Features of connecting LED lamps

The connection diagram for an LED lamp instead of fluorescent lamps is popular - in recent years, LED lamps have practically crowded out other products from the market. They are economical in energy consumption, but at the same time they work much better than others. Of course, LED lamps are more expensive than gas-discharge (fluorescent) devices, but they last several times longer and have a bright glow.

If an outdated lamp is already installed in an office space or apartment, then there is a need to replace it without dismantling the lamp. In order to do this correctly, you should consider the process in detail.

Replacing a fluorescent lamp with an LED one

How does an LED lamp work?

The source of glow in this case will be a light-emitting diode, which consists of a semiconductor with several outputs - cathode, anode and optics.

When an electric current passes through semiconductors in one direction, a redistribution of charge carriers occurs. This process results in the emission of photons (as a result of the passage of negatively infected particles to the next level).

LED lamp as backlight

Note! The light bulb also has a driver - this is a special circuit that is responsible for supplying power to the light-emitting diodes.

On standard diagrams, light-emitting diodes are marked with arrows, indicating the presence of optical radiation. In addition, there is a cooling system (radiator) that collects excess heat. There is also a lampshade that prevents the loss of light.

Manufacturers produce a large number of LED bulbs that have different configurations and 220 V power. However, these models have the same internal structure.

In these light bulbs, diodes are responsible for emitting light, the number and dimensions of which crystals differ in the degree of power and the characteristics of the radiator. The spectrum of colors is determined by the liquid inside the crystals.

How does an LED light bulb work?

Note! In order to see the design microcircuit, you will need to carefully dismantle the outer part of the lamp. Underneath it will be possible to examine the connections of radio elements.

At the input to the driver there is a bridge circuit, which is connected to the lamp socket connected to the socket. It is thanks to this device that the alternating voltage is rectified, which is then supplied to the board and diodes.

In order to diffuse the light flux and protect the surface of the crystals from the negative effects of the environment, glass (a plastic bulb) is installed on the outside. Therefore, in appearance, LED lamps are not much different from other products.

These bulbs, like others, are screwed into the socket using a socket. At the same time, the bases of such products also have standard dimensions, so they can be used in a network without any changes to the electrical conductors.

LED lamps in a “classic” design, with the model shown on the right very faithfully imitating an old incandescent lamp

Penalty for installing LED lamps in headlights

Driving a vehicle with LED lamps in halogen headlights entails an administrative fine of 500 rubles. The amount of the fine is established for driving a car with malfunctions under paragraph 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO):

1. Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, the operation of the vehicle is prohibited, with the exception of malfunctions and conditions specified in parts 2 - 7 of this article, entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred rubles.

In practice, traffic police inspectors and the courts are trying to hold the driver accountable under paragraph 3, article 12.5 of the Administrative Code: From the above text we can conclude that the punishment under this article already looks like a real deprivation of rights for a serious period of 6 to 12 months.

The mistake of law enforcement officers lies in the free interpretation of the necessary combination of two conditions (the color of the light signals and the operating mode), and the punishment in the form of deprivation of rights follows only one point - violation of the operating mode. This follows from the fact that LED headlights do not interfere with the color of the lights, which by law can be white, orange or yellow.

But even the deprivation of rights for the mode of operation does not seem legally correct, since the discrepancy between the type of lamp and the marking of the headlight is not a violation of the mode, which by law is interpreted only as constant or flashing.

How does a 220 V LED lamp work?

This is a modern version of the LED lamp, which is produced using advanced technology. Here the LED is solid, there are several crystals, so there is no need to solder many contacts. As a rule, only two contacts are connected.

Table 1. Structure of a standard LED lamp

LED light bulb driver
Another difference between LED lamps and other products is the location of the high heating zone. With other light sources, heat spreads throughout the entire external part, while the LED crystals only contribute to heating the internal board. This is why it becomes necessary to install a radiator to quickly remove heat.

If there is a need to repair a lighting device with a failed LED, then it is completely replaced. In appearance, these lamps can be either round or cylindrical. They are connected to the power supply through a socket (pin or threaded).

Note! LED bulbs quickly change their light spectrum, so they are widely used for decorations, decorations of various storefronts, and logos.

Why do many drivers believe that there is no responsibility for installing LED lamps?

