What class? Classes and types of laminate: what are they and how to choose the right one? Laminate for commercial use

Choice flooring Experts strongly recommend starting with such a parameter as the wear resistance class of the laminate. Let's figure out what it is and how it affects the characteristics finishing material.

Laminated parquet is a multi-layer decorative finishing coating obtained by pressing under high pressure. Consists of (from top to bottom):

1. Overlay

This is a transparent layer of high-strength polymer resins (melamine, acrylic, etc.). The quality, thickness, hardness and impact resistance of the film determine such parameters of the laminate as hygiene, resistance to moisture, abrasion and impact loads, as well as the service life of the flooring material. Depending on the design of the collection, the overlay can be:

• smooth (satin matte, semi-gloss, mirror-glossy);
• structural (embossing imitating texture natural wood processed by brushing, etc.).

It is a special paper with a pattern applied to it using high-precision printing. Decors can be very diverse: imitation parquet, solid boards, palace wood, ceramic tiles, natural stone, fabrics and much more.

European premium laminate manufacturers add another layer to this layer - kraft paper, which is pressed with a decorative layer and overlay. This technology significantly increases the strength characteristics of the finished lamellas. The technique is called HPL (High Pressure Laminate).

3. Carrier board

This is the basis of any laminated parquet. Standard thickness– from 6 to 14 mm. Consists of the plate itself and lock kit“tenon and groove” type “Click” or “Lock”. Thanks to this, the laminate quickly and easily assembles into a single, monolithic, even sheet without differences or cracks.

To increase the moisture and water resistance of joints, manufacturers treat locks with special polymer (AquaStop, AquaResist) or paraffin (Wax) compounds.

Such characteristics as the level of resistance to compression, bending, and tension loads depend on the density and cross-section of this layer. Simply put, this means what weight is acceptable for the coating, how long the laminate can withstand intense foot traffic, etc.

Available in two types of fiberboard:

4. Base or stabilization layer

It is formed from paper impregnated with synthetic thermosetting resins. Designed to protect the lower part from moisture and prevent deformation of the slats. In addition to the tread, it also carries information function, since the base layer is often marked with the production date and batch number, as well as the brand name and registered trademark.

By European standard DIN EN 13329 laminate has a three-layer structure:

1. Decorative paper and overlay compressed into a single component;
2. Bearing strip;
3. Base layer.

For the average person, this information is insignificant. However, professionals understand that this is a laminate of the DPL series (Direct Pressure Laminate - direct pressure laminated coating). The difference from HPL is that the top and bottom layers are immediately, directly pressed onto the supporting base. Most factories use this technology, including Chinese, Russian and inexpensive European brands.

For those wishing to install parquet in rooms with high levels of humidity (bathrooms, dining rooms, laundries, etc.), water-resistant PVC laminate. The difference with the traditional one is that the quality carrier board a plate of composite super-hard plastic protrudes. The cost of such a coating is high, but it can replace porcelain stoneware or floor ceramics and decorate the entire area of ​​a house or cafe in the same style.

Waterproof laminate based on PVC composite.

Classification of laminate by class

Laminate flooring differs in two main parameters:

1. Manufacturing method (HPL or DPL);
2. Load class or wear resistance.

Let's take a closer look at the last criterion. The wear resistance class of a laminate is a quality category that determines the possibility of using a finishing material in commercial and domestic conditions, as well as its service life.

The European standard EN 13329 "Components with a surface layer based on aminoplast thermosetting resins - characteristics, requirements and test methods" contains full information about methods for determining and calculating the load class. Almost corresponds to this document Russian analogue GOST 32304-2013 “Laminated floor coverings based on dry-process fiberboards. Technical conditions".

The European standard includes the following list of tests for samples:

• Abrasion resistance or overlay strength (Taber test);
• Impact resistance (test with a small ball “shooting” at the sample and test with a large falling ball);
• Indentation resistance (metal ball test);
• Resistance to the impact of the legs of moved furniture;
• Resistant to caster chairs;
• Inertness to a burning cigarette;
• Resistance to contamination (fruits, juices, wine and other aggressive chemicals);
• Moisture resistance - swelling of the slab in 24 hours when completely immersed in water as a percentage of the volume of the sample. Quality product must have a water absorption coefficient of no more than 18%.

