Under cabinet Lighting

Undercabinet lighting is most often found in the kitchen, but it can also be used in utility rooms, shops, small work stations, wet bars and side boards. The location or application of the lighting will influence which type of system is most appropriate.

The best way to get lots of bright, shadowless light to an under cabinet task area is with fluorescent lighting.

However, there are many types, and some are better than others. The three major lamp types for these systems are T5, T8, and T12 in various lengths and wattages (there are also T2 fixtures, and compact fluorescents ones too, but they are seldom seen for residences). What do these codes mean? The letter T stands for "tubular" as in fluorescent tube, and the number indicates the diameter of the lamp in eighths of inches (i.e. T5 = 5/8"). The lamp diameter usually dictates the fixture height (thickness). There are a number of manufacturers that make fixtures for the T5 lamp, but there is very limited availability of anything other than "warm white" or "cool white" tubes (and both have poor color qualities). The T12 lamps have many choices of color qualities, but you then have a 2" profile fixture, which is rather bulky.



color qualities, but you then have a 2" profile fixture, which is rather bulky.

A great choice is a fixture that uses T8 lamps.

You get excellent color and a narrow profile (usually about one & one half inches. Using electronic ballasts eliminates hum and flicker.

For residential applications, incandescent is frequently asked for because of low first cost and people think incandescent has improved light qualities over fluorescent.

In reality though, to provide enough light for tasks, these systems must use many lamps that consume lots of power, generate heat, and can be a nuisance to maintain (i.e. many bulbs that burn out frequently). However, if you got a better quality of light with incandescent, these problems could be justified, but in reality, the light delivered usually has shadows that can make working under them difficult. If what you are lighting is primarily for display then the shadows are not necessarily a problem. Incandescent systems are also easier to control with dimmers than fluorescent, but for task areas, generally one wants the light either on or off.

The incandescent systems on the market fall into two major categories:

line voltage and low voltage. Line voltage systems (120 volt) usually incorporate some sort of linear channel that holds a number of sockets to light tubular showcase type lamps.

Low voltage systems (12 volt or 24 volt) are similar and have a transformer to step down the voltage. The lamps used are smaller (often little automotive lamps) than 120 volt systems and the channel can be quite compact. What they lose in size they often make up for in price. By using xenon or halogen lamps one can get fairly high light levels with moderate power consumption. Some manufacturers have fixtures with a transformer, reflector, lamps, and lens all in one housing.

There are also modular systems that allow mixing of fluorescent and incandescent in the same unit. These systems simplify rough-in and installation. No one system is appropriate everywhere. If you are lighting a formal dining room sideboard where atmosphere and dimming are a priority then incandescent may be your choice. If you are task lighting in a kitchen you may want to consider all the advantages of fluorescent.

Courtesy by elflist.com

under cabinet lighting

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