What Size Fuse Is For Outside Light Transformer

Showtime and foremost we strongly recommend all new external electric works be installed by a qualified electrician and they must comply with the electric current IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671 & Great britain Building Regulations incorporating Office P which applies to electrical installations located on land around dwellings such as garden lighting. The contractor must supply you with full certification once the piece of work is completed.

Cabling

Steel Wire Armoured (SWA)

For a mains 220v - 240v supply you lot should use high quality Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cable. WA ( steel wired armour) cable. FIG ane below shows.

1.5mm² copper conductor size, Nominal Overall Diameter 11.54mm three Core Cable with Brown, Black & Gray coloured cores as indicators High quality Course two plain annealed stranded copper cores to BSEN 60228:2005 (Previously BS6360) Insulated with XLPE (Cantankerous linked polyethylene), Bedded with PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), Armoured with SWA (Steel Wire Armoured) and Sheathed with Black PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Suitable for voltages upward to a maximum voltage of 600/1000V Maximum current of 23A Suitable for Temperatures between -15°C and 90°C Conforms to BS5467, IEC 60502, BSEN (IEC) 60332-1-2 and BSEN 60332 Steel Wire Armoured Cable, normally known every bit SWA Cable, is a hard wearing power cable which is designed for the supply of mains electricity. Suitable for use in ability networks, hush-hush, internal, external applications and for apply in cablevision ducting. It tin can also be connected to an globe via a Cable Gland which volition give the cablevision further protection. The steel wire armour sits below the cable sheath to provide protection to the conductor and insulating layers which means the cable can withstand high stress and be buried directly underground. Cable supplied every bit 50 meter Reels.

FIG 1 SWA Cable

Mains 220 - 240v Condom butyl cabling

Many mains 220 -240v fittings will come supplied with a length of 3 core cablevision to enable your electrician to connect the cablevision to the SWA cable supplying your mains electricity to your light fittings. Notwithstanding, non all fittings volition come supplied with mains cabling and therefore we recommend you use HO7RN-F three-cadre rubber cable (rubber butyl). This is the best type of mains cabling you tin apply when installing your mains light fittings to your mains SWA electricity supply. It will tolerate loftier and low temperatures and is extremely difficult Waring. DO NOT Utilise PVC cable to connect to your SWA supply as PVC breaks down over time particularly with exposure to UV ray and is responsible for the many poor installations we hear about due to capillary activity where wet gets into the connections and leads to the fittings breaking downward and brusque circuits blowing the LED chips and often tripping the RCD unit. Mains cabling is more than temperamental than 12v due to 220v - 240v going straight to your fittings, therefore is less tolerant of any water ingress issues. And so for peace of listen stick with rubber non PVC and ensure all connections are totally watertight. The cable should exist buried to a safe depth to avoid whatsoever unnecessary risk due to garden forks or spades. The thickness of the cable helps with the voltage distribution over distances. FIG 2 below shows an example of 3 core HO7RN-F rubber cablevision.

FIG 2 Safety butyl 3 core cable - HO7RN-F cable

12v safety double insulated cablevision

If a 12v depression voltage organisation is being installed then flexible condom round double insulated cable should be used. Exercise Non Utilise PVC cable. Again using HO7RN-F but as 2-core rubber cable would be the best depression voltage cable we would recommend for your 12v installation. The thickness of the cable helps with the voltage distribution over distances and unlike 220v - 240v the low voltage 12v cabling is meliorate using thickness of i.75mm² or more for long runs over xv metres. Nosotros can supply 12v cabling too. FIG 3 beneath shows an example of ii cadre HO7RN-F rubber cable.

FIG iii Rubber double insulated ii core cablevision - HO7RN-F 2 cable

Cable Ducting Electric (PE) pipe

We get asked a lot about how to protect 12v 2 core cable in the ground. Dissimilar SWA cable 12v 2 core cable is non steel wire armoured and therefore rodents can chew into 2 core cable in the footing. An easy solution would be to protect the two core cabling inside Electrical cablevision ducting conduit tubing. This is a cheap and simple way to protect the cabling and against being accidentally cut with garden equipment or garden forks. FIG v below shows an example of conduit pipe and FIG 4 of Electrical cable ducting pipage y'all tin can obtain online for many building and hardware suppliers.Electrical Cable Ducting is available in 32mm bore, 38mm bore and 48mm bore, in both 50m and 100m coils. PLEASE Make SURE Yous Mark THE CABLING SO Anybody KNOWS YOU HAVE Electrical CABLE INSIDE. Do not use water pipage as it could be assumed that water or gas pipes are inside and could then cause electrical shocks if cutting through.

