Return to the Lighting Forum | Post a Follow-Up

o
Low voltage question from the clueless

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings
Posted by aliris19 (My Page) on
Tue, May 10, 11 at 1:50

Is there such a thing as "low voltage" undercabinet lights? Is this a misnomer? That is, wouldn't low voltage really need a lot of power because you'd need a transformer to run the things?

Sorry about my poor grasp of this all...

Follow-Up Postings:

o
RE: Low voltage question from the clueless

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Low voltage requires the use of larger conductors since the current is higher than a comparable 120 V load. For a 20 watt bulb the current is ten times higher, so on a 120 V circuit it only requires ~0.17 amps (20 W/120 V) while a twelve volt 20 W bulb needs ~1.7 amps (20 W/12 V).

Transformers do not have losses that high,and many of the 'electroni' transfomers are acytlly switching power supplies.
They also can be pretty efficient.

Low voltage also allows the use of more rugged filaments that can withstand the vibration from taking things in ans out of the cabinets immediately above the lights.

Puck style lights are typically only 10 or 20 watts.
You just use more of them to cover the counter.
There proximity allows for good lighting.

you can get 60 watt 12 V supplies for pucks that are rather small and easily concealed under the cabinet with the lights.
Each one will power three 20 W pucks.

Incandescent light get hot, LED and florescent not as much.

o
RE: Low voltage question from the clueless

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Just google "low voltage undercabinet lights"; they are quite common in strip and puck forms. But the first thing to decide is what kind of light you like. Go to a lighting store with a kitchen mock-up and see which type of light you think looks best regardless of voltage type.

o Post a Follow-Up

Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum.

    If you are a member, please log in.

    If you aren't yet a member, join now!

Return to the Lighting Forum

Instructions

  • You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
  • Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
  • After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
  • It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
  • HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
  • No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
  • If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
  • If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.



 
Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.