low voltage lighting

Low voltage lighting is often used outdoors in deck lighting and other landscape lighting to add accents in certain spots. Low Voltage Lighting converts the high voltage electrical current to a lower voltage which uses less energy and creates a lower amount of light. This ambient light allows for diffused or minimal light that doesn't distract the eye, such as in corners or recessed shelves inside the home. It can help to provide a more natural looking environment with a few subtle lighting accents. Your average electrical outlet provides around 110 to 120 volts, while low voltage lighting uses a plug-in transformer to change that to approximately 12 volts of electricity. Once the voltage has been lowered, it sends the current through the cables to the lamps, which actually produce anywhere from 5 to 50 watts of power. Most low voltage lighting systems keep the wattage below 30 watts. It is also nice to know that you can have lamps of differing wattage placed along the same system in order to produce the exciting lighting effects you want your landscape to have. Most low voltage lighting kits will come with the transformer included in the kit. They will also have the cables and lamps that are necessary for installation. The cables for low voltage lighting are designed to carry different numbers of watts to the lamps and are shock proof as well as weather proof, so it does not require burying. You have to figure out the number of lamps you will have attached to the cable and make sure that you don't exceed the total wattage. In other words, you could only use ten 15 watt lamps on a 16 gauge cable which carries a total of 150 watts; if you need more lamps you will need a different gauge cable. Determining your needs will play a big part in choosing the type of low voltage lighting you will use. Often, one will find that low voltage lighting systems have many features that make them very efficient and useful. You may find self-timers or motion sensors, or programmable timers so that you can set the time at which they come on and off if you are using outdoor low voltage lighting. If you are using this type of lighting indoors, you will like the options that timers give you. In addition to these types of features, you can find a multitude of design styles available in low voltage lighting. Whether you prefer flood lights or tier lights along your walkway, you can find what you are looking for. You can find flat vent-style horizontal lights for your deck or a light for your well. You can find a traditional lantern or globe style or the popular bollard style lights. Low voltage lighting is generally affordable and comes in a number of designs and options. If you are thinking about creating low level accents in your landscaping or inside your home, then this type of lighting is a great way to create the effects you want while using less energy.

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