Device for conducting Taber tests.

After all the tests have been carried out, the main characteristics of the laminate are determined and a load class is assigned to it. Moreover, preference is given to the lowest results, even if the difference is tenths. This means that if, according to the results of one inspection, the coverage corresponds to category 31, and according to the others - 32, then it is assigned a lower class.

The first test is the taber-test, or determining the degree of abrasion of the overlay. To carry it out, a special unit with a grinding wheel or friction rollers with a glued ring made of high-density rubber is used.

The results are determined by the number of revolutions and are divided into 7 groups or abrasion classes:

• for use at home 21, 22, 23;
• For commercial premises 31, 32, 33 and 34.

Table 1. Abrasion class of laminated floor coverings according to GOST 32304-2013.

The abrasion class determines where exactly the laminate can be used. More detailed information is given in the table below.

table 2. Areas of use of laminated coatings by class.

Load class	Pictogram	Room type	Application intensity	Examples	Life time
21		Residential	Moderate (occasionally)	Bedrooms, guest rooms	10 years
22		Residential		Living rooms, dining rooms	10 years
23		Residential	Intensive	Stairs, corridors, kitchens	10-12 years
31		Commercial	Moderate (occasionally)	Hotel rooms, offices	10-15 years
32		Commercial	Normal (for frequent use)	Receptions, shops	15-20 years
33		Commercial	Intensive	Shopping centers, schools	20-30 years
34		Commercial	Reinforced (especially difficult conditions)	Industrial facilities	Up to 40 years old

Let us explain why the abrasion criterion is most important for buyers. The floor covering must withstand not only foot traffic (including walking barefoot, in slippers, outdoor shoes with heels), but also abrasive loads: dust, small debris (sand, soil particles), animal claws, etc. Over time, under the influence of these factors, the overlay becomes thinner and the laminate becomes unusable. There is no need to be scared - the service life varies from 10 to 30 years and depends, of course, on many other parameters. For example, a dirt-proof mat of the “grass” series placed in front of the front door, as well as the presence of protective pads on furniture legs, increases this period for class 31 or 32 laminate by one and a half times. On the contrary, chairs with iron legs without protective rims accelerate abrasion and reduce the service life by almost half.

We will pay special attention to the second series of tests - impact resistance. Specialists from ANO TsSL Lessertika (Kronoshpan LLC and Kronostar LLC) participated in the development of the Russian standard for laminated coatings GOST 32304-2013. Unfortunately, they did not include two critical tests required to give a laminate a 34 grade. This:

1. impact test;
2. surface resistance to chair wheels.

According to EN 13329, a laminate floor of wear resistance class 34 must have the following indicators:

• water absorption coefficient – ​​up to 8%;
• abrasion resistance class - AC6;
• impact strength – IC4 (≤1600 mm and 20 N).

The first two indicators coincide with the Russian standard, but the last one is not provided for at all. Because of this small difference, class 33 laminate from any manufacturer (including Asian ones) can be certified in Russia as class 34. European standards are more demanding on the characteristics of the coating.

All other types of tests are carried out in a standard manner. The results are processed and the laminate floor is assigned a general wear resistance class.

Table 3. General class loads according to EN 13329.

Table 4. General load class according to GOST 32304-2013.

Recommendations for choosing laminate by load class

Since in the last 5-7 years there has been practically no laminated coating of 21-23 classes on the market, priorities have shifted. Now both manufacturers and sellers offer:

All the necessary information is on the box and on the insert, so when purchasing it will not be difficult for you to determine the class, service life and area of ​​application of the flooring you like.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for selecting them. Just submit in the form below detailed description work that needs to be done and you will receive offers with prices from construction teams and companies by email. You can see reviews about each of them and photographs with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.

Laminate – new material, widely used as flooring. During its manufacturing process, impregnated compressed shavings are combined with a special coating. Over time, potential buyers begin to wonder what class of laminate to choose for an apartment or other residential area? First of all, the choice of this material depends on the expected load and characteristics of the room.

Based on the above criteria, the coating is divided into classes according to operational features. According to modern standards, a quality product must pass a number of tests for:

• strength;
• the appearance of various types of spots;
• resistance to temperature changes;
• antistatic;
• interaction with moisture;
• quality of adhesion of coating layers;
• sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation;
• slip;
• no formaldehyde emissions.

