Diffuser and profile for LED strip. Modern light diffuser. What is he? How to make a plexiglass diffuser for LEDs

To make the luminous flux uniform and directed, it is necessary to attach a characteristic optical structure to the luminaire. For the LED strip, its role is played by a special diffuser. However, as a rule, ice strips are not supplemented with such devices during sale - they must be made independently or ordered separately, depending on the conditions of use and the parameters of the lighting device based on them.

Consider what the principle of operation of such a device is and what its function is, what types of it exist and where they are used, as well as how to make them with your own hands and what materials are required for this.

The peculiarity of the led strip is that the luminous flux from it extends to an angle of no more than 120 degrees. This significantly impairs their practical use. To remedy the situation, it is necessary to put a material in the immediate vicinity of the lamps that refracts and diffuses light.

This is exactly the function of the LED diffuser. Its internal structure is based on the disordered arrangement of particles of matter. As a result, light, when passing through such a material, significantly departs from its original trajectory - and in different directions. From this, the luminous flux is simultaneously somewhat weakened and evenly expanded.

Note! You can see and understand the principle of operation of a diffuser for an LED luminaire using the following example. You need to put a small piece of matte cellophane on top of the ice tape. The luminous flux from such a scattering film will immediately become slightly muffled and evenly distributed over the entire illuminated area.

Kinds

A diffuser or diffuser used for LED strips consists of two main elements - a body and a light-transmitting plate. In modern models, the first part of the device is presented in the form of a plastic, aluminum or stainless steel profile of the following shapes:

1. Corner.
2. U-shaped.
3. C-prominent.

Its geometry is primarily determined by the place of application of the diffuser, types of brackets for it, features and operating conditions. An LED strip is glued to the base of the profile, and then it is closed from above with a transparent or matte material. The former are used when strong illumination of any selected areas is required - for example, shop windows in a store, the latter - when it is required to create general unobtrusive lighting, for example, in a restaurant.

Read also How to assemble and connect an LED strip with a motion sensor

There is also a flexible LED profile. In fact, it is a silicone tube with the possibility of placing an ice strip inside it. Due to their high plasticity, they can be given any shape, which is important when designing complex figured decor, advertising signs, trees.

Application

The area of ​​application of LED diffusers is quite wide:

1. Specialized lighting in living quarters for bookshelves, kitchen work areas, aquariums, interior elements.
2. Additional lighting for special areas in shops, trade and exhibition centers.
3. Highlighting important areas in street decoration, billboards, decoration of squares, gardens.
4. Creation of the general background of the glow in public places.

With the help of colored diode strips and programmed control of their parameters, they decorate rooms, showcases, interior and exterior elements, structures and structures in honor of various events, events and holidays.

Diffuser materials

The modern assortment of ready-made optical materials makes it possible for anyone to make a diffuser for an LED strip with their own hands. Among the most suitable options stand out:

1. Acrylic and plexiglass.
2. Polystyrene.
3. Polycarbonate.

Let's consider their main characteristics and application features.

Acrylic and plexiglass

Such types of plastics as acrylic and plexiglass are characterized by the same light-scattering ability as traditional glass (they transmit about 90% of radiation). At the same time, they are characterized by maximum anti-vandal performance and do not crack from the constant change of climatic conditions, a sharp change in temperature from plus to minus sixty and mechanical influences.

Advantages:

1. Low weight.
2. Possibility of processing.
3. UV resistant.
4. Waterproof.
5. Non-toxic.
6. Not susceptible to aging processes.

Interesting! Among the disadvantages are flammability in direct contact with fire and low resistance at high shock loads.

Polystyrene

One of the thermoplastic polymers has a high light transmittance (about 98%), which is higher than that of standard glass. Polystyrene is versatile and easy to process, resistant to thermal changes and punctual strong impacts.

Its main advantages are low cost and significant color variety - from completely transparent to saturated bright shade. However, in general, a plate of such material is quite fragile and can ignite when exposed to fire.

Polycarbonate

The characteristic properties of polycarbonate are strength, light weight and good light transmission. In practice, a diffuser for LED strips made of such a material is not afraid of contacts with an open fire, a collapse of a heavy wind, heavy rain, hail and vandal strikes. Moreover, in structure, it differs into two subspecies:

1. Cellular.
2. Monolithic.

We all know that artificial lighting is of great importance in our life. In addition to creating comfort for the eyes, it also performs the functions of zoning the room, which is important, and the implementation of interesting design solutions. That is why it is now very important to use LED strips with a diffuser. After all, well-chosen lighting helps to give the room style and special personality.

Appointment

The LED strip structurally consists of individual LEDs with high brightness, therefore, the diffuser is intended for uniform distribution of the luminous flux. Using it is important not only in terms of aesthetics and the beautiful appearance of your lighting system, but also for creating a soft light in the room.

The figure shows a profile for an LED strip with a diffuser

Principle of operation

The principle of operation of the diffuser for LED strip is to increase the angle of light distribution due to a special design made of refractive material. Its own geometry and location relative to the light source is arranged in such a way that the luminous flux falling on it is effectively distributed over its entire area and passing through the body of the diffuser, provides uniform illumination of the entire room.

