How to install LED strip in the kitchen under the cabinets?

Pros and cons of LED lighting

Speaking about the LED strip for the kitchen under cabinets, we can note a number of positive characteristics that it has:

• full illumination of the working area;
• full operating power at the moment of ignition;
• long service life, independent of frequency of use;
• economical due to low energy consumption;
• there is no need to change wiring or lighting devices;
• High quality LED lighting does not create noise and does not overheat.

The only and important drawback of such lighting is its high cost, which, of course, is compensated by its long service life and small amount of energy consumption.

Optional equipment

It’s not enough just to choose an LED strip for the kitchen - you need to select the equipment with which it will work and receive electricity. The power supply is selected directly for the energy consumed, and this indicator depends on the consumption of the entire set of light elements. The controller is selected using the same principle if multi-colored LEDs are used.

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How to choose an LED strip for kitchen lighting? Successful independent selection of lighting equipment is possible if you have a basic understanding of electrical engineering and the rules for connecting lighting equipment. If there is not enough information or difficulties arise, contact the employees of lighting and electrical equipment stores at TC Lanskoy. Our specialists will help you calculate the necessary equipment and select it here. The range will satisfy the interest of both amateur beginners in the field of home renovation and professionals.

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Selecting LED strip

Choosing an LED strip can sometimes be difficult, since all types are very similar to each other. Such lighting is divided depending on several factors:

• number of crystals (1,2,3,4 pcs.);
• monochrome and full-color glow;
• parameters that range from 1.06x0.8 mm to 5.0x5.0 mm.

Before purchasing kitchen cabinet lighting, it is worth determining what kind of lighting is required. In order to choose the right equipment specifically for the kitchen, you need to consider the following nuances:

1. If the purpose of the selected backlight is to provide additional lighting, then an LED strip with parameters of 5.0x5.0 mm is suitable to supply uniform and bright light.
2. For decorative purposes, single-chip equipment with parameters of 3.5x2.8 mm is most often used.

It is also worth paying attention to another classification of the strip - this is the number of LEDs located per 1 m. This factor indicates the specific power of the equipment. The quality of lighting and the amount of energy consumed depend on this factor. So, for decorative purposes, from 30 to 60 LEDs per 1 rm are suitable, but to provide full lighting you will need a strip with 120-240 diodes per 1 rm.

An important factor for LED lighting, especially that used for the kitchen or bathroom, is the level of protection from moisture. When purchasing, you must pay attention to the labeling. There are several types:

• the lowest level of protection is IP20 - this type is not recommended for use in rooms with high humidity;
• average level of protection IP65 – not afraid of moisture, and its harmful effects do not affect the operation of LEDs;
• The maximum level of protection is IP68 - it is absolutely not affected by moisture and is often used for lighting swimming pools.

If you choose a tape with an insufficient level of protection from moisture, you should make the protection yourself using special shades or profiles.

Color and light

Like LED light bulbs, diode strips have different color temperatures and can be found in four primary colors:

• red;
• green;
• blue;
• white.

More complex shades are obtained by combining several LEDs or using multi-colored crystals. Color temperature is the division between warm and cool shades. In the kitchen it is permissible to use both for lighting, the main thing is comfort.

For kitchens, the use of white LEDs is most typical - we should see what we cook and eat “in the original”. However, there are also unusual color solutions.

The main indicator when choosing light elements is their luminosity. For tapes, it is determined by the density of the diodes and the luminous intensity of each (in lumens). Thus, the most commonly used tape types are SMD 3528 (4–5 lm, 60–240 LEDs per meter) and SMD 5050 (10–14 lm, 30–120 LEDs). Accordingly, the more elements, the larger they are, the greater the power consumption.

New generation diodes - SMD 2835 and SMD 3014 - have a more modern cooling system, consume less electricity, but shine brighter. The final brightness is determined by multiplying the brightness of an individual element by their number per meter.

power unit

In addition to the characteristics of the LED strip itself, it is necessary to pay close attention to the power supply. The version of the selected device should not only supply sufficient power, but also not contain an excess of it.