Indeed, an interesting paradox has developed in our country. For example, most drivers know that in Russia there is liability for installing xenon lamps in halogen headlights in the form of deprivation of a driver's license. That is why we no longer see a lot of cars on the road with “collective farm” xenon. After all, you must agree that the responsibility for the illegal installation of xenon lamps is very severe.

But why then, every year, more and more cars with LED lamps appear on Russian roads, which are usually installed by vehicle owners themselves?

The fact is that a very large number of car enthusiasts believe that LED lamps can be installed in front optics. Especially considering that many sellers of LED low and high beam lamps provide a large number of different certificates and permits, assuring buyers that LED lamps with halogen or xenon optics available for sale are indeed permitted in our country for use and sale.

What types of LEDs are there?

An LED is a multilayer semiconductor that helps convert electricity into light. If you change its composition, you can achieve a colored glow. This element is made on the basis of a chip - a crystal with a connection point for power wiring.

In order to achieve a cold (white) glow, the blue chip is treated with a special yellow substance

Table 2. Types of LEDs according to the method of chip assembly

Chips of LED designs
Among the negative aspects of LEDs, the minimum size should be noted. Therefore, to create an extensive glow, it is necessary to use many such sources connected to each other. In addition, the crystal wears out after a while, so the brightness of the light bulbs decreases. However, if it is a high-quality product, the lamp will remain bright for a long time.

220 V LED lamp circuit

A standard light bulb consists of the following elements: body part, electronic part, radiator. So, first the voltage reaches the base of the structure, and then is transmitted to the microcircuit, where it is converted into direct current, which is required for the glow.

Internal structure of the LED lamp

Note! The light from the diodes has a wide scattering angle, so no additional optics are required; a diffuser lamp is sufficient here. During prolonged operation, the parts of the microcircuit and LEDs overheat, so it is impossible to do without a heat dissipation.

Part of the light bulb body also includes a base, a polymer shell, inside of which there is a plate, as well as a transparent part - a diffuser. In expensive products, inside the case there is a volumetric cooling device made of aluminum or heat-resistant plastic.

In cheap models, there is often no radiator, or it is located in the inner part, and there are recesses along the edges. In budget designs, the power of which does not exceed 6 W, there is a one-piece body without any heat dissipation.

In expensive light bulbs, the board with SMD LEDs is fixed to the cooling device using a special paste, which allows for better heat dissipation.

In simple models, the board is secured with self-tapping screws to a metal plate or inserted into openings. However, such a device does not allow for optimal heat dissipation.

Internal structure of an LED light bulb

It is impossible to see the internal structure through the plastic diffuser. However, it is not recommended to purchase cheap copies because they have a minimal lifespan.

Using LED bulbs instead of gas-discharge ones

If you go to any office or educational institution, you will notice that fluorescent lamps are installed everywhere - gas light (fluorescent). As a rule, the power of these devices is no more than 35 W.

Of course, some seven years ago such devices were the best, because they were considered economical. However, time does not stand still, which has made it possible to obtain long-lasting LED lamps that exceeded expectations.

Gradually, users are switching to more modern light bulbs

Now all institutions have begun to replace outdated designs with LEDs. For example, if your office has a standard ceiling light, then you only need to change the light bulbs.

The main problem is the need to replace LED bulbs for fluorescent lighting fixtures. In this case, you should not throw away the lamp, because purchasing a new one is much more expensive. This will require changing the lamp connection diagram, which we will consider below.

Connection diagram for an LED lamp instead of a gas-discharge lamp

Here you will need a design that has a standard size - T8. After all, it assumes the possibility of installing light bulbs of different configurations, but of the same length, into the lamp. The upgrade involves detaching the internal contents, but this does not take too much time.

Scheme for replacing fluorescent light bulbs

Here you can see that the circuit is not complicated; a jumper is fixed into the throttle connector. However, if a safety shutdown device is installed, it may operate, so it is recommended that the ballast be disconnected.

Note! If desired, you can leave the inductor and capacitor unchanged, the device will still function. However, due to the generated pulses, the LEDs will wear out quickly.

T8 lamps have four pins, but you will need two to make the connection.

Converting a fluorescent lamp into an LED lamp: step-by-step instructions

Step one: first you need to turn off the power to the fluorescent device. Moreover, it is recommended to do this by turning off the automation on the switchboard in order to protect yourself from electric shock.

