Phantom Lighting System

Do you manufacture fixed shelf lighting fixtures specifically for custom furniture and retrofit applications?
Yes. We not only manufacture light fixtures specifically for non-adjustable shelf lighting, but we take it one step further by making each individual strip light custom to the dimensions of the shelf or vertical style to which you intend to mount it. We have engineered the basic components of our display cabinet lights to accommodate a wide range of wiring techniques that allow you to install what amounts to a completely concealed or almost completely concealed hidden cabinet lighting source.

This customization allows you total freedom in a much wider range of cabinet lighting installations. Customization means more application power when it comes to illuminating build outs and retrofits that are characterized by highly stylized cuts of wood and unique construction designs.

This sounds like a very bold claim. Is there any type of cabinet you cannot light with your equipment?
To be honest, there is. Any cabinet with a glass or mirrored backing tends to produce too much reflective glare. However, when it comes to lighting private library cabinets with solid wood backing or panel backing, there really is no style our fixed shelf lighting fixtures cannot be adapted to fit.

I read about your HM series (Horizontal Mount) on your website. How can I install these fixtures on a shelf that has no reveal?
There are two ways we can help you do this. One would be to custom design a trim that matches color of the wood. This would be the equivalent of creating the equivalent of a reveal out of a fixed shelf lighting fixture itself. Another way we could accommodate you is to add a reveal to the front of the shelf behind which we can conceal the lighting strip. Your intentions in design and quality of aesthetic are very important to us, so we will ultimately recommend what both works best—and looks best—for your particular project.

I have another cabinet I’m looking to add fixed shelf lighting to. I do not want to alter the shelves in any respect because it is an antique reproduction that requires minimal alteration.
In your instance, we recommend using vertically-mounted curio cabinet light strips concealed along the interior edges of the vertical cabinet styles. If there is a small space between the shelves and the style interior, we will notch the trims on your fixtures so that one continuous vertical strip light can be installed on either side.

If no space is available, we can cut vertical segments proportional to vertical dimensions between each set of shelves.

What if I light a cabinet that has no vertical styles, but instead has large hinged doors?
Hinges present a challenge for fixed showcase cabinet lighting, but it is never an insurmountable challenge. European-style hinges, even though very effective in function, can be quite large and cause you a great deal of difficulty if you attempt to install a continuous accent light strip. For this application, we recommend you get strip lights with lamps spaced around the hinges. We also recommend that you notch the glare shield in the field to maintain a finished look.

Do you have vertical strips that mount to the door interiors rather than cabinet interiors or shelf bottoms?
Yes, but this is only recommended for fixed shelf cabinets that measure 30” or more in width. It is a very effective accent lighting tool for displaying solid objects such as china, vases, sculptures or books which may block the light and produce shadows. A center mount trim requires special wiring provisions that will give the wiring enough slack to allow for door movement.

Is it difficult to conceal the wiring for fixed shelf cabinet lighting fixtures?
It is much easier to conceal wiring with our cabinet lighting system than with any type of standard or generic fixture available on the open market. Since all of our cabinet lights are custom built, we have evolved our technology to accommodate unique techniques that are custom to both the individual cabinet and the trim of the fixture. Also, our transformers are much smaller than other competing models and are therefore also much easier to conceal.

We invite you to contact us toll free 800-863-1184 to obtain more information on all of these options. You can also request literature on our Phantom Lighting website, visit our Phantom Lighting mobile website, or read through the many informative summaries and FAQs located on our cabinet lighting blog. All of these resources, including our online virtual lighting showroom contain a wealth of information about our custom; low-voltage lighting products that are the dream come true of art lighting designers and cabinet lighting builders on two major continents.

Retail Display Lighting constitutes a very complex science and generally requires the help of a lighting designer or retail display expert who can help you choose the right fixtures, bulb types, voltage settings, and lighting controls for your store. Any online query will quickly produce an endless array of retail display light fixtures that can quickly overwhelm your senses and your pocket book if you are unsure of what you need. While specialty lights will always have their place in the world of design and merchandising, it is normally not necessary to buy a different type of fixture for each separate display in your store. In most cases, custom-built linear lighting strips can be mounted in a variety of environments and provide optimal, safe, efficient, and high quality luminance that will place your products in the best possible light.

