Low Voltage Lighting

Low voltage lighting is generally considered to be any lighting that is powered at twelve volts. This is technically incorrect and should be referred to as extra low voltage lighting.

However, low voltage lighting is named so because the actual lights are powered through a transformer so that 12V lamps can be used on a 240V supply.

Why Would We Want Low Voltage Lighting?

The primary reason that low voltage lighting is used is because it is much safer in environments such as the kitchen, bathroom or anywhere that there is a lot of moisture or the risk of splashing.

Low voltage lighting also uses high intensity halogen lamps which produce up to three times the light of a standard incandescent lamp and due to the use of the transformer energy consumption is significantly reduced.

Another factor that makes low voltage lighting so popular is the look of it. The light fittings are recessed into the ceiling along with the transformed and so you get nice clean lines and no dust traps.

Low voltage lighting is more direct and so it is usual to have four or more lights in a room. This makes lighting specific areas such as over a sink, bath or shower much easier and effective.

To gauge how much low voltage lighting you need you can use a very general formula in that one 50W low voltage lamp will illuminate about one and half square metres of floor space.

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Another way of deciding how many lights to get is to decide where you want the light, over worktops or basins for instance and then space them about a metre and a half apart. It can be tricky getting the right look in irregularly shaped rooms.

How Is Low Voltage Lighting Fitted?

Once the positions have been decided upon, taking into account any joists or obstacles in the ceiling void it is a matter of drilling appropriately sized holes and running a cable from the switch to each hole. A junction box is then used to connect the cable to the transformer and on to the light.

Low voltage light fittings usually have spring clips on the sides and when the fitting is pushed into the hole the clips spring back onto the ceiling and hold it in place.

Cabling to low voltage lighting should be a minimum of 1.5mm squared twin and earth with heat resistant flex between the transformer and the light fitting. Do not connect ordinary lighting cable to any halogen type downlight as it is not designed to cope with the temperature.

For more advice on the regulations regarding low voltage lighting in bathrooms.

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