240V or low voltage LED strip lighting?

[Tom]

We plan to add some LED strip lighting to "up-light" our vaulted ceiling. Total run will be about 40m but I think it would make sense to split this up and have several shorter runs that we can switch on/off. It will all be installed by an electrician, so should we go for mains voltage (which would do away with the need for transformers) or is lower voltage "better" in any way?

Thanks all

[Wil]

Very subjective. I have some 240V strips for outside which look good but are way too bright and need dimmed so end up with a box anyway. It can be quite remote though.

 

Internally I’ve gone all 24V. Kitchens/ bathrooms etc so seemed ‘safer’ with a remote T/X. Think each situation will need assessed.

 

For the love of god, get COB strips so you don’t get ‘dots’ of light (unless that’s your look….)

[-rick-]

Going off vague memories here so worth double checking:

 

I think the main advantage in your situation to a low voltage system is that mains voltage strips can seem flickery to some as they don't smooth the mains 50Hz cycles. This can be worse with dimming. That said, low voltage systems have varying dimming quality too so picking the right driver affects this (don't rely on mains dimming for low voltage, no choice but to use mains dimming with mains voltage system).

 

If you wanted colour tunable strips I don't think these are available in mains voltage so thats another reason to consider low voltage.

 

Mains voltage is likely quicker and cheaper to install (assuming you are paying an electrician) though you may end up paying for a more premium packaged and warrantied system that offsets/overrides that. (I would guess that you are stuck with that either way if you are asking the electrician to supply and install).

 

If you were DIY installing or wanted to be able to replace in future then obviously low voltage has an advantage there but doesn't apply.