What Is Considered Low Voltage Lighting

Because line voltage lighting is the standard way to get power to lighting fixtures we ll only look at the pros and cons of low voltage lighting in this article.

What is considered low voltage lighting.

What is low voltage lighting. For this line voltage fixtures are basically plug and play. Low voltage lighting systems can carry a higher amount of current and will need larger diameter wires. And since it s low voltage lighting it s safe to use and install even for beginners.

The safe 12 v power supply cannot create bright flood lights. Low voltage lighting got its start in american residential settings in the 1950s. In the left diagram below a 20 watt w bulb with a 120v source draws 16 amp. The international electrotechnical commission iec defines supply system low voltage as voltage in the range 50 to 1000 v ac or 120 to 1500 v dc in iec standard voltages which defines power distribution system voltages around the world.

Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a big impact diy project. The transformer plugs into a grounded outdoor power receptacle and reduces 110 volt current standard to a safe 12 volts low voltage. Low voltage lighting pros and cons. Outdoor lighting can be used to illuminate paths steps and dark zones plus it can add artfully dramatic emphasis to your yard s best features.

Originally developed to facilitate landscape lighting low voltage lighting soon made its way indoors and is now very common for lighting applications like track lighting recessed lighting under cabinet lighting strip lighting and more. As a professional landscape lighting designer looking to install and operate a new low voltage lighting system you need to consider what transformer will be required to convert your standard line voltage outlets using 110 120v into your outdoor low voltage 12v 15v lighting design. The transformer for low voltage lighting is either built into the fixture or located remotely. Low voltage lighting typically uses 12 or 24 volts and requires a transformer to lower the line voltage from 120 volts to avoid immediately burning out the low voltage bulb.

Safety the voltage that runs from the transformer to the fixtures is significantly less powerful than line voltage. Low voltage light has reduced brightness regardless if it is powered with solar or direct electricity. In the right diagram below a 20 w bulb with a 12v source draws 1 6 amps 10 times more current than a 120v source. Low voltage lighting pros.

The proper selection of a lamp type will ultimately depend on the specific requirements of the space to be lighted its function and the economic.