Undercabinet Lighting
(Task Lights)

Undercabinet lighting, as the name implies, is intended to be placed under a cabinet or shelf to bring the light close to a given task. The nature of the task will dictate the most appropriate choice of fixture. If what you want is bright, shadowless, even, low maintenance illumination then a high quality fluorescent is the clear choice. If you are lighting a wet bar of side board where the tasks are intermittent, where atmosphere and decoration are a priority, and it doesn't get used much then there are many incandescent systems that could work.

• Generally, the fixture should be placed within the front half of the shelf to minimize shadows.
  
  
• Fluorescent systems fall into three major categories; T-12 (old style), T-5 (popular because of its low profile, but with poor light quality) and T-8 (recommended due to it's excellent light quality). Also, use electronic ballasts whenever possible.
  
  
• Incandescent systems are generally low voltage and fall into three major categories; Standard (old style, yellowish light), Xenon (more light for slightly less power), Halogen (more light still, very white light).