Not all light bulbs operate at the same voltage; there should be nothing surprising about that! But unless you know the difference between them you could be in for a little shock.
Mains Voltage Bulbs
The mains electricity supply that supplies the majority of homes in the UK and across Europe is 230V AC (Alternating Current).
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) operate on a low voltage Direct Current (DC). This means that GU10 LED Bulbs (230V), which are designed to run at mains voltage, require a ‘driver’ to alter the mains voltage. What you will notice about a GU10 LED Bulb is that it is slightly longer than a low voltage MR16 LED (12V). This is because the ‘driver’ is integrated into the GU10 fitting, whereas in the case of an MR16 it is situated elsewhere.
Low Voltage Bulbs
Low voltage lighting in houses is a fairly recent innovation. It is designed primarily for multiple fittings in kitchens and bathrooms. Instead of being connected directly to the mains supply, an intervening transformer ‘step down’ the mains voltage and changes the current from AC to DC. Unlike conventional MR16 Bulbs, MR16 LED use a driver instead of a transformer. Although the differences between the two are subtle, it is important to change the existing transformer for a driver when switching to 12V LED Bulbs..Most cars and vehicles, such as motor homes and buses, use 12V systems as they cannot connect to the mains, but instead rely on a battery.
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