There is no natural light in baths and saunas. Using conventional light bulbs is not always rational and safe. A way out of this situation is LED thermal tape. This type of lighting is functional and modern. Before carrying out, you need to study the features of proper installation and tips for use.
Is heat-resistant LED strip dangerous?
Every establishment owner is concerned about the safety of their lighting. Therefore, more and more people are inclined to use heat-resistant LED strips in saunas. The structural elements of the strip are protected from moisture; immersion in water is permissible (the main part, without connection ends).
Power is supplied by low voltage direct current (12 V). Such tension is safe for humans; staying in the steam room will not harm the body.
Conventional light bulbs require grounding when installed. And the LED version, if a stripe breaks down, is not dangerous to humans, electric shock will not occur.
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Comments:
Sergeich
I don’t understand what relation the temperature in the sauna has to the type of lighting fixture? Is it 400°C in the sauna? Or am I missing something? Which light bulb fails at 80°C?
Oleg
Sergeich, I agree, temperature is a factor that does not affect performance at all. Humidity is, yes, an important element. And LEDs also win here in terms of safety, because... operate on low currents.
Stas
Advice to those who have not yet installed the tape in the steam room - place it so that only reflected light comes from it. There are usually no other light sources in a sauna, and bright LEDs are unpleasant to the eyes. In general, either place a light divider or direct the tape so that it gives diffused light, for example, as in the picture
Lily
Please tell me where is the best place to place the transformer. I think it’s not possible in the steam room itself? There is a desire to highlight a panel made of Himalayan salt.
Arthur
In general, the service life of LEDs directly depends on the operating temperature (this is a well-known fact). When an estimated service life of 15,000 hours or 50,000 hours is prescribed, the temperature regime at which it is achievable is usually indicated - usually 40-50 degrees. So in a sauna the LED will not be as durable as in other less hot rooms. At the same time, the light in the sauna is usually used less, so the service life should still be acceptable. The only thing is, don’t place it in the ceiling, where the temperature is maximum, and make sure that, if necessary, you don’t have to dismantle half the sauna to replace the tape.
Maksim
complete nonsense and not an article, the tape for the sauna should have a special marking “F” and keep the temperature up to 125 degrees
Features of creating lighting in saunas and baths
When lighting work is carried out, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of the room:
- The cable footage is calculated with a margin to avoid additional connections.
- The wire is pulled through the inside of the open line.
It is better to output power through rooms where there is no high humidity or temperature.
It is necessary to take into account the nuances when choosing an LED strip. It must be heat-resistant, that is, contain a certain coating, IP65, IP68 protection. The steam rooms use a heat-resistant type that can withstand elevated temperatures. And in the rooms where showers are located, the LED strip is sealed, preventing the flow of water.
Installation of LED strip for saunas and baths is easy. In rooms where there is no humidity (rest room, locker rooms), the tape is attached to an adhesive base, and in steam rooms and showers with special fasteners.
Maximum operating temperature
The silicone case itself provides additional protection from extraneous high temperatures. At the same time, it is very flexible and bends at any angle without any problems.
As a result, such illumination can be used in a wide temperature range - from -40C to +100C!
That is, using a bathhouse or sauna in a steam area will not affect its normal operation.
Those who do not believe in the endurance and heat resistance of such a product can easily conduct an independent experiment.
It is enough to boil a saucepan of water and place an LED thermal strip turned on at a nominal voltage of 24V.
You can cook it in boiling water until all the water has evaporated. The tape will feel quite fine.
Advantages and disadvantages
People perceive the sauna as a place where they can relax not only physically, but also mentally. Properly designed lighting will help make the procedure complete.
Heat-resistant LED strip has a number of advantages:
- Energy efficiency (consumption is ten times less than when using a conventional light bulb, 2 times less in comparison with the fluorescent version).
- Ease of installation and connection.
- Long operational period.
- Great glow.
- Variety of shadow designs.
- Contains the protection level.
- Safety for humans.
- Suitable for illuminating underwater space (swimming pool).
