Is it preferable to use a low voltage circuit or a mains circuit for LED lights?

Currently all LED lamps and luminaires require a type of driver. The driver is either built into the lamp or luminaire, or is remotely situated close to it. As we mentioned above, some LED lamps are able to utilize an existing low voltage transformer to drive them.

When trying to decide if to continue to use an existing low voltage circuit (MR16) or convert to mains voltage (GU10) consider the following:

• Does the circuit need to be low voltage for safety reasons?
• Was the original lighting design based on the higher lumen output gained from using MR16 low voltage?
• What condition and how old is the current low voltage installation in particular the condition of the lamp holders?
• Does the customer want to keep the existing lighting fixtures/Downlight?

If there are no safety issues with changing to mains voltage, then this will be the most reliable and flexible alternative to choose as the development of 230V GU10 LED lamps far exceeds that of low voltage MR16 LED lamps. Plus, unlike their halogen predecessors, there is little or no difference in lumen output.

Many existing low voltage lighting fixtures can be converted simply by just changing the lamp holder, terminal block and removing the transformer as required.