How to connect an LED lamp instead of a fluorescent lamp yourself?

At one time, fluorescent lamps were considered a real breakthrough - they could be seen in schools, hospitals, kindergartens, other institutions, and even in some apartments. But recently the attitude towards them has become ambiguous. On the one hand, they are characterized by low power consumption, long life and high light efficiency. But all these positive qualities fade before their main drawback - fluorescent lamps contain a flask filled with mercury.

With the invention of LED lamps, there is no need to expose themselves to mortal danger, especially as such lamps are much superior to luminescent lamps in their characteristics.

But when we first think about replacing the obsolete fluorescent lamps, we are faced with the question: how to do it with the least material costs, because the cost of LED lamps is quite high, and a complete replacement will cost us a tidy sum. It is much easier to replace only lamps, especially since it is quite easy to do this if you know some features. So, let's take a look at how to connect an LED lamp instead of a fluorescent lamp yourself.

Introduction

The manufacturer of LED lamps has long simplified our life by releasing tubular LED lamps T8, suitable for the socle G13. It remains only to slightly alter the old lamp. To do this, you must remove all unnecessary components from the wiring diagram.

Let's see how to connect the LED lamp instead of the fluorescent on the circuit of a standard raster luminaire with four luminescent tubes, which occurs most often - with ballast and a starter.

Connection scheme for fluorescent lamp

LDS luminaires have additional equipment that is necessary for their operation. LED lamps of these additions do not require: everything necessary for their normal functioning is already built into the case. Therefore, before connecting the LED lamp instead of the fluorescent lamp, it is necessary to remove all unnecessary and power the lamp contacts directly.

Both categories of luminaires are connected in the same way: the green conductor is connected to the neutral wire, and the red one is connected to the phase. Below, the diagram shows how to properly connect an LED lamp instead of a fluorescent lamp.

Connection scheme for LED lamp

It is quite easy to do this - one phase should be connected to one side of the lamp, to the other - zero. Observe the polarity is not necessary, since the power comes from the alternating current. The wire itself can be connected to any of the contact pins, because each pair of contacts on one side of the LED lamp is closed to each other.

Redesign of a raster fluorescent lamp

Before connecting the LED lamp, it is necessary to cut off all the wires coming from the G13 base. After that, it's enough to connect the cable on one side to the phase terminals, and on the other side to the zero ones.

Kinds of LED lamps

On sale it is very rare to find LED lamps produced in Ukraine, in which the contact pins phase and zero are on one side. Before connecting such lamps, it is necessary to check the connection sides indicated on the lamp beforehand. The installation process itself will be the same as in the case of double-sided contact lamps.

How to connect LED lamps based on crystals

Such lamps require additional equipment for connecting chips:

• Dimmer;
• Stabilizing transformer 12 V or 24 V.

Any of these stabilizing devices can be assembled on their own. But for this it is necessary to have certain knowledge and a sufficient amount of time.

Usually additional stabilizing devices are required for connecting LEDs, LED elements and LED strips. LED lamps usually have built-in stabilizers.

We will not consider in this article ways to assemble stabilizing devices for connection, since it is quite difficult to learn this independently. If you do not have any knowledge of electrical engineering, then before buying, be sure to study the packaging - it is usually indicated whether additional equipment is required for the connection and which one.

Switches with illumination

Such switches are very convenient to use, but often do not combine with modern lamps. They are best suited for incandescent lamps. Their drawback is that the LED light can flash at times in the dark, which is not very convenient, especially in the bedroom.

This is due to the fact that in the arrangement of such luminaires a rectifier is provided, which converts the alternating voltage into a constant one. In order to smooth out the ripple, a capacitor is built into the rectifier, which has the property of accumulating a charge during the operation of the luminaire.

Therefore, when the LED lamp is connected to a lighted switch, it glows dimly, and sometimes flickers even when it is off. There are several ways to fix this:

• Remove the light from the switch;
• Check wiring is correct;
• Parallel the incandescent lamp so that the current passes not through the rectifier, but through the filament;
• Parallel connect a shunt resistor so that the capacitor does not accumulate a charge;
• Use an LED lamp specifically designed for a switch with backlight, but it should be borne in mind that such lamps are inflated long enough and have a higher cost.

Summing up

As you can see, before you connect an LED lamp instead of a fluorescent lamp, you do not need to change the lights completely or have more knowledge. This can easily be done independently with minimal costs, carefully following the instructions.

After these simple alterations, you will have modern lamps with low energy consumption, having a long service life, and most importantly - safe.

Important!

Do not forget that fluorescent lamps can not just be thrown away, since they contain mercury. Be sure to dispose of them by all means. Almost all major cities have firms that deal with the disposal of hazardous waste, many of them will be ready to accept lamps absolutely free of charge.

Interesting facts about LED lamps

• White LEDs do not exist. They are obtained by spraying on the blue special substance - phosphor.
• Blue LEDs reduce the production of melatonin by the body, the lack of which does not allow the person to relax until the end.
• The blue color of the LEDs negatively affects some food products, for example, milk, changing its taste qualities even through opaque packaging.
• The pulsation of LEDs reduces the number of populations of animals and birds in the city.