| Need help deciding whether you need a Single or Multi Tap transformer? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As you can see below, with a Single 12 Volt Tap Transformer, you are limited to smaller runs so as not to experience voltage drop. With a Multi-Tap Transformer, you have much greater options for your runs. Below we have provided 4 separate charts which will illustrate the allowable runs for each transformer type.
Below Chart is for 12-22 Volt Multi Tap Transformers
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| Please read the below information BEFORE calling us as we are NOT Licensed Electricians (which immediately prohibits us by law to provide this kind of information). We are also NOT Installers and we are NOT at your job's actual location so it is impossible to give you realistic and accurate information. We apologize, but in all honesty, any company that offers you this sort of information over the phone without being on the actual job and knowing every single detail of your job and have actually installed the product, is giving you wrong information in order to get you to buy their product. We, however, prefer to take the honest route. Please also understand that by not hiring personel that can offer this advice, it helps us to obviously keep the costs down of our transformers, which in the long run will save you time and money. Another thing to remember is that most licensed electrical contractors will come out to your property and give you a free estimate or may charge you a small fee by helping you determine what type of transformer and cable you need to purchase from our website. Simply have them come over to your property, show them what type of lighting you want done, and then show them our website where they will be able to help you determine what you need to purchase. We have found that most electrical contractors are very fair and professional, both cost-wise and quality-wise, and who knows, you may hit it off and actually hire them to do the entire job for you! (of course, after you buy the lighting from us!) In the meantime, please refer to the courtesy information we provided below. What is a Multi-Tap Transformer? We carry a series of transformers that offers a "tap" range of 12-22 volt taps. Basically, all of our multi-tap transformers are essentially 12 Volt Transformers. The difference between our Multi-Tap Transformers and your typical 12 Volt Only Transformer, are the additional Volt Taps offered. The reason for the extra volt taps is to help eliminate voltage drop (see below explanation of voltage drop) by allowing you to access higher volts from the same transformer which should help regulate the light output/voltage to the lights on a run that experience voltage drop or in other words, show a weaker light output. Generally, the fixtures that will show the weaker light output (experiencing voltage drop) are the fixtures closer to the end of a run. Should you experience this voltage drop problem, all you need to do is simply switch taps. The way to switch to access the higher volt taps is easy! Easily remove the cable connected to the 12v Port's Voltage Tap, and connect it to the next highest Port's Voltage Tap in-line until you find the right port/voltage that will correct your voltage drop problem. As an example, if you go from the 12V port to the 13V port, and you are still experiencing the problem, then you will simply need to try the next highest port in line which would be the 14 Volt Port, and continue accessing the available ports on your multi-tap transformer until you have reduced or corrected the problem. Please remember that before you purchase your multi-tap transformer, make sure you purchase the correct unit as we do NOT accept returns on transformers unless defective and under warranty. We have provided a chart below to help you avoid purchasing the wrong transformer for your application, but we agian ask that you read the disclosure at the bottom of the page and do NOT purchase your transformer solely based on the below chart, based on the fact that every application will vary, we can NOT endorse, guarantee or are responsible for the below chart and what you purchase. It is ONLY provided as a courtesy to help get you started. You should confirm all this information with an On-Site Licensed Electrical Contractor. What is Voltage Drop? As electrical energy passes along a wire, it loses a little "electrical pressure" or voltage the further that it travels, meaning your voltage output will decrease as the distance increases from the transformer. This is called Voltage Drop. Lamp life, light output, and color temperature are affected by voltage as it is measured at the fixture. The values for a given lamp are based on a voltage measured at the lamp of 12 volts (11.8 volts for some models). Operating the bulb at any other voltage will change those values. The factors that affect voltage drop are the load (wattage), the length of the wiring run, the voltage at the transformer, and the size of the landscape cable. Use the chart below to assist you in determining the maxiumum run from your transformer at a specific load (wattage), with a specific cable type, and at a specific voltage that you can use without experiencing any noticeable voltage drop. However, it is recommended to test the voltage at every light. The optimum range is 10.6 to 11.6 volts per fixture. We also highly recommend purchasing an inexpensive voltage tester. We have seen units sold from anywhere from $5 - $10. What is the Optimum Voltage for a landscape lighting system? Every volt is important on a low voltage system. The optimum voltage is debatable, but we prefer 11.6 volts. At this point you only lose a small percentage of light output but gain 200% in lamp life. Obviously, you will not have any concerns of voltage drop when working with a 120 Volt System. However, 120 Volt Systems are not as common or as popular for landscape lighting. Click Here for details on the difference between 12 Volt and 120 Volt. How do you access Multi-Volt Tap Transformer Ports? The maximum circuit a transformer can have is 300 Watts per UL Standards. Therefore, a 300 Watt Transformer will only have 1 each 300 Watt Circuit; a 600 Watt Transformer will have 2 each 300 Watt Circuits, a 900 Watt Transformer will have 3 each 300 Watt Circuits, etc. So being that a 900 Watt Transformer will have 3 each 300 Watt Circuits, it will then have 3 each 300 Watt "Common" Access Ports but still only one set of Multi-Volt Tap access ports (ie. 12-22v taps depending on the transformer). The reason for 1 set of Multi-Volt Tap Access Ports is because they can be shared with each common. Each port is large enough to accomodate up to 6 wires. As an Example: Using the same 900 Watt Transformer above, and say you have up to 900 watts of fixtures: 1) You would first have to split your layout into at least 3 separte runs, each run must be under 300 watts. 2) With the First run, you would input 1 wire into the first Common Access Port and the second wire into whichever Multi-Volt Tap Access Port you need for this run. If this run is going to be split off to different locations, then we suggest using our Outdoor Splice Containment Hub (click for details). This hub will allow you to take the 1 wire you input into the common and split it off into different locations. Keep in mind, this same entire run must stay under 300 watts. 3) With the Second run, you would input 1 wire into the second Common Access Port and the second wire into the same Multi-Volt Tap Access Port as the first run or a different Multi-Volt Tap Access Port (depending on what volt tap you may need for that run). 4) With the Third run, you would input 1 wire into the third Common Access Port and the second wire into the same Multi-Volt Tap Access Port as the first or second run or a different Multi-Volt Tap Access Port (depending on what volt tap you may need for that run). REMINDER: You can always share the Multi-Volt Tap Access Ports as per the above example. The only thing that can NOT be shared are the "Common" Access Ports. What kind of Cable should I use? That's easy! The below chart, or preferably, a licensed electrical contractor will help you make that decision. Before reviewing the below guide, we suggest first reading the above explanation on Multi-Tap Transformers and Voltage Drop which will help you understand why a multi-tap transformer may or may not be necessary for your application. |
| IMPORTANT NOTE All of the above information is provided to you simply as a courtesy. We are not licensed contractors and are NOT on your job site, therefore we do NOT endorse, recommend or guarantee any of the above information in any manner. Therefore, we are NOT responsible for the type of cable and transformer(s) you purchase or use. We highly recommend reviewing our Return Policy on Transformers and consulting with a licensed electrical contractor before purchasing your lighting. We can NOT be held liable for any use or misuse of the information above. Click Here for our Landscape Lighting Accessories, ie. Transformers, Cable, etc. If you still feel the need to contact us regarding any technical support for your landscape lighting, please click here first. |
