Connecting 5w LEDs directly to mains

Hi,

Looking to replace existing downlighters (think halogen,with transformers) with LED 5w dimmable downlighters.
Electrician I had round to quote last week suggested omitting transformer and connecting 5w bulb directly to the mains, is this a good idea?

Getting rid of the ones we have as bulbs don't work for long and alot of buzzing noise, PLUS like the idea of low power/wattage.

Any feedback appreciated.

LM26 said:

Hi,

Looking to replace existing downlighters (think halogen,with transformers) with LED 5w dimmable downlighters.
Electrician I had round to quote last week suggested omitting transformer and connecting 5w bulb directly to the mains, is this a good idea?

Getting rid of the ones we have as bulbs don't work for long and alot of buzzing noise, PLUS like the idea of low power/wattage.

Any feedback appreciated.

Click to expand...

Absolutely, way better to get rid of the trafo's, less to go wrong.
Don't forget you will most likely have to change the dimmer switch/s as well.

Thanks Sparkrite, appreciate your reply.

Yes getting light switch replaced as it was never a dimmer switch and so want the lights to be able to dim this time around.

Cheers

LM26 said:

Hi,

Looking to replace existing downlighters (think halogen,with transformers) with LED 5w dimmable downlighters.
Electrician I had round to quote last week suggested omitting transformer and connecting 5w bulb directly to the mains, is this a good idea?

Getting rid of the ones we have as bulbs don't work for long and alot of buzzing noise, PLUS like the idea of low power/wattage.

Any feedback appreciated.

Click to expand...

Are the LED lights are reputable brand of light?
Some of these "dimmable" LED lights actually fail after a short while from being dimmed up and down.Also make sure that you buy GU10 220v LED lights and not MR16 LED lights.Some people make this mistake and buy the wrong lights.

You also want an LED downlight with a minimum spread angle for 40 degrees,anything less and you will have a narrow beam of light effect in your room,as the light spread wont be that good.2700k-3000k is classed as "warm white" which is very nice in a home.Anything higher than this means the light will be more whiter and clinical/colder to look at,which is not that suitable in a home.
Oh and allways by a few more LED bulbs that you actually need,this is to allow for any failures that may happen with LED downlights lights in the future.

The electrician will replace the traffo with a GU10 300mm long pigtail which he will connect up to the existing 1.5 square mains wiring.The connection is usually then placed inside an obbo box and then the pigtail lead is pushed through the end of the Obbo box to the downlight fitting and LED light itself.

Make sure that you buy a good decent dimmer switch plate and that its rated for the total wattage of bulbs that you will have in your ceiling.This will also prevent the dimmer and lights from buzzing under load too.Legrand,MK and Aurora are all good makes.

Its a very simple and straight forward process to change over from MR16 to GU10 downlights.Make sure that you get the a cert off the electrician for the work he does.Thats the law with regards to any electrical work to be done in the house.(safe electric TV ads).




PS-You can sit back and enjoy lower energy bills from now on.