|
Problem |
Cause |
Solution |
|
No
power at plug
|
Tripped
breaker or GFI
|
Reset
circuit breaker in main panel or the GFI usually located
in a bathroom, garage or kitchen. |
|
GFI
keeps tripping
|
Ground
problem or defective GFI
|
GFI's
are notorious for nuisance tripping. Use a high grade model
such as the Hubbell #GF5252I. |
|
Transformer
is cycling on & off at night
|
Excessive
wattage load or short
|
Reduce
lamp wattage, fixture quantity or increase size of Transformer.
See shorting solution below. |
|
PhotoCell
Transformer is cycling on & off in the daytime
|
Photocell
wiring incorrect
|
Reverse
the hot and common wires on the Photocell 120v input. Request
wiring schematic for proper wiring. |
|
One
cable run not working
|
Cut
cable or short
|
Test
cable for voltage - if none then it is cut - if there is
very low voltage and the cable is hot then there is a short.
Check all fixtures and splices for defects. |
|
Lamps
are burning out prematurely
|
Excessive
voltage at lamp
|
Drop
the affected cable run down to the next lower voltage tap
or increase wattage load on that cable to drop voltage.
Also, some lamps are rated for a very short life such as
the 4414 (300 hours). Use halogen lamps. |
|
The
closest lamp to the transformer is burning out prematurely
|
Excessive
voltage at lamp
|
The
closest lamp will always have a higher voltage reading than
the last lamp. Cable fixtures so that there is about 40'
from first to last within a lighting zone. See System Layout
for details. If there is only one lamp (fixture) very close
to the transformer then use 16 gauge cable to run to it
only. This will help by creating voltage loss caused by
the resistance from the skinny cable. |
|
Lamps
have a yellow or golden tone
|
Voltage
too low
|
Move
affected cable to the next higher voltage tap or reduce
load on cable. If possible run additional cable to first
fixture to reduce voltage loss. |
|
Lamp
goes on and off when fixture is moved
|
Too
much tension on socket leads
|
With
spring type sockets it is important to leave some slack
so the socket contacts make a good connection to the lamp
base. This is a common problem on the Tree / Trellis Spots
where the installer doesn't leave any slack in the socket
lead wires coming out of the back of the fixture then he
tries to adjust the beam angle thereby yanking the contacts
off the socket base. |
|
All
of the lights on the system are getting dimmer with age
|
Splices
are corroding
|
As
non-waterproof splices corrode they create electrical resistance
which reduces voltage. To fix simply dig up all splices
on the project and waterproof them with FX LiteSplice&™ or
equal. Black tape don't get it!! |
|
Photocell
Transformer is coming on too soon
|
Transformer
is in dark location
|
In
order to operate properly the photocell must have a good
look at daylight. Move to a brighter location. |
|
Fixtures
have a white mineral deposit on them
|
Irrigation
water is hitting them when they're on - like washing a
car in the hot sun
|
To
avoid having mineral build-up schedule the irrigation to
come on after the lights have gone off. This is especially
true with the 50w spots - very hot. To remove the deposits
use Lime Away bathroom cleaner or equal. |
|
The
fixtures are corroding and my client is about to kill
me!!
|
Inferior
metals and finish
|
Next
time buy your clients the best engineered and built components
available - FX! |
