Matte should be emphasized with the help of unusual overlay crystal models or built-in ones with interesting decor. It is also necessary to take into account the planting depth of each of the possible models, since it varies greatly depending on the type of light bulb. Let us remind you that for ordinary incandescent lamps the optimal parameter is 120 mm, for minions – 100 mm, for energy-saving and halogen lamps – 60-70 mm, for LED – no more than 50 mm.

If you choose an overhead model with a pattern, you should pay attention to the harmonious combination of the overall furnishings and the ornament on the lamp. For example, if the room is decorated in African style, it would be logical to choose lamps in a zebra pattern or in the same colors in which the room is decorated, for example, brown. When choosing, proceed from your own feelings: if you like the option, you should seriously think about buying.

Pay special attention to the material from which the lamp is made and the quality of its work. If the model has sharp irregularities and rough edges, it is best to refuse such a purchase, since the lamp may scratch or even tear the ceiling fabric during installation. Never skimp on quality, because you are not choosing models for a month.

How to insert correctly?

Installing a chiseled lamp to a suspended ceiling is a rather labor-intensive undertaking and requires certain experience and knowledge. Not every professional in his field will agree to hang spotlights, let alone amateur craftsmen. Connecting the wiring is not particularly difficult; all the subtlety lies in working directly with the canvas.

You should approach the issue of choosing lighting for a stretch ceiling very responsibly. Too powerful lamps can damage the canvas, which, under the influence of strong heat, will lose its elasticity and appearance. To decide which lamps are best for a stretch ceiling, you need to note the main features of the room: the dimensions and height from the main slab to the canvas. And also take into account personal preferences and the style of the room.

There is a misconception that a suspended ceiling involves the installation of only small light sources. In fact, the usual volumetric chandeliers can also be used to illuminate a room.

However, you should not choose too large structures, as well as lamps in the shape of plates. In the latter case, there is a high risk of damage to the tension surface due to high temperature and low air circulation, which arise due to the tight fit of the body to the canvas.

Lamps suitable for suspended ceilings differ in the mounting method:

Invoices. This option involves mounting light sources on special overhead rings, which are installed on the canvas after connecting the power supply.
Built-in. Small lamps that do not attract attention and practically merge with the ceiling. They are installed using a spring fastening, which allows you to tightly press the light source to the canvas.
Hanging. All types of chandeliers that are hung using special fasteners on a hook built into the main ceiling slab. This is the simplest method; for massive models, a more complex structure will be required.

Surface-mounted lamps are the cheapest and easiest to install. They use light bulbs with low power, because... Due to the design features, the distance between the ceiling slab and the canvas is too small. Therefore, overhead lamps are installed as additional lighting, because... Installing a light source that is too bright will damage the material. Recessed lamps require a larger distance between the canvas and the ceiling, which means powerful light bulbs can be used. Therefore, they often act as main lighting.

Which lamps are best to use for a suspended ceiling?

Traditional incandescent lamps are practically not used in suspended ceilings due to their tendency to overheat and the large depth of installation.

The most commonly used lighting sources are the following, which have power limitations:

LED (40 W);
Energy saving (45 W);
Halogen (35 W).

The ideal lamp for a stretch ceiling would be an LED one, which practically does not heat up and will not damage the canvas.

LED light bulbs are installed in low rooms, because... the required height between the main and suspended ceilings is 5 cm. They are distinguished by natural light that is pleasant to the eye. The cost of this type of light bulbs is slightly higher, but this is compensated by low energy consumption and a long service life. In addition, LEDs have several base options. This allows you to choose a lamp without fear that the lamp will be unsuitable for it.

LED lamps for suspended ceilings: which ones are better to choose

LED lamps are able to provide an uninterrupted flow of light of various colors, which does not tire the eyes or impair vision. You should choose them based on personal wishes and purposes of use.

All LEDs can be divided into 2 groups:

With internal arrangement of lamps;
With light bulbs located outside the housing.

Lamps with external lamps are the best basic lighting for a suspended ceiling. Economical and safe, they help to obtain a diffused stream of light that is pleasant to the human eye.

