Soffit is an additional element that is used to eliminate the empty space between the roof and the building. Performing such "dirty" work, the material is extremely important in terms of the safety of the roof and its normal functioning. This material not only excludes the penetration of animal organisms under the roof, but also has ventilation functions. The use of building material significantly saves the cost of space heating. The most popular process was the sheathing of gable overhangs with soffit.
Types of spotlights and their application
The production of soffit comes from a material that is of natural origin, or high environmental friendliness. By itself, the function of the soffit obliges it to be light, but to possess such qualities as strength and durability. Today, several types of products are considered, according to their manufacturing method:
- Wooden soffits.
- Products from lining.
- Vinyl material.
Each type of this material has its own advantages and disadvantages. The material made of wood is interesting due to the naturalness of the material and its excellent aesthetic side. However, the design of this type is such that the ventilation holes must be made independently. In addition, the tree must be treated with all kinds of mixtures, in order to avoid its reaction with the environment. Such spotlights are the cheapest and absolutely available.
The most popular are vinyl products. They are made of a material that has not only a great appearance, but also excellent technological characteristics. Vinyl material is very light and durable, it perfectly contributes to ventilation processes and does not require systematic preventive work. It should be noted that this building material is quite expensive, but the savings are as follows - having installed it once, you can forget about this problem for many years.
Metal spotlights are no less popular and are in great demand. Technologically, they consist of galvanized steel. This factor suggests that the material calmly tolerates temperature extremes, high humidity and harsh weather conditions. These products are equipped with ventilation holes. Metal spotlights are very light, elastic and durable, which makes their functionality almost eternal.
According to their design features and method of use, spotlights can be double and triple. The material may be perforated or solid. There is no significant difference between them, with the exception that the perforation provides more efficient ventilation.
Simple installation of products
The process of installing spotlights is so simple that the most ordinary person who does not have special knowledge or skills can do it. It consists of several stages:
- Accurate determination of the type of cornice overhang. This factor regulates the selection of profiles on which the soffit panels will be held.
- Installation of two bars. They are attached to the gable (cornice) overhang.
- Fasteners J-profile to the beam, which is located near the wall. Profile fastenings should not exceed 30 cm between each other.
- Panel installation.
There is important points which should not be forgotten. Soffits must be cut to length, which must correspond to the width of the overhang. The installation of the panels is extremely simple - one edge of the material is installed in the groove of the profile, and the second is fixed on the beam. At the same time, the panels slightly overlap each other (for which there are corresponding grooves), covering the attachment points. From the outer side of the fastening of the material will hide the front panel.
"Installation of spotlights" - a video that will reveal all the smallest processes of installation work.
Some installation secrets
Each material has its own characteristics, which must be taken into account when carrying out installation work. For example, a metal soffit absolutely does not respond to external influences, but the vinyl look may undergo some changes in volume. Sharp temperature changes affect the molecular structure of the material, and can change its volume within 5 mm. If you do not take into account the possibility of such changes, although they are minor, then the aesthetic and quality side of the lower part of the roof will suffer. To prevent this from happening, the following steps must be taken:
- Panels must not be fixed horizontally.
- The fastening of the material should take place exclusively in the place where it is provided by the manufacturer of the product.
- When fixing the soffit panel, do not hammer in a nail or screw closely. Leave a small gap between the cap and the surface.
- Avoid the use of sealant and similar materials that lead to the effect of rigid fixation.
Vinyl, metal and wood products are very light and durable, but this does not mean that physical force can be used during installation work. The work must be "subtle" and virtuoso. Otherwise, the material will crack, which will invariably affect the quality of functioning. There are many videos about the installation of spotlights, where all the secrets of this process are revealed.
What to look out for
Installation work with soffit panels is extremely simple. If the above tips are not enough for a person, you can watch a video of mounting spotlights. It very clearly and step by step demonstrates all the work from "A" to "Z". We should not forget that when buying panels, it is important to carefully check them for quality and integrity. Do not be upset if you get material without perforation. It is great for interior decoration, as well as for buildings that do not require ventilation.
