Characteristics and installation of LED street lights

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LED street lights are economical devices that perform not only a lighting function, but also a decorative one. They are used to illuminate large and small areas, create diffused light and directional light flux. There are dozens of different models on the market, knowing their features and characteristics will help you choose the right flashlight.

What are LED street lights?

The principle of operation of street LED lamps is based on the emission of light waves. They are usually mounted in durable aluminum cases and used to illuminate a variety of places – streets, porches, gardens, parks, playgrounds.

Street light

Features of LED street lights:

  • First. LEDs are semiconductor elements in which the electric current passing through the crystal is converted into a luminous flux. The size of the LEDs is very small – about 0.5 cm in diameter. Since street lights need to give a powerful and bright light, they use lamps consisting of several LED boards.
  • Second. Strengthening power and brightness is achieved by installing optical lenses. They, by focusing the light flux from many crystals, provide it with the necessary orientation.
  • Third. The body of a street lamp must provide protection from negative natural influences – wind, rain, dust, therefore, in high-quality products, it is made of aluminum, which is resistant to corrosion.

The use of LED street lighting fixtures

Outdoor LED lamps are widely used by both utilities and owners of private houses.

Application options for LED street lights:

  • Fill lighting – it is used in the architecture of large buildings, where it is required not to highlight individual elements, but to emphasize the whole picture as a whole.
  • Spot lighting – used on multi-storey buildings and in private houses, it involves placing accents on the key elements of the building.
  • Landscape lighting – used to illuminate parks, gardens, squares. The easiest option is LED strips hung on tree branches.
  • Illumination of roads and highways is still not widespread in the country, as it requires the complete replacement of all lamps on at least one street.

The main types of street LED lamps

Street lights differ not only in technical characteristics, but also in the type of installation. The choice of design depends on the specific conditions and tasks assigned to outdoor lighting.

Types of street lighting fixtures:

  • Console. They are usually used for outdoor lighting of buildings, roads, parks, parking lots. Lanterns are mounted on brackets (consoles) – on the wall of the house, concrete fence, etc.
  • Park. They not only illuminate the territory of the parks, but are also an element of landscape design. These lanterns have an attractive design and reliable protection against the negative effects of the weather. There are console and suspended.
  • Ground (ground). These are flat panels mounted at ground level. They can be fixed directly into the ground, asphalt, concrete, steps. There are built-in and non-embedded models.
  • Searchlights. These are portable type models or easy to install. Unlike conventional lamps, spotlights have side deflectors that narrow the angle of dispersion of the light flux, so they illuminate only a certain area.
  • Autonomous. These systems do not require standard electrical wiring. Lanterns are powered by solar panels that replace electricity. This technology is now being actively introduced for “school” traffic lights, which are placed near children’s institutions.

Features of solar powered models 

All solar-powered street lights work on the same principle – the rays, falling on the photocells, generate electricity. When it is light, the light sensor closes the power supply circuit of the LED panel, with the onset of darkness, the stored electricity is consumed for lighting.

Features of solar powered street lights:

  • Completely autonomous – do not need the mains and other lighting fixtures installed on the site.
  • Mobile – they do not require stationary fixing, as there are no power wires.
  • Simple installation – you can install autonomous lights without the involvement of specialists.
  • Compactness – lights can be easily moved from place to place without involving special equipment.
  • Adjustment of parameters – you can adjust the time and parameters of on-off in auto mode.
  • Safety – there are no power cables and electrical connections, so the threat of electric shock in such lamps is excluded.
  • Wide assortment . A variety of design allows you to use stand-alone solar-powered lights as decorative elements.

The disadvantages of lamps include the dependence of lighting on the weather and the gradual decrease in battery capacity.

Advantages and disadvantages

LED street lights have a full set of qualities required for a modern device for street lighting.