Lamps with built-in bulbs emit a directional stream of light. Therefore, this type of LEDs is used to illuminate a specific area in the room, as well as for zoning the room.

Lamps for suspended ceilings: how to choose an LED strip

LED strip is an ergonomic type of lighting, which is a strip with electrical conductors on one side and an adhesive surface on the other. Both the main and additional light sources can be used.

LED strip is ideal for lighting a room with a high matte ceiling.

The brightness of the lighting depends on the number and size of LEDs located on the strip. For the ceiling area, it is better to use 30 - 60 LEDs per meter with a warm white glow. Brighter light will hurt your eyes. In addition, you will need a high-power power supply, which is not so easy to disguise.

What is better in a suspended ceiling: a chandelier or spotlights

The choice of lamp type will depend on personal preferences and the characteristics of the room being designed. Chandeliers are great for providing key lighting in a large room, such as a living room or bedroom. Spotlights are needed in small rooms (kitchen or bathroom).

To get sufficient lighting, it is important to correctly calculate the number of lamps. Using halogen or LED bulbs, it is better to install one for every 1.5 square meters. meters of ceiling; energy-saving - one for every 2 square meters. meters.

Spotlights can be used to illuminate small areas, for example, shelves in a dressing room. And also installed together with a chandelier as additional lighting.

Spotlights for suspended ceilings: how to choose a suitable light source

Spotlights are very popular due to their low cost and ease of installation. A huge variety of shapes, colors and sizes allows you to choose the ideal option for a room of any style and purpose.

In order for the ceilings to last a long time, the selected spotlight must meet a number of requirements:

Operating temperature that is not capable of damaging the canvas (up to 60 ⁰С);
The light bulb power should not be more than 35 W;
The presence of a mirror part to reflect light;
No sharp ends that could damage the ceiling during installation.

An interesting solution would be a design with a movable element, thanks to which you can adjust the direction of the light. Such a lamp will allow you to change the lighting, highlighting the necessary parts of the room.

It is desirable that the point light source also have a wide border that will hide the installation structure.

Which lamps are suitable for suspended ceilings: choosing the ideal chandelier

When choosing a chandelier for a stretch ceiling, you need to take into account the texture of the fabric, the type of light bulb used and the features of the room. Classically shaped lamps are ideal for a matte surface; unusual and intricate ones are ideal for a glossy surface. A lot of bright highlights will be provided on the ceiling by chandeliers with open LED bulbs, which can be installed directly under the canvas. Such lamps do not heat up and will not harm the coating.

When using halogen lamps, the chandelier should be located at a distance of at least 30 cm from the ceiling. The choice should be made in favor of the lamp whose shades will be directed downwards.

Choosing which lamps are best for a stretch ceiling (video)

The best lighting option for a tensile structure, suitable for all the features of the room, are LED lamps, which do not heat up and do not pose a danger to the ceiling. Both the main and additional light sources can also be used, changing depending on the wishes of the apartment owner and placing accents in the interior.

Today, spotlights are a very good option for ceilings. They have small dimensions, thanks to which they can be installed on any ceiling surface and at the same time efficiently illuminate the entire space of the room. To do this, such lamps are placed in a certain way throughout the ceiling.

Spotlights in the house

The most important point in choosing spotlights is their size, which is selected depending on the type of device, as well as the type of ceiling (plasterboard, suspended or suspended). This article will be devoted to the dimensions of spotlights and their selection for a specific type of ceiling.

What are they?

A spotlight is a small-sized lighting device into which one or more light bulbs (halogen, LED, incandescent) are built-in. Thanks to their special design, such devices are now actively used to illuminate a wide variety of rooms. But they gained the greatest popularity in home lighting.
These are small devices that have a slight angle of light dispersion. In this regard, they should be used not individually, but in groups. At the same time, they can be placed either at the same distance from each other or combined into groups.

Spotlights in the interior of the house

Such lighting fixtures are used in the home for:

creating high-quality indoor lighting;
decorative ceiling decoration;

Note! Spotlights can have a wide variety of appearances. Therefore, they will fit perfectly into any interior.

visual change in space. For example, using such lamps you can visually expand the space of a room, as well as zone it into certain areas.