So, when choosing an LED backlight with parameters 5.0x5.0 mm and a power of 12 kW, the following calculations will be required:

1. If the length of the LED strip is 5 m, then its available power must be multiplied by 5: 12 kW * 5 m = 60.
2. Now it is also necessary to take into account the safety factor of 1.25. This means that you need 60*1.25=75.
3. Based on the calculations obtained, it is necessary to purchase a power supply with a power of 75 kW.

But power is not the only parameter that you need to pay attention to when choosing a transformer. The design features of the selected device also play an important role. There are several types here:

1. The simplest and cheapest option is a compact sealed plastic case.
2. A more expensive option is a sealed aluminum case. It is more resistant to external influences and is successfully used even for street lighting.
3. The perforated type housing is distinguished by fairly dimensional parameters and inexpensive cost. The disadvantage of the device is the need for additional protection from moisture.
4. The mains power supply does not require installation. The disadvantage is that the power of the devices is low, so each tape will require the use of a separate transformer.

When purchasing a power supply that is not resistant to moisture, you should consider installing it in a place where the risk of moisture will be minimized.

The right light for work areas

If the style of your kitchen is modern, then we recommend using pure white lighting. For country style, Provence, lamps with a warm yellow tint would be more appropriate

What is the average standard lamp? This is a single module with several point light sources built into it. Such a device is attached to the outer surface of a cabinet or other kitchen furniture using anchors.

The standard 36-watt mercury-containing lamps that are still used in most apartments can be easily replaced with more modern options without much effort. Modern analogues like LED lamps can be found in any specialized store and installed yourself, without spending extra money on installers.

A correctly selected furniture lamp for illuminating a work area should be as electrically safe as possible, economical and protected from moisture. When choosing a lamp, be sure to keep in mind that it must have good protection from moisture and grease and have a long service life.

Such a lamp or lamp can easily be built in with your own hands under the upper cabinets or, for example, between the cabinets and will make your kitchen brighter and more elegant.

This furniture lamp has its own switch, which allows it to be used only when necessary, and its compactness allows it to be used even in the smallest kitchens.

Simplicity of installation, minimal weight that does not allow additional loads on the workplace, diffused light that is pleasant to the eye - all these qualities can be obtained at quite reasonable prices or you can do it yourself.

An apron illuminated from the inside can serve as illumination for the work area. By the way, you can also read about it on our website in the “Lighting” section.

A white apron does not obstruct the spread of light in the work area, as may be the case if black is used

The so-called LED lamps may well become an analogue of the usual incandescent lamp or halogen lamp. They have low heat dissipation, do not produce any radiation and allow you to save on electricity.

The simplest and most profitable option is to install a furniture lamp with your own hands above the work area on the surface of the cabinet, exactly in those places where it is most needed.

Color variety

Kitchen lighting requires careful selection. This is also due to the fact that the color variety of this equipment is quite wide. It is recommended to choose soft light for the kitchen, but do not focus on too yellow lighting. The best option would be daylight. It will be bright enough, but will not dazzle or irritate.

If desired, you can select additional equipment that will allow you to change the color of the diodes.

Connection methods and diagrams

When connecting LED backlighting, it is important to adhere to the following rules:

• it is important to observe polarity;
• Do not twist or bend the tape too much; if necessary, it can be cut and then soldered at an angle;
• current losses can be reduced by using thick wire and reducing the number of connections;
• in order to correctly install a high-power tape, you will need to use a special profile or box;
• when using a tape longer than 5 m, only a parallel connection can be used;
• In order to avoid overheating of the power supply, it is worth placing it in well-ventilated places.

As a rule, the LED backlight indicates the places where separation can be performed.

Installation Tips

Before proceeding with the actual installation of the equipment, you need to pay attention to a few more nuances:

• when choosing lighting for cabinets in the kitchen, you should choose white light, since this option will not distort the appearance and color of dishes and products, due to the maximum proximity to natural light;
• if the purpose of installing lighting is to create coziness, then you should opt for diodes with a warm spectrum;
• when installing the tape in the work area, it is worth purchasing not one, but several light sources, since this will help avoid the appearance of shadows;
• The lighting should fit into the overall design of the room.

