The latest trends in lighting design are multi-element systems, using a large number of small lighting fixtures. Massive chandeliers are far from being in all interiors, and even if they are, they are still complemented or spotlights. All this creates a lot of options. But choosing spotlights is even more difficult than choosing a chandelier - there are too many nuances to take into account.
With the advent of suspended and stretch ceilings, such a thing as spotlights appeared. Firstly, on the ceiling they look like a luminous dot, and secondly, a spot also remains on the floor, but of a much larger diameter.
There is another name - spots. This is a transliteration of the English word “spot”, which translates as “point”, that is, in this case we are talking about the same type of lamps - spotlights. Some by this word mean rotary models, but this is not entirely correct.
Understanding types and varieties
Going into any more or less large store selling lighting fixtures, you can get confused by the abundance of different spotlights. It's very difficult to choose. There are different designs, different thicknesses, they are designed to work with different types of lamps. In order to competently choose spotlights, you need to understand all these subtleties.
Let's just say that there is no official classification. There is some division into types, accepted by sellers and professionals. Nevertheless, it is she who helps to navigate in a huge number of models.
Mounting method: built-in and overhead
First of all, you should know that spotlights differ in installation methods and there are overhead and built-in.
It is easy to choose turned lamps on this basis. For suspended ceilings, your desire is important, because you can install any kind - both built-in and overhead. For stretch ceilings, only built-in models are suitable, and even then not all.
Recessed luminaires for suspended and stretch ceilings
Recessed spotlights are divided according to their purpose: for stretch and suspended ceilings. They differ in the method of fixation and design. Let's start with the fixing method.
Spotlights for plasterboard or other suspended ceilings have spring-loaded struts on the body. When they are inserted into the hole made, the spacers are clamped with fingers. When they are unclenched, the springs bend these "wings". It is they who, due to the force of elasticity, hold the lamp.
Such a design on stretch ceilings is unacceptable - the film or fabric obviously does not have enough bearing capacity. Therefore, for stretch ceilings, models are produced with an adjustable suspension bolted to the body. The suspension itself is attached to the main ceiling. Then, after mounting the film or fabric, set the desired height.
This does not mean that you cannot adapt the models you like for suspended structures for tension ones. On sale you can find separate brackets with adjustable height. Perforated hangers used for plasterboard work are also suitable for these purposes. It is much more difficult to set the required height with them, but you can handle it.
These are not all the differences between spotlights for stretch ceilings. There are structural differences. They are made so that the light does not penetrate the ceiling space. Otherwise, it will “highlight the insides” and debris that eventually ends up on the fabric or film. If you are faced with such a problem, there are two ways out. The first simple one is to put a light bulb with a mirror coating on the bulb. Their light is directed, basically, only forward and the backlight effect will disappear.
The second option is to leave the old light bulbs, but wrap the case on the outside with foil or foil material. This method works, but it is better not to use it. It significantly impairs heat dissipation, which will lead to more intense heating of the adjacent film or fabric. As a result, a dark and/or deformed spot will appear around the luminaire, and there may be worse results ...
It is also easy to choose spotlights on this basis - for tension ones, it is advisable to choose from your category. In addition to all the nuances described, they are also equipped with additional sealing rings that protect the film from damage.
Swivel
Most spotlights have a fixed bulb position. But there are models in which they can turn. They are called turning.
They are used in those places where it is necessary to create an emphasis on some detail by highlighting it. For example, in order not to broadcast sconces over the pictures, you can highlight them with the help of rotary spotlights. They can also be installed in a built-in or conventional wardrobe - it will be possible to direct the light to the right place. Choosing spotlights on this basis is simple - they are placed where necessary. It is unlikely that anyone will install rotary models “just like that” - they cost much more, because the hull design is more complicated.
How to choose spotlights according to technical parameters
To choose spotlights, in addition to the features of the device and design, you also need to understand the technical parameters.
The choice of spotlights according to technical parameters - we delve into the details
Supply voltage
There are spots powered by a 220 V network, there are low-voltage spots powered by 24 V or 12 V. The former are placed in ordinary “dry” rooms, the latter are more often used in bathrooms, for lighting pools, etc. This does not mean that lighting in an ordinary room cannot be done using 12 V spotlights. It is very possible. But for their operation, a voltage converter or a battery with the appropriate characteristics is required, as well as the use of wires with a larger cross section (due to the reduced voltage, the currents increase, which leads to an increase in the wire cross section). But, if you use LED lamps, the cross section will be small.
