Volts and watts

[djgordyp]

This isn't disco related but about electricity in general and the answer would no doubt be of use to dj's. My partners son is an apprentice electrician and he wants to put more halogen lights in his bedroom. His mother, like me, isn't keen on this as this will mean a total of six halogen lights in his room. He claims that because they are 50 watt @ 12 volts they will be much easier on electric. Although it's a long time since I did electricity at school (I can just about remember school :D ), I am not convinced by this. I believe that the voltage has little effect on the amount of power consumed. There is still 240 volts going to each unit which is then transformed down to 12 volts before entering the bulb.

Okay who's going to be te first to tell me I'm wrong:eek:

[Excalibur]

This isn't disco related but about electricity in general and the answer would no doubt be of use to dj's. My partners son is an apprentice electrician and he wants to put more halogen lights in his bedroom. His mother, like me, isn't keen on this as this will mean a total of six halogen lights in his room. He claims that because they are 50 watt @ 12 volts they will be much easier on electric. Although it's a long time since I did electricity at school (I can just about remember school :D ), I am not convinced by this. I believe that the voltage has little effect on the amount of power consumed. There is still 240 volts going to each unit which is then transformed down to 12 volts before entering the bulb.

Okay who's going to be te first to tell me I'm wrong:eek:

It doesn't matter whether it's 12v or 1200v, the figure is still 50W.;) The only difference is higher voltage=lower current for same power.

Watts= Volts x Amps

The difference he may be thinking of is that the LIGHT output of Halogens is more than incandescent of the same POWER. Be aware that to add Halogens you must upgrade the transformer to the same rating ( actually more to be right ) as the power total of the bulbs, eg 6x50w bulbs needs at least 300w transformer. ;)

[BeerFunk]

Yes, in terms of money, it's the watts you want to watch ;)

[djgordyp]

Watts= Volts x Amps
;)

Ahh the old p=v x r etc although I wasn't sure which one applied or if I was doing it right.

Some things you (almost) never forget.

Thanks for the info guys. BTW I thought each unit had it's own transformer.

[Excalibur]

Thanks for the info guys. BTW I thought each unit had it's own transformer.

They do come that way, but the temptation is simply to add lamps to an existing one, hence the overload, and why transformers come in sizes from 20w to 300w ;)

[Andy Westcott]

300 watts, plus a fraction more for transformer losses.

That's not a heck of a lot of power, but perhaps a bit excessive for one room and considering the subject was raised at all, maybe you need to look at this.

And yes, the wattage is what you need to look at - the final voltage is of no consequence.

[BeerFunk]

300w is very excessive for a bedroom! I use a single energy saving 60w equivalent (it uses a ridiculously low 15w or something, it's amazing for how bright it is), plus a 40w desk lamp which is only on now and again.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

300w is very excessive for a bedroom! I use a single energy saving 60w equivalent (it uses a ridiculously low 15w or something, it's amazing for how bright it is), plus a 40w desk lamp which is only on now and again.

And I expect that is for heating too. You're a Scot aren't you? :D :D :D

[BeerFunk]

And I expect that is for heating too. You're a Scot aren't you? :D :D :D
Lmao, nice one! :lol:

Random joke opportunity...

A guy is sitting watching TV with his wife, and as usual, there's nothing on. "Right" he said, "I'm going down the pub - get your coat"

"Ooh, I'm coming with you?!" his wife replied

"No, I'm turning the central heating off!"

:p

[Excalibur]

Lmao, nice one! :lol:

Random joke opportunity...

A guy is sitting watching TV with his wife, and as usual, there's nothing on. "Right" he said, "I'm going down the pub - get your coat"

"Ooh, I'm coming with you?!" his wife replied

"No, I'm turning the central heating off!"

:p

Don't let him get to you mate, after all you know what a Yorkshireman is, don't you? :confused:








It's a Scotsman with all the generosity removed! :eek: ;) :D :D

[djgordyp]

300w is very excessive for a bedroom! I use a single energy saving 60w equivalent (it uses a ridiculously low 15w or something, it's amazing for how bright it is), plus a 40w desk lamp which is only on now and again.

I have energy saving bulbs in most of the rooms. He's a twenty somthing so saving money doesn't come into it, especially when it's not his :bang:

Personally I think he was just trying to fool his mother that it would be a good idea to put them in. But if he actually thought he was right then I would worry about what sort of electrician he is going to be as he is a second year apprentice and I would have thougt those sort of calculations would have been taught in the first year.

[BeerFunk]

Personally I think he was just trying to fool his mother that it would be a good idea to put them in. But if he actually thought he was right then I would worry about what sort of electrician he is going to be as he is a second year apprentice and I would have thougt those sort of calculations would have been taught in the first year.
Hmmm... I think you're right on the first point! Without stirring the hive, I suspect that he is well aware of the ratings and energy consumption involved ;)

[rob1963]

I have energy saving bulbs in most of the rooms.

Don't get me started!

:rolleyes:

[Corabar Steve]

Please :sj:

[sleah]

GCSE students will know how much 'leccy 6 x 50w bulbs will use.
Tell him to stick LED replacements in!