If you're running a low voltage (12-volt) lighting system in your home or business, why not change to some low voltage LEDs? They are cheaper to use than halogen bulbs and last up to twenty times longer. And, unlike regular energy savers, i.e. CFLs, their life span is not affected by frequent on and off switching.
However, before you change, you will first need to check the compatibility of your transformers and, if necessary, upgrade to an LED Driver.
Low voltage light bulbs are driven by a 12-volt electrical supply rather than the 220-240-volts needed to run conventional bulbs. This 12-volt supply is achieved using a device called a transformer.
Standard "halogen" transformers have a minimum load requirement of about 20 watts. As LED's use very little power, between 3 and 6 watts, they don't always satisfy this requirement. This will result in performance issues such as flickering and diminished light output. It will also shorten the lifespan of your bulbs.
LED drivers have no minimum load, so can be used to power individual and multiple LED bulbs without difficulty.
There are two main types of driver available; constant current and constant voltage. When choosing an LED driver, it is important to work out which you need.
-If you are powering an individual bulb, or several bulbs in series, i.e. in succession, then you will need a constant current driver.
-If you are running numerous bulbs in parallel, you will need a constant voltage driver.
Many customers are put off by the idea of upgrading to LED drivers, particularly as it can work out to be quite expensive. There are cheaper alternatives however.
One option is to change your low voltage fittings to mains voltage GU10. This cuts out the transformer/driver altogether. All you need to do is remove your existing fittings and transformer, and replace it with a GU10 lamp holder that connects directly to the mains supply.
With a GU10 LED bulb, the voltage and current requirements are managed by an in-built driver, so you don't need to worry about compatibility.
In summary, low voltage lighting users should always check their transformers before changing to LED. You could be saving yourself a lot of hassle and will ensure you get the most out of your LED bulbs.
Remember, low voltage is not synonymous with low energy. Energy is measured in watts. Only by switching to LED can you lower the energy consumption of your lighting and save money on your electricity bills.
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