Halogen workbench lighting? Yes or No?

[Red'n'WhiteRebel]

The designer we're using for the lighting and electrical layout for our new home asked me if I wanted her to include the attached garage/shop in her plan. I figured why not? The layout looks good to me but I wonder about the use of halogen lights over the workbenches. She thinks it will be better light to work under. What do you boys think?

 

[ultgar]

I like halogens for task lighting over workbenches...specifically MR16's. Lots of punch and a wide selection of beam patterns to work with. SD

 

[dps]

I agree with ultgar. Fluorescents are a great, even light at low energy cost, but a few "white" halogens provide a better colored burst of light for either the task lighting and for a couple of dimming wall washers for accent lighting.

 

[Stuey]

I tend to stay away from halogens since I've been continuously warned of them being a fire hazard. What you might want to do is have the wiring put in and then select the lighting yourself later on.

 

[porschedude996TT]

Halogens are a little hot flooding down on you head...

 

[ultgar]

By halogens, I referring to the low voltage (12v) versions with 50w bulbs. These do get very hot but with proper thermally protected transformers, these are very safe.

SD

 

[PAToyota]

I tend to stay away from halogens since I've been continuously warned of them being a fire hazard.

The big fire hazard for halogens are the discount store floor (or table) versions where they either get knocked over or something is put on top of them.

Mounted lights when properly mounted are not much of a problem.

 

[Kevin54]

The designer we're using for the lighting and electrical layout for our new home asked me if I wanted her to include the attached garage/shop in her plan. I figured why not? The layout looks good to me but I wonder about the use of halogen lights over the workbenches. She thinks it will be better light to work under. What do you boys think?

Watching one of the DIY shows the other day, they swapped halogens for LED's due to the heat factor. It might be worth looking into also.

 

[Red'n'WhiteRebel]

LED's is a new one. I hadn't thought of them. Heat isn't an issue as the ceiling of the shop will be precast concrete. ( the shop is at basement level with the garage above it.)