It is difficult to overestimate the importance of lighting devices in modern society. They are used wherever “a person’s foot steps.” This led to a wide variety of lamps of different categories.
An LED spotlight is no exception: in electrical stores and on the pages of numerous online stores you can find many varieties of these products, differing in features and technical and operational characteristics that affect the operating conditions and the final cost of the device. To choose the right spotlight, it is important to understand all the varieties, study the differences, advantages and disadvantages.
Types of spotlights by light source
Depending on the light source used, floodlights are divided into four main types. They come in halogen, sodium, LED and metal halide. More details about each type:
- In the first, a halogen lamp is used as a light source. In essence, we are talking about an improved incandescent lamp. The differences are associated with the internal cavity of the flask, which is filled with an inert gas, which increases the glow and service life.
- Sodium floodlights are powered by a gas-discharge lamp. Unlike the first type, the flask does not contain inert gases, but sodium vapor that emits light.
- Metal halide lamps differ from halogen lamps in the use of a gas-discharge lamp, higher brightness and more complex design, supplemented by an ignition unit. Special operating rules must be observed.
- LED spotlights operate on a matrix with LED diodes. Unlike others, they are more compact and durable.
LED spotlight device
This device consists of three main elements - a housing, a matrix with LEDs and a driver for current stabilization. In terms of the set of components, the device is no different from a conventional street-type LED lamp.
The LED matrix is hidden under a transparent protective cover with installed glass and reflectors. By unscrewing the fasteners, you can remove the cover and gain access to the LEDs.
Typically, the housing of the lighting fixture is made from cast aluminum and other corrosion-resistant metals. The choice in favor of aluminum is due to its excellent heat dissipation properties. The matrix inside the case is secured with additional screws, of which there can be from two to four pieces. For more reliable operation of the product, manufacturers of high-quality products eliminate the gap between the body and the matrix and add heat-conducting paste.
On the back of the spotlight there is a cable for connecting to the power supply. The presence of a rubber washer installed in the hole protects the device from moisture. Some products are available with rotating brackets that provide good attachment to towers and poles. The option with ribbed casing walls is even better, as it provides maximum heat dissipation.
Below the back cover of the LED spotlight, a power supply is installed, which is used to transform the industrial network current with a voltage of 220 volts into direct current suitable for operation of the device.
Advantages and disadvantages
Both positive and negative aspects are highlighted when using these devices. First, let's list the advantages of LED spotlights:
- minimum energy consumption - 8-10 times lower than when using conventional incandescent lamps, and 3-4 times less compared to energy-saving products;
- long service life - at least 10 years;
- In production, environmentally friendly materials are used that do not pose a threat to humans and the environment.
As for the disadvantages, the following can be noted:
- high cost - and in the case of floodlights with LED diodes, the declared service life does not always correspond to reality, so the devices for the most part do not pay for themselves (however, if technical standards are observed and additional reinsurance is available, the product will work for at least 7-8 years);
- continuous operation leads to failure of LEDs - the brightness gradually decreases, subsequently the components completely burn out;
- To increase durability, it is advisable to use additional cooling sources and a power supply, which again leads to financial expenses.
Classification of LED spotlights
When choosing a device, they are guided by various parameters that allow them to be classified. Spotlights vary in power, and this parameter can vary between 10-1000 W. The situation is similar with brightness, which can be 700 or over 30,000 lm.
IP protection class
Things are much more interesting with the degree of protection (Internal Protection). The IP XY marking indicates how well a device resists dust and moisture, where X and Y are expressed in numerical values. The higher they are, the better the protection.
Here are examples:
- IP20 - such lighting devices can be used for indoor lighting systems, since they are not protected from dust and moisture.
- IP21-22 are more advanced products that are used in unheated rooms (protected from condensation).
- IP23 - these devices are practically no different from the previous ones, except that outdoor installation is acceptable.
- IP50 – the body of the floodlights is protected from dust, which allows them to be used in industrial facilities. At the same time, there is no protection against moisture.
- IP54 is an improved version of previous devices with additional moisture protection. Suitable for use in rooms with high humidity levels.
- IP67-68 – high level of insulation, which allows the devices to be used underwater.
Range
The spectrum of devices is expressed in color temperature and can range from 3500 to 6500 K. With increasing color temperature, luminous efficiency increases, but the shade becomes paler and colder. As for the dependence of the luminous flux on power and temperature, the following can be cited as an example:
- 40 W spotlights with a color temperature of 6500 K are characterized by a flux of 4000 lm;
- when the temperature drops to 5000 K, this parameter will be equal to 3600 lm;
- 3500 K – 3000 lm, etc.
Spotlights with a temperature of 3700-4300 K emit warm rays, 4500-5500 K – neutral, 6000 K and above – cold white rays.
Cool colors are considered more effective when illuminating large areas and have a blue tint. If you are going to illuminate the reading area or work area, then the color temperature should not exceed 5000 K.
Note. You can often find multi-colored LED spotlights using RGB technology.
Matrix
The matrix for LED spotlights can consist of two types of diodes - cluster and SOD. Matrices with numerous SOD diodes are cheaper than products with cluster components. On the other hand, the presence of a large number of light-emitting elements leads to a scatter of parameters. When one or two fail, the load on all the others increases. The service life of cluster devices is 3-4 times longer (but the cost is 30-40% higher).
Cluster spotlights contain a matrix with ultra-bright LEDs of the 5050, 5630 series and identical parameters. The small surface area emitting light results in a uniform flow, and the service life reaches 30,000 hours without loss of efficiency.
Selection options
When choosing LED floodlights, there are many factors and parameters to consider, as listed below. It is also worth paying attention to the material from which the case is made, the thickness of the radiator and the degree of protection.
Housing material
Some devices are made of stainless steel with an aluminum alloy reflector. This is a good option if the LED spotlight is used inside living rooms, but if it is necessary to use it outdoors, then it is better to avoid such a design (corrosive processes will begin at the junction of two metals).