Classes

Today, laminated coatings of several categories are in greater demand in the construction market.

Class 33. It is better to use this type of coating for high traffic areas. It is used in the dining room or kitchen.

Class 34. This is the most reliable type of laminate among all its varieties. It is ideal for the bathroom, bathroom and hallway.

Criteria

When purchasing laminated material, you must remember that the wear resistance of inexpensive analogues is much lower than that of products from well-known global companies. This is due to the fact that in both cases they use various techniques step-by-step testing of the material.

When purchasing laminate flooring for your home, you need to be guided by one rule: the strength of the floor covering is calculated depending on the load force in person/kg. It is also important negative impact external environment premises.

Everyone understands that the load is main room or in the hallway there is much more than, for example, in the bedroom or office. Also, the choice of the class of laminated coating is influenced, of course, by the proximity of the room to the bathroom or sink. If water begins to flow during any breakdown, the inexpensive laminate will swell and begin to deform, since it is not sufficiently moisture resistant due to the cheap components included in it. Once the class of laminated coating has been selected, you can decide on its shade.

Note! An important factor when purchasing is the manufacturer and its reputation - this is the first indicator of the quality of any building material. Choosing a laminate is not a race for a cheap product that is sold with discounts and promotions. Buying inexpensive coating, you can pay twice. Let's decide which class of laminate is best for an apartment. Let's look at them in order.

Class 31

Class 31 laminate flooring is a delicate material that will last you 10-11 years with proper care. It is used in rooms with low load.

Class 31 laminate is of transitional quality because it can be installed in both offices and apartments. Thanks to its attractive price, it is gaining popularity and is displacing other coatings, such as linoleum, from the market.

The technical features of this type of coating are:

• resistance to abrasion, except for the effects of office chair rollers;
• fire resistance and, accordingly, heat resistance. For example, a fallen cinder or the cigarette itself will not leave a stain or mark, and you can completely forget about the fire;
• resistance to scratches and various damages. Category 31 is characterized by low density, but resistance to loads and pressures.

You can use class 31 laminating coating:

• in the bedroom or children's room;
• can be stacked this type laminate in rooms with higher traffic, but it will not last as long as it could.

Class 31 material is not protected from moisture, which means it cannot be used in the bathroom and other wet areas where cleaning is constantly carried out.

Popular manufacturers of class 31 laminate:

• Prime Line Evolution and Europe Line – Russia;
• Kronospan and Komfort Clic – Russia;
• Classen – Germany;
• Quick Step - Belgium.

Classic decors such as ash, walnut, cherry, oak, wenge and merbau are ideal for an apartment.

Class 32

Laminate flooring category 32 is especially popular among potential buyers, because it meets all the requirements. This type coatings are intended for rooms with medium load, for example, a dining room, living room and will serve its owner for good care about 15 years. If you lay it in the kitchen or hallway, it will last less than 10 years.

Characteristics:

• good strength of the material (thickness from 7.5 to 9 mm);
• reasonable cost, which increases the popularity of this flooring;
• the assortment will surprise every customer, the choice will be made by the most capricious client;
• high quality flooring in the apartment;
• ideal resistance to abrasion and wear.

Class 32 laminate is improved, treated with additional impregnation, equipped with locks, waterproof and has a long service life. It can easily be compared with high-quality wooden parquet.

The main advantages of laminate:

• high noise and sound insulation, which creates a special comfort in the room;
• attractive appearance;
• resistant to various thermal and chemical influences;
• special film and impregnation prevent dust from accumulating on the surface;
• affordable price;
• resistance to abrasion, wear and fading sunny side rooms; cat claws, cigarettes and sharp heels will not leave scratches or stains on the surface;
• ease of installation. You can install such a floor yourself without involving specialists.

Note! The leading manufacturer of laminated products of class 32 is Germany. The world's most famous companies: Classen and Tarkett - No. 1 among other well-known companies. But it should be borne in mind that these products will cost much more than Belgian and Russian material.

Class 33

Class 33 laminate flooring is a reliable and durable floor for any room. Experts recommend using it for rooms with heavy loads, for example, in the hallway or kitchen. In this case, this type of laminate will last from 10 to 15 years. If you apply this type of coating in other premises, the service life can increase to 35 years. Famous companies provide a guarantee of quality with a consistently attractive appearance.