FIG iv Electrical cablevision ducting piping

FiG 5 Conduit Pipe

RCD Consumer unit of measurement

Always put your outdoor lighting on it'due south own consumer unit RCD. Basically band fence information technology from your dwelling house lighting. That mode should anything outdoors trip your outdoor lighting circuit it should not touch the power in your domicile. The example beneath is a 30Ma two pole which will provide protection confronting world fault currents in residential and light commercial applications. FIG 5 beneath shows an example of an RCD.

FIG v RCD Consumer unit

RCBO Consumer unit

Where alarms and CCTV installations are concerned information technology is more efficient to have a dedicated RCBO protecting each individual circuit, particularly where mains voltage exterior lighting is concerned. The instance below is a 32 amp 30mA RCBO Unmarried module 30mA sensitivity combined MCB/RCD. New compact size RCBO assuasive for maximum usage of cable space within the Consumer Unit of measurement and easy installation. FIG 6 beneath shows an example of an RCBO.

FIG vi RCBO Consumer unit

Cablevision Joints

Equally as important and probably the weakest link in any outside cable run is the joining of cables. Each joint will demand to be 100% water tight and this can be achieved by the apply of Magic Gel poured into outside weather-tight junction boxes one time the termination is complete or you could use heat shrink kits. Run into FIG 7 and FIG 8 below. Burying resin mixes are also available to use in weatherproof junction boxes and this product sets to a very hard resin and non ideal if you need to get to a joint after, but ideal equally a permanent water tight fix. Where possible try and proceed all depression voltage transformers and joint boxes in a higher place footing, this volition reduce the risk of water ingress. Poor installations ignoring the importance of sealed cable joints can lead to Capillary activeness which is a procedure of moisture (Liquid) flowing or existence drawn back through the cabling into the fittings.

FIG sevenMagic Gel

FIG eight Heat shrink

Mains 220- 240v or Low Voltage 12v installations

Another thing in determining the type of light plumbing equipment you tin can apply is the type of installation you are going to take in the garden i.e mains 240v or 12v. There are pro's and cons to both system which nosotros will explicate below.

Mains Voltage

Mains voltage systems are in some ways easy to use as most electricians are already familiar with using 220v - 240v and probably less so with a 12v lighting system. The obvious reward to a mains supply is in that location is no need for a transformer to stride the load from 220v - 240v down to 12v. There is also side by side to no restriction on the lamp wattage that you tin use in a mains 220v- 240v supply. Yous likewise have a much wider choice of lamp source including metal halide lamps.

Withal i of the principal disadvantages is that nearly all the 220 - 240v volt cables in the garden must be SWA ( steel wired armoured ) or have some other suitable protection confronting accidental damage like buried conduit. Just the concluding 2 metres to the light can be a rubber flexible cablevision. This by and large ways that more junction boxes are required.

Another big disadvantage is that 220- 240 volt lamps blowing volition often trip out a excursion breaker, whereas this rarely happens with 12 volt lamps as the current surge is absorbed by the transformer.

Installing mains 240v calorie-free fittings

We recommend no more twelve mains 220 - 240v lights are put on whatever one circuit to reduce the take chances of overloading and tripping the mains supply. As with all external lighting installations it is important that all cable joints are made 100% watertight inside a jointing box. This tin exist further improved on by using a oestrus shrink cable joint kit and as well a resin mix poured into the box which then sets hard and stops the penetration of water. Many of the newer mains 220- 240v ground cached lights at present only come up with i cable entry gland and this is to reduce the chance of water ingress into the low-cal fitting. This also means that a recessed IP rated junction box volition be required to make the terminations when linking luminaries together. When using a mains 220- 240v light fitting it is essential that the cable is kept well away from areas that may have the potential of being damaged past gardening piece of work etc. Each burial should be on a sand bed and marked with tape where possible. Every mains cached light fitting should have acceptable drainage specially in clay based soil , otherwise the fitting will constantly be sitting in water and volition eventually lead to potential failure.

Installing 12v depression voltage fittings

The depression voltage organization is much safer to use in a garden surround and has a more flexible cablevision system. Should you accidental hit a 12v cablevision with a spade or fork the worst that will happen is the lighting system volition trip out. A little fleck of dampness might non affect a 12 volt circuit just it could render a 220- 240v circuit unusable. Although the depression voltage MR16 lamps tend to exist less brighter than an equivalent mains GU10 lamp there are a few more than selections with axle angles. The other type of LED organization is the dedicated LED lite fittings which has to run off a transformer and exist wired in a very specific manner such as in serial.

One disadvantage is that y'all have to make up one's mind on what total wattage lamps y'all demand before choosing the right transformer as you shouldn't under load or over load a transformer as this will end it operating at it's maximum potential. Voltage drop is less of an event with LED lighting and on a 12v organization a transformer can exist placed upwardly to 30 metres away from the lite fittings which gives the installer greater flexibility. Come across FIG 9 below on how to load a 12v transformer.