Under Cabinet Light
Under cabinet fixtures are often used for retail display lighting anytime a shelf beneath a cabinet offers sufficient room for merchandising. Linear strip lights are usually the best source of illumination in these cases because they tend to blend more with the under belly of the cabinet that do puck lights and fluorescent under cabinet fixtures. Also, they can be fitted with any number of bulb types that are both dimmable and free of ultraviolet light—something fluorescent lights are notorious for producing.

For rich, dark colors, you might want to use retail display lights fitted with energy saving LED light bulbs. Phantom LED lamps have a warm color temperature, that is close to incandescent lamps.

Window Display Light
Retail lighting here has to be cost effective before it is anything else. Some window displays are left on 24 hours a day and can run a light bill straight through the roof if low voltage and cost effective lamping technologies are not utilized to offset power consumption.

Any number of linear strip lights for retail displays can be fitted with low voltage transformers to curb electrical usage. The Phantom Linear Lighting Strip, for example, can be custom manufactured as either a 12V or 24V fixture, and it can operate incandescent or xenon festoon bulbs at much lower costs than line voltage puck lights, flex lights, or even overhead fluorescent panels.

Even better, consider investing a little more on the front end to fit your retail display lighting fixtures with LED festoon lamps. Even on a line voltage system, LED bulbs use only 20% as much power as incandescents and xenon. On a low voltage window lighting strip, there is an exponential multiplication of power savings.

Display Cases
Virtually any type of accessory case can be fitted with linear retail display lighting fixtures. The only exception to this rule is any case with a mirrored back plane. Linear strips contain many small festoon lamps that will appear like white or golden dots along the top of the mirror, ruining the aesthetic of the display. However, if the case is made from clear glass, or even better, has a dark backing or cloth on which the merchandise is laid, linear strips provide some of the very best display lighting for retail display cases you can imagine.

The type of low voltage lighting you choose really should depend on what type of merchandise will be showcased your display. Toys look great under incandescent light because it makes them glimmer slightly with a cheerful, white aura. Ladies clothing accessories such as hats and scarves look better under xenon. The slightly golden aura it casts about the items makes them look well worth the price tag.

LED lights can be fitted to retail display light strips to create a near equivalent effect to either incandescent or xenon. This all depends upon the color of the bulbs used, and it also depends on the sophistication with which the festoon lamps themselves are designed. Phantom linear strips use a patented lamping technology that combines LED bulbs into a radiant output equivalent to that of incandescent lamps.

In cases where very expensive fabrics colored with highly sensitive dyes are showcased, it is best to use LED cabinet lights because any ultraviolet output from other bulb types could cause the color and material to degrade over time.

Jewelry displays can be lit with virtually any type of bulb. The colour temperature and lighting levels, however, should be carefully adjusted to match the types of precious metals and stones that compose your selection. For more information on retail jewelry display lighting, click here to read our full-length article on the subject.

For any other questions, information about Phantom Lighting or to place a custom order call toll-free at 1-800-863-1184. You can also visit our helpful and informative lighting blog "Tips from the Manufacturer" to see first hand hand our low voltage lighting products.

Our lighting manufacturing facility is located in Houston, Texas with professional lighting sales agents located throughout the United States that enable us to service all 50 states including Washington DC, Nashville Tennessee, Reno Nevada. Portland Oregon, Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Phoenix Arizona, Los Angeles California, Atlanta Georgia, and Culver City California.

What are the benefits of low voltage lighting systems?
Low voltage lighting systems allow you to use powerful and precise sources of light for a fraction of the cost of high voltage equivalents. Low voltage lighting systems can use incandescent, Xenon, or LED light bulbs at a fraction of the cost of high voltage equivalents.

Because they are so efficient they also require less maintenance than 120VAC systems. The average lamp life on a low voltage system is normally 4,000 hours. The key to achieving this efficiency lies in the use of magnetic transformers that reduce 120VAC to either 24VAC or 12VAC. These transformers are either surface mounted installed in remote locations outside of viewing angles.

