Mains voltage outdoor lighting
Of the more modern "mains" voltage light sources - 240v in the UK - compact fluorescent lamps are gradually taking over from tungsten in exterior wall lights, bollard lights and lanterns, where their long lamp life of up to 10,000 hours and low energy consumption are popular for timed driveway and entrance applications especially. Some outdoor lights, such as BEL's Nobus and Onyx ranges and Elipta's Compact bollard lights offer a choice of compact fluorescent models , as well as garden bollard lights which take the G9 mains halogen capsule lamp, which can be dimmed using an ordinary wall dimmer for ambience when lighting around the patio. BEL's timber range consists of 5 model ranges in round (Spirit, Sumo, Strida) and square (Spirit KFL and Strida KFL) shapes which all use compact fluorescent lamps up to 20w.
A more recent innovation in mains voltage outdoor lighting has been the advent of the GU10 halogen reflector lamp to combine the advantages of the 12 volt MR16 halogen lamp with the installation convenience of 240v input; these lamps are nearly as small as MR16 lamps, meaning spotlights can be about the same size without the need to incorporate bulky integral transformers. While they are less efficient than 12 volt lamps and the choice of lamp beams and wattages is not so comprehensive as 12v MR16 lamps, 240v GU10 halogen garden lights are often chosen for ease of connection to 240v wiring on house walls, gate pillars and locations where hiding a remote transformer would be difficult. Elipta's range of compact wall spotlights includes a wide choice of 240v versions as part of a wide range for mains voltage halogen outdoor lighting.
More powerful metal halide high-pressure discharge lighting is becoming the main tool for uplighting large trees and architectural features. Metal halide floodlights and recessed uplights provide a range of energy-efficient mains voltage outdoor lighting power beyond that which can be handled by 12 volt equipment. These include the Elipta recessed metal halide uplights and surface or spike mounted metal halide garden floodlights and uplights.