The use of soffits in the construction of a house is a reliable method to give the roof the necessary protection and ventilation. Even the most beautiful and original roof will not look impressive if its cornices and overhangs are not properly processed. Improving the aesthetic side will not take much time, it is worth choosing the necessary material and carrying out a simple installation.
The modern design of the premises provides for a moderate general background and the highlighting of individual sections of the interior with enhanced light flux. Ceiling spotlights are successfully used for this. What is a soffit and how to use it correctly? The principle of its design was borrowed from the theatrical experience of highlighting individual sections of the stage at the right time. In houses and apartments, soffits are used that are smaller in size and power consumption, and their appearance is adapted to the interior of residential premises.
The main types of spotlights for residential premises
Conditionally spotlights can be divided into two groups:
- by design;
- according to the light sources used in them, the type of lamps.
Design varieties:
- ceiling soffit in the housing, may contain one or more lamps;
- fixed or rotating shades, the first distribute the beam of light under them, in the second version, the light can be directed in different directions;
- overhead, when the case is screwed to the surface;
- built-in - holes are drilled on the surface of the ceiling under the body, where the ceiling is completely placed;
- hanging spotlights - in appearance they are similar to an ordinary chandelier, there may be separately hanging lamps;
- stationary structures or track systems - the first are mounted on the ceiling slabs, the second move along the grooves of the bar or cables stretched between the walls.
Ceiling lamps do not have a rigid classification, since single and multi-lamp, rotating or fixed structures can be installed on track systems. The main purpose of spotlights is to create directional lighting.
Types of lamps used in spotlights
Almost all types of lamps are used:
- Halogen lamps provide bright light, their service life is at least 5,000 hours, power can be 220 or 12 V through the power supply. Among the shortcomings, one can note a greater sensitivity to contamination of the surface of the glass flask. It is recommended to install the lamp in the cartridge with clean gloves, even sweat fingerprints can lead to overheating and destruction of the glass in the place of contamination.
- Fluorescent lamps give a good spectrum of radiation, yellow or bluish cold, closer to daylight, a service life of at least 10 thousand hours.
- Ordinary incandescent lamps.
- LED light sources have the most economical power consumption mode and a long operating life - at least 70 thousand hours. Different color tones, you can choose in which light you prefer, daylight or with a yellowish spectrum.
Many shades often have a mirrored reflector to focus the light in one direction and reduce heat. LED models are superior in all respects to other types, except for the price. But the cost is not so high that working people could not afford such a purchase. In the end, these investments will pay off with the economical mode of operation of the lamps and their durability.
Main advantages
The popularity of spotlights is explained by a number of opportunities that their use gives, some of them are not available for other designs:
- the ability to focus the light flux on individual elements of the interior;
- small dimensions and weight of the case;
- low power consumption;
- simple installation and network connection technologies;
- high degree of fire safety;
- LED products are completely safe from the point of view of ecology, they are successfully used in children's educational institutions;
- original design.
Large selection of shapes, designs and design solutions allows you to choose spotlights for a wide variety of types of interior. You can use them in children's rooms, bathrooms, hallways; with conventional, stretch or suspended ceilings.
Installation sequence
Let's consider the case of the most difficult option for mounting a built-in soffit, they are usually used in suspended or stretch ceilings:
- During the construction of a new house, the locations of the switches and the source from where the spotlights will be powered are planned. In old apartments, the switches have already been installed, the power wires are usually brought out in the center of the ceiling.
- Before starting work, the lighting network on the ceiling must be de-energized for safety reasons. Above hanging and stretch ceilings a frame is made with platforms for installing spotlights, along which it is necessary to bring the wires to the connection points, taking into account the margin of 10-15 cm below the ceiling level. This is done for convenient connection of connectors and replacement of lamps or spotlights entirely.