Radiator thickness
Never skimp on the heatsink - along with the driver, it is the most important component that extends the longevity of the device. The fact is that a bad radiator is not able to ensure normal heat removal from the matrix. When choosing between two identical LED spotlights, choose the one with the largest radiator.
Protection class
We also do not recommend saving money by buying floodlights without protection from dust and moisture. This is especially true for cases where the device will be used outside the building. Ideally, you should look for a housing with at least IP54 protection.
Driver
The power supply that converts alternating current into direct current has its own service life. Such an electrical element consists of electrolytic capacitors, which dry out over time and lose their capacity. An ordinary capacitor is designed for uninterrupted operation for 10,000 hours; for a good device, the parameter can increase to 30,000, for an expensive Japanese one – up to 50,000.
Pay attention to the tightness of the driver. If there is no sealant or compound on the board, it will soon fail if exposed to the slightest moisture.
As always, you can’t get hung up on a specific manufacturer, since different companies produce devices that have different operating conditions. Every place has its advantages and disadvantages, so the final choice will depend on your own preferences and planned financial expenses.
However, there are nuances that are worth paying attention to:
- According to statistical data, devices from branded manufacturers are much more efficient and durable than cheap Chinese ones made from low-grade materials.
- Even trusted manufacturers have a certain percentage of defects or defects. Somewhere the technical control service was gaping or they were advised to “close their eyes.” Due to such reasons, a store may end up with a low-quality branded product. That is why you cannot focus only on a specific manufacturer.
- The higher the cost of the device, the longer the service life and warranty service, which allows for free repairs or replacement of the product in the event of an unexpected failure, if operating conditions have not been violated. Chinese diode spotlights usually do not have this option.
- Pay attention to the numerous additional functions that will come in handy during operation. For example, lamps can be supplemented with motion sensors and photographic relays, which will simplify operation and save on electricity. You independently set the period of time during which the spotlight will glow.
- Spotlights are divided into stationary or mobile. In the first case, for reliable operation, the devices must be fixed to the wall, ceiling, pole, etc. Moreover, to move the equipment from place to place, you will have to dismantle it. The second option provides the ability to conveniently move the spotlight and is the best when the lighting device needs to be installed on construction sites, vegetable gardens, etc.
- For street floodlights, the degree of protection of the housing must be at least IP65. It would be ideal to purchase a device with IP68, but the cost of such products is much higher. Despite this, when lighting a yard or summer cottage, try to hide the spotlights under canopies and other protective elements.
- At home, LED spotlights with a matrix or one powerful diode can be used.
- Give preference to a device with an aluminum body.
- The functionality of the device depends on its shape. Square products can be used for uniform illumination of large areas, while round ones provide a directed flow to certain objects. Oblong ones are used to illuminate pools, ponds, building facades or in landscape design.
A budget option
Today on the market you can find products from several branded manufacturers. The companies Philips, Osram, and Hyundai have long established themselves, but the products of Feron, Luna, and Jazzway are practically not inferior to them.
There are also domestic options, which are much better than cheap Chinese products with inflated parameters according to the passport. We bring to your attention a review of inexpensive 50 W floodlights from three different manufacturers:
The degree of protection indicates that such options can be used outdoors. The cost of each of the listed spotlights does not exceed 2,500 rubles. The actual value of the luminous flux is lower, but not more than 5-10%. The operating temperature range everywhere is from -40 to +60 degrees. Celsius. Still, it is worth paying attention to the radiator - if it is small, then it is not recommended to turn on the device on a hot summer day.
An LED spotlight is a universal lighting device used in many areas of life. More expensive models can be used in almost any conditions. They are characterized by high-quality luminous flux, minimal energy consumption and no need for constant maintenance during the entire service life. If possible, you should buy devices from branded manufacturers. But there are also decent options among lesser-known companies!
Spotlight is a light electrical device that provides the emission of a high concentration of light flux within a small solid angle.
Types and classification
street LED lamps and spotlights
According to their intended purpose, spotlights are:
- Long-range (used to illuminate objects located at a great distance).
- Flood light (for illuminating large areas, such as stadiums, theater venues).
- Signal (for transmitting information).
- Accent (for local illumination of objects).
As light sources The following is installed in street lamps and spotlights:
- LEDs.
- LED matrices.
- Metal halide lamps.
- Mercury lamps.
- Xenon lamps.
By protection class (IP) to prevent dust and water from entering the body of a street lamp or spotlight, they are produced for operation:
- Indoors (IP40).
- Outdoors outdoors (IP64).
- Underwater (IP68).
In modern street lamps and spotlights, LEDs or LED matrices are installed instead of lamps, since in all technical characteristics they are many times superior to lamps of any type. The main advantages of LED light sources are low power consumption and long service life. Thanks to these indicators, despite the higher purchase price of LED street lighting, operating costs are low, which provides large savings in the long term.
Due to their design features, LEDs and LED matrices have a narrow luminous flux emission angle (about 120°), as a result of which it has become difficult to unambiguously classify lighting devices. If in an LED lamp the LEDs or LED matrices are installed on the same plane, then by definition it is already a Spotlight.
According to their intended purpose, LED spotlights are::
- Landscape (used to illuminate green spaces in parks or summer cottages).
- Architectural (installed for decorative lighting of buildings, structures or monuments).
- Lighting (used to illuminate courtyard areas, open areas, sidewalks and roads).
They are used as an LED light source in street lamps and floodlights.:
- Spot LEDs.
- LED matrices.
The photo shows a line of LED street lamps of the DiUS type, manufactured using 1-watt LEDs. These street lamps are equipped with a driver, which is a sealed independent unit that is connected to the LED block using a connector. The driver is fixed to the lamp body with screws and, if it is necessary to replace it for repairs, it is easily detached from the printed circuit board with LEDs.
Street lamps with spotlight LEDs are easy to repair, since it is possible to quickly replace the driver, and if one of the LEDs fails, you can replace it with a working one yourself, as when repairing an LED light bulb.