This kind of lighting installations can be used for various types of ceilings: suspended, suspended and plasterboard. Moreover, what type of lamp to choose in each individual case depends both on the characteristics of the ceiling and on the type of the device itself. Therefore, in order to correctly choose not only spotlights, but also their sizes, you need to understand their types.

Product range

Today, spotlights for ceilings (stretch, suspended and plasterboard) are divided into two types:

built-in This is the most common type of spot lighting installations. The built-in device will become almost invisible. It will stand out only for its decorative part, and its entire structure, including the light source, will be placed inside the ceiling. The depth in this case will depend on the size of the built-in light bulb, as well as the type of structure used. Installation here is complicated by the fact that you need a correctly calculated depth, as well as a diameter for embedding into the ceiling surface;

Note! The built-in type of spotlight is often used when creating suspended and suspended ceilings (especially from plasterboard).

Built-in model

overhead. It has a simple installation, as it is attached to the ceiling surface. In this case, the holes here are only needed to mask the wires. In this regard, they are more attractive than the built-in type of lamp. But they have a clear disadvantage - they protrude noticeably above the surface. They are used in situations where installing a built-in type of device would be very difficult or impossible.

Overlay dot model

When choosing a built-in type of lamp, you also need to know the design features of the various models. This determines what the final embedding depth will be.
According to the design features, this type of lighting installations is of the following types:

rotary. Such lamps can rotate and create a luminous flux at different angles;

Rotary model

stationary (non-rotating). They provide light that comes exclusively downwards.

In addition, the dimensions of the device, as well as the depth of installation of different types (tension, suspended and plasterboard) will depend on the number of light sources. Based on this criterion, two groups of spot lighting installations are distinguished:

gimbals. The installation contains several sockets for screwing light bulbs into them (LED, halogen, etc.). Their sizes will be many times larger than those of single ones;

Cardan modification

single. This is a standard version with only one light bulb. In this regard, the dimensions here will be minimal.

Single model

You need to know about all types of spotlights when, for their installation in the ceiling, the dimensions of the lamp are important, as well as the depth of its installation (if a built-in type is used).

Additional Selection Considerations

When choosing spot lighting products for various types of floors (made of plasterboard, suspended or tensioned), you must, first of all, rely on the type of socket design the device has. The type of socket will determine the size of the light bulb that needs to be screwed into the socket. And the depth at which the device will be placed directly depends on this (if a built-in type is used).

Light bulb socket

Such devices have cartridges:

E27 – designed for a standard light bulb, so it’s quite large;
E14 - “minion”. Quite small;
G4, G5, G9 – these bulbs have pins, which allows them to reduce overall dimensions.

As you can see, the standard sizes of cartridges have a direct impact on the dimensions of point models.
We've sorted out the range of product choices. Now let's look at what devices need to be used in each individual case.

Lighting installations and their dimensions for suspended ceilings

Stretch ceilings are very popular today.

Note! Tensile ceilings look great in combination with spotlights.

Stretch ceiling with spotlights

When choosing such lighting installations, you need to know that stretch fabrics have specific requirements for such concepts as depth and dimensions. They are due to the fact that high temperatures and heating of the surface from a working light bulb pose a particular danger to stretched fabrics. Moreover, the same requirements are relevant for plastic floors.
Here you need to take into account the following requirements:

the planting depth should provide heating from a working light bulb no higher than 80 degrees;
the light source must be low-power (no more than 60 W for fabric, and no more than 40 W for film). Therefore, here preference should be given to models that have small dimensions of both the body and the socket with the light bulb. The light bulbs themselves must have a mirror or black coating;

Note! For stretched fabrics, small LED spotlights are the ideal solution.

the light from the light source must come exclusively into them. Therefore, only non-rotating models can be used here.

Preparing the ceiling for installing lamps

It is important to create the correct holes in the tension fabric. To create holes here, at the stage of preparing the canvas, fasteners should be placed in the right places, into which the lamp housings will then be placed. At the same time, it is important to decide what depth of their embedding is required in a given situation. After this, the canvas is stretched. Decorative rings are installed on it, at the fastening points, and holes are cut. When forming holes, the ring will prevent the fabric from tearing more than is necessary to accommodate the recessed type of lamp.

