Different Types Of Low Voltage Indoor Lighting

Low voltage lighting is a term used to classify lighting technology that minimises power consumption, whilst maximising energy efficiency.

The most popular types of low voltage indoor lighting are listed below.

Low Voltage Fluorescent Tube

Fluorescent tubes differ from other forms of low voltage lighting, as they employ a gaseous mixture of argon and mercury as a means of creating light.

As electricity passes from one end of the tube to the other it excites mercury atoms, which causes them to emit ultraviolet photons.

When these photons hit the phosphorous coating inside the tube, visible light is created.

Fluorescent tubes are extremely energy efficient, cool to the touch and have a very long lifespan.

However their larger size in comparison to regular shaped light bulbs, may pose design limitations on how and where the tubes are used.

There is also concern that the mercury found within the tube may pose a severe health hazard, if the fluorescent tube is accidentally broken.

Because mercury is extremely toxic, there are also environmental concerns regarding the safe disposal of fluorescent tube lighting.

Low Voltage Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are becoming an increasingly popular low voltage indoor lighting alternative to the standard incandescent bulb.

They employ a similar technology to the fluorescent tube, using a gaseous mixture of argon and mercury to create light. However despite this similarity, they have on average half the lifespan of the larger fluorescent tube.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs provide an extremely cost effective, low voltage indoor lighting solution.

When they are used to replace incandescent light bulbs, the homeowner can expect to see a noticeable decrease in their electricity bill.

Like the fluorescent tube, compact fluorescent bulbs take time to “warm up” before they achieve maximum brightness. And the light may sometimes appear to flicker.

Newer bulb designs have helped to greatly reduce both of these issues, although they are more expensive than the regular compact fluorescent bulbs.

As this low voltage light contains mercury, there are again environmental concerns regarding its safe disposal. There is also the possibility of contamination within the home, should the bulb accidentally break.

Low Voltage Tungsten-Halogen Light

Tungsten-Halogen lights are another popular form of low voltage indoor lighting, and work in a similar way to incandescent bulbs.

However unlike the incandescent bulb, tungsten-halogen lights have a much thicker and more robust filament. This allows the filament to run at a hotter temperature, and provides less resistance to the passing electrical current.

The result is that halogen lights last longer and can produce more light, whilst using less energy in the process.

Due to their versatility and energy efficiency, tungsten-halogen lights are an extremely attractive low voltage indoor lighting solution for home designers.

However halogen lights have a shorter lifespan, and are not as energy efficient as fluorescent tubes or LED lighting. As a result, halogen lights are likely to be replaced by LED lighting sometime in the future.

Low Voltage LED Light

Light Emitting Diode (LED) light bulbs are one of the most exciting recent developments in lighting technology.

They are extremely energy efficient, and are the longest lasting bulbs of all the low voltage indoor lighting options. Depending on the type of LED light, they may last up to 3 times as long as fluorescent tubes.

Apart from their extremely low energy usage and long life, LED lights provide many other advantages that make them a very attractive indoor lighting solution.

LED lights are cool to touch, light up immediately, small in size, and their lifespan is not reduced by switching them on and off rapidly.

They also gradually fade in brightness as they come to the end of their lifespan. Rather than going out abruptly, like incandescent bulbs.

LED lights are solid state which means there is no filament or tube to break, making them extremely robust. In addition to this they do not contain any mercury, which makes disposal environmentally friendly.

Because LED light bulbs are relatively new to the domestic market, they are currently the most expensive of all low voltage indoor lighting.

However over time LED bulbs will become cheaper and improve in quality. They truly are the light bulb of the future!