They can also be manufactured with decorative designs that blend more harmoniously with surroundings.

These arrays can also be equipped with dimmer switches to generate further savings. Dimmers are very user friendly and allow for precise regulation of current at the turn of a knob or the touch of a button.

What types of low voltage lighting systems are there?
There are both outdoor low voltage lighting systems and indoor low voltage lighting systems.

12VAC and 24VAC outdoor lighting arrays figure prominently in the world of landscape lighting. This is because they are so highly effective in producing a number of accent lighting techniques that add dimension and emphasis to trees, gardens, man made architecture and three-dimensional art.

For path lighting, walkway lighting, step lighting, and any type of decorative lighting along walls and patios, they simply cannot be outperformed. The reason for this fact is simple. These lights have to be left on throughout the night both to ensure safe passage for pedestrians and to maintain a consistent visual presentation. It is seldom cost effective to do this with a 120VAC system because of power costs.

Indoor low voltage lighting systems tend to be more decorative, providing ambient accent lighting in cabinets and overall decor.

Indoor low voltage lighting systems can be very simple, consisting of only a few decorative art lighting fixtures or projector lighting fixtures positioned in key locations in living rooms, dens, or bathrooms.

They can also be much more complex, representing entire subsystems on a home lighting control network tied to touch panels, automated timers, and wireless controls.

What types of indoor low voltage lighting systems are available?
There are three major categories of low voltage indoor lights: linear, recessed, and surface mounted.

Linear lighting strips are normally used as display lights that when showcasing collectibles or fine hardback books. They are also very popular in kitchens as under cabinet lighting and bathrooms as cove lighting.

Recessed lights install in the ceiling and project at various angles of lighting incident onto wall art, photography, or three-dimensional art.

They have also become quite popular for low-level accent lighting in guest baths and even some larger kitchens where cooking parties are a favored form of entertainment.

Surface mounted low voltage lights tend to be desk and floor lamps that add color and “washes” of light to reading areas, computer work areas, and personal dens.

They are highly favored in bedroom lighting as mood lights, and they can also be used as task lights in some home theater systems.

Does Phantom manufacture low voltage lighting systems?
Yes.

We manufacture six lines of linear strips, all of which can be custom ordered with either 12VAC or 24VAC magnetic transformers. These low voltage lighting systems are designed with aesthetics foremost in mind. Our transformers are smaller than competing models, and thus easier to conceal. The strips themselves are also easy to conceal because they keep such a low profile and hide themselves from normal viewing angles.

Phantom strip lights are easy to install, fully dimmable and available in all bulb types. Extra power savings and superior aesthetics can be achieved by investing in Phantom strips fitted with LED lamps.

Phantom LED technology rivals that of Xenon in lumens output and uses only 20% of the power of an incandescent system. Low voltage combined with dimmable LED replacement festoon lamps represents a power reduction unimaginable in the past, and proves ideal for commercial showcase lighting as well as residential display lighting.

Click here to find a Lighting Agent who can answer all your questions, put together a custom order, and guide you through the installation and configuration of your Phantom Linear Strips. You can also contact the factory directly toll free at 800-863-1184. How can we help you today?

Commercial lighting designers, commercial clients, and private end users all look to Phantom as the Western Hemisphere’s premier linear lighting manufacturer. We have built a distribution network of agent representatives on two continents that equally accommodates the lighting design firm, the corporate facilities manager, and the private homeowner. We manufacture linear lighting fixtures in six unique series to fully accommodate new construction build outs, retrofit applications, and festoon LED upgrades in all commercial and private arenas.

What industries and/or individuals benefit from Phantom linear lighting strips?
Retail showcase lighting lets merchandisers take every advantage of specific lighting levels and lighting safety requirements to fully complement the visual aspects of their product offerings. Cove lighting gives homeowners more options in highlighting specialty interior architecture. Industrial clients use fluorescent Phantom strip lights for under cabinet lighting in break rooms, kitchen areas in construction trailers, and management offices. In the world of decorating, Phantom manufacturers linear lighting products that provide collectors and curators with a number of lamping options ideal achieving for varying effects and power-saving features. .