Selection of cable cross-section

The choice of cable cross-section is a very important point, which allows you to significantly maintain the brightness of the equipment. This will require calculations that require the closest attention.

As a rule, when installing LED backlighting, a cable with a cross-section of 0.5 to 2.5 mm2 is used. But you should not take approximately suitable equipment, but rather make a calculation. To do this, use the following formula: s=(2*I*p*L)/U, in which I is the current strength; p is the resistivity value depending on the material; L – length of the cable used; U is the maximum permissible value of the voltage drop that occurs between the load and the power supply.

The cross-section of the cable directly depends on its length. That is, the longer the cable, the less power will reach the light source.

Choosing a location

As a rule, for the kitchen, additional lighting is most often installed in the work area. But this is not the only option that is applicable in this room.

What other options can be used for LED lighting in the kitchen under cabinets:

1. The work surface under the cabinets requires the use of only warm white, as this option will give the dishes a more appetizing appearance.
2. The kitchen set can be illuminated in two ways. When installing the lighting from above, you don’t have to worry about moisture exposure and use any type of tape, even the open type. When installing from below, especially if the issue concerns floor-standing cabinets, you will need to select equipment with the highest level of protection, since the first wet cleaning can damage a regular tape.
3. The apron can be supplemented with an LED strip, especially if it is made of glass.
4. Boxes illuminated with LED strip will look very impressive. It is advisable to select sensor-type equipment that will light up when opened.

Installation

In order to make aesthetic lighting for cabinets in the kitchen, it is necessary to take into account one more important nuance. The tape can be glued to any surface, but will it look decent and neat enough? Hardly. In order to create more pleasant lighting, it is worth using aluminum profiles, which not only have a protective matte cover, but also have a variety of shapes: angular, rectangular, wide or narrow. In addition, glass can be easily installed on the aluminum profile, which will additionally protect the tape from debris and dust.

To install the LED strip, you must perform the following steps:

1. Install the power supply and control module. It would be better to hide the power supply from view, so you can make a hole to connect the tape.
2. Prepare a place for attaching the tape.
3. Secure the prepared aluminum box. If the tape will be installed without a box, then it is advisable to degrease the surface of the cabinet.
4. Cut the required length of tape and secure it in an aluminum box or glue it to the surface of the cabinet.
5. Solder the edge of the tape to the power supply. Instead of soldering, connectors can also be used.
6. Check system functionality.

As it turned out, installing an LED strip is a simple job that does not require special skills. Such lighting will add its own “zest” to any interior. It is important to think carefully about the placement method, choose the right lighting, and the result will certainly exceed even the most seemingly unexpected wishes.

Installing LED lighting in the kitchen

Think about where you want it to be or what to emphasize with it. In our case, we used a flexible LED strip, pre-ordered and imported from China. In principle, you can buy it anywhere; it is available for sale in any electronic stores for every taste and length. In addition, if, as in our case, an RGB multicolor tape is used, then you need to make sure that the set with the tape includes a controller, or purchase it separately. Controller functions are used to control light brightness and colors. We also need a power supply and a remote control for the tape backlight.

Preparing for installation of LED strip in the kitchen

Before purchasing and installing, be sure to take measurements of your kitchen and decide which areas you want to see lit.

In our case, since the tape had to pass under the wall kitchen cabinets, the choice fell on tape with an adhesive base 5 mm wide. The length was 5m. It is supplied in a reel, and this is very convenient, it does not allow you to tangle it during operation.

Prepare the surface on which the LED strip will be installed, clean areas of the furniture, or better yet, go over it with alcohol and degrease the entire surface.

Although the technology for installing an LED strip is not complicated, and experience with similar equipment is not required, when working, still take into account the precautions and safety precautions used when working with electrical appliances.

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