This photo shows a classic LED street floodlight, which uses an LED matrix as the light source. Typically, the power of an LED matrix does not exceed 50 watts, so several LED matrices are installed in more powerful matrix luminaires. The driver for this type of lamp is installed inside its housing, which requires, in case of driver failure, to dismantle the lamp from the installation site.
The LED matrix is a substrate on which many LED crystals are mounted, and if one of them fails, the entire matrix becomes unusable. In the photo, an LED matrix burned out from overheating from an LED spotlight that I had to repair. It clearly shows the squares in which the LED crystals are placed. An LED matrix is expensive, so from the point of view of repair costs, it is more economical to purchase street lamps with spotlight LEDs.
The photo shows an LED spotlight in which SMD LEDs are used as a light emitter. The use of LEDs in floodlights instead of an LED matrix allows you to replace only a burnt-out LED, and not the entire matrix, which significantly reduces operating costs.
Construction of a street LED matrix lamp
The appearance of the LED spotlight from the LED matrix installation side is shown in the photo above. If you unscrew the four screws and remove the protective cover with the optical glass and reflector, you will have access to the LED matrix.
As can be seen from the photograph, the spotlight is a cast aluminum alloy housing, which simultaneously serves to remove heat from the matrix. The matrix is secured to the case with two screws, although the design of the case and matrix provides for fastening with four screws. It looks like the manufacturer saved on screws. The absence of a gap between the spotlight body and the matrix substrate, together with the heat-conducting paste, ensures good heat removal from the crystals and, as a result, reliable operation of the spotlight as a whole.
This is what the spotlight looks like from the back. The power cable, crimped with a special nut for sealing, enters the cover, secured with four screws through a silicone gasket to the body of the spotlight. A rotating bracket is provided to secure the spotlight to a pole or wall. The body of the spotlight has vertical ribs that serve to more effectively remove the heat generated by the matrix.
Under the back cover of the spotlight there is a driver that converts the 220 V mains voltage into a voltage with stabilized current, necessary for the operation of the LED matrix.
As you can see, the LED spotlight is designed quite simply and consists of a housing, a driver and an LED matrix. Any LED street lamp is designed in the same way and differs only in appearance and design.
Choosing a street LED lamp or floodlight
In order to choose the right street lamp that has worked for a long time and effectively illuminated the required area, it is necessary to understand its technical characteristics and parameters.
By IP protection class
The main technical characteristic that you should first pay attention to when choosing any street lamp is its protection class against the entry of solid particles and water into the housing. LED lamps are marked by all manufacturers according to a single international standard. The protection class in the marking is indicated in accordance with the requirements of the standard for the protection of electrical equipment from external factors IEC-952.
| Reference table for marking the protection of luminaires from external factors | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serial number of the digital sequence in the marking | Designation in marking | Explanation of the designation | ||
| Protection class from external factors | IP | The protection class in the marking is indicated in accordance with the requirements of the standard for the protection of electrical equipment from external factors IEC-952 | ||
| First digit after IP, protection against penetration of solid objects | ||||
| 0 | No protection | |||
| 1 | From penetration of bodies with a diameter of 50 mm or more | |||
| 2 | From penetration of bodies with a diameter of 12 mm or more, a length of no more than 80 mm | |||
| 3 | From penetration of bodies with a diameter of 2.5 mm or more | |||
| 4 | From penetration of bodies with a diameter of 1 mm or more | |||
| 5 | Dust may enter in quantities insufficient to disrupt the operation of the equipment. | |||
| 6 | Dust is not allowed | |||
| The second digit after IP, protection against liquid ingress into the housing | 0 | No protection | ||
| 1 | From vertically falling drops of water | |||
| 2 | From water drops falling at an angle of 15° | |||
| 3 | From water drops falling at an angle of 60° | |||
| 4 | From water splashing from any angle | |||
| 5 | From a stream of water sprayed from any angle | |||
| 6 | From a strong jet of water (100 l/min, 100 kPa) | |||
| 7 | From water ingress when immersed to a depth of up to 15 cm | |||
| 8 | From water ingress during prolonged immersion | |||
Using the data in the table, it is easy to determine what class of protection against external factors an LED lamp should have and make the right choice. For example, when installing a lamp on a pole outdoors, solid particles in the form of dust and water from rainfall may penetrate into its body. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a street lamp with a protection class of at least IP64, where the number 6 means that dust cannot enter the housing, and 4 means that it provides protection from water splashed from any angle.
By illumination at coverage level
At the next stage of choosing a street lamp, it is necessary to determine, based on the object of illumination, the amount of illumination on the illuminated surface.
Illumination of surfaces is usually measured in lux, which is briefly designated OK and is measured using an instrument called Luxmeter. To represent the illumination of surfaces in lux (the word comes from the Latin word lux, translated into Russian as light), you can compare it with the illumination provided by the full moon in clear weather, which is only 0.2 lux. And direct sunlight creates an illumination of 100,000 lux on the surface of the earth. To perform delicate work, such as jewelry, an illumination of 300 lux is sufficient.
Standards for surface illumination are regulated by the state document: “Natural and artificial lighting” - SNiP 05/23/2010, which is an updated version of SNiP 23-05-95 (Building codes and regulations were approved by order of the Ministry of Regional Development of Russia and came into force in 2011). To select a street lamp, the information given in the table below is sufficient.
| SNiP 23-05-2010 requirements for average horizontal illumination at the coverage level | ||
|---|---|---|
| Illuminated objects | Average horizontal illumination, lux | |
| Main pedestrian streets, impassable parts of areas of categories A and B and pre-factory areas | 10 | |
| Pedestrian streets | within community centers | 6 |
| in other territories | 10 | |
| Sidewalks separated from the roadway on category streets | A and B | 4 |
| IN | 2* | |
| Landing areas for public transport on streets of all categories | 10 | |
| Pedestrian bridges | 10 | |
| Pedestrian tunnels | during the day | 100 |
| evening and night | 50 | |
| Stairs of pedestrian tunnels in the evening and at night | 20 | |
| Pedestrian paths of boulevards and squares adjacent to category streets | A | 6 |
| B | 4 | |
| IN | 2 | |
| Territories of microdistricts | ||
| Directions | basic | 4 |
| secondary, including sidewalks and entrances | 2 | |
| Utility areas and waste disposal areas | 2 | |
| Children's playgrounds where equipment for outdoor games is located | 10 | |
| * The standard also applies to the illumination of sidewalks adjacent to the roadway of streets of categories B and C with transitional and lower types of surfaces | ||
It follows from the table that if the illumination of the surface of any territory, with the exception of pedestrian tunnels and stairs leading to them, is provided at least 10 lux, then the requirements of SNiP 05/23/2010 will be satisfied.