Does Phantom Lighting provide any unique services?
Phantom is one of the only low voltage linear lighting manufacturers that treat every order as a special project. We believe it makes the most sense to take this approach because virtually every display consists of either a unique set of dimensions and/or a custom design that only exact cutting to measurements can accommodate. This not only facilitates greater ease of installation, but it also creates a more evenly distributed field of light than retail grade showcase lights can offer. We are also a very design-conscious manufacturer. Linear lighting lamps can be equipped with fluorescent, xenon, or LED bulbs depending on client preference and need.

What do specific lamps offer to specific applications?
Jewelry can be very safely showcased under inexpensive fluorescent lights. More sophisticated white light produced by incandescent lamps or the near-natural daylight qualities of xenon low voltage lamps works better to show reds and earth tones. Rare books, antiques, sensitive merchandise, and historical documents are best showcased under LED light strips- the world’s most efficient power saver with only trace amounts of forward throw heat and absolutely no ultraviolet radiation.

What voltage options are available for Phantom lighting strips?
Phantom manufactures home linear strip lights with either 12V or 24V festoons. Our patented engineering design uses existing metal shelf standards to conduct electricity. This is both less obtrusive and less hazardous. The adjustable shelf concept is a patented, innovative design that allows the collector complete flexibility to remove or relocate shelves without tools or any need to disconnect wires. The lights are attached to the individual shelves and are powered through hidden connectors utilizing safe, low-voltage current. Phantom is the only linear lighting manufacturer that has this design, and much of our rising popularity and success derive from its efficiency and ease of use.

Are there other costs benefits to using Phantom Strip lights?
Yes, especially when it comes to LEEDS certification. You can use strip LED lamps to reduce your watts per square foot ratio. Many organizations would like to go “green” with LED lamps, but insufficient funding makes across the board strip lighting replacement unfeasible.

This is again another major point of differentiation between Phantom and competing lighting manufacturers. Linear LED lighting strips in existing displays and shelves do not have to be replaced to qualify for LEEDS certification—only the incandescent and xenon lamps themselves. Phantom LED’s can snap easily into most existing fixtures and do not require a DC power inverter to function on an existing AC wiring network. For those organizations that have a budget for a complete retrofit of entirely new LED strip lighting fixtures, we design the AE (Adjustable Exposed) series specifically to meet this need.

How can I contact Phantom?
Phantom manufacturer agents work throughout North, Central, and South America to answer questions and to help clients configure custom orders. If you are a commercial designer specializing in linear lighting, our manufacturer agents will act as distribution interface to custom-design the product to meet your client’s precise specifications. If you are a commercial or residential client in need of technical support, our representative agents will assist you in designing and installing your new display lighting fixtures. Call us today at 1-800-863-1184.

Thus eliminating heat and power consumption by replacing physical wires with conductive mounts grounded safely to the cabinet itself. Phantom specialists spend a great deal of time in consultation; determining exact dimensions and material constitutions of individual low voltage displays and cabinets lighting. Low voltage lighting engineer’s custom cut each strip to provide a perfect match for both new builds and retrofit mounting. Phantom Lighting builds six different series of strip lights, knowing that different shelving and display designs require different types of mounting fixtures for shielded low voltage cabinet lighting.

Cabinets built by custom designers featuring fine finish and hand carved surfaces require the most seamless possible fit to avoid a visible fixture from detracting from craftsmanship and design. Our AC series strip lighting is perfect for this. It is designed for new build cabinets, so most of AC series customers are builders or cabinetmakers that order the strips pre-cut and physically build the fixture into the display.

For private commercial clients and homeowners looking to retrofit existing cabinets or add decorative flair to generic cabinetry, we carry a similar low voltage strip lighting for cabinets in our AE series. This cabinet light allows for greater flexibility with only slightly more visibility in the fixture itself. It is ideal for retrofitted installation onto existing shelves, and it can also dual function as a custom piece for new cabinets under construction.

