Recessed Downlights

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Trouble666

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• 21 Dec 2008

• #1

Hi All,
Im a gas engineer,so not much experience in electrics, so forgive my ignorance! Getting a loft conversion done, planning on getting recessed downlights- Whats the difference between the high voltage and low voltage ones-I presume a transformer is required, but could an expert please explain?

Also, any good places where I can get nice recessed downlights cheap?

Cheers

 

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GaryMo

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• 22 Dec 2008

• #2

Extra- Low voltage - not exceeding 50 V a.c.

Low Voltage - Exceeding Extra-Low Voltage but not exceeding 1000 V a.c. between conductors or 600 V a.c. between conductors and earth.

High Voltage - Normally exceeding Low Voltage.

So, 12 V downlighters with transformers are ELV (Extra-Low Volatge) whereas 230 V downlighters which don't require transformers are LV (Low Voltage).

You really don't want High Voltage ones!!

 

Taylortwocities

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• 22 Dec 2008

• #3

Mains voltage ones are easier to install as they do not have a transformer.
There is a light difference between the two, only you could say which you prefer.

The mains lamps are more expensive and, in my experience, do not last as long as the 12v ones.

Before you embark on this, please check that you will have sufficient clearance above and all round the site of each downlight.
The manufacturers info will say how much you need.

 

RF Lighting

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• 22 Dec 2008

• #4

Trouble666 said:

any good places where I can get nice recessed downlights cheap?

Click to expand...

No.

I can direct you to places to buy cheap downlighters, and places to buy nice downlighters, but you can't have both in one fitting.

 

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Trouble666

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• 22 Dec 2008

• #5

RF Lighting said:

Trouble666 said:

any good places where I can get nice recessed downlights cheap?

Click to expand...

No.

I can direct you to places to buy cheap downlighters, and places to buy nice downlighters, but you can't have both in one fitting.

Click to expand...

Okay okay; I shouldve been a lil more precise! I meant nice recessed downlights at reasonable prices.

 

S

sparkyspike

• 22 Dec 2008

• #6

Screwfix do a Halolite contractor pack - not sure how reliable Halolite are yet, only used them recently. They look ok. Or go to City Electrical for Aurora ones. Senate do IBL, and others do JCC. All similar prices. A pack of ten will normally be a fair bit cheaper than singly. Some contractor packs are prewired. Don't buy cheap ones. And use decent lamps, e.g. Osram.