Advantages of LED lamps:

  • Comfortable light. It is pleasant, does not blind and does not irritate, does not flicker and does not fade. Ideal for installation along trails. Facilitate the movement of drivers, do not create additional strain on the eyes when driving a car.
  • Economical. Working offline, LED lights do not load network lines and show energy efficiency, which is much higher than that of classic lights.
  • Safe and environmentally friendly. The design does not contain a toxic substance – mercury, as well as other toxic components. They do not emit ultraviolet and infrared rays, are safe for the environment and humans.
  • Durable. Able to work without breakdowns and replacements up to 15 years of continuous use. If the lamps function only in the dark, their service life increases to 25 years. This durability is unparalleled in competitive lighting products.
  • Durable and reliable. The case of flashlights with LED lamps has a high degree of protection against mechanical and climatic influences. Operating temperature range: -50….+50°C.
  • They don’t flicker. High color rendering allows you to get different shades, creating light that is comfortable for the human eye.
  • Stability. No response to voltage fluctuations in the mains.
  • Just disposed of. The absence of toxic substances allows you to dispose of used lamps in the usual way.
  • Ease of installation and installation. Maintenance costs are kept to a minimum.
Solar street lamp

Minuses:

  • sensitivity to current drops;
  • risk of shape change due to long-term operation;
  • relatively high cost (but an unprecedentedly long service life completely eliminates this disadvantage).

What to look for when choosing?

Manufacturers offer a huge range of street lamps that differ in design, installation method and technical characteristics.

Before you buy lanterns to illuminate the site or garden, carefully read their features.

What to choose for a summer residence?

When choosing street lights for a summer residence or a country house, think about the purpose for which you need them. If only for lighting, you can buy the simplest models in form, if also for beauty, choose a design that suits the style of the site and the architecture of the house.

Modern street lights are performed today in a variety of styles:

  • classic;
  • modern;
  • loft;
  • high tech.

What to highlight in the country with street lights:

  • path to the house;
  • steps and porch;
  • artificial pond or pool;
  • gazebo, etc.

To save on lighting, use lamps equipped with motion sensors – they only work when a person approaches. Those who want to bring a magical atmosphere to the site should use multi-colored decorative lanterns.

How to choose the right pole lamp?

The offered range of street lamps constantly increases. A large selection often confuses the buyer. To buy the best option, evaluate them according to the parameters below.

What to look for when choosing a lamp for a pole:

  • Brightness. Depends on the luminous flux of the led lamp , which is measured in lumens. The higher the value, the brighter the light.
  • Profitability. Power consumption depends on the number of watts. The less W in the lamp, the more economical it is.
  • Color temperature. It is measured in kelvins and affects the hue of the light. For natural light – 5-6 thousand K. At higher rates, the light becomes cold, with a bluish tint, at lower rates – warm.
  • Direction of the world. It is defined in degrees – from a few units to several hundred. The maximum angle of park lights is up to 360°.
  • Protection class. The degree of protection of the structure from the negative influence of the environment depends on it. The designation is “IP” and two digits. The higher the class, the more reliable the protection. The minimum class is IP54.
  • Life time. It depends on the power, quality, manufacturer. It is determined by the marking: L and the number of hours.

Outdoor LED Light Manufacturers

Along with the popularity of LED lamps, the number of their manufacturers is also growing. High demands and hopes are placed on street lamps – they must work for a long time, despite the difficult operating conditions. So, preference should be given to products of well-known companies.

If the manufacturer does not provide detailed specifications for the LED flashlight, it is likely that there are quality problems. After 2-3 months of operation, the luminous flux of low-quality lamps is reduced by half.

Brands you can trust:

  • Nichia is a Japanese company that produces LEDs that are resistant to electrostatic breakdown.
  • Osram Opto Semiconductors is a German manufacturer whose products are considered the standard of quality.
  • CREE is an American firm that is considered a leader in LED manufacturing and innovative solutions.
  • Seoul Semiconductors is a South Korean manufacturer with a full production cycle. Products are of high quality and lower price compared to European and American manufacturers.
  • Philips Lumileds – its research and development centers are located in the USA, and the company itself is among the leaders in the production of LEDs.
  • Vsesvetodiody LLC is one of the largest Russian manufacturers. Most street lights are equipped with Osram LEDs.
  • Samsung LED is a Korean manufacturer that produces LEDs and ready-made street lamps. The products of this company have a good value for money.

The best outdoor LED lights

The best lamps for organizing street lighting are those models that last a long time, give high-quality light, and are reliably protected from precipitation and dust.

