Line Voltage & Low Voltage: What's the Difference?
Line voltage track lighting versus low voltage track lighting is another of
the many decisions you'll be faced with when shopping for track lights. Line voltage
track lights work at 120V, the standard voltage of electrical junction boxes and
outlets. Low voltage track lights require an integral or remote transformer that
steps line voltage down to 12V. Here's what that means in practical terms.
Line voltage vs. low voltage
For purposes of general lighting, many people will prefer line voltage track
lighting to low voltage:
- line voltage fixtures are less expensive
- line voltage track lighting doesn't require a transformer
- line voltage track lights don't require a special dimmer
- line voltage light is more diffuse, casting softer, less pronounced shadows
That said, there are probably twice as many reasons why people prefer low voltage
track lighting to line voltage for accent, ambient, and task lighting: |
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- the transformer's voltage reduction makes low voltage track lighting
30% cheaper to operate than line voltage track lights
- low voltage track lights produce 250% more light than line voltage lamps
- the smaller filaments of low voltage track lights give a smaller light
point, yielding extremely crisp and ambient lighting
- low voltage track lighting is more dramatic, accommodating fixtures with
more precise control and a greater variety of beam spreads
- low voltage light is whiter and brighter, giving better color rendition
and more dramatic shadows
- because they use 1/10 the voltage of line voltage systems, low voltage
track lights are less of a shock hazard
- low voltage track lighting is easier to install, and in many localities,
code requirements are more lax
- low voltage track lights radiate less heat
Always consider your specific needs when choosing between line voltage and
low voltage track lights. You can even use both in different areas of your home.
The light you live by should suit your surroundings.
