Halogen light fixtures7/4/2023 The voltage of a building’s electrical circuits. Most low voltage spotlights will be between 12-24 volts. Low voltage light fittings often need a compatible transformer ( see below) to convert mains voltage to the correct, lower voltage. These are most commonly used in integrated kitchen fittings, where space is at a premium and smaller bulbs are a necessity. Most light bulbs operate off mains voltage ( see below), but some light fittings are designed to be lower voltage. Most LED light bulbs can be used with existing light fittings (this is called retrofitting). They last many times longer than halogen light bulbs, produce the same amount of light, but use only a fraction of the energy. LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs are the most technologically advanced and energy-efficient bulbs available. The European Commission directive in September 2016 banned the manufacture of this type of power-hungry spotlights. Halogen spotlights are a form of incandescent light bulb that use a tungsten filament and a mix of inert and halogen gases to produce light. Spotlights are ‘directional’ bulbs that emit light in a focused beam. This is different from a light bulb’s stated wattage ( see below). An LED light bulb with an equivalent wattage of 35W is a direct replacement for a 35W incandescent light bulb. See our in-depth glossary of lighting terms for even more information.Ī term used to compare LED light bulbs with their incandescent alternatives. We’ve finished our guide off below with a quick ‘cheat sheet’ to help you remember all the technical terms discussed above. This is only getting more complicated as LED technology gets ever more energy-efficient, but as long as you remember to look for the equivalent wattage, you will find the right LED spotlights. For example, you might find both 5W and 6W LED light bulbs that have an equivalent wattage of 35W both of these would be fine to replace 35W halogen bulbs. The actual wattage of the LED light bulb may vary, but the equivalent wattage must be the same as your current halogen bulbs. This will ensure that the transformer can still handle the load safely.įor example, if you have one 35W halogen installed in your kitchen, ensure you swap it for 35W equivalent LED. When replacing Halogen MR16 light bulbs with LED bulbs, it’s important to use LED bulbs of equivalent wattage to your existing halogen light bulbs. You can usually find this equivalent wattage listed with online product details, specification sheets (where available), and on the product packaging. The 5W LED light bulb is the ‘equivalent wattage’ of the 35W halogen light bulb. A 5W LED spotlight, for example, can offer the same brightness of light as a 35W halogen spotlight. The natural energy-saving properties of LED light bulbs means that they can offer the same brightness of a halogen equivalent, but using only a fraction of the power. This would overload the fitting and potentially cause a safety issue.įortunately, there is an easy way to find the right low voltage LED spotlights.Įquivalent wattage – swapping halogen MR16 light bulbs for LED MR16 For example, if you have a 40VA transformer for halogen bulbs, you should not install 40-watts worth of LED light bulbs. Some transformers might just carry one individual light bulb, while others might be able to carry several lower wattage light bulbs in a series.Īt this point, it’s important to note that if it is a halogen transformer, this maximum load applies to halogen light bulbs only. For example, a 40VA transformer can handle up to a 40-watt halogen light bulb, while a 10-60VA one can carry between 10 and 60 watts worth of bulbs. These numbers tell you the maximum wattage that the transformer can carry. This VA number will either be fixed, or it will be a range (e.g. You should be able to find this on the body of the transformer itself, in the form of a ‘VA’ number. If you have low voltage halogen light bulbs installed with a transformer, the first thing you need to do before replacing Halogen MR16 light bulbs with MR16 LED bulbs is to find the transformer’s maximum load. Replacing Halogen MR16 light bulbs with LED MR16 light bulbs
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