Before purchasing an LED downlight, you’ll want to make sure that your electrical system can provide sufficient wattage. A transformer is a necessary component for indoor lighting installations. They convert the voltage from your house’s high power (240v) to low power (12v or 24v) which is safe for the smaller lights. In Australia, most downlights require a transformer, as they come with 240v wiring and the fitting is wired directly into your house’s electrical system.
However, there are some situations where transformers are not required:
– If you’re using an outdoor floodlight from a reputable brand (like those above in ‘What To Look For When Buying Outdoor LED Floodlights’) you’ll probably find they have a transformer built-in already.
– Some outdoor light fittings like post lights are powered by solar panels, which means no wiring is involved at all and the fitting itself generates its own electricity.
– There are special lights such as wireless security floodlights that require directly connecting to your house power system with no transformers. If you’re going this route you’ll need to consult an electrician or specialist lighting retailer, as complicated installation may be required.
Types of Downlight Installations where Transformers are Found
Lighting is a large part of any commercial fit-out, and with the development of LED technology over the past few years, many projects have been scoping more features into their existing property to boost energy efficiency. For example, commercial offices will commonly change from halogen to LED downlights as this can save up to 80% on electricity.
These upgrades are not just limited to office buildings; retail businesses and factories are also seeing savings on their electricity bills because of these changes, which means significant cost savings for your business.
LED Bulbs vs Halogen Bulbs
LED (Light Emitting Diode) downlights are an excellent alternative to existing downlights in the market. They have a lifespan of over 50,000 hours which is more than double of that of most other kinds of lamps that are used for lighting at home. These lights use less power, produce little heat and also last for a very long time.
LEDs are durable and resistant to vibrations and shocks. This makes them perfect for high-traffic areas in homes such as hallways, corridors and staircases.
In addition to being durable and maintenance-free, LEDs offer softer lighting that is appropriate for hallways, living rooms and bedrooms where you need to see your way around easily but does not want the lighting to be glaring or too harsh on your eyes.
LED Downlights in Australia
Most LED products available in the market today are designed purely for that purpose and offer a very soft, non-intrusive light that will not disturb you when sleeping.
However, this is possible only if the right kind of LEDs has been used as well as the right amount of them depending on the size of the room or area you are lighting up.
The disadvantage, however, is that they can be a bit expensive compared to other kinds of downlights available in the market. The cost of installation may also need to be considered although these costs should be recouped by lower running costs over time due to their long life and energy-efficient nature. Most people don’t consider this as an important factor when deciding whether to install LEDs for lighting in homes or not because many do not have accurate information about how LED lights work and which ones are best suited for particular tasks like downlighting applications.
Currently, most LED fixtures sold in Australia are made overseas and are designed primarily with commercial applications in mind – such as office buildings, shopping complexes and factory floors. These LEDs are generally suitable for downlighting purposes but do not always produce the level of light quality that is necessary for ideal home lighting.
For example, they may have been designed to provide bright illumination in large open areas such as warehouses and office buildings where there is no need to worry about glare or harsh lighting at inappropriate times of day when people want to relax in their homes.
Benefits of an LED Driver
Those high-intensity LEDs may work well for an industrial application by providing bright white light with a good amount of illumination but sometimes this kind of lighting can be too harsh and even uncomfortable if used purely as a domestic downlight fixture without any modification or filters attached. The best way to get the right combination of brightness and homely warmness from a LED downlight is to use high quality, independently tested and certified LED which has been proven by independent testing bodies such as the Energy Efficiency Council to provide an output that produces warm white light.
For example, there are many different types of LEDs available in the market today but not all of these have been designed for home use. The best ones for home lighting applications are those that have been independently tested and certified to meet appropriate standards as determined by relevant Australian government authorities. This kind of certification means that they have met or exceeded relevant technical requirements and are safe to use without any extra filters, dimmers or other special accessories needed.
Purchasing LED Bulbs in Australia
Not all LEDs on offer from retail outlets such as retail stores and online shops are suitable for domestic lighting applications. Many of these are sold purely as replacement bulbs for older household appliances such as televisions that cannot physically accommodate the LED lamps designed for use in downlights.
Others may not be energy-efficient like LEDs used for lighting in commercial spaces and many others simply fail to meet Australian standards or have been made with poor quality materials that aren’t fit for purpose. That’s why it is so important to find a reputable supplier that can offer the right kind of LED lighting or downlights for your home based on your own personal preferences and needs.
As we’ve already explained above, there are two main reasons why fit out companies prefer LED over halogen downlights: firstly, they’re cheaper (lose money if they don’t replace all their halogens), and secondly, they’re more labour-saving (LEDs last longer and take less time to install).
Commercial LED Bulb
The use of LED lighting in commercial properties is becoming more common as people become aware that it is cheaper and easier to install than older bulbs. The latest technology in lighting systems has made it more practical to use LED lights, and the benefits of using them can help your business save a lot on power bills.
Commercial property owners should be aware that LED lights last longer, are more environmentally friendly than older lights, have a low energy consumption rate compared with halogen lights and produce less heat which can also help along with soundproofing for offices or converting open plan office areas into cubicles.
If you’re doing work to your home that involves moving walls around or doing extensive renovation work such as adding extensions – think about the extra load this will put on your electrical system (and new hydroelectric bill!).
Adding new circuits is a potential way of dealing with this increased load – but if you have an existing installation, upgrading some or all your downlights can be a great alternative that doesn’t require an additional electrician and is quicker than adding another circuit. If you’re not sure exactly how much power your lights are using, you buy a small plug-in energy meter designed for measuring the electricity consumption of household appliances (such as this one on Amazon.com).
Plugs into the wall to provide instant current readings – valuable when upgrading all or part of your lighting system from halogen to LED. Reverse-cycle air conditioning is also becoming more popular in Australian homes – even during summer. If you consider installing it make sure that it will actually work in conjunction with your existing electrical system; some systems operate at different voltages, or may require special transformers which could add extra expense to your project.
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Halogen Transformers vs LED Transformers
Halogen Transformers and LED Transformers are the two types of transformers in Australia. Halogen transformers are made of wire coils that convert AC current to DC. The AC is stepped down by a transformer and connected to a halogen bulb. LED transformers, on the other hand, convert AC current to DC without conversion through a wire coil.
There are many similarities between the two such as:
- they can be used with any bulb
- they use silicon chips to generate the light electronically
However, Halogen Transformers will generally cost more than LED transformers because it requires an expensive filament while LED Transformers do not.
A halogen Transformer also has a lifespan at 2,000 hours.
Does an LED Transformer Cause Flickering Lights?
LED Transformer does not cause flickering light. The LEDs in LED Transformers produce a stable light without any flickering.
The main difference between the Halogen Transformers and the LED Transformers is that Halogen Transformers need a filament whereas LED Transformers to use silicon chips to generate light electronically.
Where the flickering could occur with LED downlights require having variable light bulbs which adjust the power supply going to the light, where is the is too low you may see the led lamps flickering. This is because some of the led drivers may not be designed for such little power that this type of lower light output provides.
