Recently I bought LED lamps for common base (E27) into the apartment, the trailer took one recessed lamp to install it in the corridor as a night lamp. The built-in suddenly turned out to be 12v (of course I did not even think that they were selling on 12v), and of course without the transformer it did not take off. And then I thought about that, but what for they are selling 12V lamps?
I was interested in LEDs as a child, but then they were mostly colored, and white appeared later and to this day their price tag bite to put it mildly. Today, China offers us just a lot of options for all colors and price segments, than I'm going to use.
After we changed the meter to a new two-tariff meter in the summer cottage and left me a wire of about 10 meters + the same corrugation, I thought about moving the power supply into the house not through the room but into the hallway or utility room to make the human switchboard and slowly change the wiring made previous owners "on the snot", that in a wooden house can play at best a cruel joke and the worst even think terrible, but it is necessary.
While nothing has been done, there is time to think about and what can actually be done? Placing the wiring from scratch gives a lot of opportunities for experiments, or at least for a flight of fantasy on this topic. Dreaming is not harmful, and I will use it.
The first thing that comes to mind - wiring to lighting devices may not be 220 volts and for example 12, especially since for especially lazy there are ready factory built in illuminators from 1v and higher.
Why exactly 12?
First of all, 12 volts is an ultra-low voltage, considered conditionally safe for human life and health. For this reason, in rooms with a high or increased degree of danger, the use of 12-volt luminaires is welcomed by the norms of the PUE.
Bathroom, kitchen, yard in the street - these are the places where low-voltage lighting has always been preferable. And in close and damp cellars, and at all it is impossible to operate a 220 volt network, and installation of a step-down transformer, even for the supply of portable electric receivers, is mandatory.
Wiring 12 volts does not require a treacherous attitude, allows you to save on protective materials, such as a corrugated tube or cable duct. And in general, the soul is much calmer when you know that the maximum that can happen in your lighting chain is ridiculous short circuit with the failure of a cheap transformer or protection operation.
Fires, serious human injury electric shock in the lighting circuit, 12 volts are virtually eliminated.
These arguments are enough for me to understand in what direction to move, for me the main thing is security, after - saving and in the finals - the opportunity to further manage it.
As a result, the pros and cons of the 12v wiring:
+
- safety and, as a result, the possibility of operation in hazardous areas (sauna, kitchen, street);
Less stringent requirements for the wiring device;
Lack of the need for qualified maintenance (a 12 volt lamp can be installed even by a person far from electrical engineering - there is no health risk);
Possibilities of realization of additional protection of lamps from an overload on a current and pressure thanks to the transformer.
The ability to make in my case the lighting autonomous - in the presence of a battery, this lighting will work for some time in the absence of external power.
-
The same transformer is an additional element of the circuit, which, first, has its efficiency, and secondly, complicates the circuit, reducing its reliability. In addition, the transformer must be hidden somewhere, providing it with cooling. It needs to be selected according to the total power of the lamps with the necessary reserve, otherwise it may not start or quickly fail. In a word, a transformer is a whole lot of minuses.
But the disadvantages do not end with the transformer. Another disadvantage is that the low voltage network consumes more current at equal power. A greater current is a greater voltage drop across the wires. Therefore, when installing 12-volt lighting lines, one has to think about the length of the conductors from the transformer to each luminaire being approximately the same. Otherwise, the fixtures farther away will shine less brightly.
Thus, the disadvantages of lighting at 12 volts are reduced to the complexity of installation due to losses in the wires and the need to insert a transformer into the circuit.
Disadvantages of course for the techie are insignificant, but for a person who has repeatedly launched video surveillance with different degrees of distortion in terms of nutrition, even more so. In addition, the dacha is full of 3 half-alive ups, and what is ups? This converter 220 to 12 and vice versa and most important for me - an automatic charger. It is supposed to do something of the type of power connected directly from the battery, and plug the terminals from the UPS to the battery through the relay to open when there is no power. What do we get in the end? Lighting operates at 12 volts from the battery, which in the presence of 220V is charged, and in the absence of 220V, it is mechanically disconnected from the UPS to avoid losses to the idle speed of the transformer of converter 12 by 220. And this can also be attached, for example, to a solar battery .... but this already a completely different story.
