What is the best way to light a kitchen counter? What kind of fixture works best?

I've had good luck with Alcko brand UC lites.

I agree, I also like Alko the best. They are line voltage halogen (transformer is in fixture)and come in differents sizes 8in, 17in, 23 in, 47in. cat# for a 23 in is HG-23.

We've been using zenon type fixture recently, but I can't think of the brand off hand. I really like the light quality, it's not quite as white as halogen, but not nearly as hot either.

I use a xenon type fixture made by Kichler. Very easy to install and the lamp is rated for 10,000 hours. I have used many of the Alkco hg series with mixed results. Frequent complaints were noisy transformers and fast lamp burnout. One problem with the Kichler is lamp breakage. The way they pack the fixture the lamps end up broken a good 70% of the time. My supplier provides me with plenty of free lamps but the real issue is getting all the pieces of glass cleaned out of the fixture before installing over food prep areas. I have e mailed Kichler twice about this with no response. I would be interested to hear of recent experiences with the Alcko fixtures. Good or bad. Perhaps it's time to try them again. Do you guys dim these fixtures and what type of dimmers do you use. I use electronic low voltage dimmers I buy at $68.00 a piece. Marked up 30% for a much better profit than a regular switch.

How are you going to wire it? With what type of wire?

Harold

I used to use sidemount flourescents but found they were too noisy, and flickered. Also I don't like that the lighting isn't 'continuous' where as with the "puck" style of lites, I can add or remove easily to my desired lighting pattern.

I use Liteline brand products (www.liteline.com), for undercabinet lighting, I prefer the "puck" style round lamps with the Xenon 20W bulb. They last longer, run cooler and give off much brighter and whiter lite than the flourescents.

When doing a new install, I simply place the 12V xfmr and 110V switch lead in a junction box inside the cabinet or other accessible space, or in the basement below and run 18-2 wire to each puck lite. Simply size your xfmr to the total wattage of all your lamps.

Cheers!

IS 18-2 wire allowed to be run inside walls? Check section 411 of the NEC.

Harold

Harold you are on the right track here. The 18-2 generally used for this application (lamp cord) is not allowed to be run in walls. This is one of the reasons I steer clear of those puck lights.

Scott,

Do you know how many times I had contractors and homeowners argue with me about that rule? I tell them that I don't make the rules, I just have to enforce them. If they don't like the rules, they can always right and code change and submit it to NFPA.

Harold

For clarification purposes, here in Canada we use the 18-2 LVT, not the lamp cord, but the same wire we use for Thermostat control application. This isn't a violation of the CEC, but perhaps it is of the NEC?

How about 12V Mini Track with Xenon Lampholders? Remote Magnetic Xfmr?