When choosing the level of surface illumination, it should be taken into account that over time the brightness of the LEDs decreases, and the luminous flux from the lamp will decrease. Therefore, in order to guarantee compliance of surface lighting with the requirements of SNiP throughout the entire service life of the luminaire, you should choose a luminaire with at least a two-fold reserve of luminous flux. For example, if the table requires an average horizontal illumination of 10 lux, then for calculations when choosing a lamp you need to take a value of 20-30 lux.
Technical characteristics of street lamps
After choosing the protection class that the lamp must correspond to and determining the level of illumination that needs to be provided on the illuminated surface, you can proceed to choosing an LED lamp according to other technical characteristics.
| Table of technical characteristics of street LED lamps | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Unit | Magnitude | Comments |
| Operating temperature range | °C (degrees Celsius) | -60° ~ +40° | Ambient temperature at which the lamp must operate and comply with the stated technical characteristics |
| Protection class | Denoted by IP | See table above | Determines the ability of the lamp to maintain functionality in conditions of dust and water |
| Supply voltage range | V (volts) | 100-265 | The range of changes in the supply voltage value at which the lamp remains operational and provides the technical characteristics declared by the manufacturer |
| Power consumption | W (watt) | - | Power consumed by the lamp when operating from the mains |
| Power consumed by the LED module | W (watt) | - | Power consumed by LEDs during lamp operation |
| Light flow | lm,lm (lumen) | Depends on power | The amount of luminous flux visible to the human eye that emits the lamp |
| Luminous efficiency | lm/W | 80-100 | The amount of light that a lamp emits per watt of power consumption. The larger the value, the more economical the lamp |
| Light level versus distance | m-lk | Depends on power | The amount of illumination of a surface depending on its distance from the lamp. As you move away from the lamp, the illumination decreases in inverse proportion to the square of the distance from the lamp. |
| Radiation Angle | ° (degree) | Depends on design | The standard beam angle for LED luminaires is 120° |
| Light spot | m×m | Depends on design | Dimensions of surface area that can be illuminated by a lamp depending on the distance to it |
| Power factor | φ (cosine phi) | 0,5-0,95 | Depends on the driver circuit, the larger the value, the better the driver. In high-quality lamps φ>0.95 |
| Colorful temperature | K (degrees Kelvin) | 3000-6000 | Characterizes the shade of white light. Street lamps are usually chosen with a color temperature of 4000K or 5000K |
| Color rendering index (CRI) | Ra | 0-100 | The color rendering index characterizes the change in color of objects illuminated by an LED lamp from natural ones. For high-quality color rendition, the CRI value must be at least 80. |
| Light flux pulsation coefficient | Kp,% | 0-20 | Depends on the driver circuit, the less ripple in the direct current, the better the driver. In high-quality Kp lamps<5% |
| Life time | thousand hours | 50-100 | Over time, LED crystals degrade and the luminous flux of the lamp decreases. If the luminous flux of a lamp decreases by more than 50%, it is considered faulty |
| Built-in motion sensor | - | - | Allows you to save energy by turning on the lamp only when moving objects appear in its illumination area |
| Built-in light sensor | - | - | Provides automatic switching on of the lamp when it gets dark |
| Built-in noise sensor | - | - | Provides automatic switching on of the lamp when a specified level of acoustic noise is exceeded |
| dimensions | mm×mm×mm | Depends on power | As the power of the lamp increases, its overall dimensions increase |
| Weight | kg | Depends on power | As the power of the lamp increases, its weight increases |
Manufacturers in the documentation for LED lamps do not provide all the technical characteristics listed in the table, although the list is not complete. This is usually due to the desire to hide the true level of quality of the street lamp. The more parameters are given in the passport or technical description of the lamp, the more confidently we can say that it is of high quality.
Formula and online calculator for calculating parameters
When selecting a street LED lamp, it is necessary based on the required surface illumination, which is measured in suites, determine the luminous flux of the lamp, which is measured in lumens. And at this stage of choosing a lamp, difficulties usually arise, since not everyone understands how these physical quantities depend on each other.
Light flow denoted by a Latin letter F, expressed in lumens and determines the amount of light power that is emitted by the light source, in a street lamp this is a lamp, LED or LED matrix.
Surface illumination, denoted by a Latin letter E, measured in suites and depends proportionally on the magnitude of the luminous flux F. The greater the luminous flux power of any lamp, the brighter it will shine.
Illumination on a surface with an area of 1 m 2 equidistant from the light source of 1 lux is created when a luminous flux of 1 lumen falls on it. As the lamp moves away from the illuminated surface, its illumination decreases in inverse proportion to the square of the distance. For example, the illumination of a surface at a distance of one meter from the lamp is 900 lux. If you raise the lamp to a height of 2 meters, the illumination of the surface will decrease by 4 times, and if by 3 meters, then it will decrease by 9 times and amount to only 100 lux.
Thus, to determine the luminous flux of a lamp, it is necessary to multiply the required level of illumination of the surface by its area, the following formula is obtained: F=E× S.
Where: F lm; E OK; S– area of the illuminated surface, measured in square meters, designated m 2;
Knowing the above laws and a school geometry course, it is not difficult to create a complete formula for estimating the required luminous flux power of a lamp based on the required surface illumination, the height of its suspension and the angle of the luminous flux.