The AC series does not provide total fixture concealment, but it is nonetheless can prove a highly decorative add-on to a plain or basic displays, and its many finish and color options can even add a slightly high-end touch to standard retail low voltage display cabinets. Lighting levels are controlled in both series with special glare shielding that prevents light “spillage” when viewed from either above or below eye level.

Both the AC series and AE series offer multiple lamping options, ranging from fluorescent to incandescent, on up to higher end xenon and state of the art LED light bulbs. The unique positioning of our smaller, festoon lamps makes for a more even “wash” of luminosity that creates both even distribution of photons and a more ambient light within the cabinet space itself.

Read more about other Phantom strip low voltage undercabinet lights for cabinets and additional benefits in our the informative section of our site…

There are a number of things you should keep in mind when searching online through the seemingly endless number of shelf lighting options today’s market offers. Keeping a few rules of thumb in mind will not only help you select optical shelf lights for your particular display, but also lead you to the conclusion that efficiency and innovation are the keys to putting your collectibles, rare books, and even retail merchandise into a whole new, superior realm of impeccable light. LED Shelf lights should always evenly distribute illumination within the enclosed space of a bookshelf, display case, or specialty furniture piece. The light should never "spill" too far outward into the room. In shelf lighting, self-containment and a less is more approach to equipment are the two keys to glare free radiance and specialty effects that highlight and accentuate.

Shelf lights need to conserve power and in certain cases minimize heat. Ideally they should offer both low-voltage fixture options and dimmable lamping capability. At the same time, they must be bright enough to render colors accurately and accent the displayed objects with both required and optional lighting effects. Most importantly, shelf lighting achieves maximum aesthetic results when the equipment itself remains concealed, so that viewers only sees the contents under display highlighted by ambient combinations of luminosity and appropriate degrees of coloration.

Phantom’s series of specialized strip lighting fixtures fulfills all of these requirements with exceptional display and showcase lighting. Phantom strips eliminate wires as conductors by using existing metal shelf standards to power small lamps embedded in the surface of the strip fixture itself and with remote low voltage transformers. Phantom offers four major lamping options to cover the full gamut of both retail and in-home shelf lighting needs.

Read our full-length informative article on showcase shelf lighting and study our product specifications now to learn more about each of the specific bulb types and fixture designs we offer, and which of our Phantom strip lights will best place your fine books and collectibles on display in a whole new, superior light….

Phantom’s patented technology conducts electrical power along metal shelf standards without physical wires and without revealing the electrical power source. Phantom light strips feature flexibility in installation and deliver high performance, seamless, lighting. Our strip lighting technology is the only one of its kind in the world and offers a perfectly controlled, concealed source of illumination. LED Phantom strips bring energy efficient lighting to coves, displays, bookshelves, cabinets, and antique furniture. Phantom manufacturing custom cuts each lighting strip prior to shipping so it will match the exact dimensions of a specific surface, display case, or furniture piece.

All Phantom lighting strips feature solid metal trim with glare shields that optimize them for either vertical or horizontal applications. Trims come in multiple shapes as well, allowing for custom installation and lighting requirements above eye level. Each of our six types of lighting strips is manufactured with specific environments and illumination requirements already in mind. Available in eight standard paint finishes, Phantom strip lights come in solid brass, stainless steel, and copper. Click here to view cut sheets and read through our informative section for lighting application ideas.

We utilize four different types of bulbs in order to meet the lighting needs of different situations such as under cabinet lighting. We give every client a choice between 12 and 24-volt operation to accommodate the full range of power consumption needs and architectural designs we encounter. Above the low-end fluorescent lamps for clients on tight budgets, we pre-install our strip lights with 3, 5, and 10-watt incandescent lamps rated for 7500 hours, or, we fit them with Xenon lamps rated for up to 20,000 hours. We are also very pleased to announce the addition of LED lamps to the Phantom entourage. LED’s burn cool and use only 20% of the power compared to other bulb types. They are ideal for commercial applications heavily regulated by environmental legislation.

