Hi all
Back in the kitchen again. Is 240v concealed lighting available/desirable as opposed to low voltage stuff with transformers? I am just running first fix wiring to each location based on 240v and don't want to have to back-track with any of this.
TIA
Phil
Short answer, LV are always preferable to mains downlighters.
At installatiopn just use a trafo per point, no wiring changes from
240 circuit.Whether LV downlighters are great as kitchen ;lights , whole other debate....
Cheers Adam
Can you explain what you mean by "concealed lighting", as your question seems rather weird with the conventional meaning?
"Andrew Gabriel" wrote
Sorry yes it all seems blatantly obvious inside your own head as you type!
The concealed lighting is like mini-strip type stuff under wall cupboards to provide low level lighting in evenings. OK for making tea as it is concentrated at worktops, but not enough for reading cook books!
Is "concealed lighting" now used to describe recessed ceiling halogens or something?
Phil
I installed a roundpin 3A socket above each "run" of cupboards, then just fed the first cable down the back of a cupboard to the lights underneath, they all daisy chain together from there.
If you ever wanted to switch to 12V lighting, you could park the transformer on top of the cupboard and dangle the 12V down to the lights instead.
Maybe "under cupboard lighting" would have been better? ;-)
If you mean linear fluorescent, its a big improvement on halogen, but pick your tubes with care, there are too many poor ones about. If you mean linear filament striplight, avoid it no matter what.
NT
"NT" wrote
If you mean linear fluorescent, its a big improvement on halogen, but pick your tubes with care, there are too many poor ones about. If you mean linear filament striplight, avoid it no matter what.
Yes thanks NT that's exactly what I meant! There seem to be a plethora of technologies out there - LED, SELV, mains fluorescent etc. Is there a perceived best option? I like the linear fluorescent, but are these available both mains and LV and if so which is best and why? Are fluorescent strips now energy saving or are they going to be phased out in the near future?
Phil
Fluorescent strips are energy saving.
Adam
Not suprised your confused, lot of money seems to be going in to confusing rather than educating consumer...
Fluro dosen`t tend to be LV apart from for special uses like caravans and boats, no advantage to LV fluro in the home.
For under cupboard lighting , unless your budget is big or your light requirements are low LED is not yet best option.
Its a kitchen, in general use ,sharp knives, hot cookers and boiling fluids , too bright isn`t an issue.
Slightly differnt requirements for late night fridge raid , so put in multiway switching so don`t use full Wembley illumination when its not needed.
LED has some way to go before it is the only answer to all lighting needs, fluro is has very good efficiency and will be available for foreseeable future.
For undercupboard look for T5 fluro and avoid T4, came up on here recently as to why, ebay is definately a good value source for the components.
Cheers Adasm
"Adam Aglionby" wrote
Thanks to both Adams
I'll proceed with mains feeds direct to u/side of cupboards and forget LV
Phil
which? :)
Under cabinet choices are basically halogen, linear fluorescent and LED, and if you're unwise linear incandescent or 15/25w pygmy lamps.
fluorescent offers:
- the best energy & cost efficiency,
- complete user control of the light produced - though that does mean you can go wrong when buying tubes
Filament: excessively energy hungry, yellowy light, heating of cabinets halogen: glare, energy hungry LED: lousy light quality, high price
mains, LV is only a useful option for halogens
NT
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.