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Low Voltage Lighting
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Published: October 20, 2006
Low voltage lighting creates a mood that highlights certain areas with shimmer and sparkle. Low voltage lights are versatile, giving you the control over the ambiance of the room. They can spot light certain areas providing a focal point or illuminate a section generating interesting shadows.
Low voltage lighting consists of a plug-in transformer, low voltage cable, and low voltage light fixtures. The transformer is plugged into a grounded power box. The transformer reduces the volts significantly. For example, 110 volts becomes 12 volts making it low voltage.
When choosing a transformer, have a good estimate of the total watts that will be used in your system. Be sure the total watts never exceed the transformers watt rating. If you have an existing transformer, a second can be added to share the power load.
Low voltage lighting is most commonly done in lighting systems using multiple fixtures in a row. There are low voltage tube, tape, and sting light systems. Low voltage lamp wattages range from ¼ to 100 watts. Each choice has a different purpose. Tube lights are usually 2½ watts or less, tape lights are 2 watts or more, and string lights can be of a higher wattage. Low voltage lights with a low number of watts do not mean they do not give off a good amount of light. In fact low voltage lights of good quality are twenty percent brighter than line voltage lights.
Low voltage lighting is popular for the ambiance it gives a room and for its benefits over other lighting sources. When comparing low voltage lighting to line voltage, low voltage lights are slightly more expensive, but last between 2,000 and 3,500 hours depending on the wattage. They are energy efficient and cost-effective to operate. Low voltage lights yield a brighter white light. Low voltage lighting is easily installed and perfect for remolding because they can be hung over existing ceilings with little or no rewiring. There are many sizes and shapes low voltage lights come in including many beam widths and intensities. This gives you the control over the ambience of the space, making the room your own.
There are some disadvantages to low voltage lighting. Besides being more expensive than line voltage, low voltage lighting replacements may not be readily available, but can be ordered. A dimmer switch can be used, but the transformer and dimming system have to be compatible. Also, continuous dimming could cause the lamp to darken.
When deciding between low voltage lighting and line voltage, choose according to the intensity of light your want and the width of its glow in that particular area. If the light intensity is appropriate and within your budget, it is preferable to use low voltage lighting at lower wattage over line voltage.
With low voltage lighting you can fill a room with ambiance creating sparkle and shadows, while saving on energy bills. Low voltage lighting can relax you after a long days work, set a romantic ambiance, or simply showcase your personal style. With low voltage lighting you can have a variety of bulb wattages in the same lighting system. This gives you flexibility in your lighting offering you the power to make any room special, just for you.
Grosslight, Jane. Lighting Kitchens and Baths. Tallahassee, Fl: Durwood, 1993.
House Beautiful: Lighting. New York, New York: Hearst Books, 2002.
"Low Voltage Lighting Products." Mica Lighting. 2001. 19 Oct. 2006 .
McCloud, Kevin. Lighting Style. New York, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995. 110-111.
Low voltage lighting consists of a plug-in transformer, low voltage cable, and low voltage light fixtures. The transformer is plugged into a grounded power box. The transformer reduces the volts significantly. For example, 110 volts becomes 12 volts making it low voltage.
When choosing a transformer, have a good estimate of the total watts that will be used in your system. Be sure the total watts never exceed the transformers watt rating. If you have an existing transformer, a second can be added to share the power load.
Low voltage lighting is most commonly done in lighting systems using multiple fixtures in a row. There are low voltage tube, tape, and sting light systems. Low voltage lamp wattages range from ¼ to 100 watts. Each choice has a different purpose. Tube lights are usually 2½ watts or less, tape lights are 2 watts or more, and string lights can be of a higher wattage. Low voltage lights with a low number of watts do not mean they do not give off a good amount of light. In fact low voltage lights of good quality are twenty percent brighter than line voltage lights.
Low voltage lighting is popular for the ambiance it gives a room and for its benefits over other lighting sources. When comparing low voltage lighting to line voltage, low voltage lights are slightly more expensive, but last between 2,000 and 3,500 hours depending on the wattage. They are energy efficient and cost-effective to operate. Low voltage lights yield a brighter white light. Low voltage lighting is easily installed and perfect for remolding because they can be hung over existing ceilings with little or no rewiring. There are many sizes and shapes low voltage lights come in including many beam widths and intensities. This gives you the control over the ambience of the space, making the room your own.
There are some disadvantages to low voltage lighting. Besides being more expensive than line voltage, low voltage lighting replacements may not be readily available, but can be ordered. A dimmer switch can be used, but the transformer and dimming system have to be compatible. Also, continuous dimming could cause the lamp to darken.
When deciding between low voltage lighting and line voltage, choose according to the intensity of light your want and the width of its glow in that particular area. If the light intensity is appropriate and within your budget, it is preferable to use low voltage lighting at lower wattage over line voltage.
With low voltage lighting you can fill a room with ambiance creating sparkle and shadows, while saving on energy bills. Low voltage lighting can relax you after a long days work, set a romantic ambiance, or simply showcase your personal style. With low voltage lighting you can have a variety of bulb wattages in the same lighting system. This gives you flexibility in your lighting offering you the power to make any room special, just for you.
Grosslight, Jane. Lighting Kitchens and Baths. Tallahassee, Fl: Durwood, 1993.
House Beautiful: Lighting. New York, New York: Hearst Books, 2002.
"Low Voltage Lighting Products." Mica Lighting. 2001. 19 Oct. 2006 .
McCloud, Kevin. Lighting Style. New York, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995. 110-111.
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