A Comprehensive Guide to Under Cabinet Lighting

Under-cabinet lighting is a highly practical and beneficial illumination solution. In contrast to a conventional screw-in light bulb, the installation and configuration process is rather more complex. This information has been compiled to assist you in selecting and installing an under-cabinet lighting system.

Benefits of Under Cabinet Lighting

Under cabinet lighting, as the name implies, pertains to fixtures positioned beneath a cabinet, so illuminating the space directly below a row or portion of cabinets. It is predominantly utilised in culinary spaces, where supplementary illumination is advantageous for food preparation.
Under-cabinet lighting offers several specific benefits. Firstly, under cabinet lighting is efficient; instead of requiring the installation of a whole lamp or ceiling fixture, under cabinet lights may be simply integrated into an already established cabinet. Consequently, under cabinet lighting may be quite economical, particularly when evaluating the whole expense of materials.
Secondly, under-cabinet lighting may serve as an exceptionally efficient application of illumination. The term efficiency in this context does not pertain to electrical efficiency (e.g., LED versus halogen), but rather to the ability of under cabinet lighting to focus illumination precisely where it is required (i.e., kitchen counter) with less extraneous light dispersing around the room. In contrast to ceiling or table lights, which emit light omnidirectionally, under cabinet illumination serves as a very efficient option.
Third, under-cabinet lighting is visually appealing. It will enhance the luminosity and general atmosphere of your kitchen while maybe augmenting the resale value of your property. A notable benefit is that under cabinet lighting is typically concealed, as it is installed under the undersides of cabinets. Furthermore, as it is often positioned below head height, the majority of occupants will not "look up" at the light and observe cables or fixtures. They observe a luminous light directed downward onto the kitchen counter.
 

Categories of Under Cabinet Illumination - Puck Lights

Puck lights have historically been favoured choices for under-cabinet illumination. They are compact, cylindrical illuminators like a hockey puck, with a diameter of 2 to 3 inches. They often utilise halogen or xenon bulbs, which emit around 20W of illumination.
The puck light fixtures are generally affixed to the undersides of cabinets with little screws included with the product.
Numerous xenon and halogen puck lights function on 120V AC directly; however, some run on 12V and need a transformer to reduce the voltage. Be aware that these transformer devices may be quite cumbersome and may want ingenuity to conceal in a discreet placement beneath a cabinet.
Currently, LED puck lights prevail in the market, providing similar performance but consuming significantly less energy. LEDs function on low voltage DC rather than AC line electricity, necessitating a power source to convert the line voltage. Like 12V halogen puck lights, you must determine a method to conceal the power source within your cabinet or manage a "wall-wart" that connects straight to the electrical outlet.
Due of their efficiency, certain LED puck lights may be powered by batteries. This can obviate the necessity of installing electrical cables, facilitating effortless installation and removing the unsightly appearance of loose wires.
Puck lights produce a dramatic lighting effect akin to spotlights, emitting a focused beam that forms an approximately triangle shape directly beneath each fixture. This appearance may be desirable or undesirable based on your interests and preferences.
Additionally, consider the requisite number of puck lights with suitable spacing, since regions directly beneath the puck lights will exhibit heightened lighting, while the intervening areas would experience diminished light levels. Typically, a spacing of 1-2 feet between puck lights is preferable; however, if the space between the cabinets and kitchen counter is reduced, it may be prudent to position them closer together, since the light will have a diminished area to disperse.
 

Categories of Under Cabinet Illumination - Bar and Strip Fixtures

The bar and strip forms of under-cabinet lighting originated with fluorescent bulb lights intended for under-cabinet use. In contrast to puck lights that generate concentrated "hotspots," linear lamps provide uniform illumination throughout their length, resulting in a more consistent and smooth light distribution.
Fluorescent light bars often incorporate the ballast and associated driving electronics within the fixture, hence simplifying installation and wiring relative to puck lights. The majority of under-cabinet fluorescent lights utilise the T5 type.