Selecting the mounting size for a suspended ceiling

In order not to damage the tension fabric, suitable models must be selected according to the fastening. For lighting installations installed in a suspended ceiling, there are several standard internal diameters: 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 mm. The selection of fasteners here is carried out in such a way that they correspond to the size of the internal diameter of the ceiling part of the device. This must also be taken into account when creating holes in the ceiling.
In addition, you need to pay attention to the depth of placement of the light bulb. The built-in type of device can have two options for placing the light source:

outer. Here the light bulb is placed below the level of the tension fabric. It is separated from it by a lampshade. Such models have smaller dimensions. Also, the depth of their placement will be less;

External light bulb placement option

interior. The light source is recessed inside the housing. Because of this, the depth and the area occupied by lighting products increase.

Internal light bulb placement option

When choosing lighting fixtures for suspended ceilings, just like for suspended and plasterboard structures, you need to correlate the dimensions of the lighting fixtures (width, length, depth and diameter) with the dimensions of the room itself. This will allow you to maintain the ratios and give the room greater harmony.

Dimensions of lighting fixtures for suspended ceiling structures

For suspended structures, built-in varieties are most often used. Here, both drywall and plastic can be used as finishing.

Suspended ceiling in the house

At the same time, there are no such strict restrictions in the selection of lighting installations as in the case of stretched canvases. The depth of installation of the device, as well as its size in a given situation, will depend on the type of light source. When using incandescent lamps, the dimensions of the lamp will be approximately 10 cm, and for halogen and LED lamps - 2-3 times smaller. You also need to take into account the cartridge itself. Experts do not recommend using E27 and E14 cartridges in this situation.

Note! Behind the suspended structure, the distance to the starting surface can be from 2 to 10 cm.

This range in depth allows the use of any model of installation here, from the smallest to the largest.
Holes in suspended ceilings are cut using a drill and a special attachment. Remember that the dimensions of the holes must match the dimensions of the case. Otherwise, everything may fall out due to weak fixation in the hole.

Plasterboard ceiling structure and matching lamps

Plasterboard ceilings are a type of suspended structures. Therefore, there are exactly the same conditions for choice here. Typically, for such structures, experts recommend using devices 3-5 cm in height. At the same time, here it is worth giving preference to LED light sources, which will allow you to most effectively illuminate any plasterboard structure.

Spotlights on a plasterboard ceiling

In terms of placement of lighting fixtures, the following rules exist:

the maximum distance between devices should not be more than 120 cm;
between the point of attachment of the device to the drywall and the wall, the distance is no more than 55-60 cm.

On a plasterboard floor, both built-in and overhead models, with or without rotating mechanisms, will look equally good. But preference is still given to built-in models, since all the conditions for this are created here.

Requirements when choosing LED luminaires for emergency lighting

Spotlights are used as a practical and elegant way to illuminate a space or as a decorative accent. The deflector finish, material and texture are selected based on individual preferences, and the choice of the type and functional features of the lamp is of a technical nature.

Types of spotlights

Spotlights are usually divided into types according to the following set of characteristics: installation method, adjustment and functionality.

Installation method

Invoices

External or overhead spotlights are more often used on frameless bases:

concrete ceiling;
brick walls.

They are indispensable in cases where it is necessary to improve the interior without interfering with the dimensions of the room.

The design of the surface-mounted lamp consists of a mounting platform and a housing with a diffuser. Its features involve installing a mounting plate above a hole of smaller diameter than the housing itself. Otherwise, it will not be covered by the lampshade. It is important to connect the ground wire to the strip. The housing is fixed to the mounting platform using side screws after connecting the wires.

Built-in

Built-in or mortise models - the type installed on frame bases:

plasterboard structures of all types;
panel or slatted ceilings and walls;
stretch ceilings;
furniture partitions;
wall niches.

Alternative options for using built-in points are in the floor, on stairs, in swimming pools, and bar counters.