The voltage loss within the house is 30 sq.m. will be insignificant, the main thing is to select the wires of the required cross-section, and necessarily single-core. I plan to make the wiring pinpoint - from the switchboard to each point a separate wire for the possibility of further centralized control (type smart House), as wiring it is possible to throw a twisted pair of 5 category 2 or 4 pairs, which will enable, in case of which, to have at least one more pair just in case, or in case of the need to regulate the luminous flux. For example, use motion sensors to turn on night illumination less bright than a working or microphone for voice control.
LED lamps 12 volts are mostly equipped pin cap (G4, GU10, etc.). If necessary, you can directly connect the light source to the low-voltage network or use the driver (current stabilizing device), as in the lamps with the E27 holder.
If you select the light bulbs, relying primarily on their size and base, you can replace the halogen light sources in the chandelier at home with LED analogs.
Review of the positive qualities of electrical appliances 12V
First of all, there is much higher fire and electrical safety. This allows without serious concern to use instruments, including 12V, 24V or 36V lamps in rooms and facilities with high humidity levels. For example, in the bathroom, the basement, the kitchen or the house territory.
Also, the 12V power wiring for connecting low-voltage devices does not necessarily require the use of protective elements: a casing, a corrugated pipe or a special cable duct.
Lows of 12V diode lamps
Lamps 12B for installation of the house (in a false ceiling, a chandelier, etc.) require connection of a step-down transformer. This is the device that is placed in front of the light source in the circuit. As a result, the lamp is supplied with a reduced voltage of 12V, 24V or 36V, depending on the characteristics.
Minuses of low-voltage lighting are reduced to the complexity of the installation due to losses in the wires and the need to insert a transformer into the circuit.
The lowering transformer can have quite impressive dimensions, which is determined by its appearance. Therefore, when installing low-voltage lamps in a chandelier or suspended ceiling, it is necessary to provide a site for additional equipment, and this is not always realizable.
Another feature of light sources 12V or 36V - increased current values, which is due to low voltage. In this case, it is recommended to pay attention to the conductors, namely, their length. The longer the length of the wires, the more intense the resistance, which affects the quality of lighting - it worsens.
The positive qualities of low-voltage LEDs
First of all, it is necessary to allocate the economy of the bulbs 12V, 24V and 36V, as the wiring does not have to be spent on auxiliary protective materials (cable channels, etc.). Low voltage of any values (12V, 24V, 36V) is less dangerous than the mains 220V. For this reason, these lamps are recommended for installation in rooms for different purposes, where the level of humidity is increased: cellars, kitchen, bathroom, swimming pool.
The use of 12 volt lamps is a savings in installation - low voltage does not require additional measures to protect the wiring, like a corrugated tube or cable - channel.
Low-voltage light sources 12-36V are the preferred option for arranging lighting systems for objects that are norms are characterized by a high degree of danger. A bright example is a boiler room. In addition, 12-36V lamps are widely used due to their different designs.
So, if the light source is provided with the base G4, GU10, GU5.3 and even E27, it can be used instead of halogen analogs or incandescent bulbs with the same holder. But in this case, the replacement is performed taking into account other parameters: light flux, dimensions.
Where are they used?
Light sources of different types: voltage 1-36V, base G4, E27, GU10, GU5.3, etc. can be used both at home and when arranging the lighting system of cars, commercial premises, shop windows, offices. Almost everywhere, instead of halogen bulbs or analogues of incandescence, LEDs can be replaced.
Bathroom, kitchen, courtyard in the street, cellars, rooms with high humidity - these are the places where low-voltage lighting has always been preferable.
One of the most popular point lighting elements is the G4 lamp. It is used in the arrangement of lighting systems in suspended ceilings, since LEDs are heated less than halogen analogues.
Replacement of lamps in the chandelier: "halogen" on diode light sources
The peculiarity of halogen bulbs is increased heat, which often leads to unpleasant consequences. For this reason, many seek to replace them more efficiently lED Light Bulbs. For example, in chandeliers, the holder G4 is often found. As a rule, 12V voltage is applied to halogen light sources.
