Considerations Before Purchasing Low Voltage Lighting Equipment

Due to the versatility that low voltage lighting can provide, you must first decide your wants and needs for a given area, before purchasing any lighting equipment.

How Will The Area Be Used?

The first and most important consideration, is to decide how the area you want to illuminate will be used.

Do you need task lighting? Will general lighting be sufficient? Do you have particular features within the room you would like to accentuate, with carefully positioned specific lighting? All of these factors will affect the type of low voltage indoor lighting you will require.

By choosing the correct lighting equipment you will be able to create a functional, stylish and atmospheric room. To help you choose the correct lighting equipment, make a sketch of the area in which you are planning to install your lighting system.

Consider how the room is currently used, or how you intend for it to be used, and then plan your lighting arrangement accordingly.

Depending on the lighting equipment used, make sure you take into account things such as transformers and cable runs.

How the light is cast should also be a prime consideration, for it is of little value if the light you are casting is blocked by something in front of it, or poorly positioned so that it causes a distraction. For example, light reflecting off surfaces such as glass or metal can cause glare.

Low Voltage Lighting Transformers

If your low voltage lighting equipment requires a transformer, such as with halogen-tungsten lighting, you must ensure that the transformer is situated in a dry, shaded and well ventilated area. Never leave the transformer in an area where it will receive prolonged direct sunlight.

There should also be at least 200mm of clearance around the transformer to prevent thermal insulation, which may cause the transformer to overheat.

Low voltage lighting transformers can be very heavy, so ensure that it is placed on a solid and stable surface. This should also be in a location that can be easily accessed, so that maintenance and repairs can be carried out when needed.