Laminate flooring of the highest quality is developed for floors with significant loads. It can even be used in gyms and fitness clubs, restaurants, cafes. The price of such a product is slightly higher than the 32nd class coating, but each buyer can be confident in the excellent strength and extraordinary beauty of the chosen product.

Note! Class 33 laminate has good performance under appropriate load, frequent washing, exposure to various temperatures, exposure to animal claws, sharp heels, furniture legs, etc.

Advantages of this type of laminate for an apartment:

• reasonable price, which corresponds to the quality of the product;
• the strength of the floor and increased sound insulation are due to the thickness of the material - up to 12 mm;
• the latest technologies for processing resins with the addition of corundum;
• does not react to ultraviolet radiation;
• excellent anti-slip properties and fire resistance;
• the ability to use the material in bathrooms and in rooms with high humidity;
• reliable locks are coated with resin compounds, which eliminates swelling of the product in the area of ​​​​the seams.

Well-known manufacturers of class 33 laminate:

• Ritter and Tarkett – jointly Germany and Russia;
• Belgium – Berry Alloc;
• Russia – Sinteros and Kronostar;
• Germany – Classen;
• Germany and Norway – Maestro Clab.

Class 34

Class 34 laminate is a revolution in the production of this material. This type of laminate coating is designed for rooms with high humidity levels and the heaviest load. The components included in the composition emphasize the moisture-resistant qualities of this type of laminate. With maximum use, manufacturers give their customers about 50 years of warranty.

The latest technologies have led to the production of ultra-durable coatings, which are the standard for maximum wear resistance and durability. Such parameters can only be compared with durable natural stone. A floor covered with class 34 laminate delights its customers with its softness and lightness, but at the same time it can withstand heavy loads, remaining beautiful, intact and durable.

Which class of laminate is best for an apartment? It all depends on the preferences of the home owner. This type of flooring can withstand about 1000 people per day. And this is compared to the premises of an airport, train station, cinema, dance clubs and shopping centers.

The main advantages of class 34 laminate:

• high anti-slip qualities;
• maximum strength;
• environmental friendliness, safety, antibacterial;
• service life is 50 years;
• moisture resistance of the material and locks;
• non-abrasion and strength;
• ease of installation;
• ease of cleaning;
• resistance to temperature changes and combustion.

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of the laminate of each class, you can safely select the material depending on the type of load in a given room. A correct and informed decision will bring comfort and warmth to your home.

Laminate floors are incredibly popular. This is a beautiful and practical coating, durable and affordable. There is a classification of laminate into classes - depending on strength and wear resistance. When choosing a floor covering, you need to focus on it. What class of laminate to choose for an apartment: bedroom, kitchen, hallway, what are the characteristics of the material by class? Let's figure it out.

The laminated panel has a multilayer structure and is covered with a protective film on top. The wear resistance of the laminate is determined by the upper protective layer: the stronger and thicker it is, the longer the material will last.

What does laminate class mean? The separation of laminated panels began with the EN-13329 directive (Europe). According to its requirements, the product labeling indicates with numbers the conditions for which a particular laminated panel is intended, and what its service life is under these conditions.

In order to determine which class to choose for an apartment, it is necessary to take into account the magnitude of the upcoming load, the specifics and purpose of the room, and the wear resistance of the floor covering.

When choosing, we use the following principle: the greater the load on the floors (number of people, their weight, amount of furniture) and the worse the conditions (humidity, temperature changes), the greater the strength of the laminate, the higher the class of the board. Thus, the floor of the entrance corridor or kitchen requires a higher class of laminate than the floor of the office.

We also take into account how close the water sources are, because if there is a leak, the inexpensive laminate will deform due to low moisture resistance. It is also important to take into account who made the material. And then choose the color and design.

Classification of laminate according to wear resistance

What criteria determine whether a laminated material belongs to a particular class of strength and wear resistance?
The laminated coating is subjected to the following tests:

• resistance to long-term load;
• scratch resistance;
• resistance to changes in temperature values;
• impact resistance;
• resistance to sunlight;
• stain resistance;
• no slip;
• checking for the release of formaldehyde vapors;
• degree and time of swelling when exposed to water;
• formation of static electricity.

