Devices used in the lighting system

When carrying out lighting projects, the latest advances in lighting technologies, in the devices that support them and in the control systems must be used, in such a way that the required lighting results are obtained in each room, with reasonable installation, maintenance and operating energy costs.

In this presentation we will know the types of luminaires and their applications in residential lighting, as well as the led bulbs most used today to meet the aesthetic requirements and indoor lighting.

Most commonly used fixtures for indoor lighting

Lighting fixtures are devices that have one or more cavities, provided with screens and grids where the light sources - LEDs - are located, to facilitate their installation to the electrical network and to modify the intensity and the way in which the light rays fall on the surfaces.

Lighting fixtures or lamps can be installed on ceilings, walls or floors, recessed, semi-recessed, surface-mounted, concealed, pendant and track-mounted. Portable table or floor lamps are also available.

Recessed lights: They are mainly used in the ceiling, where they are concealed, without altering their finish. They are normally used for general lighting of the rooms; although in some areas they can be placed closer together to guarantee punctual illumination.

Semi-recessed lamps: These are lamps in which one part of them is recessed in the walls or ceiling while the other -generally the reflectors, lenses and trims remain on the surface-. They can be used for the same purposes as recessed lights, but unlike recessed lights, they cannot be used on the floor.

Ceilingsurface-mounted lamps: These are surface-mounted lamps that are placed on the ceiling surface, connected to a recessed junction box. They usually have a system of reflector screens or grids that spread the light over large areas of the room evenly, so they are used mainly in rooms where higher levels of brightness are required as in study rooms, offices, and so on.

Surface-mounted lamps on walls - walllights: Wall lights are installed on wall surfaces connected to a recessed junction box; they often serve decorative functions, but in some rooms they can also be point light sources, for example, when placed next to mirrors.

Page breakHidden lamps: These are systems of lights concealed behind architectural or decorative elements - cornices, moldings, etcetera - that indirectly illuminate an area of space, generally for decorative purposes; although in some cases, they may be used for spot lighting of a doorway, stairway, etcetera or to accentuate the character of an interior space.

Pendant lamps: Pendant lamps as their name implies hang supported by a cable or chain from the ceiling, wall or other element. Some project part or all of the light upwards or downwards. They can be used for decorative purposes and also to provide spot lighting over an area, for example over the dining table or kitchen counter.

Track-mounted lamps: This consists of the mounting on recessed or surface-mounted tracks of different lighting fixtures - dimmable reflectors, pendant lamps, etc. - that allow light beams with different characteristics to be projected in any direction in the space. These lamps can be easily repositioned on the rail. They are generally used for decorative purposes.

Portable lamps: In general, all portable lamps have decorative functions, although some, due to their structure, have more practical functions, such as desk lamps and flexos. The most decorative table and floor lamps are used in bedrooms and living rooms, while desk and flexo lamps are mainly used in study rooms and living rooms.

Types of LED bulbs most commonly used and their possible applications in interior decoration

• Standard bulb: Used in wall lights, ceiling lights, hanging lamps and portable lamps -decorative and flexos-.

• Spherical bulbs: Used in globe lamps and decorative portable lamps.

• Candle type bulb: It is used in wall lamps, hanging lamps and decorative portable lamps.

• GU10 bulb: It is the most common type of bulb currently used in recessed or semi-recessed luminaires in the general lighting of homes, offices and shopping centers.

• LED strips: These are flexible strips that incorporate several LED diodes whose function is to provide illumination to any type of space. The diodes can be smaller or larger and the color of the light they emit can also vary.