![]() Then finally in 1891, the Electro-Technical Exposition in Frankfurt Germany marked the end of the DC era of power when three-phase current was born. This was a luxury seen only in mansions, high-end hotels and businesses. At this point in time, 95% of residents did not have access to electric based power. Today we will take a more in-depth look at hardwired voltages, the history behind these ratings, and the benefits of each.Īs early as the 1870’s, small DC power systems were found in factories and populated downtown areas. However, many international locations utilize 240V almost exclusively. ![]() Here in the United States we are most familiar with standard 120 Volt power and 240V connections for certain larger home appliances. When purchasing a new light source, first and foremost, you must always match your light bulb to the requirements of your fixture.This week we will be discussing voltage differences, common uses and why it's important to understand these ratings. Some lighting systems require even more volts. ![]() Many US commercial buildings run on 277 volts, and in Europe, the standard voltage supply is 220 volts-a major reason why American appliances won’t work in overseas outlets. They are by no means the only voltages that can be used to operate lighting systems or appliances. These are just the three most common residential voltages in America. The rule of thumb: if your lights are being used somewhere where the wiring could become exposed, and therefore hazardous, it is always better to opt for low voltage lighting if given the choice. For a low voltage light source, this risk is significantly reduced and would result in little to no harm in most scenarios. If the wire for a 120-volt light source (which would run underground or on a building’s exterior, if used outdoors) were to become exposed, it would be very dangerous for someone to come in contact with, possibly resulting in a dangerous electric shock. The reason low voltage lighting is used outdoors is because it’s safer. 24V tape light further in our LED tape light guide. The longer your continuous strand of rope or tape light, the more voltage you will need to travel across its entire length without losing brightness (a phenomenon called voltage drop). The one you need depends on how long you need your rope or tape light to be. When it comes to LED rope light, or LED tape light for that matter, you may have the option to choose between a 12-volt or 24-volt light. In most cases, whether you need a 12- or 24-volt light bulb simply depends on the needs of your light fixture: does your fixture require a bulb that runs on 12 or 24 volts to operate? A transformer (or LED driver for LEDs) is required to "step down" (reduce/convert) the standard 120-volt supply provided to your home into a 12-volt or 24-volt supply for your lights. Meanwhile, 12 volts and 24 volts are commonly used for outdoor lighting and are referred to as “low voltage” lighting. Likewise, most appliances run on 120 volts and can simply be plugged into an indoor outlet. A 120-volt light bulb can typically be screwed into an indoor light fixture and operate correctly without further complication. Nearly all indoor residential light fixtures and appliances in the U.S. 120 volts is commonly referred to as “line voltage” by electricians and other industry experts. ![]() This is the voltage that travels to your home from your local utility substation. So what are the differences between them?ġ20 volts is the standard voltage supply for American homes. Lights operate on different voltages for specialized purposes, and in America, 120-volt, 12-volt, and 24-volt lighting systems are the most common. This week we’re gonna answer one of the most asked, yet elusive lighting questions in the industry: Why do certain lights operate on 120 volts versus 12 or 24 volts? And why does voltage even matter? It’s all about wattage, right? Not exactly. ![]()
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