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Exterior Lighting - pros and cons low voltage vs regular? Also, what are the best fixtures to use?

If using low voltage what are the best fixtures? Same if using "regular" voltage what would be the best fixtures?

Public Comments

  1. Low-Voltage: + Easily available + No electrician needed for installation + Many brands have tool free connection of lights to the main wire and also have self healing wire insulation so that lights can be moved around. + Large selection - Requires a transformer to step down and convert to DC voltage (transformer is moderately failure prone) Regular voltage: + No transformer required - Thicker wires - Dangerous voltage levels, requiring special installation (e.g. conduits). - Less selection (for the self-install home owner). When looking for low-voltage lighting, look for "architectural grade" fixtures, they should be better constructed than consumer grade. Skip the solar powered versions, they don't work too well. In central Texas, US, the charge doesn't last very long.