Fully ETL Approved, Phantom puts everything on display in a whole new light!

Phantom Lighting manufactures light strips to your exact specifications to provide hidden, smooth illumination for cabinets, bookcases, furniture, indirect cove lighting and kitchen under cabinet lighting. Phantom is about lighting creations - not about seeing light bulbs. Therefore, we have taken care in our engineering design to ensure that the light source is concealed from each viewing angle, no matter how severe.

Our exclusive patented adjustable shelf lighting system allows for easy movement of individual shelves without tools or hassles. This is accomplished by using exposed metal standards or concealed buss bars to conduct the electricity without exposed wiring. Now with LED lamps you got to see it to believe it!

Designed for both residential and commercial applications our Phantom Lighting Strips are available in seven painted finishes including premium metals such as stainless steel, solid brass and natural copper. Our painted finishes include (left to right) paint grip galvanized steel, flat white, gloss white, light beige, almond, medium brown, flat black and gloss black. Our premium metal LED lighting strips are (Left to right) natural copper, polished stainless steel, satin stainless steel, polished brass and satin brass.

To learn more about Phantom Lighting products such as the Contour Projector or Lighting Strips please contact a lighting agent in your city or state for more information. You may also request a quote online using our handy order form. Thank you!

Phantom Lighting announces its new LED lighting system at Light Fair 2007 in New York. These festoon LED lighting fixtures offer more options for uniqueness and customization than any technology currently on the market. Low voltage LED lighting fixtures not only save on energy costs, but also maximize fine art color rendering with no harmful affects to canvas or paints whatsoever. Phantom LED light fixtures adapt to all shelving and cove lighting environments and produce superior glare free lighting without visible intrusion into viewing angles.

Collectors often encounter odd angles and sizes in finer bookcases, cabinets, and furniture. This is because the highest level of quality also means one of a kind customization that deviates from generic measurements. Such individuals quickly see the value in Phantom LED Light Fixtures that can adapt to fit any size bookcase, fine china cabinet, and ornamental furniture. Phantom LED Light fixtures are the only strip lights on the market that utilize patented, adjustable shelf concept. This eliminates visible wiring and transmits a safe low voltage current through shelf standards and mounting clips.

Phantom kitchen under cabinet lights or in cabinet lighting generate very little heat and no harmful UV rays. This allows the collector to leave the lights on for long periods of time so fine art remains illuminated with a magical effect throughout daytime and late night hours. The high color rendering of these fixtures combined with the elimination of ultraviolet light allows for continual illumination without risk of damage to sensitive art. Phantom LED light fixtures operate at 12 VAC on both magnetic and electronic transformers. This offers added value to the festoon system as an energy-efficient solution. The festoon system can safely and cost effectively light entire collections or even multiple collections in a number of rooms without the risk of heating or excessive expenditure of energy.

The festoon phantom led strip lighting system optimizes illumination with an almost invisible presence. True to their name, phantom led strip light fixtures feature custom metal strips designed specifically for horizontal, vertical, or cove lighting applications. Regardless of the shelving or housing utilized for showcasing, phantom led strip lights adapt to a variety of surfaced wiring methods on any number of sizes of antique furniture and existing cabinets. Power leads that feature varying lengths and configuration ensure all wiring is hidden. Phantom LED light fixtures feature built-in glare shields that all but eliminate seeing the lamps from severe viewing angles. All Phantom LED lamps have a 120 degree beam spread for smooth, even illumination, and they can be customized for 60-degree beam spread by special order.

Come see us shine in New York at LIGHTFAIR 2007 held May 8-10th, 2007 Javits Center in New York City, New York Visit us at Booth 465 to learn more about our new LED Festoon strip lighting system. With unrivalled adaptability, these low voltage lighting fixtures can shine brighter with less heat than any DC equivalent and optimize the beauty innate in illuminated art. Contact a Lighting Agent today for a demonstration in your area.

The main reason Phantom display lighting is so popular with design professionals is really quite simple. It works!

