chocolate How to Choose a Low Voltage Transformer in 4 Steps

It's our mission to make choosing a transformer as easy as choosing from a box of chocolates.

A couple months ago, I promised to write more “how-to” posts here since they seem to be most popular among all of you wonderful readers. Since then, I’ve posted How To Light a Foyer, How To Wash a Wall With Light, How To Choose a Recessed Shower Light, and How To Prevent a Power Outage Blackout.

Today, I’m tackling an arguably drier topic. However, for those of you that are diving into remodeling projects for the New Year, it’s a crucial one.

First, an introduction for those not familiar with transformers in the lighting industry (Hint: they are not shape-shifting creatures). There are two types of lighting systems: Line voltage and low voltage. Line voltage simply means that your lighting fixtures may be plugged in directly to an electrical outlet or hardwired directly to a power source. The voltage that  the light fixture needs is the same as the voltage supplied from your wall. Low voltage lighting systems require lower voltage to operate than the typical power source supplies. So, if the power source in your wall outputs 120 volts, low voltage lighting fixtures require an input of just 12 or 24 volts. That’s why you need a low voltage transformer – to convert the voltage from your power source to the amount your lighting fixture needs!

Occasionally, the transformer is built right in to the lighting fixture – in which case there’s no need for this guide. The decision has been made for you! However, if the transformer is separate, you’ll need to make sure it is compatible with your lighting fixtures. Follow this guide to make your selection in four steps … Continue reading »

site logo Monthly Forum Winner for NovemberIt is that time of the month again – announcing our newest monthly Pegasus Lighting Forum $50 gift certificate winner. I really do like writing these blog posts. This month our winner is forum member kalieaire. Kalieaire joined our forum in May shortly after it was launched.

To help build our new online lighting community, Pegasus Associates Lighting is giving away:

  • Free lighting gifts to the first 100 members who join the forum. To date, we now have 70 members.
  • Free lighting gifts to the first 50 members who post in our forum 10 times.
  • A $50 gift certificate to one lucky forum member each month for the rest of 2009. There is only one month remaining to be eligible to win a $50 gift certificate.

The Pegasus Associates Lighting Forum is an online lighting community with a primary focus on helping to answer our website visitor’s lighting questions. Answers may come from one of our technical customer service representatives monitoring our lighting forum or another forum member. In addition, our forum is also a place to allow people to share their lighting projects (including images), post lighting articles, and to provide feedback on our products or website.

Our most recent post asked a question about which type of dimmer needs to be used for a 150-watt electronic transformer powering under cabinet puck lighting. The best type of dimmer to use is an electronic low voltage dimmer. If a regular line voltage dimmer is used it may shorten the life of the transformer, cause a slight humming from the transformer, and reduce the range of dimmability.

Our monthly forum winners:

May: cmgeupel
June: Joe B.
July: Premium
August: pbcomm
September: bigguy
October: Chloe & Co.
November: kalieaire

featured on ezine articles Low Voltage Lighting: 15 Things You Need to KnowThe use of low voltage lighting systems has become increasingly popular over the past several years.  Low voltage halogen and low voltage xenon lighting systems can be found in almost any setting – restaurants, hotels, bars, retail stores, museums, art galleries, offices, and the home.  We have all seen these types of lighting systems in the form of cabinet lightingcove lighting, landscape lighting, picture lights, regular track lighting, flexible track lighting (sometimes referred to as monorail lighting), cable lighting, and under cabinet lighting.  Here are 15 things that you should know about these low voltage lighting systems.

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