Low Voltage = Low Bills?

uglybains · 11-24-2008, 08:27 AM

The trend is for spot lights, lots of them.
Running on lower voltage (50v) means they draw lower current. Correct?
Then a 20w spot is cheaper to run than a normal 20w bulb. Would that be 4/5 times cheaper or watt? Parden the pun.

rgsgww · 11-24-2008, 08:36 AM

Not exactly, that is why the power company uses 14,000 volts. Usually its higher volts= lower current.

Gigs · 11-24-2008, 08:37 AM

20 watts is 20 watts it doesn't matter what voltage it's at.

Low voltage lights have the additional disadvantage of inefficiency in the transformer/power supply, plus also it's harder to design low voltage bulbs that are as efficient and last as long.

20 watts at 50 volts is 400 milliamps. 20 watts at 120 volts is 160 milliamps. Do you understand now?

uglybains · 11-24-2008, 09:18 AM

Sort of. thinking back to my college days

I guess pot lights are out as I don't trust the person under it to switch off when not in the room.

Gigs · 11-24-2008, 10:18 AM

The only way it'll be cheaper is if you use 120v bulbs at 50v, then they do use less power. But if you use a 50v bulb at 50v then it uses its normal wattage.

Billy_Bob · 11-24-2008, 11:39 AM

Use 120V LED lights if you want to save on your electric bill...

Google LED lights...
http://www.google.com/search?num=20&...ed+lights+cart