Spotlights for 12 V can be connected to a common powerful transformer or have an "individual"
So, if you want to choose bathroom spotlights and safety is important to you, look for suitable models powered by 12V or 24V. They come with LED or halogen lamps. The use of LEDs will also save on bills, and halogens give the most pleasant light and more accurate color reproduction. The same light sources can be used outdoors to illuminate, for example, the front door and porch.
In ordinary living rooms or “dry” technical rooms (entrance hall, corridor), the use of low-voltage lamps is a rather rare case, but solely for reasons of practicality of such a solution.
Lamp type and base
To choose spotlights, you need to decide on the type of lamp and base. In such lighting fixtures are installed:
- Low power incandescent lamps. Their maximum power is 40-60 W, it is better to install models with mirror coating to form a directional light flux. The disadvantages are known - a large consumption of electricity, a large amount of heat generated during operation. Therefore, this type is undesirable to use for stretch ceilings.
In spotlights it is better to use incandescent lamps with a mirror coating - at least some direction of light
- Halogen lamps with reflector and external bulb. Very similar to incandescent bulbs. You can distinguish by the fact that inside the flask there is another miniature - in fact, a halogen lamp. They have standard screw bases (E 27 and E 14) and pin bases (for low-voltage GZ 4, GY 4, GX 5.3, GU 4, GY 6.35, GU 5.3, for 220 V G9, G10). They are more economical (30% less energy is wasted with the same luminous flux), more durable, but they heat up a lot. Once upon a time, only such lamps were used in 12-volt spotlights (there were no LEDs yet).
- Halogen capsule lamps. Also called "finger". Miniature light sources that consist of a small bulb and two wires / leads. They are installed in closed fixtures, during installation they require special care - a fingerprint can cause burnout. Available only with pin bases, and small sizes - for spotlights for 220 V - G9, and for those working at reduced power - G4; G5.3; GY6.35.
- Housekeepers or compact fluorescent lamps. They do not look very good in spotlights, as "compact" is in relation to linear counting sources, which appeared first. In general, even the smallest housekeepers stick out of most buildings. Basically, they replace incandescent lamps, as they consume 2-3 times less energy. But they give light more "cold" and pulsating (which is much worse).
- LED bulbs. Here again, there are light sources with two types of socles: screw and pin. And there are all sizes. And for installation instead of incandescent lamps, and for replacing any halogen ones. In addition, there are spotlights with built-in LEDs - these are the so-called "tablets", which have a very small thickness. Of all the above, LED lamps are the most economical in terms of energy consumption, emit the least heat, and have the longest working life. But, they are also the most expensive. In addition, there are a huge number of low-quality products that have a strong pulsation and impaired color reproduction, due to the use of cheap parts, they quickly burn out. That's why it's not easy.
How to choose spotlights in this category? Incandescent lamps are becoming less and less popular: they are too uneconomical, although they give a pleasant light. If eye comfort is very important to you, put halogen ones, and flask or finger ones - it doesn’t matter. If there are too many lamps and even halogen ones are expensive, use LED ones. But it is worth remembering that high-quality llamas cost a lot of money, and cheap ones, firstly, quickly burn out, and secondly, they can be harmful (due to the high ripple coefficient). But this is the only, so far, type of lamp that can give any light.
Dimensions of spotlights
When installing recessed spotlights for a suspended or stretch ceiling, such a parameter as the height of the lighting fixture is very important. After all, this parameter depends on the height to which the final ceiling will have to be lowered. And in the conditions of our apartments it is very important.
If we consider spotlights with lamps of various types, a general pattern is observed:
This is the basic information on the size of spotlights, depending on the type of lamps used. And let us remind you once again: there are LED energy-saving lamps - complete analogues with the same dimensions and base.
In general, you understand - it is difficult to choose spotlights. You have to take into account a lot of parameters. And this is without taking into account the appearance and choice of the manufacturer. In general, that is still a task.
Protection class
This parameter is important if you need to choose spotlights for a bathroom or other wet room. In the technical specifications there is such a line as the protection class. there are two letters IP and two numbers, in which information is encrypted about the ability of the lamp to endure the ingress of solid objects (first number) and exposure to water (second number). The larger the number, the greater the degree of security. For stirring on the bathroom ceiling - not lower than IP 44.
You can bet with more security, but with less - it's better not to. Especially if the spotlights are located directly above the bathroom - they must be protected from water ingress.
Appearance and lighting effects
Lighting is not only functional. Often it is also a decorative component. To make it a little easier to choose spotlights according to this principle, we divide them into categories:
In fact, the choice of design is almost the most difficult, because there are also rotary models, and two or three or four light bulbs in one case, and with various inserts of a different color, and with painting, embossing, etc. . and so on.
