When only central lighting is placed in the kitchen, then standing at the table, you inevitably close the access of light to the working surface. Of course, when it is in the center of the kitchen, it may not be so noticeable. Nevertheless, sometimes even this location of the table does not help. One way or another, even if a desk is needed for an additional lighting light lamp, how much more you need such a backlight for the kitchen. That's just other rules in the kitchen, and the table lamp will not solve the problem.
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How to carry out backlight?
There are several options for solving the lighting problem in the kitchen. Let's call some:
- lED tape (in or without profile);
- oblong -shaped lamps;
- spotlights, single or sets, metal and invoices;
- set of lamps for lighting kitchen windows and glass shelves.
Some types of furniture lamps are just just screwed to the bottom of the kitchen cabinet and connect to the power outlet.
Small spotlights are designed, as the name can be seen, for inserting in specially sparkled holes in furniture. Such fixtures are provided when designing furniture, in advance.
Installation of overhead spotlights is not so complicated. To connect the overhead lamps, it is necessary to carry out additional electrical wiring. Connection of the fixtures is carried out through the transformer.
Thus, it is quite possible to make the kitchen backlight with your own hands. It is necessary to have skills in working with electricity for all options. If you want to independently light up using the LED tape, you need to have an electrical installer skills. Tools that may come in handy: screwdriver, roulette, hammer, screwdriver, soldering iron.
Preparation for work
Before moving on to the practical side of the matter, it is advisable to draw a plan of the kitchen, a view from above (sometimes a front plan is also needed). In terms of mark the existing lighting, and the one you plan to do. It is necessary to take into account both the practical side and design points. Questions can be of the following nature:
- whether the uniform distribution of light will impede religious accessories and other hinged parts of the kitchen;
- where the outlet, power supply, switches or remote control will be located;
- whether you will annoy the type of LED tape if it is not hidden in a special profile;
- what color of lighting do you prefer;
- do not forget that color is able to greatly affect the emotions of a person;
- if you use different colors of the backlight, whether they will be combined with each other and with the overall design of the kitchen.
Most likely, the general lighting of the kitchen has already been installed: a chandelier or spotlights. What places usually need additional lighting: this is the working part of the countertop, washing, stove. It is possible that the furnace is already lit by the backlight mounted in the hood. Some believe that it is convenient to make additional lighting also inside the kitchen cabinets.
After you have decided on the type of lighting and the place of its location, you can start working. Consider how to practically carry out some backlighting options.
DIY LED backlighting
The advantage of LEDs is that they save electricity. Among other things, LEDs have a long service life (with proper use), resistant to mechanical stress and humidity.
- Buying LED tape. You can buy a tape of any color. Although different colors are perfectly decorated with the kitchen, however, this is not always practical. Many users agreed that it was best neutral white. LED tape is sold either with a continuous strip or segments. If you bought a continuous tape, then be careful: according to the rules of the mains, you cannot sequentially connect LEDs more than 15 m long. Make sure that the bought tape has no creases and visible damage.
- Buy a power supply. It is also convenient to use a distance control unit with a controller. It is necessary to purchase a transition wire for the power supply. The voltage of the power supply and the tape must match. A higher voltage indicator on the power supply compared to the voltage of the tape will lead to the failure of the latter. The RGB tape is first connected to the controller, and then the controller is connected to the power supply.
- Solder the power supply unit to the controller wires. Protect all seats of rations with electrical tape.
- In the wires of the adapter, determine where the plus is and where the minus. To do this, connect the adapter to the power supply and use the indicator to check.
- Soldering the adapter wiring to the LED ribbon, observing the pole. After soldering, wrap with the insulating tape the ration of each wire separately, and then two wires together. Check the performance by connecting the structure to the power supply.
- Degrease the surface to which the tape will be attached. If you degrease with a detergent, remove its residual water and let the surface dry. It is advisable to glue the tape at the bottom of the hinged cabinets not near the door (in front), but near the rear wall of the cabinets. At the same time, it is desirable to retreat from the wall (from the joint of the wall and the cabinet) 2-3 cm. Otherwise, if you glue the tape of the tank with the wall, on the wall the rays of light will have a non-reference look.
- Glue the tape to the bottom of the hinged cabinet. For this, bilateral tape is used if the purchased LED tape is not self -adhesive. If the tape is self -adhesive, then all that is necessary is to remove the protective strip from the glue side. Then put the tape to the surface evenly. After the whole tape is glued, press a little.
- For the adapter wire, the hole is drilled in the bottom of the cabinet. The adapter wire is displayed into the hole. It is convenient to place a power supply and a controller in the closet if the power supply of power is carried out in advance into the cabinet.
- Solder the wires of the adapter and controller.
LED tape in the profile
Experienced electricians do not recommend gluing the tape directly to furniture or walls. It is preferable to use a special aluminum profile with a protective screen. The tape is glued to the profile groove and closed with a matte or transparent screen.
The advantages of using the profile are that it removes excess heat from the heating of the LEDs, and the screen disperses the light. In addition, in the grooves of some profiles you can hide wires. Instructions for highlighting the working area in the kitchen.
- Measure the place of fastening of the profile.
- Cut the profile of the required length using a hacksaw on metal.
- Make a hole of 3 mm at the base of the profile: along the edges of the profile, and if the profile is long, then in the middle.
- Fasten the base of the profile to the bottom of the suspended kitchen cabinet using furniture screws 3*16 mm. You can use a screwdriver, but if it is not, then a screwdriver and your efforts will help.
- Measure the required length of the LED tape.
- You can cut the tape only in a specially provided place, which is marked by the “Scissors” icon.
- Remove the film from the back of the tape and glue it into the profile.
- Install a protective screen (light diffuser). Close the profile on the side with plastic plugs.
- Insert the profile into the base mounted on the bottom of the suspended cabinet.
The option is possible when the profile without base. In this case, you can fix it on the bottom of the cabinet using bilateral tape.
LED and fluorescent lamps
Typically, such lamps are sold in furniture salons or stores like furniture accessories. You can choose lamps with suitable parameters of length and power.
Included with the LED lamp, usually there is already a transformer connected to the lamp of mini-stages.
All that is necessary for the installation of such lamps: screwdrivers and furniture screws. The instructions for purchased lamps will tell you how they are mounted: to the side walls or to the bottom of the cabinets. This usually depends on the purpose of the lamp - for the outer or internal lighting of the cabinet. Photos of the kitchen with backlighting various lamps gives an idea of \u200b\u200bpossible coverage options for the working area.
