The Basics of Downlighting

Downlighting is an effect created when a light is placed at a vantage point above a room or outdoor area, providing light from above.  This is a remarkably versatile technique, as downlighting can be used for general ambient lighting, accent lighting, outdoor lighting, or even security lighting.

When installed in the home, a bulb is usually inserted into a housing in the ceiling — this is referred to as recessed downlighting.  Downlighting is often a good choice for general ambient light inside the home, because it gives even, gentle lighting without harsh shadows.

This technique is also used for accent lighting.  Here, a light source is hung over a piece of art or area in your house that you wish to draw attention to.  Because accent lighting must stand out from the room’s ambient light, it can be brighter.  An adjustable spotlight is sometimes a good choice here.

Outside, downlighting can be used to provide soft ambient light to a garden area.  Although the lighting should be soft and not too aggressive, the effect can often be quite dramatic, taking the form of moonlight shining through a tree, colored lights over an arbor, attractive torches and patterned spotlights.

Usually when we refer to modern downlights, we actually mean halogen downlights.  In fact downlights come in all shapes and sizes, it is just that halogen downlights are the most popular at the moment.

Halogens are smaller and 10 – 50% more efficient than traditional incandescent downlights.  They also give a whiter / cooler more directional light.

They are available in low voltage (12v / MR16) or in mains voltage (240v / GU10) versions.

12v downlights require a transformer to drop the mains voltage.  These electronic transformers are fitted through the same hole the light is fitted in to.

The advantage of low voltage 12v downlights versus 240v mains voltage downlights is a thicker filament.  The larger filament means they are more robust, give a better quality of lights and give more light per watt than 240v downlights (even accounting for a 10% waste of energy by the transformer).  As the element is not coiled and with a ‘soft start’ function built into the transformers, bulb life is both longer and more predictable than 240v downlights.

The advantage of 240v downlights is the lower initial cost, and they are ideal for surface mounted spotlights where there is no space for a transformer.