In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
If you can't find what you want in Italy - you can use UK lighting in Italy - no problems with voltages etc
[Just be careful about spares [bulbs etc] - you may need to stock up from the UK, just to be on the safe side]
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In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Geo is right: Ikea has a good selection of decent-quality low voltage lighting systems.
You could use a lighting system purchased in the UK. The only critical factor is the input voltage for the transformer and since Britain and Italy have a similar mains supply, that won't be a problem. The halogen bulbs are standard, so you shouldn't have much difficulty replacing them when they go.
If you buy a system in the UK, you should give some thought to the transformer and where you're going to put it. All the low voltage halogen light sets that I bought in Britain had utilitarian and unattractive transformers that were obviously intended to be stashed away in the loft or the space between ceiling and floor. That's not an option in most Italian houses with their solid walls and ceilings, so here the transformers are intended to be mounted on the surface of the wall and usually some effort has been made to make them at least a little attractive.
If the numbers work out to your advantage, you could buy the transformer here and the lights and cables in Britain. Just make sure that the output voltage of transformer matches the input voltage on the lights (it's normally 12 volts, but I have a dim recollection of seeing 24 volt lights as well) and that the output rating of the transformer in watts exceeds the total wattage of all the bulbs you're going to connect to it. Exceeding the transformer's rated load can result in dim lights or the transformer's internal protection tripping so the lights don't work for long or not at all. Worse, if the transformer is poorly designed or manufactured, it is possible you could damage it. Better to err on the side of caution and get a transformer slightly larger than what you need rather than one with a rating that only just equals the total wattage of your lights.
Bear in mind that the transformer will get warm (or hot) when working, so ideally it will be in a place with good air circulation and out of reach of children.
The only other possible complication I can think of is that you might consider visiting your local brico to sort out how you're going to attach the cables to the walls. The standard plastic rawlplugs that come in the box should work with solid stone or plastered Italian brick walls as well as they do with good old British plasterboard, but you go with a more substantial type of fitting and this would allow you to get some good tension in the suspension cables so they don't sag.
In my book, there's nothing much worse than droopy suspenders. :bigergrin:
Al
May well be worth trying Ikea, if theres one near you. We bought most of our lighting from them in the UK, including the spots on wires ( low voltage ) for around about £20 for a three light array.
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