Laminated material to belong to high class, must easily pass all tests and obtain decent performance.

According to the testing results, the material belongs to one class or another: 31-34. Previously, there were classes 21-23 for use in residential premises, but now they have been abolished; material of commercial classes is used for apartments: 31-33.

Laminate classes - let's determine what the difference is

31st class board- recommended for finishing floors indoors with low load (in bedrooms, offices);

32 class panels designed for floor decoration under higher loads (in the living room, children's rooms);
material class 33 used for installation in rooms with increased load (kitchen, dining room);

material class 34 the most durable, expensive, designed for use in rooms with maximum load. Has the highest technical and operational characteristics. Suitable for hallway, kitchen.

Laminate class 31 - what does it mean

This coating is installed indoors with low loads. The material belongs to the commercial line and can be used in both office and residential premises. This is a fairly durable material; if treated properly in an apartment, it can last up to 12 years. Its low cost is attractive.

The type in question is suitable for use in bedrooms and children's rooms. It is not afraid of temperature fluctuations and is fire resistant. The coating is quite scratch resistant. Wear resistance is average, so use with it should be avoided office furniture with wheels.

This flooring material has poor resistance to dampness and moisture; for this reason, it is not intended for use in wet rooms (for example, a bathroom), and it is not suitable for frequent wet cleaning.

Manufacturers of the laminated coating in question:

Kronostar - Russia;
Kronospan - Russia;
Classen - Germany;
Quick Step - Belgium.

Reviews

1. Kostya: Exactly what is said about the cork backings, they dampen sounds great. We installed Quick Step in 2003 inside the warehouse. 31 class Serves like a darling. Washed several times during working hours. Every working day we carry flasks of 25 kilograms of glue and grinding machines. Every day a crowd of people passes by. There are no gaps between the boards, the coating looks great. There are some minor scratches. And in an apartment, I think it will last up to 15 years without problems. As for Pergo, it is definitely not a killable material. But it's expensive.
2. Ninel: We have had laminate flooring for 5 years, German, 31 cl. Light shade. We have big dog, but there are no obvious scratches, at least not noticeable. Doesn't make noise. Only the dog clicks.
3. Peter: Laminate 31 class, 3 years. Dust collects in heaps. Coverage from decent brands: Pergo, Quick Step, for example, is better, but also at a price of 1000-1500 rubles. You should not take cheap material, then prefer linoleum. Better yet, save up some money and buy parquet)

Laminate class 32: characteristics, reviews

It is the material of this class that best meets the requirements, this can explain its popularity and demand. This material is suitable for rooms with an average level of load, for example, a living room or a children's room. With this mode of operation, the service life of the coating is at least 15 years.

The panels have a thickness of 8 - 9.5 millimeters. It is in this class that there is a huge variety of colors and textures. This optimal combination prices and quality. Such panels are often treated with water-repellent impregnations, which increases the reliability of the coating and extends its service life.

Laminate in this category does not fade under the influence of sunlight, is resistant to scratches, and can be walked on in shoes with heels. The coating has a high quality surface that is resistant to chemicals. household chemicals. The material has good antistatic and noise insulation properties.

Among the manufacturers of laminated coatings of this class, Germany is the leader: Classen, Tarkett. But their products are more expensive than, for example, similar Belgian ones.

Reviews

1. Svetlana: We have Quick Step, class 32, light shade. There is no reaction to moisture, at first I added a special liquid to the cleaning water, now I wash it with plain water. No scratches, no squeaks. I like. 3 years have passed.
2. Tatyana Leonidovna: We have had laminate flooring for four years now, grade 32. We laid it ourselves, nothing came apart. We were flooded once. The floor rose in three places, after a while it corrected itself, there were no consequences.
3. Lyudmila: I have a laminated coating of dark color, wenge, class 32. Already 3.5 years. I don't recommend anyone to take it dark colors. There is a lot of dust, it is very noticeable. Any dirt is visible. There are no consequences from heels. I won’t talk about moisture; there were no floods. I clean with a slightly damp cloth. If you are going to lay a laminate floor, do not skimp on good laying specialists. Choose a better substrate, don’t skimp. As for the color - that's it, bright hues. Whitened oak, for example.