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 illuminate the entire space of the room with high quality. 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 dimensions, which are selected depending on the type of device, as well as the type of ceiling (plasterboard, suspended or stretch). This article will be devoted to the dimensions of spotlights and their selection for a specific type of ceiling.
What are
A spotlight is a small lighting device in which one or more light bulbs (halogen, LED, incandescent) are built in. Due to their special design, such devices are now actively used to illuminate a wide variety of premises. But they have gained the greatest popularity in home lighting.
These are small fixtures that have a slight angle of light scattering. In this regard, they should not be used singly, but in groups. At the same time, they can be placed both 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 house for:
- creating high-quality lighting in the room;
- decorative decoration of the ceiling;
Note! Spotlights can have a variety of appearances. Therefore, they fit perfectly into any interiors.
- visual change of 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, stretch and plasterboard. At the same time, which type of luminaire to choose in each individual case depends both on the characteristics of the overlap and on the type of the device itself. Therefore, in order to correctly choose not only spotlights, but also their sizes, it is necessary to understand their types.
Product range
To date, spotlights for ceilings (stretch, suspended and plasterboard) are divided into two types:
- embedded. This is the most common type of spot lighting installations. The built-in device will become almost invisible. It will stand out only with its decorative part, and its entire structure, including the light source, will be placed inside the ceiling. The depth of occurrence in this case will depend on what dimensions the built-in light bulb will have, as well as the type of construction used. Installation here is complicated by the fact that a correctly calculated depth is needed, as well as a diameter for embedding into the ceiling surface;
Note! The built-in type of spotlight is often used to create stretch and suspended ceilings (especially from plasterboard).
Embedded model
- overhead. It has a simple installation, as it is attached to the ceiling surface. In this case, the holes here are needed only for masking the wires. In this they are more attractive than the recessed type of luminaire. But they have a clear minus - they protrude noticeably above the surface. They are used in situations where it will be very difficult or impossible to install an embedded type of device.
Overlay point model
When choosing a built-in type of luminaire, you also need to know the design features of various models. It depends on what the depth of embedding will ultimately 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 various angles;
rotary model
- stationary (non-rotating). They give light that goes exclusively down.
In addition, the dimensions of the device, as well as the depth of embedding of different types (tension, suspension and drywall) will depend on the number of light sources. According to this criterion, two groups of spot lighting installations are distinguished:
- cardan. The installation has several sockets for screwing light bulbs (LED, halogen, etc.) into them. Their sizes will be many times larger than those of single ones;
Cardan modification
- single. This is the standard version, in which there is 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 the dimensions of the luminaire, as well as the depth of its embedding (if a built-in type is used), are important for their installation in the ceiling.
Additional aspects of choice
When choosing spot lighting products for various types of ceilings (plasterboard, suspended or stretched), you must first of all rely on what kind of cartridge design the device has. The size of the light bulb that needs to be screwed into the cartridge will depend on the type of cartridge. And the depth at which the device will be placed directly depends on this (if an embedded type is used).
bulb holder
Such devices have cartridges:
- E27 - designed for a standard light bulb, therefore quite large;
- E14 - "minion". Quite small;
- G4, G5, G9 - these bulbs have pins, which allows you to reduce the overall dimensions.
As you can see, the sizes of cartridges have a direct impact on the dimensions of point models.
With a range of product choices, we figured it out. Now consider which devices you need to use in each individual case.
Lighting installations and their dimensions for tension ceilings
Stretch ceilings are very popular today.
Note! Stretch ceilings look great in combination with spotlights.
Stretch ceiling with spotlights
When choosing such lighting installations, you need to know that for stretch fabrics there are specific requirements for such concepts as depth and dimensions. They are due to the fact that high temperatures and surface heating from a working light bulb are of particular danger for stretch fabrics. Moreover, the same requirements are relevant for plastic floors.
The following requirements must be taken into account here:
- planting depth should give heating from a working light bulb not 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 it is necessary to give preference to models that are small in size both in the body and in the cartridge itself with a light bulb. The bulbs themselves must have a mirror or black coating;
Note! For stretch fabrics, small LED spotlights are an ideal solution.
- the light from the light source must come exclusively into them. Therefore, only non-rotary models can be used here.
Preparing the ceiling for the installation of fixtures
It is important to create the correct holes in the tension web. 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. It is important to determine what depth of their embedding is required in this situation. After that, he stretches the canvas. On it, in the places of fastenings, decorative rings are installed and holes are cut. When forming holes, the ring will not allow the canvas to tear more than it is necessary to place a recessed type of lamp.
