Help with lighting if you'd be so kind...

[spicler08]

Hi, any help or advice on this would be greatly appreciated...

In my kitchen I'd like to fit some some new downlights under the top cupboards and an LED strip on top of the cupboards. I also already have existing kitchen spotlights in the ceiling. So that's 3 lots of lights (hope you're with me so far!...). All of which I'd like to be connected to a single 3 gang dimmer switch on the wall. (See image attached).

Now I know this can be done but I'd really appreciate any advice on the best way to do it. One of my concerns is the LED strip, which is 10 meters in length and pulls around 50 watts - however, they only seem to come with a 12v transformer for plugging into the wall (like a laptop power supply). So what can I use instead of this to wire them up to the mains? Do I need an LED driver? All of the LED drivers I've seen are only 12-16 watts max load so I can't see how I'm going to connect a 50 watt strip to a single LED driver if the maximum load is 12-16 watts? What am I missing here? Do I need an LED driver or is there an alternative?

With regard to the downlights, I think I've got this right - I need 5 lights, each 20w, so therefore I need a 100w 12v transformer? See link below for the one I think I need. Please can you confirm if this will be suitable.

Please see images and links below for a better idea of what I'm trying to achieve. Like I say - any help, advice or alternatives would be greatly appreciated...

Many thanks
Steve

LEDs - Click here for link
Downlights - Click here for link
Downlights transformer - Click here for link

 

[Octopus]

This work is notifiable under Part P if you are in England or Wales. Are you registered?

 

[spicler08]

This work is notifiable under Part P if you are in England or Wales. Are you registered?

I just need to know so I can buy the correct bits and bobs - I'm not actually wiring it up myself.

 

[Octopus]

If I were you, I'd get a sparky in to agree a specification and then buy the bits yourself.

 

[spicler08]

If I were you, I'd get a sparky in to agree a specification and then buy the bits yourself.

Thanks, but not very helpful in all honesty. Can someone else help me out please?...

 

[Adam W]

We use a lot of that LED ropelight at work; I'm told it doesn't last long if you try to dim it.

I would check with the manufacturer that that transformer is suitable for a 100W load, and if it is dimmable.

 

[micknew]

No, Murdock has given you the best advice.

 

[telectrix]

i'd get 5 60watt transformers, 1 for each under light ( sounds like overkill, but the 60w are cheap and if 1 goes down, you'll only lose 1 light). the LED strips that come prewired to a plug in PSU can be plugged into a remore adaptor in a socket above the cupboards. also i would switch the under lights independently of the ceiling lights.

 

[spicler08]

We use a lot of that LED ropelight at work; I'm told it doesn't last long if you try to dim it.

Ok - Thanks for the tip. I suppose I could live without the dimmer on the LEDs, just thought it would be a nice touch. Helpful advice none the less.

 

[spicler08]

i'd get 5 60watt transformers, 1 for each under light ( sounds like overkill, but the 60w are cheap and if 1 goes down, you'll only lose 1 light). the LED strips that come prewired to a plug in PSU can be plugged into a remore adaptor in a socket above the cupboards. also i would switch the under lights independently of the ceiling lights.

I'd really prefer just one transformer for the downlights ideally - is that possible with a 12v 100w transformer?

As for the LEDs, they need to be connected to the 3 gang dimmer switch. That's the whole point really. Not just plugged into the wall via a plug socket - that'd look a bit naff in my opinion. Thanks for the advice though.

 

[Octopus]

Is this like your garden lights project when you went down to B&Q and did it yourself?

 

[spicler08]

Is this like your garden lights project when you went down to B&Q and did it yourself?

Not really because if you'd read my previous comment in this thread you'd see that I've already stated that I'm not doing it myself, plus none of the links I posted are for B&Q, plus this is a question about kitchen LEDs and downlights - not garden lights. So no - it's nothing like that.

 

[cdavies33]

This work is Part p notifiable I think due to it being done in a kitchen, You WILL need a registered domestic installer to carry out the work, I'm sure he will answer every question you throw at him..........

 

[spicler08]

This work is Part p notifiable I think due to it being done in a kitchen, You WILL need a registered domestic installer to carry out the work, I'm sure he will answer every question you throw at him..........

Thanks - I'm sure he will. So if he can answer them I'm sure someone else can as well? This is the electricians forum isn't it??...

 

[CrazyScozzese]

Personally, I would fit the LEDs on a switched fused unit. Rather than those blue strips, shell out a bit more and get the RGB strips. Then you can change the mood of your kitchen when you feel like it. Blue is cold and gets boring after a while.

Buy a 12v tranny & controller which should come with a remote. They usually remember the last mode so when you kill it at night it comes back on nect night in same mode. You can set any colour, and have it morph or whatever. The ladies love it. Still a clean install, as the tranny can be fed from a flex outlet where ever you want it hidden, on top with the lights. The FCU can be the outlet or the switch on the wall.

If the LEDS strip is stick on, stick them to an aluminium box section to help dissipate heat, they will last longer. They don't like dimming as said, but the odd one dying is not a problem. If the tranny / controller is good quality and not ebay special then they will also last longer as the supply is better regulated.

You will have gathered by now that this work is notifiable, so if you do it yourself, make sure you follow procedures, do it to the 17th, and contact your local authority before hand to notify them you are doing it. They will tell you exactly what Murderock and the others above have said, not to do it yourself. They will charge you lots, take a while to come out, and you will wish you got a sparky in. It is your choice though, knock yourself out, so to speak. Your wife will complain about how long it has been, you will be at Screwfix loads of times and they will not have the part you need and when you get home it will be one size too big.

Sparks love this stuff, they go home and gnaw twin and earth when peckish.

Oh, buy the best dimmers you can find, and use more than one transformer on your down lights, and make sure the two items are compatible.

Good luck!