how do i choose an outdoor lighting transformer

1. Multiply the lamp wattages for each type of garden light or lamp rating as shown in the examples below.
2. Allow at least 20% spare capacity in finalising the transformer choice.
3. Transformer ratings are available in 20, 50 or 100 watt steps depending on type, so it is merely a question of choosing the next step up from the total wattage you have calculated.

Full Answer

How to choose a transformer for low voltage outdoor lighting?

The very first thing you must know when choosing a transformer for your low voltage outdoor lighting system is the load. I’m not going to go into all of the little things that we professionals also consider, but let’s look at the primary stuff. What is the total wattage of the lights that are being installed?

What size transformer do I need for my light system?

Transformers commonly range from 120- to 900-watt capacity. Pairing the size of the transformer to the lighting design is important for good operation and function of your light system. Many transformers come with connections for lights of various wattage for versatility, so you can use the same transformer for different light systems.

How do I know what type of Transformer I Need?

The easiest way to start filtering out the right transformer is to determine if the low voltage light fixture you need to power requires 12 or 24 volts. You should be able to find this information in the description/specifications of any product.

How many watts can you put on a 100 watt transformer?

This means that you cannot put more than 80 watts of total load on a 100 watt transformer. Now let’s look at LED fixtures and lamps for a moment. LEDs are electronics, not light bulbs. They run on DC power, not the AC that comes out of most low voltage landscape lighting transformers.

How big a transformer do you need for outdoor lighting?

You should pick a transformer rated for 25% more of the total Wattage of lights you intend to use. At the same time, avoid buying a transformer that's way too big for your chosen lights – poorly regulated transformers can damage lighting if you don't use enough bulbs.

How big of a transformer do I need?

To determine the required transformer VA, multiply the secondary voltage by the required amperes: For example, VA=Volts x Amperes or 28V x 1.2 amperes = 33.6 VA. To determine the maximum transformer current, divide the transformer VA by transformer secondary voltage.

Do you need a special transformer for LED landscape lights?

To install low voltage landscape lighting, you will need a transformer to reduce the 120-volt output from your home electrical system to the 12 volts used by low voltage landscape lights. You will first want to determine how many and what specific low voltage landscape lights you plan to use for your project.

How many lights can I put on a 200w transformer?

A: The transformer is 200 watts. So it depends on the wattage of the led. Theoretically, you could have 200 1 watt lights, or 4 50 watt lights. I would not exceed 90% of capacity ( 190 watts) as there is some loss of power in the transmission wire.

How do I choose a transformer?

Step 1: Determine the KVA, Amperes or wattage required by the load. Determine the KVA, Amperes or wattage required by the load. ... Step 2: Find out the supply voltage. ... Step 3: Determine the voltage required by the load. ... Step 4: What is the frequency of the supply source? ... Step 5: Determine the Marcus transformer model number.

How do I know what size LED transformer I need?

Take the length of your LED strip in feet and multiply it by the watts consumed per foot, then multiply by 1.2. This will give you the minimum sized power supply you'll need to run your strips.

Can I use any transformer for LED lights?

LED drivers and electronic transformers for retrofit LED lighting are not interchangeable. They differ in output and load compatibility i.e. which LED lights they will work with. The fundamental difference between the two is that LED drivers output DC while electronic halogen transformers output 12VAC.

What type of transformer is used for landscape lighting?

A low voltage transformer is at the heart of every landscape lighting system. It converts 120 volt current to a low voltage current (between 12-15 VAC).

What is the best wattage for landscape lighting?

The best wattage for outdoor lights is 40 watts and lower. Up to 40 watts is ideal for lighting pathways, garden beds, and other landscape areas. 40 to 80 watts are great for brightening areas like driveways, smaller yards, and the inside of your home. It may be best to use them sparingly if you put them outdoors.

How far can you run low-voltage landscape lighting?

Lighting Tip: You can run 12-gauge about 100 feet without voltage drop issues as long as the total wattage of the fixtures on the wire is 100 Watts or less.

How many lights can you put on a 150w transformer?

A 150 watt transformer can only support up to 150 watts of lamps. This means the most you could add onto this transformer would be 140 watts, or 7 halogen lamps.

How far can you run 16 2 landscape wire?

As a guide, for 16/2 wire, you can connect up to 132 Watts as long as the cable isn't more than 100 feet. Any more than that, and you're likely to have issues with the lights not working properly.

How many houses can a 25 kVA transformer handle?

In a metropolitan area, as many as six or seven homes can be connected to a 25 kVA distribution transformer. For the purpose of this study, all household loads are classified into two categories: controllable and critical [27].

How much load can a 50 kVA transformer handle?

around 120.28 amperesHow many amps can a 50 kVA transformer handle? A 50 kVA transformer can handle around 120.28 amperes at 240 volts 3-phase. First convert 50 kVA to 50,000 VA by multiplying 50 kVA by 1,000. Then divide 50,000 VA by 240 volts to get 208.333 amperes.

How many homes can a 50 kVA transformer handle?

But for 240VAC 200A service, that's 48kVA, so a 50 kVA transformer can power only one home. However, at 1500 KWH/month or 50 KWH/day or 2.083 KWH/hour or an average of 2.083 kVA. But that's the average. I would say it could be up to 5 times or 10kVA at a time, so a 50kVA transformer can power 5 homes.

How much load can a 100 kVA transformer handle?

The 100 kva transformer's secondary voltage estimates the load current at 433 volts, 50 centimeters-per-second (cps). No more than 5% of the whole load current will be increased by a 12.5% increase in voltage of 433 volts.

How many volts does a low voltage light need?

So, if the power source in your wall outputs 120 volts, low voltage lighting fixtures require an input of just 12 or 24 volts. That's why you need a low voltage transformer - to convert the voltage from your power source to ...

What is the maximum wattage of a transformer?

The rule here is that the maximum wattage load of your transformer must be equal to or larger than the total wattage of all the light fixtures you are connecting to it.

What is line voltage?

Line voltage simply means that your lighting fixtures may be plugged in directly to an electrical outlet or hardwired directly to a power source. The voltage that the light fixture needs is the same as the voltage supplied from your wall.

How many watts does a transformer need?

That's fine. However, if you install a light fixture with three 60-watt light bulbs, you'll need a transformer with a maximum wattage load of at least 180 watts.

Why are electronic transformers better than magnetic transformers?

Although magnetic transformers are somewhat larger and heavier , they are more durable than electronic transformers and they tend to last longer.

What are the pros and cons of an electronic transformer?

So, if you need to tuck the transformer into a tight space, you might want to veer toward an electronic transformer. Another advantage to an electronic transformer is that it can be reset at the wall switch if there's an overload.

What does "enclosed" mean in transformers?

If you see the word "enclosed" in any of the product descriptions, this simply means the transformer is encased in a metal case that provides storage space for terminal block connections you may need to make. It's fine to choose a transformer that's not enclosed, but you should probably store it in some sort of metal housing (i.e., a junction box).

How Do I Choose an Outdoor Lighting Transformer?

Low voltage deck lighting needs an AC or DC transformer to convert the electricity in your standard house outlet into the lower grade required. Shop DecksDirect for rugged and reliable lighting transformers from brands such as Trex, LMT Mercer, and Dekor. In stock and available for same-day shipping, these lighting transformers are guaranteed to be weatherproof and several are waterproof certified.

What is a transformer for lighting?

Transformers convert the power from your standard house outlet to the lower-level needed to run for low-voltage lighting systems. Landscape lights, security lights, and deck lighting systems most generally require a transformer.