Choosing the size of the mount for the stretch ceiling
In order not to damage the tension fabric, suitable models must be selected according to the mount. For lighting installations installed in a stretch 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 inner diameter of the ceiling part of the device. The same must be taken into account when creating holes in the ceiling.
In addition, you need to pay attention to what depth the bulb will have. 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 web. She is separated from him by a ceiling. These models are smaller. Also, the depth of their placement will be less;
Outside lamp placement
- interior. The light source is recessed inside the case. Because of this, the depth and the area itself occupied by lighting products increase.
Interior light bulb placement
When choosing lighting devices for stretch ceilings, just like for suspended and plasterboard structures, you need to correlate the dimensions of the lighting devices (width, length, depth and diameter) with the dimensions of the room itself. This will allow you to maintain the ratio and give the room more harmony.
Dimensions of lighting fixtures for suspended ceiling structures
For suspended structures, embedded varieties are most often used. Here, both drywall and plastic can be used as a finish.
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 stretch fabrics. The depth of installation of the device, as well as its value in this 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 bulbs - 2-3 times less. You also need to consider the cartridge itself. Experts do not recommend the use of cartridges such as E27 and E14 in this situation.
Note! Behind the suspended structure, the distance to the starting surface can be from 2 to 10 cm.
Such a spread in depth makes it possible to use here any models of installations, from the smallest to the largest.
Holes in suspended ceilings are cut with a drill and a special nozzle. At the same time, 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 suitable lamps
Plasterboard ceilings are a type of suspended structures. Therefore, there are exactly the same conditions for selection. Usually, for such structures, experts recommend using devices 3-5 cm in height. At the same time, it is worth giving preference to LED light sources, which will most effectively illuminate any drywall construction.
Spotlights on plasterboard ceiling
In terms of placement of lighting fixtures, there are the following rules:
- the maximum distance between devices should not be more than 120 cm;
- between the attachment point of the device to the drywall and the wall, the distance is not more than 55-60 cm.
On a drywall floor, both built-in and overhead models will look equally good, with and without rotary mechanisms. But preference is still given to built-in models, since all conditions are created for this.
Requirements for choosing LED luminaires for emergency lighting
Proper lighting is the key to good mood and well-being. You can make it full-fledged, convenient and beautiful using spotlights. Proper selection by size, characteristics and types of lamps is what is needed.
What is a spotlight
One and the same type of fixtures has several names: spot, built-in, ceiling. There is also such a name - as "spot". This is also about a spotlight. It's just that all these words describe the same type of lighting fixtures from different angles.
Spotlights - this name reflects the appearance of this lighting fixture and the size of the illuminated space
If they say “spotlight”, they mean that it creates a narrowly directed stream of light, which is why an illuminated spot forms on the floor, and a luminous point on the ceiling. When they say “recessed” lamp, they mean the method of installation - only a small decorative part remains on the ceiling surface, and the rest of the structure is hidden in the ceiling space. If they talk about ceiling spotlights, they mean the place of installation, since such small-sized structures can be mounted in furniture - in cabinets. The unusual word "spot" is just the Russian version of the English spot, one of the meanings of which is a spot. That is, it is also about the fact that the lighting will be in the form of a set of "spots" of light.
Summing up, we can say that a spotlight is a small-sized lighting device for flush mounting, illuminating a small part of the room. To organize full-fledged lighting, it is necessary to collect a certain number of such devices and in a certain way
Types, designs, varieties
There is no official classification and it is only possible to conditionally divide the total mass of these lighting fixtures into several categories according to various criteria. Such a division in the selection process will be easier to navigate, isolating a specific group. Such a division does not pursue any other purpose.
By appointment
- for installation in plasterboard structures (they are also attached to);
- for installation in stretch ceilings.
They differ structurally and in the method of installation. In drywall models, two springs are attached to the body. During installation, the lamp is connected to the wires, after which the springs are pressed with fingers, the body is inserted into the hole made in advance. The springs diverge, fixing the device on the ceiling.
Spotlights for mounting in such a mounting system cannot be installed - the carrying capacity of the film / fabric is clearly insufficient for this. They are attached to the main ceiling on a special sliding bracket, with which the required indent from the level of the main ceiling is set.
There are models that are immediately equipped with this bracket, but there are not many of them. But there are many models to which you can install a similar bracket by purchasing it separately. And it’s not even always necessary to use a sliding bracket: it can be replaced by a perforated drywall hanger. Such a design is not so easy to use (it is more difficult to set the height), but much cheaper.