Where: F– luminous flux, measured in lumens, designated lm;
E– surface illumination, measured in lux, indicated OK;
π
– Pi number is 3.14; h– the distance from the lamp to the illuminated surface, measured in meters, designated m;
A– angle of radiation of the luminous flux of the lamp, measured in degrees, designated °
;
It is convenient to calculate the luminous flux using an online calculator, which performs calculations in accordance with the formula presented above.
In the formula, I did not introduce coefficients that take into account the unevenness of illumination, the reflective ability of the illuminated surface of the territory and objects located on it, and the decrease in the luminous flux of the lamp over time, since it is impossible to know their exact values.
Example of parameter calculation
As you know, the better the area is illuminated at night, the more comfortable a person is. Therefore, to take into account all possible losses in the power of the luminous flux, including a decrease in the brightness of the lamp’s radiation source over time (manufacturers believe that the lamp has exhausted its service life when the power of the luminous flux has decreased by 50% of the original), I recommend increasing the selected area illumination at least three times.
For example, there is an area in front of the porch of a country house or a garage with an area of 10 m2. From personal experience, I affirm that for comfortable illumination of the courtyard area, a lamp is needed that provides illumination of at least 10 lux, although according to the requirements of SNiP 05/23/2010, 2 lux is sufficient. Taking into account the above factors affecting illumination, instead of 10 lux in the online calculator we write 30. A convenient place on the wall of a country house is at a height of 4 m.
Let's substitute the data into the appropriate windows of the online calculator. We find that for excellent site illumination, a lamp with an emission angle of 120° is required, providing a luminous flux of 1508 lm. In this case, the area of the territory will be illuminated with a large margin - 50 m2.
If this area size is excessive, then the angle of radiation of the street lamp can be reduced, for example to 80°. In this case, you will need a lamp with a luminous flux of 470 lm and the area will be 23.5 m2.
If possible, you can choose the height of the lamp suspension. For example, hang a lamp at a height of 2 m. Then the illuminated area will be 12.6 m 2, and the luminous flux power will be 337 lm. The lower the luminous flux power of the lamp, the less electricity it will consume. This is especially true when a street lamp or spotlight operates for a long time.
On average, according to the table below, LED lamps emit a luminous flux of 100 lumens per watt of power consumption (100 lm/W), so it is easy to estimate how much power it will require based on the amount of luminous flux emitted by the lamp. To do this, you need to divide the calculated luminous flux by 100. For the last example, you get: 377 lm: 100 lm/W = 3.7 W. For a more accurate calculation, you need to use the technical characteristics of the selected lamp model.
| Table of luminous fluxes and output of popular light sources | ||
|---|---|---|
| Light source type | Luminous flux, lm | Luminous efficacy, lm/W |
| Incandescent lamp 25 W | 220 | 9 |
| Incandescent lamp 100 W | 1340 | 13 |
| Incandescent lamp 200 W | 3040 | 15 |
| Halogen incandescent lamp 220 V, 55 W | 900 | 16 |
| IRC halogen incandescent lamp 12V | 1700 | 26 |
| Fluorescent lamp 36 W | 2850-3350 | 71-84 |
| Fluorescent lamp 215 W | 17500 | 81 |
| Metal halide discharge lamp 250 W | 20100 | 80 |
| Metal halide discharge lamp 400 W | 35000-42000 | 88-105 |
| Metal halide discharge lamp 2000 W | 17500 | 81 |
| Mercury arc lamp (MAL) 400 W | 24000 | 50-60 |
| Induction lamp 40 W | 2800 | 90 |
| Gas discharge lamp (automotive xenon) 35 W | 3000-3400 | 93 |
| LED lamp 2700K, 6 W | 400 | 67 |
| LED lamp 2700K, 13 W | 1000 | 77 |
| LED lamp 4500K, 10 W | 935 | 94 |
| LED Luminus CSM-360 80 W | 6000 | 115 |
| Cree XLamp XHP70 32W LED | 4022 | 150 |
| Sun | 3.63×10 28 | 93 |
Taking into account the fact that the calculation includes a sufficient margin for surface illumination, then to fully illuminate an area of 10 m2 in front of the porch of a country house, you can safely buy any outdoor LED lamp with a power consumption of 4 W, provided that it is suspended at a height of 2 m and have a luminous flux emission angle of 80°.
If, as a result of the calculation, the power of the lamp is high, then it is advisable to install several lamps of lower power, the total power of which should be no less than the calculated one. In this way, more uniform illumination of the surface will be achieved and if one of the lamps breaks down, the area will still be illuminated.
One of the main components of comfort is light. Sufficient lighting is the very first component of our safety in the dark. Many current lamp models have been developed for outdoor lighting. Floodlights are optimal for illuminating the territory of industrial enterprises and construction sites. Modern models provide excellent illumination, they are economical, easy to install and maintain; Modern lamps have a long service life.
Traditionally, a floodlight is a design that produces a powerful stream of directional light with a small dispersion angle. The flow of light in spotlights is formed by mirrors or a complex of mirrors and lenses. Powerful lamps are used to illuminate stadiums, squares, and park areas. With the development of technology, less powerful and affordable models have appeared, widely used for lighting local areas. At industrial enterprises, floodlights are used to illuminate areas, roads, entrances, workshops, and warehouses.
In this article:
Classification of floodlights by purpose
Lighting floodlights are divided into:
- long-range - produce beams of light with a small expansion angle, used for military purposes;
- flood light - used to illuminate large areas, such as concert halls, stadiums, theater stages, and local areas;
- signal (used in the maritime and aviation fleets to transmit information);
- accent (for illuminating architectural monuments, signs, signs, building facades, advertising banners).
