The volt-ampere (VA) rating is the maximum load (in watts) that a transformer can safely carry. For example, a 40VA transformer can handle up to 40-watts of electrical equipment, while a 10-60VA one can carry between 10 and 60 watts worth. Installing low voltage LED light bulbs on a transformer designed for halogen lighting requires you to find the equivalent wattage ( see above) for the LED bulbs, so as not to overload the transformer.

If you have low voltage halogen light bulbs installed with a transformer, the first thing you need to do before replacing Halogen MR16 light bulbs with MR16 LED bulbs is to find the transformer’s maximum load. You should be able to find this on the body of the transformer itself, in the form of a ‘VA’ number. This VA number will either be fixed, or it will be a range (e.g. 10-60VA). A term used to compare LED light bulbs with their incandescent alternatives. An LED light bulb with an equivalent wattage of 35W is a direct replacement for a 35W incandescent light bulb. This is different from a light bulb’s stated wattage ( see below). These numbers tell you the maximum wattage that the transformer can carry. For example, a 40VA transformer can handle up to a 40-watt halogen light bulb, while a 10-60VA one can carry between 10 and 60 watts worth of bulbs. Some transformers might just carry one individual light bulb, while others might be able to carry several lower wattage light bulbs in a series.Bulbs that operate on a lower voltage than 230-240V must be used with a compatible transformer when installing on UK mains circuits. The transformer converts mains voltage to a lower voltage suitable for the bulbs, ensuring they function as designed and preventing damage to the bulbs and/or light fittings.

Spotlights are ‘directional’ bulbs that emit light in a focused beam. Halogen spotlights are a form of incandescent light bulb that use a tungsten filament and a mix of inert and halogen gases to produce light. The European Commission directive in September 2016 banned the manufacture of this type of power-hungry spotlights. When replacing Halogen MR16 light bulbs with LED bulbs, it’s important to use LED bulbs of equivalent wattage to your existing halogen light bulbs. This will ensure that the transformer can still handle the load safely. Most light bulbs operate off mains voltage ( see below), but some light fittings are designed to be lower voltage. These are most commonly used in integrated kitchen fittings, where space is at a premium and smaller bulbs are a necessity. Low voltage light fittings often need a compatible transformer ( see below) to convert mains voltage to the correct, lower voltage. Most low voltage spotlights will be between 12-24 volts. The natural energy-saving properties of LED light bulbs means that they can offer the same brightness of a halogen equivalent, but using only a fraction of the power. A 5W LED spotlight, for example, can offer the same brightness of light as a 35W halogen spotlight.

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LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs are the most technologically advanced and energy-efficient bulbs available. They last many times longer than halogen light bulbs, produce the same amount of light, but use only a fraction of the energy. Most LED light bulbs can be used with existing light fittings (this is called retrofitting).

At this point, it’s important to note that if it is a halogen transformer,this maximum load applies to halogen light bulbs only. For example, if you have a 40VA transformer for halogen bulbs, you should not install 40-watts worth of LED light bulbs. This would overload the fitting and potentially cause a safety issue. For example, if you have one 35W halogen installed in your kitchen, ensure you swap it for 35W equivalent LED. The actual wattage of the LED light bulb may vary, but the equivalent wattage must be the same as your current halogen bulbs. For example, you might find both 5W and 6W LED light bulbs that have an equivalent wattage of 35W; both of these would be fine to replace 35W halogen bulbs.