24v installations

Depression voltage installations tin can include the use of 24v LED strip which run off of 24v DC LED drivers (transformers). LED strip is a very pop form of illumination for outdoor use and ideal for creating a wall wash of low-cal on garden walls and decking areas. It is super slim and gives an astonishing linear (continuous) light. Near of the LED strip we supply runs off of 24v drivers and these are better for long runs of 10m and reduces the voltage driblet.

Plug and Play systems

Many depression voltage fittings now come with Plug and Play cabling, 3 fashion/five fashion connector/splitters, extension cables and transformers. What this means is they have a 2 pivot male connexion to connect to a female person 3 way or 5 way connector/splitter or transformer which will come with a mains 240v plug. The 240v AC mains input so converts to 12v AC output via the transformer. Many customers similar this type of low voltage system equally it cuts downward on electricians costs and waterproof junction boxes and waterproof connections. The plug and play systems are all compatible with each other with a very high IP rating.

Series or Parallel Wiring

At that place are two means that lighting in installed, in series which is daisy chaining the fittings from one to the next and so on or in Parallel where you loop in and back from each fitting. It is important to understand that wiring the incorrect style round could accident all of the lights with 12v systems, so care must exist taken and all instructions should be followed to the letter.

ane. In series

This must exist washed when using 12v constant current transformers and instance existence 350mA, 500mA and 700mA. The higher the number the brighter the light output and more wattage is used from the LED chip. These are used with sealed unit of measurement LED fittings You cannot wire these in parallel. if you do you can blow upwardly the transformer.

ii. In parallel

12v Constant Voltage fittings volition need to be wired in parallel and use DC current LED drivers. Likewise 12v toroidal transformers which use an ac current. Another matter to understand is that if you did daisy chain Constant Voltage DC fittings and toroidal 12v ac fittings and one of the fittings in the chain fails then the whole lot volition get out and it is a process of identifying which one in group has failed. Much similar Christmas tree lights. Also with series wiring the more lamps you add to the circuit the less current volition flow. Whereas in Parallel the more lamps you add together the more than power volition menstruation.

Types of transformers and loadings

At that place are currently 4 types of transformers used for outdoor lighting. In all cases you should use IP rated transformers for outdoor utilise, if non and so they must exist put into a waterproof enclosure.

1. Toroidal - Magnetic wire wound transformer.
2. DC Constant Voltage LED transformer.
3. DC Constant Current LED transformers

4. Electronic Transformers

Toroidal Transformer

They use Alternating Electric current (Air conditioning), have cooler operating temperatures and low magnetising current. They are very efficient, lower operating temperature and lower noise. Historically they have been used to power Halogen low voltage fittings but they volition work ok with certain LED bulbs providing you load the transformer to approximately fourscore% capacity. Always check the type of voltage the fitting uses and the lamps recommended before you choose a transformer.

DC Constant Voltage LED transformers.

These transformers use single straight current (DC) and can exist supplied every bit 12v or 24v and used primarily for LED strip and fittings with congenital in LED fries. A constant voltage ability supply receives standard line voltage (120-277VAC). This is the type of power that is typically output from your wall outlets around the domicile. Constant Voltage Drivers switch this alternating current voltage (VAC) to a low direct electric current voltage (VDC). The driver will always maintain a constant voltage no matter what kind of electric current load is put on it. DC transformers are more than tolerant with lighter loading only once again we recommend should be loaded to around 80% to 85% loading. Once again ever check the voltage of the fitting and lamps recommended before you choose a transformer.

DC Constant Voltage LED transformers.

These transformers are designed for designated range of output voltages and a fixed output current (mA). LED'due south that are rated to operate on a constant current driver require a designated supply of current unremarkably specified in Milliamps (mA) or amps (A). These drivers vary the voltage along an electronic excursion which allows current to remain abiding throughout the LED arrangement. They will run at low wattage levels simply ideally suited to running upwardly to lxxx% of their capacity. Higher current ratings do brand the LED brighter, simply if not regulated, the LED will draw more than electric current than it is rated for. All fittings using Constant current LED drivers will stipulate their wattage capacity, i.e. 350mA, 500mA or 700mA. Always check the voltage of the fitting and wattage for the LED bit before choosing a transformer.

Electronic Transformers

These transformers are ok for indoor lighting, but we strongly recommend you lot do non use electronic transformers for LED Lighting outdoors. They do not react well outdoors with the modify in temperatures and damp conditions and will lead to premature lamp failure.