Turn off the power at the distribution board

Step two: Now you should remove the old light bulbs. In this case, it is necessary to unscrew the tubes, as before the next replacement.

Removing old pipes

Step three: you will need to disconnect the wiring that comes from the starter.

We dismantle the wiring and chokes, because they are not needed in this circuit. They are not difficult to remove, you just need to unscrew the screws on the back side

Step four: you need to disconnect the cartridges on the structure. Next, you should make a jumper from a single-core wire and insert it between the poles on the design socket.

This is what the jumper between the contacts will look like

Step five: all that remains is to secure the wire directly.

Now the cartridge can be returned to its place. Here, each lamp must have a separate wire

Step six: all that remains is to check the design for functionality, and then fasten the pin bulbs.

This is what the assembled lamp will look like

Video - Installing LED light bulbs in a fluorescent lamp

Advantages of using LED lamps compared to gas lamps

According to the manufacturer, the average operating time of an LED lamp reaches thirty thousand hours, but still this will depend on the quality of the design, namely the microcircuit and internal light elements.

Under any circumstances, installing a T8 LED lamp to replace a gas light lamp is advisable for the following reasons:

1. You won't have to spend a lot of time redesigning the design. So, for a person familiar with lighting equipment, such a process will seem simple - you only need to dismantle some internal elements, install a jumper, wires, and then connect the lamp.
2. LED lamps are much easier to care for; you just need to wipe the dust off the surface from time to time. With luminescent structures, everything is much more complicated, because if grease gets on the surface (even from your hands), then increased heating will be observed in this place. Over time, this will cause the light bulb to explode.

   
   LED lamps can be wiped free of dirt

3. The use of LED lamps allows you to save energy by more than 55%, so even expensive products quickly pay for themselves.
4. LED lamps last more than 45,000 hours even with frequent switching on and off.
5. LED tubes are flicker-free compared to older gas light tubes. Thus, they do not provoke eye fatigue. Therefore, such light bulbs are recommended to be installed in educational institutions, offices, and work rooms.
6. There is no mercury or other components hazardous to human life inside such light bulbs. Therefore, after they burn out, no special disposal measures are required. Such light bulbs are considered safe from an environmental point of view.
7. Even though LED lamps lose brightness over time, this does not happen earlier than after 15,000 hours. This is significantly higher than in the case of gas light.

LED lamps last longer than their analogues
. It is worth noting that even if the network voltage is reduced to 110 V, LED lamps will remain as bright as at 220 V. Another obvious advantage is the availability of a warranty from most manufacturers for LED lamps.

Video - LED or fluorescent lamps: what to choose?

Prices

Our installation center carries out a full range of work on the installation and replacement of lighting equipment, including the installation of LED lamps instead of standard halogen or incandescent lamps. Installation of LED lamps takes approximately 60 minutes .

If LED lamps are installed instead of halogen ones, then special adapters - their price varies from 350 to 550 rubles.

The cost of work may increase if additional actions are required, for example, fixing the ignition units if it is necessary to remove the bumper to disassemble the headlight.

Let's sum it up

Converting a fluorescent lamp into an LED lamp is a profitable undertaking. In addition, even a beginner can cope with this process if he follows the instructions. However, you should not save money on purchasing light bulbs, because the above benefits only apply to premium quality options.

A failed LED leaves a very unpleasant aftertaste. And if this has happened more than once, then it becomes quite natural to want to understand the reasons - why do LED light bulbs burn out? Read in detail in a special article.

How to legally install LED bulbs in headlights?

According to the law, if you make changes to the design of the car, then you have the right to operate the car on public roads only after going through a certain procedure in legalizing the installed equipment in the traffic police and in specialized organizations.

We discussed in more detail how to formalize the conversion of a car in the article “Fine for gas equipment in a car.” Let us recall that in this article we examined the process of legalizing the installation of gas equipment on a vehicle.

When installing LED lamps in a car, you will first need to re-equip the headlights in a specialized organization, which will install the appropriate lenses and other equipment in them that will provide the LED lighting with an optimal beam of light projected onto the road.

Also, to legally register LED optics, you need to obtain permission to re-equip the car.

In particular, after installing / altering the headlights in a specialized organization, you must register the re-equipment of the car with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate and obtain a certificate of compliance of the vehicle with the changes made to its design in accordance with safety requirements.

Read more about the process itself here.