Classification and characteristics of light sources
The following types of lamps are used in floodlights to illuminate an area:
- metal halide;
- xenon;
- mercury;
- plasma;
- LED
Brief characteristics of the lamps are given in the table:
| Name of lamps | Advantages | Flaws |
| Metal halide | warm light low price |
short service life (4000h) high heat |
| Xenon | good light output efficiency |
high inrush voltage difficulty of maintenance (protective suits required) high pressure is maintained in the lamp - there is a danger of injury from flying fragments require special disposal conditions service life about 5000 hours |
| Mercury | high level of luminous efficiency service life up to 12000 h |
cold light inability to quickly restart from 2024, most mercury lamps will be banned and will have to be replaced |
| Sodium | high level of luminous efficiency service life up to 28,000 h |
almost monochrome orange-yellow light limits the range of application high heat do not tolerate negative temperatures well |
| Plasma (based on sulfur vapor in argon) | service life reaches 50,000 hours economical good light output |
high heat cold light |
| LED | the color of light can be both cold and warm economical heat up slightly long service life (30000-50000 h) absence of low-frequency pulsations does not tire the eyes |
high price |
Classification by protection class
Spotlights for lighting can be used under the following conditions:
- indoors;
- outdoors;
- in water.
The second most important technical characteristic of a spotlight (after choosing a light source) is the class of protection of electrical appliances from external factors. IP (Ingress Protection Rating). The numbers in the markings are given in accordance with the requirements of the standard for protecting electrical equipment from external factors IEC-952:
| Protection class from external factors | Number in marking | Decoding of the digital designation | Application area |
| First digit after IP, protection against penetration of solid objects | 4 | from penetration of bodies with a diameter of 1 mm or more | in room |
| 5 | Dust may enter in an amount insufficient to disrupt the operation of the equipment. | in room | |
| 6 | dust is not allowed | outdoors | |
| The second digit after IP, protection against liquid ingress into the housing | 1 | from vertically falling drops of water | in room |
| 2 | from water drops falling at an angle of 15° | in room | |
| 3 | from water drops falling at an angle of 60° | in room | |
| 4 | from water sprayed from any angle | outdoors | |
| 5 | from a stream of water sprayed from any angle | outdoors | |
| 6 | from a strong jet of water (100 l/min, 100 kPa) | outdoors | |
| 7 | from water ingress when immersed to a depth of up to 15 cm | outdoors | |
| 8 | from water ingress during prolonged stay under water | under the water |
Application of floodlights
The area of application of floodlights is external and internal lighting. A floodlight for interior lighting is used in large public buildings: for lighting indoor stadiums, theaters, concert halls, industrial workshops, garages, warehouses; Spotlights create commercial lighting in large shopping centers.
The main purpose of floodlights is to illuminate the area. The scope of their application is extensive:
- territories and fences of industrial enterprises, entrances, checkpoints, roads;
- railways;
- airfields and airports;
- bus and railway stations;
- stadiums;
- territory and fencing of a private plot, entrance, paths;
- construction sites;
- stadiums, sports grounds and other outdoor sports facilities.
The use of bright directional light sources for decorative purposes is becoming increasingly widespread: in landscape design, for illuminating the facades of buildings, monuments, architectural objects, parks. Illuminating the sign with spotlights will instantly attract attention to the retail establishment. Retail equipment with goods, illuminated by a directed beam of light, will inevitably attract the eye in the dark. Illuminated road signs reduce the risk of traffic accidents on the road.
Selecting a light source
To wisely choose a lamp for a spotlight, you should study all the advantages and disadvantages of different types of lamps.
Halogen floodlights for lighting areas and traffic intersections are found everywhere, but their shortcomings have led to a gradual replacement with LED lamps.
Until recently, floodlights for lighting stadiums and other entertainment venues that require bright white light were equipped with mercury lamps.
A spotlight for illuminating a banner is a newfangled device; LED lamps and matrices are used for them. Cost-effectiveness, many advantages and the absence of disadvantages have led to the fact that in almost all possible places any other lamps began to be replaced with LED ones. Their spread is currently hampered by the high cost and cost of replacing structures.
Plasma lamps are not yet very common - currently LG is the only mass producer of such products in the world, but in the future they may compete with LED lamps.
Floodlights for construction site lighting
Construction work is a dangerous industry. Creating safe working conditions at night is impossible without properly organized outdoor lighting.
Modern floodlights for lighting a construction site can effectively illuminate the territory of a construction site, building, perimeter, entrances, pedestrian paths, crane operation area, change houses, and storage areas for building materials.
Requirements for construction site lighting are given in GOST No. 12.1.046-85 SSBT “Standards for lighting construction sites”.
A floodlight for lighting a construction site can use any type of lamp: mercury, halogen, LED, sodium, plasma. To minimize energy costs, it is more rational to use LED lamps.
Lamps with a smooth reflector create directional lighting, while lamps with a cellular reflector create diffused lighting. Directional light can dazzle workers and is suitable for illuminating parts of the building and crane operating area from afar. Floodlights must be installed at a high height - then they will not blind workers. To eliminate shadows, it is necessary to install several light sources from different sides of the construction site.
Illumination in the workplace must be at least 300 lux (SNiP 05/23/2010 ) . After some of the operating time has passed, the luminous flux from the lamp decreases, so calculations need to be carried out with a margin of 2 times. Luminous flux is calculated using the formula:
Ф=Е*π*h²*2(1-cos α/2), where
Ф – luminous flux in lumens;
E – illumination in lux;
h – distance from the lamp to the surface in m;
α – angle of radiation of the luminous flux of the lamp in degrees.
When calculating the required amount of equipment, it is necessary to proceed from the area of the construction site and the required amount of illumination.
The most promising types of spotlights are with plasma and LED lamps. Economical, powerful, durable - they are the future.
> Powerful floodlights for illuminating large open areas
| The specificity of lighting large open spaces: sports facilities, airfields and seaports, railway and road junctions, quarries, construction sites, warehouses and production sites, areas in front of shopping centers, etc. imposes a number of requirements on the lighting equipment used. Where we are talking about large distances and areas, the question naturally arises about the power of lighting devices, which would be sufficient to illuminate them. Obviously, in this case, high-power spotlights are required, and the concept of power is inextricably linked with the type of light source used. It is also important to understand the required type of light distribution: whether it is necessary to uniformly flood a large area with light, highlight a separate sector, or “pierce” a distance of 100-150 meters or more with a light beam. |
The most effective and common type of lighting equipment for illuminating large open areas are floodlights. Spotlight – (Latin Projectus, which means “thrown forward”) is a lighting device that redistributes the light emitted by a light source inside a mirror optical system and provides a given angular concentration of the light flux.