Laminate 33 class

High-strength material allows it to be installed indoors with high load intensity (hallway, kitchen). In such premises, the service life of the coating is approximately 15 years. In a residential area, where the load is lower, a coating of this level will last up to 30 years. Well-known manufacturers give a lifetime guarantee if maintained correctly.

The performance characteristics of class 33 laminate allow it to be used even in offices, gyms, and restaurants. This laminate is more expensive than previous materials, but its service life is longer. The thickness of the panels is about 12 mm, which increases sound insulation. This is a durable, reliable and comfortable coating.

The locking elements are impregnated with a water-repellent composition, which blocks the penetration of liquid into the joints. The material is not afraid of exposure to water and does not cause swelling.

High qualities are observed even at maximum load, it does not respond to changes in temperature values, to frequent wet cleaning, on shoes with heels.

Advantages:

• The thickness of class 33 laminate is 12 millimeters;
• high strength and wear resistance of the coating;
• reliable locking elements are impregnated with a moisture-repellent composition, which increases the moisture resistance of the coating;
• high fire resistance of the laminate;
• does not respond to temperature changes;
• anti-slip coating;
• does not fade from direct sunlight.

Presented by the following manufacturers:

• Tarkett - Russia+Germany;
• Ritter - Russia+Germany;
• Kronostar - Russia;
• Berry Alloc - Belgium;
• Maestro Club - Germany+Norway;
• Classen - Germany.

Hi all! I think that many of you are interested in the question of which class of memory card is best to choose for a camera, video camera, tablet, mobile phone or any other digital device that uses an SD card to store information. Surely you know that there are several generations of SD cards with speed classification and memory capacity. So, each type of memory card has its own specification, which directly affects the scope of application and compatibility mode with a particular device.

Many consumers, when choosing a drive for their digital device, completely in vain ignore the classes of SD memory cards, taking into account only the type and large volume for storing information. Recently, manufacturers themselves clearly and clearly indicate in the specifications for the device what class of memory card is needed to work together with the device. However, some consumers still find it difficult to understand the types, classes, capacities and compatibility of SD drives. In this article I will try to talk as simply and in detail as possible about a digital memory card in SD format.

Let me start with the fact that the SD format has replaced the MMC portable flash memory card ( MultiMedia Card) with which they physically have the same size (32x24x2.1 mm), but technically have a different design. The format in question has its own controller and a special protected area from unauthorized access, as well as a manual switch to prevent unintentional erasure or overwriting of existing information. Keep in mind that accidental erasure protection is not activated by the SD card itself, but by the device in which it is located, provided that it supports this function.

Volume and format of SD memory card.

There are several types of memory cards in SD (Secure Digital Memory Card) format, which I have listed below in order of backward compatibility. That is, the previous memory card format in the list is backward compatible with the following ones and is not interchangeable in reverse order.

SD (Secure Digital Memory Card) is the very first secure digital memory card format. This type is compatible with all digital devices that support all of the following formats (SD, SDHC, SDXC).

• Maximum memory: 4 GB;
• Initial file system: FAT16.

SDHC (SD High Capacity) is the next high capacity SD memory card. This format works a little differently than the previous representative and is not backward compatible with devices that support the SD format.

• Maximum memory: 32 GB;
• Information exchange speed: 12.5 MB/s;
• Initial file system: FAT32.

SDXC (SD Extended Capacity)— another descendant of the SD memory card with extended capacity. This format has a different file system and is therefore not backward compatible with digital devices that only work with SD. Many devices released after 2010 should be compatible with this format. To finally make sure that the memory card is compatible with the device, look for the SDXC logo on the card and the device. In addition, a card reader capable of working with a format no higher than SDHC will not be compatible with SDXC cards. This format is not supported by all operating systems.

• Maximum memory capacity: 2 TB;
• Information exchange speed: 25 MB/s;
• Initial file system: exFAT.

SDHC I, SDXC I, SDHC II, SDXC II— a card with one of these logos has an increased data exchange speed due to improvements in the UHS bus interface. In simple and understandable language, we can say that UHS (Ultra High Speed) is an addition to the original SD format interface, which is improved by developers from time to time. It should be said that the host device will receive the maximum possible UHS speed only if both the memory card and the receiving device support UHS, otherwise they will be able to access the slower speed provided in the SD format.

