by Andrew Nicholas
•
31 March 2025
Low Voltage Lighting
Low-voltage lighting systems use a transformer to reduce normal line voltage. Normal line voltage is usually 120 or 277 volts, whereas low voltage lighting is 12 or 24 volts (most commonly only 12 volts!) This type of lighting is typically used in landscape, recessed, track, pendant, and display lighting applications. Low voltage lighting is used where it is challenging to run standard-voltage electrical conduit and wire or to save greatly on energy costs. The main limitation has to do with distance–you can only get low voltage so far from a transformer box, however, distance doesn’t become an issue in most residential circumstances.
Safety
Low voltage lighting is safer because the voltage from the transformer to the fixtures is less powerful than line voltage. When creating outdoor lighting, low voltage is more common because it circumvents having to bury wire underground to code.Path Lighting
Path lighting allows you to walk at night safely in conditions of low or no natural light