When you are looking for a set of LED lights for covering a wide area, you will come across 2 options that are line voltage options working over 120 Volts standard supply, and low voltage options that can function via a 12 Volts transformer. As a rational consumer, you would obviously want to go with an option that offers you the best performance and experience along with benefits in terms of initial investment and running costs.
But for that, you would have to understand the key differences between both of these options and compare their applicability with your application. To help you with that, we have prepared this helpful guide to compare line voltage and low voltage options and how they differ in terms of output quality, connectivity, efficiency, installation, and much more. After going through this guide, you can easily decide which of these options is better suited for your needs. But first, let us try to understand what these options actually represent.
What is Line Voltage Lighting?
Line voltage, or as it is more commonly known as line voltage landscape lighting system is the most commonly available lighting system on the market since it works on a plug-and-play basis. It is possible because of its compatibility with the standard 120 Volts input which is commonly found in households and offices. So for every line voltage based LED system, you will simply have to connect the system to an ordinary wall outlet without needing any additional transformer whatsoever.
As you can imagine, this type of lighting system brings ease of installation to the table, thus making it a highly preferred option for a lot of consumers. But, it also means that the power cables of a line voltage based LED lighting system must be safely installed, possibly underground to avoid any form of contact with the power cable. It can also become a safety concern since the voltage is quite high on these cables.
Where to Use Line Voltage Lighting
The heavy-duty line voltage based lighting systems work out best for covering a large landscape such as the front yard or backyard of your home, pool areas, gardens, pathways, etc. You will also notice somewhat brighter illumination with line voltage lighting systems thanks to the high voltage input. You can also prefer line voltage lighting for commercial places such as hotel lobbies, outdoor lighting, or other similar places where you would want to cover a large area with minimal investment and little hassle when it comes to setup and maintenance.
Line Voltage Lighting Pros
- Line voltage LED lights come with integrated power supply units
- These lights can be operated via the main power supply line
- No additional transform is needed
- A better option for replacing traditional lamps and lights
Line Voltage Lighting Cons
- Power consumption of line voltage light is quite higher in comparison
- Heating can also be problematic based on the installation
- Reduced LED lifespan due to excess heat, especially in warmer regions
- A lot of safety regulations are to be followed when it comes to installation
What is Low Voltage (12v or 24v) Lighting?
Low voltage or low voltage landscape lighting system, as the name suggests, operates on a lower voltage rating compared to line voltage. In this system, you will need 12 Volts or 24 Volts input to power the LEDs. It is possible with the help of a step-down transformer since the source is usually 120 Volts or 240 Volts. Even though a transformer is needed for this lighting system, it does not mean that you will have to purchase an external transformer separately. On the contrary, most of these options right now come with a built-in transformer to ease the installation process and reduce initial investment.
As you can imagine, low voltage lighting systems are highly energy efficient since their power consumption is considerably lower. And with that in mind, you still get a pretty powerful glow from these LED lights which suits a lot of applications. Thus, these lights are slowly becoming more popular for decorative purposes where you would have to keep the lights on for longer periods at a time.
Where to use Low Voltage Lighting
Low voltage light systems are right now the preferred option by many consumers for landscape lighting, spotlights to be more specific. Apart from that, you will also notice low voltage LED lights for LED post lights and LED bollard lights. You can also use a remote transformer in case you can’t find one with a built-in transformer and solve the issues with installations. But before that, make sure the wattage rating of the transformer is greater than, or at least equal to that of the LED system or all LEDs combined.
Low Voltage Lighting Pros
- A much safer alternative in comparison
- The entire system can be re-arranged with ease
- Potentially a better option for the long term considering lower running costs
- Preferable option where moisture contact is not avoidable
Low Voltage Lighting Cons
- A step-down transformer is required
- There is always a chance of voltage drop
- Load capacity is limited based on the transformer
- The initial investment is high
What’s the Difference Between Low Voltage and Line Voltage Lighting?
Now that you have understood what line and low voltage systems mean, we will discuss some key differences in both sections and how they differ in terms of installation, applicability, and performance. To make the comparison more thorough, we will discuss both of these options on the basis of factors like output quality, efficiency, safety, connectivity, maintenance, initial investment, etc. so that you can easily select the best option that checks out your requirements the best.
1. Light Output Quality
The key difference in terms of performance can only be observed when we take a look at the light output quality of line voltage and low voltage lighting systems. Line voltage lighting systems offer diffused and warmer luminance whereas low voltage LEDs offer more natural and directed light output. If we are talking about the overall quality of light, then low voltage LED lights surely have an advantage. The light output from low voltage LEDs is not scattered as much and offers better optical control.
2. Energy Efficiency
Another important factor that is going to affect your overall experience with the lighting system in the long term is the energy efficiency of your setup. Thus, it is a crucial factor and must not be overlooked when you are choosing between a line voltage and low voltage LED lighting system. Even if you are confused between one of each with the same wattage rating, you need to consider the fact that low voltage LEDs produce more lumens with the same wattage rating as that of a line voltage LED.