Heat-resistant tape, unlike other types, has no disadvantages. A regular LED strip operates at temperatures of -30 – +60 degrees. But in the sauna area, the bathhouse, the temperature is higher, so only a heat-resistant design is applicable. In it, the diodes are coated with two-component silicone, resistant to elevated temperatures.
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How to conduct electricity
If you decide to install electricity in the sauna with your own hands, it is best to use wires with a double insulating layer.
The most optimal for installation in a sauna are flexible cables equipped with rubber insulation and a polyvinyl chloride sheath. These are two or three core AVRG and VRG. Wires made in a metal sheath are not recommended for use in a bathhouse. In addition, it is not recommended to install switches, switches and plug sockets in the washing room and steam room.
Safety cable for sauna
And most importantly, you cannot use any portable electrical appliances in the bathhouse. Even if minor repairs are being carried out, it is necessary to completely disconnect all electrical equipment and make sure that it does not automatically turn on.
When arranging a comfortable and safe sauna, even every seemingly insignificant detail can play an important role. Therefore, everything must be taken seriously; in particular, lighting requires special attention. For example, a lamp that is too bright can ruin the entire experience of visiting the steam room, and violating safety instructions can even cost your life!
For more information on this topic, watch the video in this article.
Choosing the correct location of the tape in the sauna
The location where the heat-resistant LED strip is attached in the sauna is determined by the safety of visitors and fire safety measures. Therefore, when installing the wire, you need to consider:
- Wire cross-section, which is purchased with a reserve, taking into account the specifics of the establishment.
- Avoid soldering areas that could cause a fire.
During installation, in addition to the strip, you will need:
- Adapter (installed every 5 meters of strip).
- Controller (if it is necessary to switch colors).
- A plug that is installed at the end of the ice tape with heat-resistant sealant.
- The connector is connecting (fastening is made with heat-resistant sealant).
Do-it-yourself electric lighting installation
To ensure that arranging lighting in the steam room does not turn out to be an impossible task for you, we suggest you study the step-by-step instructions.
Preparation
Stages of preparatory work: Draw up a diagram. Indicate all wiring lines, as well as the locations of sockets, switches, the presence of a boiler, heated floors and a transformer. Grounding is taken into account. An automatic machine and an RCD are installed on each branch; Calculate the amount of necessary materials and components. Determine which cable and how much will be needed
In this case, the power of the lighting equipment is taken into account. Don't forget about distribution boxes and cable ducts; Buy everything you need
It is better to purchase wires and elements measured by footage in excess. It is not recommended to save on purchases - you should choose quality products.
LED strip lighting options
The placement of ice strip lighting is available in several options, each of which brings individuality to the room. A cozy atmosphere is achieved by highlighting the shelves and backs with blue and white tape.
It is not recommended to backlight in red; it looks aggressive and annoying.
At the same time, illumination can be carried out with other lighting devices. You just need to take into account that they are also heat-resistant.
Each shade gives the room personality. Just don’t overuse it and hang too many stripes, and even in different shades. This will only frighten visitors and prevent them from relaxing.
What lamps can be used
When choosing lamps, first of all you need to pay attention to the dust and moisture protection class. The higher the class, the better. The ideal option is IP68. It is necessary to choose lamps whose housing construction does not use plastic or other materials that cannot withstand high temperatures. The best case is made of iron, ceramics and glass. Such materials withstand heat well and are suitable for baths. Lamps must be protected from moisture by sealing gaskets on threaded connections. Wall lamps with an E27 base from Lindner are suitable; they are very popular and are used in saunas.
Built-in spotlights in the floor and benches are allowed. To add mystery to the atmosphere, you can cover the light bulb with a platband or hide the lighting fixture under a wooden lampshade. You can install an ice lamp of a suitable base in any of the lamps described above.
Tips for using diode strips for a bath
If the installation is carried out in accordance with all the rules and regulations, then no additional maintenance is required, and the structure will last a very long time. But in order to increase the operating period, it is worth considering a few tips:
- All thermal strips must correspond to the temperature conditions of the room.
- Installation is carried out in places that exclude the touch of visitors.
- The location should minimize aggressive effects (not near the boiler, ceiling, etc.).
