Low Voltage Downlights

The fantastic quality Display lighting that you may see in so many retail shops, museums, car showrooms and offices is known within the trade as Extra Low Voltage Lighting but is commonly referred to as low voltage lighting, although many fitting that you see now are in fact mains versions. It is this development that has now opened up huge opportunities for the domestic household environment and existing lighting can be replaced, or added too in order to create stunning effects with the use of extra low voltage lighting. and Mains Halogens.

Low voltage lighting generally consists of tungsten halogen lamps that give two or three times more crisp bright light than that of conventional lamps of equivalent wattage. The Low Voltage versions are driven by a 12 volt electrical supply rather than the 230 – 240 volts needed to run conventional lighting. This 12volt supply is achieved by using a Transformer. The low voltage transformers, when used to replace several conventional light fittings can help to reduce energy consumption by up to 60%. The reduced voltage also has the effect of increasing the lamps life.

The best Low Voltage and Mains quality branded halogen lamps are fitted into special mirrored reflectors with sealed fronts so they can be used safely in bathrooms and kitchens. These diachronic lamps have good efficient reflectors which give a bright crisp light output making them ideal for highlighting areas and individual objects such as your new mono bloc chrome tap set or a fine piece of artwork.

Household Lighting can be broken down into three categories. Specific Lighting, Task operational lighting and General. General lighting gives overall brightness and illumination to a whole area or room. Task operational lighting, is light made available for reading, sewing, personal grooming etc where background the general lighting may be inadequate. Lighting for specific purpose is intended to highlight features without flooding out to much light elsewhere. When designing your lighting for any particular area it makes sound sense to think about the purpose of that room and how you will personally use the space. Most rooms require a level of general lighting, you can add dimmer switches or other lighting controllers to further enhance various moods setting.

If you are choosing to use Low Voltage Lighting for a complete room, a good guide for light out put is one 20W flood beam light per square meter or one 50W light per 1.5 square meters. Allowing half a meter in from the edge of the room all round. Again all the transformers sold by Online Lighting can be controlled by dimmer switches allowing you to adjust the light level to suit your requirements

Low Voltage Lighting transformers are normally hidden away in the ceiling void and it is very important to ensure they are in a well ventilated space. Do not cover them with insulation, as low voltage lamps push the heat out backwards. Do not position the transformers to near central heating pipes. All Online lighting transformers are manufactured with a safety thermal cut out which will operate if the transformer temperature gets too high. The transformers also have an auto reset mechanism that will automatically reset when the temperature cools. We also sell a full range of Fireblock low voltage lights that maintain the fire instrument properties of your plasterboard ceiling all fittings being compliant with current regulations.

Please be aware that all Bathrooms have strict regulations as to the type of light fitting that should be used, and in which area of the bathroom. Under the current regulations, a bathroom is divided into four separate zones 0-1-2- 3. Each zone of the bathroom is related to the position of the water source, such as the bath tub, shower, hand basin, ceiling and so on. All specific designed Bathroom lighting is given an IP rating. This IP rating is followed by a number and the higher both numbers are the better protection a light fitting has against the ingress of water. If you are unsure about the position or suitability of any light fitting you should consult a qualified electrician. More info can be found in our Guide To Bathroom Lighting.

Kitchens also are subject to special wiring regulations and advice should be sought from a qualified electrician before any installation is undertaken. Our helpful staff are only a phone call away so if you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us at any time.