So, it is safe to assume that low voltage LED light systems are more energy efficient. The approximate life expectancy of a low voltage LED also ranges up to 5000+ hours which is significantly higher than line voltage LEDs, making them a more reliable option for the future.
3. Safety
This is another factor where low voltage LED lights have an upper hand compared to line voltage LED lights. Since low voltage LED lighting systems with 12 or 24 Volts voltage ratings, they are a much safer option in comparison. Therefore, these lights are highly preferred for outdoor installations, especially around children such as parks and schools. On the other hand, a lot of users prefer line voltage LEDs to cover larger areas where the wires are usually out of contact with individuals. So in terms of safety, low voltage LED systems are a better choice.
4. Cables and Connections
When it comes to line voltage connections, you will have to go with underground cable connections while creating the setup. Even with that, the cables are supposed to be at least 18 inches under the ground to maintain the recommended safety standards for the system. Other than that, the cables used for line voltage LED lighting systems should be weatherproof as well as shockproof to further improve their reliability. On the other hand, low voltage LED systems’ cables are not supposed to be as deep under the ground. You could bury these cables only a couple of inches in the ground and you are good to go.
5. Relocation Of The Systems
If you have ever seen a line voltage LED system in person, you probably know that these systems are more of a permanent installation type lighting system that cannot be relocated easily. The main reason behind that is the cables that are buried deep underground which is very difficult to remove and then reinstall at another location. But for low voltage LED systems, relocation is rather easy. However, it depends upon the type and installation of the transformer. As long as your transformer can handle another fixture, you have nothing to worry about.
6. Voltage Drop
Voltage drop, as the name suggests, is a phenomenon that is frequently observed with lighting systems. To be precise, it mostly happens with low voltage LED systems since there is a loss of electricity in transmission. As the length of the cable increases, the voltage decreases and the fixture receives less power than what’s needed to offer optimal performance. In the case of line voltage, you will not notice such problems since these lights work on a standard voltage connection.
But, these problems can be easily fixed by splitting the wires for even distribution of power across all fixtures. You should also keep the transformer as close to the fixture as possible to avoid voltage drop. Another thing to keep in mind is selecting a transformer that can support more fixtures than your current needs. This way, you will have room to add more fixtures in the future.
7. Installation
When it comes to installation, low voltage LED lighting systems will cause you a little more time and effort compared to line voltage systems. In most cases, you will have to incorporate an external step-down transformer to reduce the voltage level from 120/220 Volts to 12/24 Volts before you can connect the fixture to the circuit. So, along with the already high initial investment, there is a chance that the installation process might get a little too complicated for low voltage LED systems.
On the other hand, line voltage LED systems are pretty easy to install. Since there is no requirement for a transformer or any other external accessory, you can easily install a line voltage system. However, make sure that you hire a professional or work under the guidance of an experienced person before taking matters into your own hands. As the voltage level is very high in the case of line voltage LED systems, it is better to be safe than sorry.
8. Maintenance Challenges
Considering all factors and setting up the perfect low voltage LED system is easier said than done. For large low voltage landscape projects, you will definitely need the help of a professional to figure out the ideal placement of the transformer as well as the wiring and connections. But, the same cannot be said for line voltage systems since the installation, even though a bit hazardous, is quite straightforward.
As for maintenance, low voltage systems usually do not need a lot of care and maintenance. Due to lower power consumption, these systems are already quite economical and long-lasting. Thus, there is almost no need to check the status of the system more than twice every season. And as low voltage lights are very reliable, you will be saving a lot in terms of repairs and maintenance costs in the future.
9. Investment Cost
The part where low voltage LED systems become a deal-breaker for many is their high initial investment cost. All of the benefits and reliability of low voltage LED light systems come with quite an expensive price tag which is significantly higher than that of a lone voltage system with the same coverage area. There are a lot of factors that affect this cost such as the need for additional transformers, a higher number of lights, more expensive LEDs, etc.
Line voltage light systems on the other hand are quite cheaper and do not cost as much in terms of the initial investment. But, these systems do come with similarly high energy bills due to higher operating costs. If installed in a high-use area, a line voltage system will cost you as much as the initial investment of a low voltage system within a couple of months, making it a wrong choice for the application.
Conclusion
So far, we have seen both line voltage and low voltage systems in detail along with their specific advantages and benefits. We have also compared the 2 according to many important factors so that it would become clear for many buyers which options suit them the most. Knowing these differences will certainly help you avoid the wrong choice and choose the perfect LED lighting system for your space.
If you are still not sure, we will suggest going with a low voltage system since it is slowly acquiring the market and phasing out the line voltage systems. The advantages of a low voltage light system certainly outweigh its limitations and grant its users a better experience in general. And as for the high initial investment, you will definitely cover it up thanks to its lower running and maintenance cost in the long term.
