12-volt System Vs. 120-volt System

Every system has it’s pros and cons and you are the one that must decide which is better for you and your family. I elected to work with the 12 volt system simply because I am not a licensed electrician. In order to meet code for your community, you will most likely need a licensed electrician to install the system if you choose the 120-volt system.

Since I like to do things myself, I only looked at the money end of the application and decided the 12-volt system was designed for me. One of my common sayings is, ‘I’ll take dumb luck over skill (or in this case, knowledge) any day of the week. As it turned out, I made the right decision to use the 12-volt system over the 120-volt system or line system. If I would have done my due diligence, I would have discovered there are many reasons why I should have chosen the low voltage system, 12-volt system, over the line voltage system, 120-volt system.

To capsulize some of the advantageous of low voltage lighting, I discovered the quality of light produced by a low voltage system would always be brighter, sharper and cleaner than any high voltage alternative. The effect will dramatically enhance any outdoor scene. It is more energy efficient than their high voltage counterpart system. That means the operating cost is minimal in comparison to the high voltage system. Low voltage lighting allows for superior system control, from selecting a specific light intensity and position of a single fixture to automating an entire system to correspond to your schedule.

Here are a few reasons why the low voltage system is a better choice for your application:

Low voltage, 12-volt, landscape lighting is safer to operate than the traditional line voltage, 120-volt, system. Feel at ease knowing your 12-volt lighting system poses no risk of accidental electrical injury.

Operating expenses for 12-volt lighting systems are much lower than the operating expenses for 120-volt systems. 12-volt systems operating cost are about 1/3 the cost of the 120-volt systems.

Installation cost per fixture on the 12-volt system is pennies on the dollar compared to the 120-volt system.

12-volt lamps, bulbs, give beam-spread control compared to the directional control with the 120-volt lamps. This allows more exact and precise specialized lighting effects to be incorporated into your low-voltage system designs.

With wattages of 75 or less, you now have a choice over 100 (one hundred) 12-volt lamps (bulbs) available for your application. 120-volt systems have 12 (twelve) available for your application. This eliminates problems of fixture and lamp availability along with concerns of limited selection when you choose low-voltage lighting. Which one seems better for you?

12-volt lamps are capable of compact design therefore allowing you to use fixtures that are more appealing. This allows people to see the effect of the light and not the source of the light.

12-volt lamps produce a better quality of light than 120-volt, which results in achieving the effect.

12-volt lamps are available in a wide range of quartz halogen and they are the secret of creating the mood you want for your application.

For more information on landscape-lighting, creating a design that fits your wants, needs and desires, taking you step by step from the beginning to completion of your project, I invite you to download a ‘How To’ book on landscape-lighting.

By: Roger Neumann

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