2
1) Finding Transformer Load: Low voltage systems require the use of a transformer to reduce standard
120-VOLT power from your home to 12-VOLTS. To determine the transformer size you will need:
A) Total the wattage of all incandescent bulbs and multiply by 1.25
B) Total the wattage of all LED bulbs/xtures, divide by .7 & multiply that subtotal by 1.25
C) Add the totals from steps A & B for the minimum transformer wattage or VA requirement.
EXAMPLE: A layout of (4) 15W halogen bulb xtures & (5) 6W LED xtures;
((4)x15)x1.25 = 75W , [((5)x6)/.7]x1.25 = 75W , 75W of incandescent + 53.6W of LED = 128.6W minimum.
A 100W transformer would be too small; a 150W transformer would be the ideal size.
2) Determine desired location for mounting transformer. NOTE: When deciding location for mounting
consideration should be taken for the requirements listed above.
3) To mount directly to a wall surface, use the included screws. Minimum mounting height, to the bottom of
the transformer, is 1 ft. (.305 m) above ground. When installing the screws, the spacing between the screw
centers is 3-9/16 in. (90 mm). See the template for correct spacing.
4) If mounting to a solid surface such as wood, siding, etc;
A) Drill 1/8”diameter pilot holes at positions marked in Step 3.
B) Drive screws approximately half way into holes.
If mounting to drywall:
A) Drill 1/4”diameter holes at positions marked in Step 3.
B) Push plastic anchors into holes and tap until ush.
C) Drive screws approximately half-way into plastic anchors.
5) Slip large portion of keyholes over head of top screws and allow transformer to slide down.
6) Drive screw through bottom slot and tighten until transformer is secure.
7) Choose cable run layout:
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
• Group xtures into zones by distance from the transformer (examples: 0-50', 50-75' and 75-100'). Do
not have a xture that is 10' away from the transformer on the same cable run as a xture that is 100'
away.
• Try to center load your runs as much as possible to minimize the voltage dierential between the rst and last
light (one volt dierence is optimum, two volts is too much).
• Run several separate cable runs to reduce the load per cable, thereby minimizing voltage loss. A typical
conguration would have a 200-watt transformer with two separate cable runs. Each cable run would have a load
of between 60 to 120 watts, but no more than 180 watts combined for the entire layout.
T
A) B)
E)D)
T
TT
LLLL
LLLL LLLL
LLLL
LLLL
LLLL
C)
T
LLLL
LLLL
T
L= Light Fixture
= Transformer
= Landscape Cable
A) Series - Most common. The cable is run as one long run with lights located along the run.
B) Split - Run up to the recommended maximum distance in two or more directions from the transformer.
C) Tee - Allows more even distribution of power to the center of a run or to a run some distance away. Heavier gauge cable or a
double run should be used to make the tee. All cable to cable connections should be soldered.
D) Split Tee - Allows uniform distribution of power to both legs (e.g. to both sides of the yard). It's like doing a Split layout with Tee
layout in each leg.
E) Loop - Allows for relatively uniform light output - However, you must be extremely careful to connect the same wire ends to the
proper transformer terminals.
1ft
(.305m)