Supply voltage and degree of protection
The second thing you need to pay attention to when choosing spotlights is the type of power supply. In ordinary rooms, it is easier to install electrical equipment operating from 220 V. For rooms with increased danger, which include a bathroom, pool, bath, it is better to choose models that are powered by 24 V or 12 V. When connecting them, you will need a converter (driver), but no security issues.
The next point is the degree of protection of the case. It is also important for premises with difficult working conditions or for outdoor use. The protection class is indicated by Latin letters IP and two digits. The first shows the degree of protection against the penetration of solid bodies, the second - from water. For the bathroom and kitchen, it is desirable that the protection class be at least IP44.
Swivel and no
Most fixtures do not provide for the ability to change the direction of the light flux. There are a number of models that allow you to rotate the lamp in a fairly large range. They are called turning.
If we talk about the price, then rotary models are more expensive - a more complex mounting system requires more precise manufacturing and more expensive materials. Therefore, it makes sense to use them only in those places where it is periodically necessary to change the degree of illumination of some zones.
Overhead
Not all models of spotlights are mounted "flush" with the ceiling level. There is a fairly large group of invoices. In this case, only the wire goes into the ceiling space, and the case is below the ceiling level. In almost all of them, the lamp is fixed permanently, but there are also rotary models.
They are used as a design component, but they also allow you to almost not lower the ceiling relative to the base one, which is very important in some situations. The second positive point is that most of the heat from the lamp diverges in space. Also, when mounting under the housing, you can lay a heat-insulating gasket - for even better protection against heat.
Number of lamps
Most recessed fixtures are designed to connect a single lamp. But there are models where in one case there are from two to ten lamps.
These models are available in different styles and layout options. There are not as many of them as single-tube ones, but also quite a lot. Difficulties may arise if five or more lamps are needed. Here they will have to be looked for, especially if some specific design is required, and they are often delivered to order - demand is too limited.
Dimensions
When choosing spotlights, pay attention to their dimensions. In addition to the outer ones, which determine the dimensions of the holes to be cut, one must look at the height. This parameter determines how much the new ceiling will have to be lowered relative to the base one. There must be a distance of at least 5 cm from the highest point of the luminaire to the base ceiling.
In the first case, it is enough to lower the ceiling by 10 cm, in the second - by 16 cm
This gap is necessary for efficient heat dissipation of operating lamps. Also, cables are laid in the ceiling space, embedded plates for fixing chandeliers, etc. are mounted.
Type of lamps used
Four types of lamps can be used for lighting:
- incandescent;
- halogen;
- compact fluorescent;
- LED.
Incandescent lamps are rarely used today. In this case, it's not so much that they "pull" a lot of electricity, although this is also an important factor, especially if a dozen or more lamps are installed on the ceiling. Much worse is that they get very hot, and the heat has a bad effect on the material from which the ceiling is made. If you look at the assortment of a solid Internet resource, then there will be hardly a dozen spotlights for incandescent lamps, but for other positions there are hundreds, sometimes even more than a thousand.
| Incandescent lamps | Luminescent and energy saving | LED | Light flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 W | 5-7W | 2-3 W | 250 lm |
| 40 W | 10-13 W | 4-5W | 400 lm |
| 60 W | 15-16 W | 6-10W | 700 lm |
| 75 W | 18-20 W | 10-12 W | 900 lm |
| 100 W | 25-30W | 12-15W | 1200 lm |
| 150 W | 40-50W | 18-20 W | 1800 lm |
| 200 W | 60-80W | 25-30W | 2500 lm |
For the same reason, halogen lamps are little used, but their range is still larger - they are more economical and, due to the metallization of parts of the body, can remove part of the heat forward. But, nevertheless, compact fluorescent lamps are more common and LEDs are becoming more and more popular. The latter are generally economical, and they heat up much less than all the others, and there are lamps with different bases, different power. Another good thing is that they can have different scattering angles - from 30 ° to 360 °, which allows you to achieve different effects in lighting. There are also LED spotlights, in which there are not lamps, but LEDs are built in. They are characterized by a small thickness, which allows you to lower the final ceiling to a very small height. So this is a really good option.
The only downside to LEDs is that they flicker. About the same as fluorescent lamps. Visually, it is imperceptible, but, they say, it is harmful to the eyes. Although from personal experience I’ll say that in this light it’s much easier to read and your eyes get tired less (there were earlier housekeepers). As before, this effect can be smoothed out by installing one incandescent lamp in the room.
When choosing a spotlight, see what types of lamps it works with. Please note that there are options in which the lamp is already included in the price, but in many they must be purchased separately.