Using Low Voltage Lighting Inside The Home

The numerous designs of low voltage lighting provide endless possibilities for where they can be used throughout the home.

Below you will find some of the most common uses for each type of low voltage light.

Using Low Voltage Fluorescent Tube Lighting

Fluorescent tubes are most commonly found under wall mounted kitchen cupboards, to provide task specific lighting to the work surface below.

Another possible location for fluorescent tubes, are ceiling mounted designs in the kitchen or hallway. Although the large size of the tubes may detract from the overall appearance of the room.

Smaller fluorescent tubes are sometimes found fitted above, or to the sides, of shaving mirrors.

Using Low Voltage Compact Fluorescent Lighting

The compact fluorescent bulb is designed to replace the standard incandescent bulb, and provide a more energy efficient form of general lighting. They are not however very suitable for task or specific lighting.

Compact fluorescent bulbs can be used throughout the home, although they are most commonly found as ceiling hanging arrangements in bedrooms, hallways and living rooms.

Using Low Voltage Tungsten-Halogen Lighting

This form of low voltage lighting is commonly used in ceiling or floor mounted designs.

Good locations for halogen lights include kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms, where they can provide a concealed yet stylish form of general lighting.

For general lighting you should use one 20w wide beamed halogen light, for every square meter. Or one 50w, for every 1 1/2 square meters.

In addition to general lighting, tungsten-halogen lights can also be used for specific lighting, such as with spotlights to highlight particular features within a room. Or task lighting, such as in a desk lamp.

Halogen lights are also a popular form of low voltage outdoor lighting, where they are used in security lights and for general outdoor lighting.

Tungsten halogen lamps are currently the most versatile and cost effective form of low voltage indoor and outdoor lighting.

Using Low Voltage LED Lighting

LED lights are becoming increasingly popular, although they are still limited somewhat by their higher price and design limitations.

LED lights are best suited for specific or task lighting, and areas where lighting is need for brief periods, such as in a cupboard.

They are less suited for general lighting, however newer designs are starting to overcome this limitation.

Summary

• For general lighting, compact fluorescent light bulbs are most effective.
• For specific lighting, tungsten-halogen or LED lights are most effective.
• For task lighting, tungsten-halogen or LED lights are most effective.