Currently, there are many models of floodlights, differing in their characteristics and areas of application. It is best to start classifying floodlights for illuminating large open areas and objects with the light source used. Currently, the main light sources for high-power floodlights are:
- halogen lamps (5000W)
- gas-discharge lamps (MGL and DnAt, 1000 or 2000 W)
- LED light emitting diodes (400-500 or more watts)
Spotlights with halogen lamps of the ISU02-5000 type are still successfully used in lighting construction sites and quarries due to their low price. The KG 5000W K27s lamps used have a number of disadvantages (high power consumption, short service life - no more than 3000 hours, operation only in open spotlights), but their use is economically justified, for example, when organizing temporary lighting. So, they are often hung on cranes, pointing vertically down to illuminate the work area.
Spotlights with gas-discharge lamps (1000-2000W) are the most common type of lighting equipment for illuminating large areas and objects. Such lamps have high luminous efficiency and a long service life (10,000-20,000 hours). The disadvantages of these light sources include the rather high cost, as well as the lengthy hot restart process in the event of a sudden power outage. Sodium lamps (DNaT, NAV, SON 1000W), used in ZhO type floodlights, have the best light output; the yellow (golden) light they emit is excellent for illuminating highways. But where visual comfort, the best color discrimination is required, work with mechanisms, small moving parts is required, it is necessary to use metal halide lamps (MGL (DRI) HPI, HQI 1000 or 2000 W) with high color rendering (Ra). Metal halide floodlights (MH) with a power of 1000 and 2000 W are used for lighting sports facilities, airports, railway junctions, woodworking enterprises, elevators, etc.
To operate floodlights with gas-discharge lamps, ballasts (ballasts) are required. To start the lamps, you also need a pulse ignition device (IZD), often integrated into the body of the lamps themselves (HQI-T 2000 W/N/I). The 1000W ballast can be remote or built into the floodlight body. Ballasts for 2000 W - remote. When selecting sets of floodlights with gas-discharge lamps and ballasts, it is important to pay attention to the correspondence of the starting currents of the lamps and ballasts, as well as the distance of the IZU from the lamps.
At a number of facilities (airports, venues for sports competitions), it is necessary to eliminate the need to wait for the lamps to restart again in the event of an emergency power outage. Instant (hot) restart devices (units) are designed to cope with this, which, of course, is a great stress for the operation of the lamps and significantly reduces their service life. Such devices only work with cable-type lamps (,).
LED spotlights have begun to be actively used in a variety of lighting areas. However, there are some challenges when lighting large open areas with LED floodlights. High-power LED spotlights must have a high-quality heat removal system for the LEDs to operate efficiently. Typically, the radiator function is performed by the spotlight body itself, which can be equipped with an anti-condensation valve and other technical solutions. Focusing lenses are responsible for optimal light distribution in LED spotlights. It is also important to consider the size, weight and windage of LED floodlights. Often, when calculating illumination using high-power LED spotlights, it becomes clear that LED spotlights simply cannot cope with many tasks, or they are required significantly more than their counterparts with gas-discharge lamps. And given that the price of high-power LED floodlights is significantly higher, their use at such facilities is often impractical.
The way the luminous flux from a spotlight spreads across the illuminated area is called light distribution. In traditional lamp spotlights, it is determined by the type of reflector, and in LED spotlights, it is determined by secondary optics (lenses) with a specific focus.
In relation to lamp spotlights (GO, ZhO, RO, IO, ISU), the following types of reflectors are distinguished:
- A symmetrical reflector allows you to obtain uniform, “flooding” lighting. Spotlights with a symmetrical reflector (see, for example,) are successfully used for lighting construction and industrial sites, open warehouses.
- An asymmetrical reflector directs the light flux at an angle of 30-60 degrees from the main optical axis. Asymmetrical floodlights (see, for example,) can be used on masts with a mobile crown when illuminating areas in front of shopping centers.
- The circularly symmetrical reflector directs a focused, narrow beam over long distances. Spotlights with a circularly symmetrical reflector (see, for example,) are used to illuminate the bottom of a quarry, illuminate remote sculptures, and illuminate stadiums and football fields.
By their texture, the reflectors of spotlights can be mirrored (increases the overall intensity of the light flux) and cellular (to create uniform flood lighting).
Sports lighting is a complex area that requires detailed study and careful calculations. For example, when lighting a professional-level football field with 4 masts located behind the stands, the use of lighting devices with different light distributions is required, because sectors of the field that need to be illuminated evenly are located at different distances from the light source. Premium segment floodlights for sports lighting (,) have a number of features and advantages:
- the variability of light distribution is worked out with particular precision
- housings, as a rule, have a special system for sighting adjustment
- a more complex optical system: the reflector is made of high-purity aluminum, followed by polishing; a special plate can be provided for luminous flux recovery
- the possibility of using hot restart units is provided.
Installation of powerful floodlights for illuminating large open spaces is carried out, as a rule, on free-standing masts and lighting supports using floodlight brackets, traverses, frames and crowns. It is also common to mount floodlights on roofs and walls of buildings, on cranes and other construction equipment. One of the ways to illuminate stadiums is to place floodlights around the perimeter of the canopy.
Outdoor lighting plays no less a role than indoor lighting, so the choice of lamps for outdoor lighting must be approached with all responsibility.
The main parameters that need to be taken into account when selecting a spotlight among a sea of proposals are: efficiency, brightness and adequacy of color rendering, tightness and service life. Of course, each buyer has his own needs, let's figure out how to choose the most suitable model.