Phantom Lighting has been manufacturing custom cabinet lighting fixtures for over 20 years. Our patented ADJUSTABLE SHELF LIGHTING FIXTURE for bookcases, display cabinets and shelf systems are miniature, low profile and very effective. Imagine seeing each shelf in your library individually illuminated and being able to move each shelf anytime you want without having to disconnect any wires. That's right, no wires. It's that simple. Phantom Lighting is all about hiding the source and seeing the results.

The concept of adjustable Phantom Lighting is to eliminate exposed wiring by using existing metal shelf standards or buss bars to conduct a safe low voltage current. A remote transformer transmits energy through the shelf standards, buss bars and mounting clips. A lighting fixture, fitted with festoon lamps, lead wires and a conducting plate, is affixed to each shelf. Once the shelf is in position, the circuit is complete and the lamps energized. The results are dramatic!

In addition to our custom adjustable wiring methods, we have many other techniques and custom light trims for LED strip lighting. Over the years we have illuminated everything from antique furniture to custom cove lighting applications. Every Phantom fixture is hand crafted in our facility to your exact specifications to insure a perfect fit every time. Phantom lighting is truly a flexible and unique lighting fixture for display lighting and accent lighting.

Contact one of our LIGHTING REPRESENTATIVES or visit http://www.phantomlighting.com/ for more information on display lighting. Want to see some of our cabinet lighting installations? Check out the LIGHTING GALLERY. Have a question on low voltage display lighting? Call us toll free at 800-863-1184.

It's Simple! It's Effective! It's Phantom display lighting!

I am trying to calculate loads and select a transformer for a cove lighting job using your strip lights. I want to be sure that I am using the right size wire and fuses. Can you give me some pointers on what to do?

If you are not an electrician calculating wire size, amperage and fusing can be quite confusing. Let's take a look at calculating wire size first. All PHANTOM STRIP LIGHTS are fabricated with 16 gauge wire and have a maximum feed through capacity of 13.33 amps in a free air environment. In other words, it is not in a conduit with other wires that can entrap heat and affect the ampacity of the wire.

What amperage a wire can handle is decided by the wire size. Here are some examples:

Amperage is calculated by dividing the wattage by the voltage. So if you have 300 watts operating at 24 volts that equals 12.50 amps. So, for every 300 watts of lights you should install a home run wire from the low voltage festoon lighting strips back to the transformer.

Another wiring method would be to combine two 300 watt loads using a 10 gauge wire back to the transformer. The maximum size fuse on any PHANTOM TRANSFORMER is 25 amps. You might have several of these 25 amps circuit breakers depending on the size of the transformer. Refer to our transformer information page for more specific information and suggested wiring layouts.

To play it safe, ask the professionals at Phantom Lighting System to help design, specify and engineer your project. We are here to help and want your project to be safe and successful. It is always best when installing our lighting system to consult with a qualified electrician or handy man. Contact one of our lighting agents, call us toll free at 800-863-1184 or visit our lighting blog for more technical information or to just get some help with your order.

Phantom Lighting System is an original equipment manufacturer of FINE ART LIGHTING FIXTURES and LINEAR LIGHTING STRIPS.

See The Light - Not The Fixture!

I am interested in lighting an antique cabinet. However, I do not want to see the lights or modify my cabinet to fit the lights. Can the lights be mounted vertically without damage to the cabinet?

PHANTOM STRIP LIGHTS can most certainly be installed in a vertical mounting position without having to modify the cabinet.

We have a special vertical trim that has a custom glare shield designed for just this type of application. The glare shield blocks your view of the light bulbs from angles up to 90 degrees. That means even from the most severe angles, you will not see the lamp but, enjoy the objects that are being illuminated.

The VM Series or Vertical Mount Series is a custom built low voltage lighting fixture that can be installed in cabinets with fixed or adjustable shelves. Whether you have wood shelves or glass shelves, the lights can be fabricated for a perfect fit. The metal trim can be field notched to clear the shelves and the lamps can be custom spaced for uniformity and even illumination. Small low voltage transformers power the lights and can be hidden either above or below the cabinet and used in combination with a dimmer control, the lighting is magical.

VM SERIES FEATURES