Kitchens by Riland

Fully apprehending voltage variations is essential for successful low voltage landscape lights design.

With the boundless increase in the popularity landscape lighting for both residential and commercial functions, users and homeowners have started to look out for the systems and components that provide for efficient allotment and with immeasurable safety. A traditional 120 Volts system will not be able to meet the needs of the industry’s landscape lighting requirements; thus, the only reason why manufacturers changed to 12 Volt low-voltage systems is for the standardization of the outdoor lighting purposes.

Low-voltage systems engage smaller sources of light, and are easily converted to make room for any landscape design changes or alterations, and at the same time, being safe to operate and maintain than that of the 120 volt rendition.

With the conventional 12 volt low-voltage system, Makers are manufacturing numerous sizes available of over-the-edge step-down transformers for easy conversion from 120 volt source to 12 Volt supply. The aforementioned system components are to work, but, its voltage decrease should be fully considered and comprehended to ensure effective landscape lighting.

Now, depending on the size and length of the fixture, the conductor of the low-voltage system will then be the resistor. And the electrical current goes through the conductor, which is when the voltage decrease occurs. The voltage at the end of the conductor is sure to be lower than the original source. Smaller wires and higher currents will increase the voltage and at the same time decrease by in turn boosting resistance and fixture load.

However, what does this mean? A decrease in the voltage on the lighting circuit of let’s propose a 120 volt system in general; this isn’t going to be a major concern. Branch circuit currents are roughly low, at an estimate 20A or lower and conventional wire sizes are normally large enough to reduce any possible resistance issues. But, working with 12 volts system, the entire line current for whatever load may increase by a factor of immense 10.

When the voltage runs through to given landscape light, it is lower than the present lamp voltage rating, and in turn cutting the lights’output. They said it is common sense when we talk about relationships, that relationships aren’t equal. When the voltage drops at about 85% of its actual rating, the light output is an obvious 50% and it will keep dropping fast and significantly from here onward.

So what can we do to minimize the voltage drop? Once you’ve completed the layout, you can manage it by choosing an effective gauge wire.

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