- After the installation of the front surface of the ceiling is completed, holes of the appropriate diameter are drilled for the soffit. A heat-shielding gasket, a ring made of heat-resistant plastic or asbestos is glued around the hole.
- The wires are pulled out and connected to the connectors, the lighting network is connected to the switchboard, the operability of the spotlights is checked.
- If all the elements are in good order, the clamping springs are compressed, the spotlight is inserted into the hole, the springs move apart and press the body against the surface of the ceiling covering.
The radius of the platform for fixing the soffit must be at least 10 cm. Otherwise, the fixation will be unreliable, the edges of the clamping mechanism, going beyond it, can deform or even tear the stretch ceiling fabric.
Other designs do not have such complex elements; during installation, they are simply suspended like chandeliers, on a hook, or screwed to the surface. In track systems, it must be taken into account that when moving the soffit, the wire must be carefully wound and unwound; special coils are provided for this. The most complex and expensive mechanism is considered to be a track system with several RGB spotlights on the bus, with remote control of rotary mechanisms.
Using the control panel, you can program the color tone of the lighting, the direction and movement of spotlights along the bus in time. Connecting and setting up such a complex requires certain professional skills and is carried out not in residential premises, but in bars, clubs, and dance floors.
The use of spotlights makes the interior more modern, but they should not be abused, neglecting traditional lighting devices. Use them where directional illumination of work areas or individual interior elements is required.
Spotlights for plasterboard ceilings are used to provide general or directional illumination of selected areas of the room. These lamps are great for a bathroom or kitchen, bedroom, hallway or living room. Built-in lighting is considered to be auxiliary to the main one.
What types of recessed ceiling lights are there?
Spotlights for plasterboard ceilings are divided into two types: rotary and fixed. First, spotlights, are characterized by the fact that their outer part is movable, providing the ability to change the direction of light incidence depending on the needs.
Each type of lamp has its own name for the base. Above are a few examples of matching sockets for spotlight lamps.
What lamps are for spotlights for plasterboard ceilings?
- fluorescent
- halogen
- metal halide
Which light bulbs are best and for what purposes?
Spotlights for plasterboard ceilings allow you to organize a good level of illumination, as well as energy saving.
- Fluorescent fixtures are intended for general lighting, providing good energy savings and excellent color rendering.
- The halogen type is used if it is necessary to obtain radiation that is closest to the solar spectrum. Here, a large amount of consumed energy goes to heat generation.
- Fixtures for plasterboard ceilings (we advise you to read a useful article about the types and sizes of drywall) of the metal halide type are characterized by high color rendering and low power consumption with excellent light output. One fixture can replace eight fluorescent fixtures. They are recommended for use in rooms with high ceilings.
There are different types of lamps for ceiling lights. They differ in tanning time, degree of heating, frequency of burnout and cost.
Warm and cold light, how to use it correctly, how to combine it correctly?
There are a large number of different types of light bulbs with different shades of light that they emit. It can change saturation with brightness as well as hue. Thus, it is necessary to pay attention to the light bulb's color rendering index - the higher it is, the more natural the colors appear.
Also important is the indicator of color temperature, depending on which cold and warm light are emitted. The first is white with a blue tint, and the second is characterized by a yellow tint.
For a residential building, preference should be given to warm light, and for office space it is better to choose a cold light that can stimulate a person's performance.
Price-quality ratio
In modern equipment, the price is quite consistent with the quality of the lighting device. Wherein fluorescent lamps They cost an order of magnitude more than halogen ones.
Lamps are not only a decoration of the interior of the premises, but also serve to improve the quality of light transmission, which has a positive effect on the well-being and health of a person.
How many lamps do you need for what areas?
The number of spotlights used is determined by the area of \u200b\u200bthe room, as well as the power of a particular device. So, for an area of 1 sq.m. it will be enough just one lamp with a power of 35 W, and for an area of 3 sq.m. you will need two 50 watt lamps.
