PQL 50146 Landscape Transformer Instruction Manual

50146 Landscape Transformer
Instruction Manual

LANDSCAPE TRANSFORMER

INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE FIND A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN FOR INSTALLATION. Please read the instructions before you install and use the luminaire.
WARNING (for conduit-connected power unit): RISK OF SHOCK. Install a power unit at least 5 feet from a pool or spa and at least 10 feet from a fountain. Where the power unit is installed within 10 feet of a pool or spa, connect the unit to a GFCI-protected branch circuit.
WARNING (for power supply cord connected power unit): RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. Install power unit at least 5 feet from a pool, spa or fountain. Where the power unit is installed (a) indoors within 10 feet of a pool, spa, or fountain, or (b) outdoors, connect the power unit to a receptacle protected by a GFCI.
**WARNING**

• THIS POWER UNIT MUST BE CONNECTED TO A COVERED GFCI RECEPTACLE MARKED “WET LOCATION” WHILE IN USE
• CAUTION: FOR USE ONLY ON A BRANCH CIRCUIT PROTECTED BY A CLASS A TYPE GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER
• FOR USE WITH LANDSCAPE LIGHTING SYSTEMS ONLY – LANDSCAPE LIGHTING SYSTEMS ARE FOR OUTDOOR USE ONLY (NOT FOR USE IN DWELLING UNITS)
• THIS DEVICE IS ACCEPTED AS A COMPONENT OF A LANDSCAPE LIGHTING SYSTEM WHERE THE SUITABILITY OF THE COMBINATION SHALL BE DETERMINED BY CSA OR LOCAL INSPECTION AUTHORITIES HAVING JURISDICTION
• DO NOT CONNECT TWO OR MORE POWER SUPPLIES IN PARALLEL
• DO NOT MOUNT POWER SUPPLY OR FIXTURES WITHIN 3 METERS (10 FEET) OF A SWIMMING POOL OR SPA
• DO NOT USE AN EXTENSION CORD WITH THIS POWER SUPPLY

**** WARNING DISCONNECT POWER BEFORE INSTALLING OR SERVICING.

SIZING TRANSFORMER

The total wattage (W) – or volt-amps (VA) for LED – of all of the fixtures operated by this transformer must not exceed the wattage rating of the transformer.
If you are powering halogen lamps, calculate the load by adding the wattage of the lamps in the system. Make sure the load does not exceed the wattage rating of the transformer.
If you are powering LED lamps or fixtures, calculate the load by adding the volt/amp (VA) values of all of the lamps in the system. VA is calculated using the following formula:

If the power factor of the LEDs is unknown, use 0.7 as the value for this calculation. Once you have determined the total wattage or total VA value of the run, make sure that the transformer that you have selected has excess capacity in the event that new fixtures are connected to the system at a later date.
Example: 15 fixtures are each operating a 3W LED lamp with an unknown PF value.

A transformer with a maximum wattage rating of 150W can be utilized.

MOUNT THE TRANSFORMER UNIT

1. Remove the transformer door for easy access.

2. Find a solid, flat surface to mount the transformer in a location:
   a. At least 12 inches between the terminals and ground level with the wire terminals facing down.
   b. Six feet or fewer from a 120V supply circuit that is protected by a Class A type ground fault circuit interrupter.

3. Insert load-bearing screws or wall anchors into pre-drilled holes that align with the corresponding keyhole slots on the transformer’s mounting brackets.

4. Secure the transformer’s keyhole slots on the mounting brackets to the load-bearing screws or wall anchors.

CONNECT SECONDARY WIRES TO THE TRANSFORMER

1. Remove the bottom plate from the transformer.
2. Using a flathead screwdriver, adjust the common tap and appropriate low voltage tap(s) (labeled 12V, 13V, 14V, or 15V) on the terminal block to accept secondary wires.
3. Run the secondary wire cables through the knockouts in the bottom plate.
4. Separate the wires from each pair and strip both approximately one inch.
5. Connect one wire from each pair to the common tap and the other wire to the appropriate low voltage tap.
6. Secure the wires to the taps by tightening the common tap and the low voltage taps with a flathead screwdriver.

CHECK VOLTAGE AT EACH FIXTURE

It is very important that the secondary voltage provided to each fixture is within the input voltage range of the lamp or fixture. Halogen lamps and some LEDs have an input voltage rating of 12V. If the specified input voltage range is 12V, the input voltage provided to the fixture must be between 11V and 12V. If the voltage at the socket exceeds 12V, the light output of the lamp will be higher but the average rated life will be lower. If the voltage at the socket is lower than 11V, the light output will be lower, and the average rated life will be higher. Many LEDs have an input voltage range of 10V – 15V or 10V – 18V. For LEDs with input voltage ranges, the input voltage supplied to the lamp within that range is acceptable.

1. Plug the transformer into a covered 120V GFCI receptacle.
2. Switch on the transformer to provide secondary voltage to the fixtures.
3. Using a voltmeter, check the voltage at each fixture.
4. Make sure that the voltage at each fixture is within the specified input voltage range of the lamps or integrated LED fixtures.
5. If the measured voltage falls outside of the specified input voltage range of the lamps or integrated LED fixtures, adjust the voltage to the acceptable range by moving the wire to a higher/lower voltage tap.

CHECK OUTPUT AMPS
After checking the voltages on the run, use a clamp-on meter to measure the output current on the low voltage cable at the transformer for each circuit. Make sure that the output current of the circuit is below the maximum rated Amperage.

DETERMINE SYSTEM LOAD AND VOLTAGE DROP
Low voltage landscape system voltage drop occurs along the secondary wire and is affected by the distance of the run, the total wattage of the system, and the gauge of the wire. As a result, fixtures at the end of the system’s run will receive lower voltage than fixtures near the beginning of the run. Voltage loss can be minimized in different ways.
Low voltage wire is necessary to run from the secondary power on the transformer to the fixtures it will operate in the system. Low voltage wire is measured by gauges. Thinner wire has a higher number and a lower maximum load. The lower the wire number, the thicker the wire and the more current it can carry. Consequently, thicker wire reduces voltage drop so it is suggested that 8/2, 10/2, or 12/2 wire is used for low voltage landscape lighting systems. Below is a table that lists the cable constant value of different wire gauges:

Example: A 75 ft. run with 100W load using 12/2 wire Voltage Drop = (75 x 100 x 2) ÷ 7500 = 2V. This means that a 14V tap is needed to deliver 12V to the final fixture on the run.
One way to minimize voltage drop in this example is to spread the load to separate wire runs. Wiring the system effectively is another way to minimize voltage drop Determine Input Amps
This unit is provided with a looped wire that is attached to the optional photocell plug. Use a clamp-on meter around the looped wire to measure the input current. Apply the clamp on the amp meter around the looped wire to get an input current measurement. Make sure that the input current of the system is below the maximum rated input current:

If the input current of the system exceeds the max rating of this transformer unit, remove fixtures or reduce lamp wattages until the input current is reduced to an acceptable level.

PREMIUM QUALITY LIGHTING®
 www.PQLighting.com
© P.Q.L., Inc.
2285 Ward Avenue
Simi Valley, CA 93065
800.323.8107
Fax: 877.619.7053
Photos and line drawings may not be to scale and are for general reference only.

References

• Homepage | Premium Quality Lighting

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