Why install low voltage halogen lights over regular voltage halogens?
Lights look identical to me except the low voltage sockets need a transformer and therefore are more expensive. I understand that the low voltage use less power but I would think that it would take years to justify the extra cost.
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I'm not sure there is a real benefit, and there is no difference in efficiency either. My theory is that the filament is a larger size in the low voltage lamps which may give longer life. The filament in a 120v lamp is much finer.
Why install low voltage halogen lights over regular voltage halogens?
More of a renovation issue in my book. Like my dining room, it has a single 2-60W lamp fixture. I'd like a more subtle lighting scheme. I can install 5 20W LV fixtures and not worry about the load on the 52 year-old-wiring quite so much. (That's also using just the one transformer, too.)
Not a big concern in new construction, or where you are pulling new circuits. Then you use what ever is most efficient in my book.
Also, some lighting designers are picky (finicky) about the colors of light. The LV halogens "burn" at a different color temperature (mostly, depending on lamp & fixture, yada, yada, yada . . . )
But you can get blubs like 50W Hallogen MR16's in both 12 volt and 120. Only difference a little difference in pin spacing so they are not interchangable.
BTW, I was doing some work on a house with a whole bunch of of track lighing using transformers at each fixture and 50W 12V MR16's.
But one place they had a a weird brand of head on Juno transformser and track.
They used MR16's, but they had a different pin arrangement and where twist and lock. They where special color correct and focused. They ran about $15 each for the bulb.
Have no idea why they used those, standard ones where used in the same area. Except one was very tight bean and highlighted a picture.
Have no idea why they used those
Ah, one of those unanswerable questions <g> . . .
Yeah, and you reminded me that, in fact, we can get lamps in both line and LV--my brain occasionally kicks back to when all halogen was LV.
I occasionally miss those itty-bitty LVH cans with all of the cool trims--until I think about how hard it would be to try and maintain them now . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
If you have not purchased the fixtures yet, you might consider xenon bulbs. Very similar to halogen, but the are considerably cooler.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
I don't know how hot the 12v get, but we have line voltage halogens under the cupboards; the peanut butter is always runny.
I have the low voltage halogens (puck lights) flush mounted under my cabinets. They do get hot. I have to avoid storing anything combustible on the bottom shelf of the cabinets.
Shortly after I installed mine (~5 years ago), the design standards of them were changed (due to the fire hazard), but even the newer ones still get hot.
All of that said... I really like the amount and the placement of the light for working in the kitchen. (3 lights at ~50 W each lighting about 8 linear feet of work space / breakfast bar.)
Why low voltage??? Almost no code restrictions... Easy for retrofit and/or DIY.
Why not??? The transformer interferes with the lower end of the VHF reception on my breakfast bar TV.
For new construction or a major remodel, I'd go with the 120V.
"Why not??? The transformer interferes with the lower end of the VHF reception on my breakfast bar TV."
This it does not use a "transformer". It is a switching powersupply.
If this is a problem replace it with a magnetic transformer.
I don't know how hot the 12v get,
Same, it depends on the wattage of the lamp.
Is your peanut butter in the wall cabinet or on the counter? I am thinking of using some undercounter halogen lamps as plate warmer. Seriously.
One reason to use low voltage lamps (or any device that runs at less than 50 volts) is the code requirements are less rigorous for the wiring. You don't need junction boxes, for example. The Code just says, "Circuits shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner."
Remember the Tizio Lamp? It wouldn't have come into existence if there were no LV halogen. And all those bare cable LV fixtures too.