The configuration of the luminaire is a body with built-in clamps for lamps and fastening elements. No additional reinforcement is required - the legs open behind the plane when installing the lampshade. The design involves mounting the housing inside a pre-prepared hole with wires connected to the exit point.

Hanging

The body of pendant spotlights is mounted at a distance from the mounting surface. The lamp is hung on a decorative power cable attached to the ceiling. No parts that can strengthen the structure are required. But it is recommended to supplement massive versions of lamps with mounting strips during installation - improvised ones made of timber or metal are also suitable.

Pendant lamps are suitable for installation on all types of bases and are often installed as an independent decorative element.

Adjustment type

Further division is based on the type of design, angle and intensity of the light flux.

Rotating lamps. Used to create directional lighting with smooth angle adjustment. It is worth considering strengthening the fastening points during installation, since mobility implies accelerated wear of the material.
Fixed models illuminate part of the room without adjusting the direction of the light flow.
Swivel-and-slide appliances suitable for changing accents and lighting zones at the owner’s discretion.
Cardan LEDs are notable for their advanced adjustment of flow strength and direction. The housing houses several diode lamps simultaneously.
Spots– lamps with a rotating mechanism that provide directional light. They are flexible and manually adjustable. Interesting solutions with different numbers of lampshades on a common fastener - six or more. They are arranged in the form of geometric shapes or chandeliers. Spots are available in built-in and surface-mounted versions.
Downlight used for spot lighting and emphasizing specific interior elements.

Functionality

The functional division of spotlights into types is determined by the basic configuration:

possibility of remote control;
extended lighting angle;
adjustment in different planes;
depth of installation (depending on the type of fastener);
moisture and dust protection;
dimming to adjust lighting.

The presented basic types of points are selected taking into account the characteristics of a particular room and interior elements.

Operating principle and design

The spotlight consists of three elements:

a base that is attached to the surface;
housings with clamps;
connecting cable.

The vast majority of devices have a solid type housing.

Spotlights for incandescent lamps are structurally divided into two types:

The open type is characterized by a U-shaped design.
The closed type involves the use of a casing to protect the lamp from condensation; it is optimal for use in damp rooms.

Additional protection of the housing from high operating temperatures is not required. It is provided by the features of lamps built into the points. Their flasks are coated on the outside with mirror amalgam, which serves to protect the structure from overheating. The back surface of the bulb is matte, which promotes uniform distribution of light.

For correct operation of points with halogen lamps, a transformer is required. The principle is simple: the more lamps, the more powerful the transformer is needed. An induction or electronic option is suitable. During installation, the distance from the lamps to the device is taken into account - if it exceeds two meters, up to 100 W of power is lost due to resistance.

Characteristics

Spotlights have a number of features:

Small angle of light dispersion (average 30 degrees). It must be taken into account that one point will not be able to provide the room with a sufficient amount of light, even in cases when we are talking about bathrooms.
Cone-shaped stream of light. For uniform distribution, it is necessary to intersect habitats above chest level.

What's with the spotlights included?

The luminaire is supplied with a set of elements and accessories sufficient to connect to an active power circuit:

Frame. Additionally, it comes with a lamp holder or diffuser.
Mounting strip or mounting spacers.
The terminal block is often solid, but sometimes the manufacturer includes only a couple of terminals in the kit.

The basic composition does not always include a lamp; more often it is purchased separately.

Lamps for spotlights

Spotlights are available in 3″, 4″, 5″ and 6″ fitting diameter variations. The values are in inches - according to the international standard. Can be used with different types of lamps:

incandescent;
compact fluorescent;
halogen;
LED.

The installation of lamps of different types is usually provided in the same housing. When purchasing, check whether the design is compatible with the selected type of lamp.

Incandescent lamps

They are most common in spotlights due to their low price and ease of replacement.

A number of disadvantages inherent in this type of lamps are slowly pushing them out of the market:

“gluttony” in terms of electricity consumption;
the fastener size is at least 7 cm, requiring a frame of appropriate depth.

Replacing incandescent lamps at points is the usual screwing into the lampshade.

