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MR11 and MR16 12v Spotlight Connectors

Wiring for 12 volt LED spotlights


Some of the best value, longest lasting, most efficient lighting available for 12 volt applications is LED Spotlights (1).

Standard home wiring is prepared for 240V AC mains electricity. If you want to have 12V lighting in your home, shed, workshop, cabin, boat, or caravan etc, then you will need to string up some new dedicated 12V wiring, or have the spotlights powered through an inefficient 240VAC to 12V DC adapter.
NEW Details on using MR16 LED Spotlights in Shed and Garage Lighting (2) are available here.

MR16 12 Volt Spotlight Bulb

LED spotlights are available in a range of different sizes, however by far and away the most common sizes are 35mm diameter and 50mm diameter - known in the trade as MR11 and MR16 respectively (for 12 volt applications). If you already have 12V halogen spotlights fitted in your home they are almost certainly either MR11's or MR16's.
(Note that 50mm diameter 240V spotlight bulbs are denoted GU10.)
MR11 / MR16 Pre-Wired Ceramic Connector for LED Spotlight
It is perfectly possible to simply crocodile clip, solder, or wrap wires around the positive and negative terminals of a 12V MR16 or MR11 spotlight, however you should really purchase some 12 Volt Spotlight Connectors. They only cost under £1 each and will last forever. You simply plug your bulb into the connector socket, and wire the connector into your circuit.

MR11 and MR16 bulbs will both fit into the same connector since the terminal pins are 5mm apart on each. Two holes are drilled through the connector through which you can screw the connector into position on your wall or whatever. The bulb holder pictured above is now available in the REUK Shop (3): MR16 Ceramic Bulb Holder (4), as are compatible 12V LED spotlights (5).

Another MR11 / MR16 Pre-Wired Ceramic Connector
One advantage of LED over halogen spotlights is that LED spotlights are far cooler when they are on and so pose far less of a fire risk when used in enclosed spaces etc. These connectors are made to cope with hologen induced temperatures of up to 250 degrees celcius so they are enormously over engineered for 12 volt usage. Therefore they are very safe.

MR11 / MR16 Ceramic Connector Connections


Web Link References

(1) http://www.reuk.co.uk/LED-Spotlights.htm
(2) http://www.reuk.co.uk/Shed-and-Garage-Solar-Lighting.htm
(3) http://www.reuk.co.uk/REUK-Products-For-Sale.htm
(4) http://www.reuk.co.uk/buy-MR16-CERAMIC-BULB-HOLDER.htm
(5) http://www.reuk.co.uk/buy-12V-LED-SPOTLIGHT-BULB.htm

Article from REUK.co.uk:
http://www.reuk.co.uk/MR11-and-MR16-12v-Spotlight-Connectors.htm
Published: 31st March 2007
© REUK 2009