Alert Electrical

Inline Extractor Fans & Ducting Buying Guide

Measuring for Inline Extractor Fans & Ducting

Analogue & IP CCTV Camera Systems Buying Guide

A guide to electric bathroom heaters

LED bulb buyer's guide

LED Spotlight Buyers Guide

Electric Showers Buying Guide

Smoke Alarms and Heat Alarms Buyer's Guide

Buyers guide to Westinghouse ceiling fans

Burglar Alarm Buyers Guide

Wireless CCTV Buyer's Guide

Buyer's Guide to Wi-Fi Electric Heaters

Storage Heaters Buying Guide

The electric central heating guide

LED Downlights Buyers guide

Buying LED Strip Lights

Electrical socket buyers guide

LED Light Bulbs Lifespan

USB Sockets Buying Guide

Bathroom Extractor Fans Buying Guide

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Buyer’s Guide

Your Guide to Grasslin Optimum Timer Products

Electric Underfloor Heating: Everything You Need to Know

Portable Air Conditioners: Your Complete Buying Guide for Summer 2026

Do I Really Need a Bathroom Extractor Fan? The Honest Truth

Light Up Your Outdoor Space for Spring and Summer

One of the questions we are getting asked is 'Can I change my low voltage downlights to LED Bulbs?'.  The answer is yes, but with care.

that then is a direct replacement for the low voltage downlight.  You do not need the services of an electrician, however  MR16 12v bulbs  are not always compatible with all transformers and the life of a transformer is not unlimited.

Low voltage recessed downlights have an in line 12v transformer taking the voltage from 240v down to 12v and then, depending on output, feeding from 1 up to anything but normally not more that 12.  They were fitted in a number of ways;

The best way to change the bulb in downlights from low voltage 12v to LED bulbs is to remove the 12v transformer and feed 230v directly to

Assuming that you are going the GU10 LED route, if the transformer you are removing feeds mutiple downlights we recommend using the

.  It is inexpensive, easy to fit and makes it easy to change fittings in future.

The lampholder for the old LV lamps needs to be changed to a

Retro fitting the existing downlights with GU10 230v LED bulbs or MR16 12v LED bulbs has the benefit that the existing downlights and decor are not affected.

GU10 LED bulbs are very energy efficient and have a lamp life in excess of their low voltage counterparts.  This means less maintenance and less re-lamping.

GU10 LED bulbs run much cooler, meaning the air temperature surrounding the downlights stays cooler.  Depending on the GU10 bulb selected they can be dimmed without the need for a specialist dimmer.

Finally, leave changing from MR16 12v to GU10 230v  to a qualified electrician.  Although it is relatively straightforward there are safety issues wtih electrical joints between floors and should be left to the experts.

Changing Downlights From Low Voltage to GU10 LED Bulbs

Read this next

Do I Really Need a Bathroom Extractor Fan? The Honest Truth

Light Up Your Outdoor Space for Spring and Summer