Halogen

Interesting choice of power combination and long service life. A tungsten halogen device produces more light per watt than a standard incandescent bulb. Available in two voltage variations: linear at 220 or 110 W and low at 12 volts.

Halogen variations outperform incandescent lamps in these indicators:

reduced energy consumption;
durability;
higher brightness;
shallow fastening depth – 2–4 cm.

Disadvantages of halogen lamps:

high heat;
sensitivity to grease contamination;
formation of high temperature zones.

Installation is carried out with gloves or use the cloth supplied.

Replacement:

It is necessary to remove the decorative lampshade, if provided in the design.
This will provide access to the locking ring - it can be removed by gently squeezing the two protruding tabs.
After this, the light bulb itself is unscrewed.

LED spotlights

LED lighting technologies are known as a practical and durable alternative to incandescent lamps.

Their indicators contribute to this:

record low energy consumption;
no overheating, meaning full compatibility with all types of suspended ceilings;
safety - suitable for use in children's rooms and bedrooms.

Luminescent

Optimal for simulating natural light. Their high price is offset by durability. The main disadvantage is that they are environmentally unsafe due to the presence of mercury. They are used with caution in residential areas.

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

Light output is the ratio of the luminous flux power from the lamp to the same Watt indicator at the input.
Preferred service life, difficulties in replacement and disposal.
Maintaining luminous flux - this factor is important in order to have a certain minimum level of illumination.
Need for auxiliary equipment.

For rational energy consumption, a dimmer (rheostat) is installed in addition to the lamps. This is a power switch that smoothly adjusts the brightness of the lighting.

Advantages

Technical advantages are based on the following points:

Possibility of partial or directional lighting to emphasize individual areas.
Uniform illumination without shadowed corners.
The service life is significantly longer than that of conventional chandeliers.
Safe and economical supply of light, especially in variations with a voltage of 12 volts.
Different types of light bulbs can be mounted into spotlights.
Beauty and compactness. Thanks to their small size, they will look stylish and elegant in any room.
Reduced energy consumption compared to conventional lighting devices, with high efficiency.
Reliability. Resistance to vibrations and mechanical damage.
High utilization of luminous flux.
There is no glare, noise or flickering during operation.

Flaws

Spot lighting has a number of disadvantages.

Difficulty in organizing and designing a lighting system.
The need to install or replace transformers significantly complicates installation and calculations. The requirement to maintain a distance from the device usually means partial reassembly of the frame and embroidering of the finished (sometimes covered with decor) plane. When replacing, the requirements are similar.
The need to use more devices to create general lighting.
Most types of spotlights require modifications to the ceiling or wall design. For built-in models, installing a frame is indispensable.
If the spotlight overheats, it can damage the PVC stretch ceiling.
Difficulty in maintaining a large number of lampshades.

How to choose spotlights

Standard spotlights have a regulated protection indicator. In the instructions or on the packaging it is designated by the abbreviation IP.

Abbreviation numeric values

Two numbers are placed next to the mark:

The first number is protection against solid particles entering the structure. The range of values is from 0 to 5. Zero implies no protection. Values from 1 to 4 correspond to particle fraction sizes in descending order, ranging from 50 to 1 mm. Number 5 – protection against dust.
The second number is the degree of moisture protection, standard values are from 0 to 8. The indicators correspond to the intensity of the water flow. Zero means no moisture protection, and 8 means that the device is protected from prolonged immersion in water.

Additional factors

Choose equipment in the same style from one manufacturer.
Check that the reflective and cooling element is complete.
Low-power 12 W devices require the installation of a step-down transformer.
The cable cross-section is selected according to special tables, based on the total power and number of lamps.
Built-in ceiling models should be selected in advance in order to correctly calculate the height of the frame, taking into account the fastenings and overall dimensions of the transformer.

The rules for placing lighting fixtures determine their quantity and configuration when choosing.

Which ones are better

The simpler the design of the lamp, the easier it is to maintain. More often this applies to kitchen lighting fixtures, on which, in addition to dust, grease deposits accumulate over time.