Therefore, in any case, a step-down transformer is needed, however, for lED Bulbs it is recommended to purchase suitable power supply units. The fact is that the "native" transformers "halogen" are oriented to other characteristics: higher lamp power.
And, as you know, LED light sources and, in particular, G4 are characterized by low power consumption. This means that when you turn on the light bulbs may simply not work.
Important features: replacement involves the need to select at least some similar in size products. The same applies to the power supply, as the chandelier design provides for limited free space.
Replacement of E27 light sources is simpler, because in this version the driver is built into the light bulb design. Also, always pay attention to the parameter of the input voltage: 12 or 36V. This applies to lamps of any kind: E27, G4, etc.
If you plan to replace the "halogen" with safer and more efficient diode analogues, it is recommended to take into account a number of parameters: the base (E27, G4, G10, etc.), voltage, power and dimensions. The level of the load of the bulbs is the decisive criterion when choosing a suitable transformer. Also it is necessary to correlate the sizes of the power unit and the lighting device, otherwise it will be impossible to install such a transformer even with excellent characteristics.
How could the idea of using 12-volt lamps and lamps in living quarters be born at all, when the standard of household voltage in our country is 220 volts? Let's try to figure this out.
Advantages and causes of the popularity of voltage 12 volts
First of all, 12 volts is an ultra-low voltage, considered conditionally safe for human life and health. For this reason, in rooms with a high or increased degree of danger, the use of 12-volt luminaires is welcomed by the norms of the PUE.
Bathroom, kitchen, yard in the street - these are the places where low-voltage lighting has always been preferable. And in close and damp cellars, and at all it is impossible to operate a 220 volt network, and installation of a step-down transformer, even for the supply of portable electric receivers, is mandatory.
Wiring 12 volts does not require a treacherous attitude, allows you to save on protective materials, such as a corrugated tube or cable duct. And in general, the soul is much calmer when you know that the maximum that can happen in your lighting circuit is a ridiculous short circuit with the failure of a cheap transformer or protection operation.
Fires, serious human injury by electric current in the lighting circuit of 12 volts are practically excluded.
But there is one more reason why lighting chains of 12 volts have become popular in apartment buildings and apartments. It is about the appearance and distribution of spotlights.
These lamps radically changed views on lighting as such. They therefore acquired the name of "point", that their light must literally come from a single point. And the traditional incandescent lamp, which was popular at that time, can only be called a point with great stretch. Whatever you say, it's still an impressive bulb size, if only, of course, its power is at least 60 watts.
Therefore, the idea arose to use spotlights compact halogen lamps. Bulbs of halogen lamps contain not only an inert gas, but also pairs of any halogen, for example, iodine. During the evaporation of tungsten from the lamp filament, the halogen interacts with the metal atoms to form a tungsten halide. This very halide again settles on the filament, dissolves on it from the effects of heat and returns the filaments of pure tungsten.
Thus, the wear of the filament in halogen lamps is very small in comparison with the wear of the filament conventional lamps. This makes it possible to heat the lamp thread to a higher temperature, at which a smaller lamp began to shine brighter. It became possible to create a bright and durable compact halogen lamp.
It was here that the low-voltage compact halogen lamps, whose filament is thicker and designed for a larger current, are really durable and reliable. Therefore, the idea of installing lamps with halogen lamps of 12 volts, which are powered by compact low-power transformers, usually electronic, was installed in the household lighting circuit. Such a scheme was already very popular, when modern and reliable compact halogen lamps for 220 volts were commercially produced.
So, what are the advantages of household lighting networks at 12 volts? They consist in:
Safety and, as a result, the possibility of operation in hazardous areas;
Less stringent requirements for the wiring device;
Lack of the need for qualified maintenance (a 12 volt lamp can be installed even by a person far from electrical engineering - there is no health risk);
Possibilities of realization of additional protection of lamps from an overload on a current and pressure thanks to the transformer.
