Low-Voltage vs. Line Voltage: What's the Difference

When choosing the lighting system for your space, it’s important to understand the difference between line and low voltage. They both have distinct properties that can be used in different settings. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and we’ll be going over the benefits of both so that it’ll be easier for you to choose when the time comes.

Line Voltage

Most homes in the US have line voltage installed. Line voltage supplies the standard voltage in most electrical outlets, which is 120 volts. This comes directly from the breakers, which means line voltage doesn’t require a transformer. If you face problems with your line voltage lighting system, call an electrical repair service or consult with an electrician in Centereach, NY.

Advantages: Line voltage LED lighting has its own incorporated power supply unit and can be worked directly with the main supply. You don’t need a transformer when operating the line voltage, which means installing a line voltage will be more affordable. While changing over to LED, the old lights can be supplanted with retrofit LEDs. Line voltage can be used anywhere that low voltage can, however, the opposite is not true. There are some places where line voltage is essential, like the architecture of a building. Lighting systems that use line voltage can spread as far as wire spreads from a power source.

Disadvantages: Line voltage lacks compact features like having various lighting settings. It usually has either a flood or a spot, and nothing more extensive.

Low Voltage

Low voltage lighting systems use 12 or 24 volts to power their installations. Unlike line voltage systems, the low voltage needs to have a transformer to prevent it from burning out the bulbs. Additionally, the transformer must be placed close to the light fixture for it to function. Low voltage lighting is generally used on occasions where it’s inadequate to use standard voltage, such as for display lighting or landscape applications.

Advantages: Low voltage is preferred when working on landscape wiring because of its safety from low voltage. The voltage that passes through the transformer to the lighting fixtures is less powerful than those of a line voltage. Low voltage is also more flexible and rearrangeable, making it easy for an electrician to add an extra fixture if necessary. While low voltage lighting is frequently expected to naturally give energy savings, finding energy reserve funds from a low voltage lighting system is surely conceivable. If you can find a way to reduce the voltage from the transformer, you could wind up getting various apparatuses fueled instead of just having the power to fuel one fixture.

Disadvantages: Low voltage must use a transformer to get the power to the lighting fixture. Because of this, by the time the power reaches the fixture, there is a possibility the voltage has been dropped, lacking full power. Also, because the low voltage system tends to be more complicated than a standard lighting system, there can be more problems faced during an inspection. The installer may lack knowledge of the system or problems can arise later. Calling for an electrical repair service will be the best option in this situation.

Both line voltage and low voltage can be beneficial, but it’s important to know which system would be more effective for a certain area. Hopefully, learning about the differences between the two has made you less hesitant about deciding which one to choose. If you have any further questions or need to make an appointment, call HomeOps Electric.