Ok, so you know how LED lamps are super energy efficient, prevent wastage of precious natural resources and save a huge amount of money. But they also open up some other interesting possibilities.
Many people have low voltage lighting installed in their home these days, especially for running recessed down lights where the trade off for stepping down the voltage (from about 220 to 12 volts) is an increase in the current (amps).
Now the thing about sending a higher current to a conventional incandescent light bulb is that you then require a thicker filament (otherwise it would burn out in short order) and this has the fortuitous effect of making the light appear brighter and distinctly more sparkly.
But the point about an LED light bulb is that it doesn’t work by heating up a metal filament, so one of the main reasons for using a low voltage supply (brighter lights) no longer applies. So, although you could replace existing low voltage (MR16) spot lamps with LED equivalents, which would then entail also changing all the transformers to LED drivers as well, the obvious benefit is missing. There are also disadvantages, such as, for a start, sourcing suitable sized drivers and matching everything up if dimmer switches are also an issue.
A better option when switching over to LED for an existing low voltage lighting circuit though is to simply remove the transformers altogether. In their place, connect GU10 base lamp holders and install LED GU10 spotlights that run directly from the mains voltage electrical supply. These are in fact still low voltage light bulbs, but the transformer/driver is an integral part of the onboard electronics which obviates the need for an external solution.
The result is a much simpler lighting system (fewer components) that still delivers bright, energy saving light. Also, unlike their traditional halogen counterparts, you can expect LED GU10 bulbs to last twenty years or more before thinking about replacing them.
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