Home Lighting

Go Low: How Low-Voltage Lighting Puts You in Control

By Craig DiLouie, LC

Low Voltage Lighting

In this residential application, low-voltage lighting enables highly compact luminaires, full-range dimming and excellent color rendering. Photo by Juno Lighting.

Low-voltage lighting offers a premium option for lighting residential applications that require precise beam control, very small luminaires (light fixtures), good color rendering, easy dimming, flexibility in changing the beam pattern of the lamp (light bulb), and a higher degree of electrical safety.

Low-voltage lighting places a transformer between the line voltage and the luminaires, which reduces input voltage to 12V or 24V and sends it along low-voltage wiring to operate low-voltage luminaires. While most residential lighting systems are line voltage (e.g., 110V), they can be easily adapted to a low-voltage system that can give you increased flexibility and control of your home’s lighting.

For instance, suppose you want to light a statue on a pedestal. You want to light the statue without calling attention to either the pedestal (by lighting it) or the luminaires themselves (by selecting large luminaires). You also want to replace the statue once per year, so the size and scale of the statue will vary. Low-voltage lighting is the perfect solution for this application. The small size of the filament enables small luminaires to blend in with the architecture. The beam is very precise, allowing you to light the statue but nothing else. And the lamp is easily replaceable with new lamps with different beam spreads, allowing you to adapt the lighting as new statues are introduced.

Other common applications for low-voltage lighting include ambient, accent/display, wallwashing, walkway, landscape and decorative lighting. Products include track lights, under-cabinet lighting, cove lighting, recessed downlights, decorative pendants, sconces and landscape lighting. Low-voltage track also offers a number of distinctive aesthetics, including bendable rail and cable.

Another important decision, beyond choosing the luminaire, is the lamp and transformer. Most low-voltage luminaires use halogen reflector lamps such as the MR16 to produce beams of light in a single direction. Some pendants, sconces and other luminaires, however, use capsule lamps, which emit light in all directions. Typical wattages range from 4 watts up to 50 watts.

The transformer may be electronic (AC or DC) or magnetic (conventional or toroidal). If the lamps will be dimmed, the dimmer must be rated as compatible with the transformer type. Electronic transformers offer the advantages of smaller size, lighter weight, and quieter and cooler operation. The transformer may be integral to the luminaire or hidden in cabinets or in the ceiling. Issues include how large a load (total watts) can be handled, whether the load must be derated, maximum distance between the transformer and the luminaires, and max/min wattage ratings. The transformer may be hardwired or plug into a power outlet.

Key Takeaways On Low-Voltage Lighting:

  • Lighting systems are line or low voltage
  • Low-voltage lighting offers precise beam control, small luminaires, good color rendering, easy dimming, flexibility
  • Low-voltage lighting requires a transformer to reduce incoming AC to DC

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