The photo shows the disassembled and assembled LED diffuser.

Kinds

Structurally, it is a metal or plastic profile of various shapes and, directly, a removable diffuser made of polycarbonate, polystyrene or methacrylate. This is advisable, since these materials are strong enough, but do not heavily burden the structure. The main profile shapes that are used are:

• corner;
• u-shaped;
• c-shaped.

The shape of the profile is selected depending on the planned installation site. A tape is attached to the profile, the diffuser cover itself is snapped on top. It is of two types:

• matte;
• transparent.

The photo shows matt, plastic, in a corner aluminum profile

Before making a purchase, you need to think about what kind of lighting goals you are pursuing. When it comes to illuminating a showcase in a sales area, then most likely a diffuser with a transparent surface is more suitable for you. If you want to give a relaxed atmosphere to a cafe-bar, then you should give preference to matte.

Flexible

There is also a flexible LED diffuser profile. It is fundamentally different from the designs described above. This type of component product is a silicone tube that contains an LED strip.

The photo shows LED strips of different colors in flexible silicone profiles

For the correct choice of a diffuser for an LED strip, you need to think over the conditions. This includes examining the surface to which you will attach the system, the overall dimensions of the LED strip itself and the climatic conditions of the room (or outside, which is also possible).

It should be noted that despite the fact that diffusers are often made of low-melting materials, there is no need to worry about their toxicity. During operation, the LED emits a very small amount of heat, which practically does not heat the surface of the diffuser.

Fastening

The profile can be fixed on any surface. For this, self-tapping screws, liquid nails or even double-sided tape are used. There are options when special "ears" are attached to the wall, into which, subsequently, both rigid and flexible profiles are ideally fixed. The built-in installation of the diffuser profile is carried out using a pre-cut groove in the chipboard or drywall. In the second case, you can make a very sophisticated lighting in the furniture. And if you use a flexible profile for an LED strip with a diffuser, then you will not have any problems installing it on curved surfaces, arches and the like. In any case, all fastening methods are not complicated at all, and are available even to a non-professional.

Application

The applicability is enormous. Illumination of bookshelves and kitchen cabinets, display cases and aquariums. At home and in the office, in a shop and cafe - the use of LED strips with diffusers will be appropriate and attractive. And dust and moisture resistant allow you to use such lighting for outdoor advertising and any decoration on the street.

Do not forget about the possibility of using strips with LEDs of different colors and those that can change them. This will give a unique atmosphere of celebration and comfort.

How to do it yourself

I would like to immediately add that there is an alternative to buying a ready-made LED diffuser - it's to make it yourself. What to make a diffuser for an LED strip? Actually, this is not at all difficult, as a profile you can use a regular plastic box, which is used for laying wires in a wire, and as a diffuser itself - polycarbonate or plexiglass.

To obtain a matte surface, you can use the mechanical or chemical method. The chemical method consists in applying a special paste to the surface, which will destroy the crystalline structure and give an excellent matte effect, but at the time of application you need to be very careful, since the paste releases toxic substances. The mechanical method is much less harmful, since it consists in processing the surface with an abrasive material, for example, emery, but it requires great physical effort.

The video shows a quick, easy and cheap way to create a homemade LED strip diffuser.

The photo shows the interior of the room, using LED strip lighting

Summing up the above, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that a diffuser for an LED strip is an important, multifunctional component. Also, you can see that the variety of design options will certainly be able to satisfy almost any condition. Comfortable and original lighting is always a huge plus in creating a stylish, themed interior. It can be a classic style or high-tech style, minimalism or kitsch, loft or avant-garde - the use of LED strips with diffusers will always highlight the best design ideas and leave a pleasant impression of the time spent in such a room.

The LED strip diffuser is designed to create more comfortable lighting. Thanks to the diffuser, the light is evenly distributed, creating less strain on the eyes.

Principle of operation

The diffuser is designed in such a way as to increase the light spreading angle. The effect is achieved by using a special design made of light refractive material. Due to the well thought-out geometry of the diffuser and the position in relation to the lighting fixture, the distribution of the luminous flux is optimized. The light spreads over the entire area, without any concentration of the flux in individual areas.

Areas of use

Diffusers are used on all objects with LED lighting: apartments, offices, public and commercial establishments, private plots, entrances to premises, etc. Light diffusion is used not only in general lighting but also in local lighting, for example in aquariums, on shelves and in cabinets.

Diffuser materials

To create a device that diffuses light, you need certain materials. Previously, glass was the main structural element. To date, the list has expanded to include more progressive materials.

Acrylic and plexiglass

Acrylic and plexiglass are almost as transparent as regular glass. However, the protective properties of materials are much higher. They do not crack as a result of impacts and are able to withstand significant temperature changes - from 60 degrees below zero to 60 degrees Celsius. The main disadvantage is ignition in the event of direct fire contact.