Street LED lamp

Popular models of street lamps:

  • Globo Cotopa 32005-2 is a high-tech wall lamp from an Austrian manufacturer. The body is black, the shape is cylindrical. Height – 16 cm, width – 8 cm. Inside there are 2 multidirectional lamps. Lighting area – 10 sq. m. Price: 2,640 rubles.
  • Nowodvorski 9565 is a high-tech ceiling lamp. Its plafond is made of glass, and the base is made of metal. The maximum lamp power is 35 watts. Price: 6 995 rubles.
  • Paulmann Plug & Shine Floor 93912 is a ground lamp in a steel cylindrical body. The LED lamp is located under flat glass, the glow is directed upwards. Price: 8 650 rubles.
  • Eglo Penalva 1 94819 is a 4W ground lamp. Operates from a single-phase network 220 V. The transparent cover is placed on a metal stand. The weight of the column is 2 kg. Price: 2 480 rubles.
  • Lightstar Lampione 375070 – pendant lamp can be mounted under canopies, on poles or arches. The power of the LED lamp is 8 W. The resource of LEDs is 20,000 hours. Price: 2,622 rubles.

Installation of outdoor LED lamps

Street lights are mounted in different ways – they are screwed to the walls, mounted on poles, installed directly into the ground.

Types of street lamps depending on the installation method:

  • Ground – they have a submersible bayonet, which is buried in the ground and fixes the lantern. Models differ from each other in the length of the bayonet and the height of the ceiling.
  • Wall -mounted – they are used to illuminate the local area and for decorative lighting. When installing autonomous lights (solar-powered), it is important to correctly choose the position relative to the cardinal points.
  • Suspended – they are placed on various structural elements and rigidly fixed (brackets, beams, etc.). Flexible fixation is also implemented (stretch marks, cables, etc.).
  • Built -in – represent a single structure with elements of architecture and design (steps, pillars, garden paths, etc.).

Installation instructions for street lamps:

  1. When installing lanterns on poles on your own, be sure to turn off the power supply – separate one line from the outdoor electrical installation and put an outdoor machine on it (if the luminaire does not have solar panels).
  2. Lay the cable in the ground, placing it first in the corrugated pipe.
  3. Lay the cable to a depth of 0.5-0.6 m. Step back 1.5 m from the edge of the road.
  4. Fill the cable trench with sand to provide drainage.
  5. If there are several lamps, connect them in series in a circuit.
  6. Place ground fixtures on a gravel substrate and fix with mortar. Use a level to ensure a level position.
  7. After assembling the base, connect the lantern to the network in accordance with the instructions.

Video about connecting and installing a street lamp:

Frequently asked questions about LED street lights

Before buying LED luminaires, many consumers want to get as much information about their operation and installation as possible.

The most common questions potential buyers have about street lights are:

  • What degree of dust and moisture protection should street lamps have? It depends on where the installation is made. In the open air, IP must be at least 44, under a canopy – 23, 33 or 44, near a pool or fountain – from IP65, near a pond in a garden – IP68 (they can work even under water).
  • Can street lights be installed indoors? Yes, there are no restrictions on their installation in the premises. But for ordinary lamps there is – the degree of protection IP must be at least 44, and in the characteristics there should be a note – “for street temperature”.
  • What is the best material for street lamps? For the climate of central Russia, lamps made of metal and polymers (plastic) are more suitable. The latter are especially well tolerated by the negative effects of the weather, resist burnout, oxidation and corrosion.
  • What color of glow is preferable on the street? The color temperature of the lamps is selected taking into account the expected effect. Light up to 3 500 K (warm) creates a feeling of comfort, it is suitable for lighting gazebos, verandas, highlighting facades.
    Light from 4,500 K (cold) is bright and is usually used to illuminate paths, parking lots, and driveways. The range of 2,700-4,000 K is neutral (daylight), it is recommended to choose it as the main one.
  • At what intervals are street lights installed? You should not place the lights too close to each other, trying to achieve a bright and uniform illumination of the area. Poles 1-1.2 m high are recommended to be placed at a distance of 5-8 m from each other, up to 1 m – at intervals of 3-5 m. There should be about 10 m between high lanterns.

Feedback on LED street lighting

Roman E., Lipetsk. On the site I installed LED lights Gadgetut 2030 with a motion sensor. The light is bright and uniform, withstands any bad weather. They work without problems in the range of -40…..+40°C. The lighting angle is wide – it illuminates the yard, parking lot, any other area well.

Igor T., Voronezh. I put lampposts in the country house and installed 100 W console lamps on them. Very powerful, with a light output of 140 lumens per 1 watt. The light is bright, so one lamp illuminates a fairly decent area. Lighting is natural, it does not tire the eyes and does not distort colors, does not blink.

LED street lights not only save on electricity and solve the problem of lighting, but also create beautiful landscape lighting. Modern LED luminaires, regardless of their type of installation, are becoming full-fledged design elements of the site.

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