In the event that embedded ceiling lights are crystal and differ in lamps of low power, it is necessary to take into account their total power. As a rule, they replace the central chandelier.
Several types of spotlights. They differ in height, type of lamps, cost. In particular, the GX-53 model with energy-saving lamps flares up for a long time, so it is better to put the diode version in the bathrooms and the corridor.
How often do light bulbs burn out and what to do so that they do not burn out?
The frequency of lamp burnout depends on the quality of the device itself, as well as on which connection scheme is used. To lamps lasted much longer, it is better to connect them in parallel, using a special rectifier that ensures uniform voltage supply.
Bulb replacement
The incandescent bulb in a spotlight should be changed in exactly the same way as in other lighting devices. First you need to turn off the electric current to the room, then remove the cover from the lamp, unscrew the non-working lamp and screw in a new one. It is advised to select a light bulb that has the same power and parameters as the previous one.
Installation of electricians and installation of fixtures in the plasterboard ceiling
- Before installing electrical wiring, you should consider the attachment points, as well as the number of lighting devices and their power.
- Then, for all groups of luminaires, junction boxes must be mounted, which must be located in an easily accessible place for access to them.
- From them, wires are pulled in corrugated pipes to the points where they will be installed Spotlights. Better to
the wire segments were thirty centimeters longer than the required length - this will make it more convenient to mount
appliances. They can be pulled into .
Usually, to work in a small room, you can connect everything yourself. However, for convenience, it is better to work together.
Installation of spotlights takes relatively little time, the duration of which depends on the connection scheme, the number of lamps used, as well as the level of preparation for installation work.
This is how a standard ceiling spotlight works. Instead of legs, an expander mechanism can also be used.
Wiring diagram - how to choose the right one?
The scheme of connection of lamps can be either serial or parallel.
Series circuit for built-in luminaires
In this case, only one wire is used to connect the bulbs, on which several lamps can be connected at the same time.
Its main advantage is an easy way to connect, but there are many shortcomings: This mounting option requires the presence of several rectifiers in the circuit in order to ensure a uniform voltage supply. Otherwise, the bulbs will burn out quickly.
Serial connection of spotlights
Parallel circuit for recessed luminaires
A parallel circuit is a method of connecting fixtures in which all bulbs are connected to a separate wire coming from a junction box. It also requires a rectifier. The circuit is more reliable and secure.
Scheme of parallel connection of one line of spotlights with a single-gang switch without a transformer
Scheme of parallel connection of two lines of spotlights with a two-gang switch without a transformer
Wiring example for luminaires
For ceiling lights, it is better to use separate boxes.
- The wires are introduced into the room under the floor in or along the plinth, and then they are brought out close to the door. The cable runs from the shield, next to which the first box should be located, which is used to transmit current to the remaining boxes. The distribution of the node for lighting the kitchen and the corridor also takes place here.
- If the wiring occurs under the ceiling, then the second box is installed above the entrance to the largest room. It ensures the operation of the chandelier, and the transmission takes place in the voltage bathrooms.
- The next box is designed to serve rooms such as pantry, bathroom, hallway and other small rooms. For the children's room, the fourth box is taken. Through it, voltage is supplied to the bedroom and the switch is powered. The fifth box is used to service the main chandelier and its switch, and the sixth is for the bathroom.
Connecting spotlights through a transformer
In the event that 12 volt lamps are used, it is imperative to use 220/12 volt step-down transformers. The equipment is connected right next to the fixtures. When choosing a transformer, you should pay attention to the fact that its power is approximately 10-15% more than the total power consumption of light bulbs, which are powered by this transformer.
Scheme of parallel connection of one line of spotlights with a single-gang switch using a transformer
Do I need to hang lamps on a separate machine?
