Shim LED Step Light Tri-Colour

Shim in this size is a surface-mounted step and wall light with a 12 W built-in LED behind an opal polycarbonate diffuser, in black or white powder-coated aluminium. At 960–1,080 lm it is an area light disguised as a step light: a run of these along a wall lights the ground properly rather than just marking it. The opal diffuser matters at that output, spreading the light so the LEDs are not visible as bright points from an approach. The listing sells all four combinations — both colours in both voltages.

The choice to make: 240 V or 12 V

• HV3278T-BLK-240V / HV3278T-WHT-240V — connect straight to mains. No driver or transformer needed.
• HV3278T-BLK-12V / HV3278T-WHT-12V — require a 12 V DC LED driver and must never be connected directly to 240 V. On the 12 V models the fitting is class III, so no earth is required at the fitting itself.

All four give the same light: 960 lm at 3000K, 1,020 lm at 4000K and 1,080 lm at 5500K, tri-colour selectable at install. Choose on the circuit, not on output.

Where it works

• External stairs and landings where the treads need to be genuinely lit.
• Alfresco, pergola and patio walls under cover, as the main light for the area.
• Sheltered facade and courtyard runs, spaced as a repeating horizontal band.
• Commercial walkways and undercrofts where a tough aluminium wall fitting is specified.

Specifying it

IP54, so keep it to sheltered positions: eaves, soffits, pergolas and covered walkways rather than walls taking driving rain. IK10, the highest impact class in common use, which is why it stands up in trafficked commercial positions. Not dimmable in either voltage, so at over 1,000 lm plan the switching deliberately. On the 12 V models keep each fitting within 25 m of its driver — a warranty limit — and size the driver on 12 W per fitting plus headroom. Rated to under 30,000 hours. The LED is built in: no globe is needed and none can be fitted. Must be installed by a licensed electrician.

Backed by a 3-year replacement warranty.

Supplied and supported by Lights For You; the HV3278T Shim sits between the marker step lights and a full wall light, so tell us the area you are lighting and we will say whether this size or the larger one fits the job.