Disadvantages of lighting at 12 volts
But the 12-volt lighting has its drawbacks. The same transformer is an additional element of the circuit, which, first, has its efficiency, and secondly, complicates the circuit, reducing its reliability. In addition, the transformer must be hidden somewhere, providing it with cooling. It needs to be selected according to the total power of the lamps with the necessary reserve, otherwise it may not start or quickly fail. In a word, a transformer is a whole lot of minuses.
But the disadvantages do not end with the transformer. Another disadvantage is that the low voltage network consumes more current at equal power. A greater current is a greater voltage drop across the wires. Therefore, when installing 12-volt lighting lines, one has to think about the length of the conductors from the transformer to each luminaire being approximately the same. Otherwise, the fixtures farther away will shine less brightly.
Thus, the disadvantages of lighting at 12 volts are reduced to the complexity of installation due to losses in the wires and the need to insert a transformer into the circuit.
Alexander Molokov
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For a person uninitiated, such a question may seem strange at all. How could the idea of using 12-volt lamps and lamps in living quarters be born at all, when the standard of household voltage in our country is 220 volts? Let's try to figure this out.
Advantages and causes of the popularity of voltage 12 volts
First of all, 12 volts is an ultra-low voltage, considered conditionally safe for human life and health. For this reason, in rooms with a high or increased degree of danger, the use of 12-volt luminaires is welcomed by the norms of the PUE.
Bathroom, kitchen, yard in the street - these are the places where low-voltage lighting has always been preferable. And in close and damp cellars, and at all it is impossible to operate a 220 volt network, and installation of a step-down transformer, even for the supply of portable electric receivers, is mandatory.
Wiring 12 volts does not require a treacherous attitude, allows you to save on protective materials, such as a corrugated tube or cable duct. And in general, the soul is much calmer when you know that the maximum that can happen in your lighting circuit is a ridiculous short circuit with the failure of a cheap transformer or protection operation.
Fires, serious human injury by electric current in the lighting circuit of 12 volts are practically excluded.
But there is one more reason why lighting chains of 12 volts have become popular in apartment buildings and apartments. It is about the appearance and distribution of spotlights.
These lamps radically changed views on lighting as such. They therefore acquired the name of "point", that their light must literally come from a single point. And the traditional incandescent lamp, which was popular at that time, can only be called a point with great stretch. Whatever you say, it's still an impressive bulb size, if only, of course, its power is at least 60 watts.
Therefore, the idea arose to use compact halogen lamps in spotlights. Bulbs of halogen lamps contain not only an inert gas, but also pairs of any halogen, for example, iodine. During the evaporation of tungsten from the lamp filament, the halogen interacts with the metal atoms to form a tungsten halide. This very halide again settles on the filament, dissolves on it from the effects of heat and returns the filaments of pure tungsten.
Thus, the wear of the filament in halogen lamps is very small in comparison with the wear of the filament of ordinary lamps. This makes it possible to heat the lamp thread to a higher temperature, at which a smaller lamp began to shine brighter. It became possible to create a bright and durable compact halogen lamp.
It was here that the low-voltage compact halogen lamps, whose filament is thicker and designed for a larger current, are really durable and reliable. Therefore, the idea of installing lamps with halogen lamps of 12 volts, which are powered by compact low-power transformers, usually electronic, was installed in the household lighting circuit. Such a scheme was already very popular, when modern and reliable compact halogen lamps for 220 volts were commercially produced.
So, what are the advantages of household lighting networks at 12 volts? They consist in:
- safety and, as a result, the possibility of operation in hazardous areas;
- less stringent requirements for the wiring device;
- no need for qualified maintenance (a 12 volt lamp can be installed even by a person far from electrical engineering - there is no health risk);
- Possibilities of realization of additional protection of lamps from an overload on a current and pressure thanks to the transformer.
Disadvantages of lighting at 12 volts
But the 12-volt lighting has its drawbacks. The same transformer is an additional element of the circuit, which, first, has its efficiency, and secondly, complicates the circuit, reducing its reliability. In addition, the transformer must be hidden somewhere, providing it with cooling. It needs to be selected according to the total power of the lamps with the necessary reserve, otherwise it may not start or quickly fail. In a word, a transformer is a whole lot of minuses.