Transformer loading

A transformer will be required when installing depression voltage low-cal fittings. To piece of work out the size of the transformer required to run the light fittings you take the lamp wattage and times it by the amount existence used. For example you have 4 10 5w LED footing spikes and 5 x 3.5w LED buried lights, 4 x 5 = 20 and 5 x 35 = 17.five now add the 17.five to the 20 and you have a total of 37.five watts so the transformer required would be a 40va. You should always allow about ten% extra on the transformer for start up electric current. Using low voltage cable is both cheaper and much safer in the garden than a mains 220- 240v supply. Try not to put whatever more 10 lights on any one run of cablevision to avoid voltage drop and possible loading issues. Every cable articulation should be made 100% watertight by using a heat shrink kit, IP rated junction boxes and likewise a resin sealing chemical compound. Please also ensure that all basis mounted light fittings have adequate drainage channels below them especially in clay based soil beds.

LED lighting

Incandescent, Compact Fluorescent and Element of group vii calorie-free sources are gradually being superseded for an LED equivalent. LED engineering has moved on over the last 5 years and the quality and light colour alphabetize of them are improving tremendously.

LED'southward (Light Emitting Diodes) are cool to touch on and use just a fraction of the wattage therefore making them more economical and friendlier to the planet. They give out good lumen output and the colour temperatures range from 2700k (kelvin) which is a very warm white to 6500k which is a very absurd blue white color temperature. Near homes are between 2700k to 3000k which is soft and cosy. This is besides platonic for border and pathway lighting. The cooler spectrum is usually only required for security lighting and where a crisper whiter light is preferred. Also you can have colour either singularly with shades such as red, blue and green or you can buy RGB LED which are used for LED strip and create a modify colour effect.

LED's are semiconductors. Equally electrons pass through this type of semiconductor, it turns into light. Compared to incandescent and compact fluorescent lamps, LED lamps are more efficient at turning energy into lite, therefore less of the free energy radiates from the lamp as heat. In fact they run very cool to affect. The average life cycle of an LED lamp is between 20,000 to xxx,000 dependent upon the quality of the lamp and the components that make up the LED.

More than an more applications are turning to LED technology. They can exist dimmed and they can be put onto lighting control systems.

They work well for LED strip lighting systems and can be managed by controllers, and tin can range from RGB, RGBW or CCT. RGB requite you the color spectrum from red to green to bluish. Add Due west and you get Ruby, to green to blue and so white. CCT is correlated colour temperature in LED terms and defines the color appearance of a white LED where warm light at 2700k moves to a neutral white at around 4000k to cool white 5000k or more.

Using Metal Halide

Metal Halide fittings were the fitting of choice for retail outlets on runway lighting systems, upward lighting facades and tall buildings also as tall trees. The lamps were either a warm white, cool white or you could have coloured Metal Halide lamps in reddish, blue, yellow and green. The wattage's ranged from 35w, 70w, 150w, 250w, 400w to 1000w. Naturally the higher the wattage the more than powerful levels of illumination you could accept. The downside is they got very very hot to affect and they used igniters and control gear to operate them which meant if you switched the lamp off y'all really needed to give it a minute to lite up again if you switched it off and and then dorsum on quickly. Lamps typically lasted 6000 hours. The colour index of them were very loftier and they e'er gave a pure colour with no lamp colour or power degradation until the lamp failed. They cannot work on a PIR but they can be linked to an external Photocell (sunset to dawn sensor).

They are yet used for very tall lit applications over 15 metres and LED technology is getting meliorate but to provide the aforementioned high levels of lumen putput of say 150w metallic halide lamp you would be paying a lot more than for the lumen output. But as LED'due south are moving quickly with better applied science so volition the efficiency of their lumen output.

Dimming

Dimmable LED bulbs are bachelor and likewise a number of abiding current type fittings using milliamp (mA) drivers and also LED strip tin be dimmable besides. In all cases you must consult with u.s.a. to establish which fittings will provide you with this adequacy and you volition have to take a trailing edge dimming system in your home to currently operate them. LED strip all the same can come supplied with dimmable controllers.

In most applications nosotros do non feel it necessary to dim exterior lighting. In doors is dissimilar due to different light sources the low-cal is competing with for example recessed down lights, lounge tabular array lamps or kitchen LED strip lights. In these cases it is understandable to desire to dim lights especially for the chamber and lounge. But outdoors can be washed more than subtle using lower wattage and lower lumen output lamps. Having the lamps placed where they will give the most benefit, for example pathways, floor beds, trees and wall lighting. Your center will automatically adjust to darkness and where there is light it volition automatically focus on the surface area of lite and infinite effectually it until the lite disappears. At that place is nothing worse than a overflowing light put on the back of a business firm just throwing light everywhere and causing glare at the same time. Ofttimes illuminating objects you'd probably rather not look at, like the garden shed. We give ideas in the Garden Ideas department to aid with the type of lighting and effects information technology volition requite.

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