Rounded models are better suited for suspended ceilings - during their installation and subsequent maintenance, damage to the material by sharp corners is unlikely.
Devices with incandescent lamps project bright, familiar light, but their mounting is not very compact. Ceiling and wall frames are mounted taking into account the size of the fasteners, as a result, precious centimeters of height or space of the room are “eaten up”.
Lamps for halogen lamps can be built into the frame at a close distance from the surface - only 4 cm is lost. Additional advantages are reduced energy consumption, brightness and durability. Lamps with a ceramic socket and glass diffuser do not create problems with overheating.

The use of spotlights in conjunction with suspended ceilings implies a limitation on the power of the installed lamps. For halogen options, the threshold values are 35–40 W. For incandescent lamps this figure should not exceed 60 W.

How to use

The attractiveness of lamps in the interior and their service life depend on proper operation.

The lamps are mounted at a distance of 30–40 cm from each other and at least 20 cm from the corners of the room for uniform distribution of illumination.
For suspended ceilings, energy-saving or LED lighting options are used, which heat up less.
Dots along the perimeter of the walls will visually expand the space of the room. In this case, no ceiling lighting is required.

Care

Once a year, you will need to clean the devices and check the integrity of the electrical wiring.
Dry cleaning should be done using cotton cloths.
Do not use solvents or abrasives for cleaning.

When replacing lamps, check the maximum permissible power, this will protect the backlight from overheating and fires.

Precautionary measures

Do not expose the lamp to open flame.
Do not immerse the device in water.
Use as directed and only indoors.
Do not connect to power sources that are not listed in the instructions for the lighting device.

Malfunctions and repairs

Common malfunctions in most cases come down to incorrect operation of installed accessories.

Some time after switching on the device stops working

A possible reason is overheating of the transformer and subsequent tripping of the protective shutdown. In this case, it will be necessary to replace the transformer with a more powerful version or move it to an open space to improve heat dissipation. Alternatively, replace the current transformer with several units of lower power.

Lamps flickering when lights are off

This drawback is inherent in LED or energy-saving lamps and manifests itself when incompatible with an illuminated switch. Solving the problem will require replacing the fittings or the type of lamps used.

Frequent burnout

There are a number of reasons why this can happen: from frequent power surges to imported lamps designed to operate on a 220 V network. To solve the problem, install protection devices or replace the lamps with energy-saving or low-voltage ones.

Doesn't turn on or goes out immediately

A common reason for this phenomenon is a simple overload of the transformer when too many devices are connected at the same time. It will be necessary to replace the device or increase the number of transformers.

The lamp melted and cracked

It is possible that the power of the installed lamp exceeds the permissible limit. You can check the indicators on the boxes if they have been preserved. You will need to install lamps of the correct power.

Manufacturers of spotlights

The selection includes representatives of different price categories:

Ambrella. It has been producing its own line since 2012. Ambrella light products are distinguished by their original design, and the bonus is a level of service comparable to the European one. Budget models.
ARTE LAMP. The Italian company ARTE LAMP has been supplying interior lighting products since 2001 and is represented in more than 20 countries around the world. Average price level.
Donolux. A Russian company with 15 years of experience, producing economical lamp models. Materials are supplied by global manufacturers. The product quality is at a decent level. The pricing policy is not designed for the middle class.
EGLO. An Austrian company specializing in the creation of lighting systems, an assortment of 3,000 items to suit every taste and budget. Budget models and mid-price options are available.
Elektrostandard. Another representative of Russia, on the market since 1998. Products are traditionally of high quality. Price level is in the standard range.
Lightstar. A European company offering interesting design solutions in lighting. Present in Russia since 2001. The pricing policy is moderate.
LUSSOLE. Lussol is an inexpensive Italian product presented in an elegant and extraordinary format.
Massive. Belgian appliances with a laconic design. The company offers series for each room at average prices. Noteworthy are the options adapted to children's interiors.
Novotech. A reliable Hungarian company, present on the market for 20 years. Offers special lighting series for bathrooms. Budget pricing policy.

After you decide on the functionality and model, you will need to calculate the number of lamps and make a diagram of their location in the room. Common installation options: around the perimeter, at a distance from corners and walls of 20 cm, in a checkerboard pattern or in the shape of geometric shapes.