| Provide
all fixtures with between 10.5-11.5 volts with all lamps
installed and operating to maximize
lamp performance and life. This is accomplished by:
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Group
fixtures into distance zones from the transformer - 0-40',
40-80' and 80-120'. Do not have a fixture that is 10' away
from the transformer on the same cable run as a fixture
that is 100' away. Try to center load your runs as much
as possible to minimize the voltage differential between
the first and last light (one volt difference is optimum,
two volts is too much). |
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Run
a separate cable run to each zone according to our
Circuiting Guidelines. |
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By
using the FX PotenzaX® transformer and a VoltMeter you can
then select the transformer voltage tap (12, 13 or 14v)
that provides each fixture about 10.5 - 11.5 volts.
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Note:
All
the lights can be in the 40-80' zone but you still need
to run several separate cable runs to reduce the load per
cable, thereby minimizing voltage loss. Typically a 300-watt
transformer has three separate cable runs with about 80
to 120 watts on each cable - a 600-watt transformer has
about five separate cable runs, again, with about 80 to
120 watts on each cable. For ease of installation you can
drop a couple of cables out of the transformer into a subterranean
drip irrigation 6-8" round valve box where the five field
cables can be spliced to the couple of transformer cables.
This is a easier connection to make because it is difficult
to cram 5 cables into the bottom of the transformer. |
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Summary
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| For
maximum light output and lamp life, the goal in low voltage
systems is to provide each lamp with between 10.5 - 11.5
volts. To stay within this 1 volt optimum differential you
must group the fixtures into distance zones from the transformer
as shown above and not overload the cable with excessive
wattage. Using the FX PotenzaX® transformer you can then select
the voltage tap that will provide no more than 11.5 volts
at the first lamp. If you have grouped the fixtures according
to the above graphic then the last light will have around
10.5 volts. When it's possible, center feed the zone as
this will provide a much more even voltage to each fixture.
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