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Low/line voltage? Transformer/no transformer? Help!

6 years ago

We are in the process of having the electrical routed in our kitchen remodel. The electrician (also our uncle) is asking us what we would like for our cabinet lighting, as we hadn't purchased that yet. Per guidance from these forums, I was all ready to order Inspired LED strips from Amazon. I'm admittedly ignorant when it comes to all things electrical, but after educating myself, I realize I will only need transformers if we decide on low voltage. Our kitchen is down to the studs, so ease of installation is not a deciding factor. I've searched the forum, but haven't found a good answer on why to go low voltage vs. line voltage. Because of our kitchen layout, going low voltage would mean 3 separate transformers, adding unnecessary additional cost (we don't have many uppers). Since we're already over budget (shocking, I know) cost is a factor. Uncle Tom, unfortunately, doesn't do much residential these days and I feel like he didn't have much advice to offer, just keeps saying, "you buy what you want, and I'll install it for you." My husband and I think finding some good line voltage LED strips would be our best option. So after the line voltage question, my next is, what recommendations do you have for reliable line voltage LED strips? Looking for your wisdom! TIA!

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Comments (5)

shaidous
Original Author
6 years ago
Anybody?
Joseph Futral
6 years ago
Depends on how you want to control them. If all you are doing is turn them on and off, it shouldn't be much of a problem. If you want to dim them, that's where issues start to crop up.

Not to be too reductionist or too simplistic here, but most LEDs are solid state electronics, not really technically electrical, and require low voltage DC power, so not only is there a transformer (whether you see it or not), but usually some sort of AC/DC rectifier. Not all electronics behave well to being dimmed with typical rheostat wall switch dimmers. That's also why some LED lights have a slight delay turning on, the electronics. Even if they say they handle 120v and can be dimmed, it doesn't always work as advertised.

Depending on why people on these forums recommend the Inspire LEDs (I'm not familiar with them) I would still stick with something either I know or people I respect know. If I want to dim LEDs today, I would buy a whole system that includes the lighting controller—like a Philips HUE system for traditional style light bulbs. LEDs have not been perfected to the point that anything you buy will behave properly.

But if none of that matters, just get whatever you want that behaves like you want it (if you don't want the delay in turing on, for instance)

Joe
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shaidous
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the insight Joe! So it sounds like based on what you've said, plus what I've found looking for these, most LED UCLs are low voltage (and therefore have a transformer). I guess I was confused as to WHY they are mostly low voltage. Is that how they can be so slim? I noticed the line voltage options are twice as thick and not as concealable. As for the dimming, Inspired LED actually sells kits that include the dimmer. Maybe I will look into that.
Joseph Futral
6 years ago
LED stands for "light emitting diode". Most light emitting diodes are used in low voltage electronics, like stereos, radios, and such. As such most are low voltage, DC, and capable of being small. They aren't a resistive light source, like the filament in a regular light bulb. That's part of what makes them more efficient and run so much cooler. The heat that is created is due to the transformer, not the LED itself.

If you do buy LEDs with separate transformers, make sure you have a way to access the transformer (and don't install it without room around it to let the heat dissipate) because transformers fail even though the LED itself lasts so long.

Joe
shaidous
Original Author
6 years ago
We are planning on putting the transformers under the cabinets. Luckily we have a thick molding on the bottom so everything will be well hidden. Thanks again for your thoughts!

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