SELV for Future Lighting Circuits ?

[JLK]

A tutor went off on a tangent today and said that he wouldn't be surprised if in the future all lighting circuits in an electrical installation will be extra low voltage. (Connected to a transformer that'll maybe fit on the DIN rail of a CU?) I was just wondering what everyones opinion is? Personally I think it's a great idea; especially with the advancements in LED lighting do we really need to be using 230v lighting circuits for most domestic applications? Obviously it has it's safety benefits too.

 

[telectrix]

biggest problem will be cable size to account for volt drop at ELV.

 

[Marvo]

ELV circuits are often more of a fire hazard because of the much higher currents involved. Maybe there would be advantages to leaving the voltage at 230 and running much smaller light circuits such as 0.5mm wiring for a 5A circuit.

 

[Simonslimline]

Problem is Transformers going all the time and needing to be changed, a bit pointless to use ELV unless its required/necessary IMO.

I changed out 55 ELV down-lights for nice LED replacements the other day, a lot of the Tx's had gone. The LED's looked nice though.

 

[Simonslimline]

ELV circuits are often more of a fire hazard because of the much higher currents involved. Maybe there would be advantages to leaving the voltage at 230 and running much smaller light circuits such as 0.5mm wiring for a 5A circuit.

Especially when someone wedges a cloth in a downlight to hold it in the ceiling because they cant work out how to use the spring clips properly as i witnessed today. Needless to say the cloth was mostly black char up in the ceiling. :6:

 

[pennychew]

Problem is Transformers going all the time and needing to be changed, a bit pointless to use ELV unless its required/necessary IMO.

I changed out 55 ELV down-lights for nice LED replacements the other day, a lot of the Tx's had gone. The LED's looked nice though.

Which LED's did you use? only proper units i have fitted so far have been the Haler h2s, always interested to know what else is out there

 

[Simonslimline]

Which LED's did you use? only proper units i have fitted so far have been the Haler h2s, always interested to know what else is out there

I will have to get back to you on that tomorrow mate, i can't for the life of me remember what the brand is called.

 

[pennychew]

Thanks mate :icon14:

 

[trev]

I think it's a bloody ridiculous idea.

 

[pennychew]

A tutor went off on a tangent today and said that he wouldn't be surprised if in the future all lighting circuits in an electrical installation will be extra low voltage. (Connected to a transformer that'll maybe fit on the DIN rail of a CU?) I was just wondering what everyones opinion is? Personally I think it's a great idea; especially with the advancements in LED lighting do we really need to be using 230v lighting circuits for most domestic applications? Obviously it has it's safety benefits too.

Don't think i'm a fan of the idea, its an interesting thought though and a good post

 

[Simonslimline]

Colleges seem to come out with funny things IMO, On the 2394/5 class the other night the tutor was going on about how Ring Finals are being phased out again!

Are they? and who says so? What the hell is wrong with a ring circuit anyway? Absolutely nothing!

 

[trev]

So what's so great about an ELV lighting system (where the majority of it is out of reach without steps) considering you'd have 240 at ground level where crawling babies, dogs, cats, your grannie etc are.
Sorry but I can't see this happening.

 

[trev]

Colleges seem to come out with funny things IMO, On the 2394/5 class the other night the tutor was going on about how Ring Finals are being phased out again!

Are they? and who says so? What the hell is wrong with a ring circuit anyway? Absolutely nothing!

In a way they are, more and more people are making sensible use of radials for sockets. I can't see an outright prohibition on RFCs though, what would be the point as they have their place.

 

[Simonslimline]

In a way they are, more and more people are making sensible use of radials for sockets. I can't see an outright prohibition on RFCs though, what would be the point as they have their place.

Exactly, a perfectly acceptable, tried and tested method.

I am sure there are Plenty of more pressing areas that need addressing in reality.

 

[Simonslimline]

Which LED's did you use? only proper units i have fitted so far have been the Haler h2s, always interested to know what else is out there

The LED's are Ecostar mate, ECO600 is the actual model i installed the other day.