Replacing 12v kitchen undercabinet lights

TheVoice · 28 May 2021 at 17:12

Hi all, another lighting/electrical question from me. I've got three 12V undercabinet lights in my kitchen using the tiny G4 capsule halogen bulbs. I bought some cheap LED replacement bulbs but they flicker, seemingly because the two transformers aren't designed for LEDs.

The existing set-up looks like this, the black wiring goes to the lights. The one pictured feeds one light but there's another one of these feeding two other lights on the other side of the hob.

I was initially thinking of replacing the two transformers with LED drivers so I could use the bulbs, but the existing lights are a bit tatty so I'm now looking at just replacing the existing bulbs entirely with something like:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-tria...-satin-nickel-15w-3-x-400lm-240v-3-pack/858fx

However these are mains voltage with built-in drivers so the transformer/driver wouldn't be required. Is the wiring coming out of the existing 12V transformer to the bulbs suitable for 240V if I remove the transformers from the circuit entirely, or is this a bad idea?

K.C. Leblanc · 28 May 2021 at 22:43

That wiring doesn't look suitable for 240v since it's only got a single layer of insulation.

bremen1874 · 28 May 2021 at 23:19

No visible earths either, which may be required for those metal clad lamps.

pp111 · 29 May 2021 at 09:51

An earth would be required for metal lamps. You are better just getting a 12V version of the triangular lights. There are tons around. Check Amazon.

TheVoice · 29 May 2021 at 10:32

bremen1874 said:
No visible earths either, which may be required for those metal clad lamps.

The existing ones are also metal, oddly enough.

Thanks all, I'll find some 12v ones and figure out what transformers/drivers I need instead.

bremen1874 · 29 May 2021 at 11:31

TheVoice said:
The existing ones are also metal, oddly enough.

But are 12V not mains voltage.

Even with metal casings, an earth may not be required (if for example it’s just metal trim over a full plastic housing). No way of knowing without seeing them.

TheVoice · 29 May 2021 at 11:37

bremen1874 said:
But are 12V not mains voltage.

Even with metal casings, an earth may not be required (if for example it’s just metal trim over a full plastic housing). No way of knowing without seeing them.

Understood. I'll have a browse and see what sort of replacements I can find.

LuckyBenski · 29 May 2021 at 16:26

It's not that the transformers aren't designed for LEDs as such, they're just not appropriate for them.

Those are 12V AC transformers and you need DC for LEDs, otherwise the LEDs only illuminate on half of the 50Hz AC cycle. Hence the flicker. Swap the transformers IMO.