ᐅ LEDs for the suspended ceiling in the bathroom, suitable for 12 or 230 volts

Hello everyone,

In our bathroom, we plan to install a suspended ceiling with swiveling recessed spots featuring GU10 bases. Now we have a question about the LEDs: what are the advantages and disadvantages of 12-volt versus 230-volt LEDs? The only thing I know is that 12-volt LEDs require an LED driver or transformer. So 230-volt LEDs should be more cost-effective since you can skip the transformer. Or do 230-volt LEDs have a shorter lifespan?

For example, Philips Hue bulbs are 230 volts, and we want to install two of these in the ceiling of the bathroom (one above the toilet and one above the bathtub). That seems to be another point in favor of choosing 230-volt LEDs for the other spots, right?

Thank you very much for your answers.

PS: In the kitchen, is it really that important to use LEDs with a CRI (Color Rendering Index) above 90 for the countertop area?

230V in the bathroom with a suspended ceiling is not a problem.

You could use Hue lighting throughout the bathroom.

annab377 schrieb:

Is it really that important for LEDs over the kitchen work surface to have a CRI (color rendering index) above 90?

This applies regardless of the installation location. If you want natural, nice lighting and want decorations, furniture, or even clothing to look good under the light, then a high CRI is important.

Thank you. So, you only use 12 volts when there is a risk of "water" exposure, or am I misunderstanding this?

Okay, thanks. But the Philips Hue White Ambiance lamps also only have a CRI of 80, right?

No, 12V or 24V systems are chosen for various reasons. Sometimes it’s for aesthetic purposes, other times due to design constraints. It can also be that the desired light source is only available as a low-voltage version.

In any case, 12-24V is used especially when you want to dim LEDs properly without flickering, flashing, or glowing issues.

annab377 schrieb:

Philips Hue White Ambiance

Philips and Osram only specify a value of 80 now because this is the minimum standard required by the EU and must be met. Since these are lamps (all retrofit, not just Hue) with many compromises involved, it is what it is. For the average user, however, this is generally exactly what they were looking for and completely sufficient.

You mean that the Philips Hue White Ambiance with 230 V cannot be properly dimmed?

I ordered two and will test them myself, but considering the relatively high price of the Philips Hue, I expect flicker-free dimming. I'm very curious to see how it works through the Bluetooth app.

The Hue lamps are a hybrid system. They operate with 24V connected in series, powered by a 48V DC-DC converter. This is then controlled via Zigbee, allowing you to dim or switch the lights using a phone or similar device.

So you have several systems combined in one, which is quite different from the usual dimming methods most people are familiar with. My statement referred to the typical 230V LED retrofit bulbs. Hue and other pseudo-smart bulbs are, of course, an exception, as each manufacturer handles their own technology independently.