• UHS I - has two architectures for the fastest data transfer of 50 MB/s and 104 MB/s. Here the developers have redefined the purpose of some pins to implement four-bit data exchange.
• UHS II - the next improved generation also has two architectures for high-speed data transfer of 156 MB/s and 312 MB/s. A four-bit data exchange mode is also used.

The maximum possible data transfer speed for the interface is indicated here, and you can find out the supported data transfer speed for a particular memory card from the specifications on the manufacturer’s website or from the information sticker on the card packaging. Full compatibility UHS cards with digital devices that do not have the high-speed UHS protocol.

Since this SD format is aimed mainly at portable devices, it consists of three types. Each type of card has its own size.

For example, the standard SD format has a size of 32x24x2.1 mm, and miniSD has a size of 21.5x20x1.4 mm. The small microSD format has the most compact size of 11x15x1 mm, and with the help of special adapters this type of memory card can be adapted to the desired slot form factor.

Classes of SD memory cards.

Now let's take a look at what a memory card class means and what meaning this information carries for the consumer. So, under the classes there is information about the minimum write speed to the memory card. In other words, the higher the class of the memory card, the faster you can record and save voluminous information, play large audio and video files without interruptions and sound clips.

And to make it easier for consumers to navigate the speed capabilities of memory cards, the international SD Card Association classified them according to speed characteristics (multiplier) along with digital devices that can work with them, called SD Speed ​​Class. The speed on memory cards is indicated through a special multiplier called a rating.

This figure is constantly growing, but this moment SD card multiplier from 6x to 633x. To make it clear, I will say that 1x = 150 KB/s. It turns out that entry-level cards have a speed of 6x = 900 KB/s, and top-level SD cards have comparable speeds of 633x = MB/s. According to the speed specification from the SD Card Association, all memory cards are divided according to the minimum recording speed characteristics as follows:

• SD Class 2: write speed of at least 2 MB/s - multiplier 13;
• SD Class 4: write speed of at least 4 MB/s - multiplier 26;
• SD Class 6: write speed of at least 6 MB/s - multiplier 40;
• SD Class 10: write speed of at least 10 MB/s - multiplier 66;
• SD Class 16: write speed of at least 16 MB/s - multiplier 106.

It is the class of the memory card that is one of the important parameters when choosing a removable SD drive. In a previous publication, I touched on the topic of unscrupulous manufacturers, and in this case the SD memory card was no exception.

Unfortunately, there are “honest” manufacturers who indicate a multiplier on the map that does not correspond to the actual speed. That is, the card may actually have the speed declared by the manufacturer, but in read mode and not write mode.

To determine the multiplier of an SD memory card, you can conduct your own independent test using a card reader and a specialized program (for example, for Windows - H2testw; Linux - F3), and then compare the results with the table. You can also see how we did it, which can also be used to test SD and MMC cards.

The speed class rating plays an important role for HD video mode, because in this case the digital device is in a state of constantly saving a stream of data to the memory card. It is the resolution and format that influence the number of stable data streams. Therefore, be sure to check the instructions for the digital device for the minimum speed class requirements for HD video mode.

How to choose an SD card.

As a rule, the speed class of a memory card on a simple SD format nameplate is indicated by a number inside the letter C, and for the UHS standard, the speed class is indicated by a number inside the letter U. Scope of application of the classes and compatibility with devices.

And finally, I’ll say a few more words about the SD card compatibility mode. SDHC memory cards are not compatible with those digital devices that are originally designed only to work with SD cards, but those host devices (camera, video camera, phone...) that can work with SDHC cards are fully compatible with SD cards.

SDXC format memory cards should only be used with SDXC devices, as they will not work with SD / SDHC devices, but digital SDXC devices can use and support SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards. SDHC host devices support both SD and SDHC memory cards, and SDHC memory cards can be used with SDHC and SDXC digital devices.

I hope I was able to tell you about something complicated in a simple way and you can now choose an SD card for your camera, video camera, phone, tablet, reader, and so on. Subscribe to new articles, there will be a lot of interesting things ahead. If you can add to the material or express your opinion, then by all means do so in the comments.