The presence of a separate machine in the electrical panel is mandatory. The equipment helps to prevent the occurrence of electrical overload. All individual groups of spotlights must be output to a separate machine.
Holes for spotlights in plasterboard ceilings
With the help of a special crown, holes are drilled on wood with a diameter that is 3-4 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the front of the lamp, but larger than the dimensions of its inner part. The most commonly chosen size is 60 or 75 mm.
The sequence of work during the installation of fixtures. 6 steps and the job is done
Mortgages in a plasterboard ceiling for lamps?
The mortgage is a part that is attached to the ceiling and creates a seat for one or another type of spotlights. It is necessary that it clearly repeats the configuration of the lighting device used. To date, there are round, triangular, square and other forms of mortgages.
Lighting remote control
The use of the remote control does not require direct line of sight with a specific controller. Thanks to reliable signal encryption, the device is protected from interference by signals from another remote control. As a rule, the action of the remote control extends to a maximum of eight meters.
The standard controller has four operating modes:
- Switching on lamps from the first channel;
- Switching on the lamps belonging to the second channel;
- Turn on all channels at the same time;
- Turn off all lighting devices.
Video: How to install a spotlight with your own hands
George, Kazan asks a question:
Good afternoon! Tell me how to connect spotlights on the ceiling. A friend installed high-quality spotlights, but the bulbs burn out very quickly. What could be the problem and how to solve it? What connection schemes can be used? Decided to do some lighting as well. Thank you in advance for your response.
The expert answers:
Good afternoon!
In order to understand how to connect spotlights to the ceiling, you need to decide how you can install the fixtures. It can be carried out according to two schemes: serial and parallel.
Serial connection involves connecting all lighting fixtures to one wire, like a garland. The advantage of this installation is its ease, the minus is just that with an uneven voltage supply, the bulbs will burn out one after another. To avoid this, you need to install a special current rectifier in the circuit.
As for the parallel connection, all ceiling lights are connected to their own separate wire from the junction box. This method of installation also requires the installation of a rectifier, but the reliability and safety of such a connection is much higher than the serial one. Its downside is a much higher consumption of wires.
In addition, before connecting spotlights on the ceiling, you need to decide on the type of lamps used: 220 V or 12 V. These methods have their own connection schemes, and each has its pros and cons.
The method of mounting a lighting fixture with a 220 V lamp on the ceiling is shown in fig. 3.
Below are the methods for connecting 220 V spotlights to one- and two-gang switches (Fig. 4-5).
The advantages of 220 V lamps are:
- simple and reliable scheme of their connection;
- the fact that lighting fixtures can be placed at any distance from each other without losing lighting efficiency;
- the fact that in 220 V circuits, due to low currents, a cable with a smaller cross section can be used than for 12 V circuits.
As for the method of connecting 12 V light bulbs, its advantages are low voltage, due to which the probability of fire or electric shock to a person is negligible. Also at this voltage, you can install lamps with thicker filaments, which makes them more reliable and durable.
Connecting 12V spotlights requires the installation of a transformer that will convert standard 220V to 12V.
You can connect one transformer, through which a voltage reduced to 12 V will be supplied to all lighting fixtures, or you can install a transformer on each spotlight.
The second method is more preferable than the first. Despite the fact that it comes out more expensive, it fully justifies itself, since there is no need to calculate the lengths and sections of cables. And if suddenly one transformer fails, the rest will continue to function, which will ensure the uninterrupted operation of the rest of the lighting devices.
It is worth mentioning the choice of transformer. Please note that its power should exceed by 15-20% the total power consumption of all the light bulbs that it feeds. It must be replaceable so that in the event of a breakdown it can be repaired or replaced with a new one. Therefore, when choosing, consider its dimensions. It should be easy to remove through the opening of the light fixture.
As for the question of the reasons for the burnout of the light bulbs, it can lie either in the fact that they are connected in series without installing a rectifier, or in the absence or malfunction of the transformer when connecting 12 V lamps.