Polystyrene

Transparent polystyrene is a versatile, affordable and durable material. The transparency of polystyrene is even higher than that of glass. High quality matt diffusers are made of polystyrene. Its disadvantage is fragility and a tendency to ignite. Polystyrene structures are offered in various designs - from transparent to saturated colors.

Polycarbonate

The material is highly durable, lightweight and transparent. It is capable of maintaining operational properties in fire, withstands significant temperature changes, is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, and is durable.

Polycarbonate is resistant to mechanical stress, protecting the LED strip from damage. To further increase the strength of the structure, it is recommended to use monolithic polycarbonate. This material is much stronger than standard glass and is used for anti-vandal outdoor coatings.

Note! Polycarbonate is the best material for making prismatic diffusers. The qualitative difference between polycarbonate and acrylic is a larger scattering angle. Acrylic is suitable for opal diffusers with a small angle of radiation, and polycarbonate is suitable for transparent devices with a large angle.

Another quality of polycarbonate is light weight. It is achieved through a honeycomb structure.

The choice of a specific type of material depends on the purpose of the application. Not all cases require an expensive polycarbonate diffuser. At home, an acrylic or polystyrene device is usually sufficient.

Fastening

Fixing the LED strip should not cause any difficulties. For this purpose, “liquid nails”, self-tapping screws or double-sided tape are used. If desired, you can create a corner mount and mount the luminaire using special brackets. Also, the tape is sometimes embedded in one or another plane, for which a groove in the wall is prepared in advance.

For arches or similar curved surfaces, a flexible profile is used. Most often, these elements are aluminum.

Making a diffuser

To create a light diffuser with your own hands, you will need one of the construction materials listed above, as well as a profile. In its absence, a plastic profile for wiring is suitable. You can create a matte surface that will scatter light from the diodes in any of the following two ways:

1. We apply a special paste. It is designed to destroy the crystal structure. The method is effective, but the toxicity of the substance should be taken into account.
2. Abrade the surface. Coarse sandpaper will do.

The diffuser for LEDs is an element that creates comfortable lighting. It should not be neglected, as a pleasant soft light will preserve good vision.

LEDs are successfully used in many spheres of human life, while increasingly displacing other technologies. For example, incandescent lamps are simply not able to compete with these devices. They still have only one trump card - cost. And for all other indicators, LEDs have long been ahead.

In order for them to qualitatively fulfill their role, many devices have been invented. For example, diffusers. You can see it in the photo. Here we will talk about them, in particular, about models made of plexiglass.

About plexiglass

Otto Röhm in 1933 created plexiglass. For this there was a long twenty-year path of research and experimentation. Interestingly, the invention received many positive reviews, thanks to which, after a few years, it began to be produced in large volumes.

The popularity of plexiglass today is at a high level in a wide variety of industries. What is the secret of this material? It's simple. The foundation of popularity lies in the properties of the material. Plexiglas has high strength, lightness, light transmission, and processing flexibility. Due to the presence of these qualities, as well as some others, a large number of different products are created.

One of these is the diffuser. For the manufacture of such products, plexiglass is an excellent material. For this, the material has a high surface quality, optical transparency, the ability to transmit sunlight up to 92%. Therefore, losses when used as a diffuser are minimal.

It is also worth paying attention to other advantages of the material. For example, resistance to ultraviolet radiation. This prevents the material from becoming brittle and yellow over time.

At the same time, plexiglass perfectly resists the effects of chemicals, so the practicality of use is guaranteed. And this property is complemented by water resistance - no additional protection against moisture and water is required.

You should also not forget about environmental friendliness. Indeed, organic glass, even when burning, does not emit a harmful amount of vapors.

And given the use of plexiglass as a material for creating a diffuser, it is very important that it is a dielectric. Ease of processing allows you to create products of the most varied shapes.

Objectively considering the quality of the material, it is impossible to highlight only the positive aspects. Therefore, it is worth looking at the cons. They exist, although there are few of them: they are highly flammable, difficulties in manufacturing may arise, and damage easily occurs on the coating.

Kinds

There are several types of diffusers:

• universal;
• for fixing to any kind of ceiling;
• with surface-mounted or built-in housing.

Some models have a prismatic material structure with the highest level of transmittance and an excellent "smooth" light distribution effect. Other products have a matte surface, providing a throughput of up to 60%. As a result, the light is warm and soft.

A variety of types of plexiglass diffusers makes it possible to choose the most optimal model for specific conditions. So, diffusers for LEDs are effectively used in certain conditions. For example, in a bedroom where concentrated light is contraindicated, such a device will come in handy.

How to install

To do this, you should use the instructions for the electrical appliance, in the design of which there is a diffuser. Therefore, as a rule, it is necessary to make several movements in order to fix the products on an electrical appliance with LEDs.

A simple solution

Indeed, if the light from the LED source does not suit you in terms of concentration, you can always use an effective solution - a plexiglass diffuser. It allows you to achieve such a light perception, which is necessary in specific conditions. Therefore, such products are widely used by professional designers, which allows you to create exclusive interiors of premises.