Economical
First of all, of course, you need to focus on the cost of the spotlight. After all, for street lighting, fairly powerful lamps are usually used, which consume a large amount of electricity per night.
The most economical ones at the moment are LED, induction and fluorescent lamps.
Types of spotlights
However, the last two types of lamps are more suitable for illuminating covered areas near the house, since they do not tolerate changes in humidity and temperature.
These are one of the most expensive outdoor lighting systems for private use (illuminating the area around the house, cottage, paths, etc.). But all three provide minimal consumption with excellent light output, and usually fully pay for themselves within one and a half to two years (the longer they work, the stronger the economic effect).
If you want to choose not only a bright, economical lamp, but also a durable one, we recommend paying attention to LED and induction models. According to various estimates, their resource is very long - from 30 to 70 thousand hours of trouble-free operation.
In this sense, luminescent ones lose significantly - they can work up to 12 thousand hours, and as the phosphor burns out, they noticeably dim. In addition, they are very sensitive to power surges and frequent switching on. Because of this, it is not recommended to connect them to motion sensors, because otherwise, the device will exhaust its resource much earlier than the stated period.
Bright
Metal halide and halogen lamps provide very bright, powerful light, although their consumption parameters are much higher than their predecessors.
Halogen spotlight
Halogen spotlights create bright, pleasant light in a warm spectrum - it is as close as possible to the sun. When used, color reproduction is minimally distorted - objects look the same as in the daytime. They are quite reliable, support dimming, and withstand temperature fluctuations.
However, their “life” is short - 2000-8000 hours, although this is almost twice the service life of incandescent lamps.
Metal halide floodlights are powerful light sources, ideal for illuminating large areas. They emit a stream in the neutral white spectrum, which also provides excellent color rendering (with an index of more than 90).
Unlike halogen models, they are sources of sufficiently strong ultraviolet radiation, which is useful for plants in the garden (or in greenhouses), but not so much for humans. That is why these types of lamps are used mainly in open areas, or in closed facilities where people are not constantly present.
Sodium spotlight
They have a very wide range of color temperatures - from 3 to 20 thousand. But over the course of their service life, the temperature of such lamps can vary greatly, which complicates design calculations. Also, metal halides require a long time to start up and reach the nominal glow parameters.
Sodium lamps provide a strong and powerful luminous flux. They have one of the highest light output parameters - reaching a record 150-200 lumens per watt.
Such lamps generate a characteristic ocher-yellow emission spectrum. Because of this, color rendition is noticeably distorted. However, thanks to this effect, you can interestingly play up the architectural features of the house or the area adjacent to it.
In general, if you do not have any special requirements for color rendering, such spotlights will be a good solution, since they transform the lion's share of the energy expended into light. In addition, they are “long-lived” - they can withstand up to 30,000 hours of glow without significant loss of quality.
Protected
Protected floodlight
Another extremely important criterion for selecting a street spotlight is the degree of its tightness. Often, a special marking is applied directly to the device itself - IP with two numbers. The higher they are, the more protected (from exposure to aggressive environments) the device is. The first number characterizes the degree of protection from the penetration of dust particles under the housing, and the second - from the ingress of water (condensation).
Below, as an example, is the marking of an LED spotlight.
In such models, all joints are sealed with protective gaskets and sealants. Just pay attention to the material and dimensions of the back of the lamp. It is responsible for heat removal and must be voluminous enough to effectively cool the hermetically sealed case. It is best to choose devices with a back panel made of thin metal; it ensures accelerated heat transfer.
External lighting systems are also provided with additional anti-vandal protection, which reduces the risk of mechanical damage, vibration, etc. Often the body of street lamps is made of thicker metal; shockproof glass and metal gratings are used to protect the luminous element; connecting cables are laid in an additional layer of especially strong insulation.
It is clear that such a device is more expensive, but for public places it is initially better to choose models with a high safety margin.
With sensor
To illuminate areas that are rarely visited at night (for example, remote areas of the garden, cottage), it is best to choose a floodlight with a built-in motion sensor. Of course, such a device will cost an order of magnitude more, but it will provide noticeable savings, since the lamp will light up only when someone passes near the coverage area.
Floodlight with sensor
Depending on the design and power, the sensor units are located either in the luminaire body or outside. Alternatively, you can simply buy a separate sensor and connect several lamps to it at once so that they light up simultaneously from several sides.
We just draw your attention to the fact that not all floodlight models are compatible with sensors. In addition, it is necessary to select a sensor model that will work with a certain type of lamps used in the spotlight. For example, a sensor for incandescent lamps is not suitable for LED lamps and vice versa.
Autonomous
Autonomous spotlight
Due to extremely low energy consumption, LED floodlights open up new opportunities for using free solar energy to illuminate a summer house or local area.
Below is a modern universal model of LED spotlight. It is equipped with a built-in sensor (the block is at the very bottom) and a battery that charges from solar energy.
We strongly recommend purchasing a similar model. It shines brightly, consumes little, plus the sensor effectively regulates the duration of the glow, and the energy itself is free.
Such lamps potentially have a very long service life of uninterrupted operation; it is promised that they will be able to work for more than ten years - impressive! At the same time, they practically do not require maintenance, since they are completely autonomous. There is no need to lay power cables under them, since due to the presence of their own battery, they can be installed in any corner of the local area or cottage.
To maximize battery efficiency, install the battery module on the sunniest side. In this sense, it is very convenient that the battery is not tightly attached to the lamp - it can be rotated as desired and placed closer to the sun. From time to time it is necessary to wipe the surface of the panel, since due to a dense layer of dust or dirt, most of the rays do not reach the target.
The only drawback of such systems is still the short duration of illumination. The battery charge usually lasts from 2 to 7 hours of continuous illumination, after which the lamp goes out.
As you can see, thanks to the rapid progress of lighting technologies, there is plenty to choose from. Each model has its own advantages and disadvantages. For street lighting, LED floodlights are the most suitable. They shine brightly, consume little, and are not afraid of changeable weather conditions.
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