Sparkys Out There?? (Electricians) Low Voltage Recessed Down Lights.?

Question

Iv fitted 2 low voltage recessed down light in my bathroom just wanting to know what they mean in the fitting instruction.
in simple terms/

the cable used on low voltage electronic conductor must be greater in daimeter than the cable of the 230v mains??

help me on this 1 please all iv done is connected it to the old light cables is this ok??

thanks

thanks for the tips it all works ok.

the transformer has blue/brown cable mains also the 2 prong connectors both brown for the lights i think you can put about 6 light off 1 transformer

cheers for help

Answer 1

Please confirm the wattage of each lamp, total number of lamps/fittings and the v/a output of the transformer, before I can advise. It seems that you have a 105 v/a transformer, since you say it will take 5 lamps, but you only have two. This suggests that they are 20 watt lamps!! Sorry to say there will no be much light in your bathroom. I would normally install a minimum of 3 or 4 up to 8 x 50 watt fittings in a bathroom, depending on size. Please note that they should also be IPX5 rated if installed in bathroom zones 0-2

Answer 2

The technical answer is that the cable cross section area needed depends on the current that you put along it. A higher voltage means less current - the low voltage is 12 volts and the existing cable is for 240 volts so that the low voltage cable from the light to the transformer needs to be 20 times the area of the mains voltage (240) one. You are probably OK with the existing cable as it will be suitable for five or six amps but don't add any more lights to it. Make certain that there is plenty of space around the fittings - no heating insulation or anything that could cause them to overheat. This is not a very clear answer I am sorry to say

Answer 3

Cables are sized by the electric current (Amps) that they can carry. The lamp power in watts is a combination of the voltage and the current. When you use a low voltage unit, the current increases to compensate. So high voltage = low current, low voltage = high current. 100 watt lamp running at 240 volts uses 0.4 Amps, but 100 watt lamp at 12 volts uses 8 amps. 20 times higher!! You need thicker cables on the low voltage side of the transformer to avoid over-heating. Legally, you shouldn't be working on bathroom wiring if you are not qualified.

Answer 4

Learn first..
Amps = Watts / Volts
Assuming 50 watt lamp, 12 volt supply, 4.3 amps
So, the cable from the transformer (low Voltage Side) to the lamp must be able to take 4.3 amps . a 1mm squared cable can handle 11 amps, so a 1 mm cable on 'low volts side.
On the Mains side, the same 100 watts divided by mains volts (230 v in uk) gives you approx 1/2 amp, smaller current, higher voltage...smaller diameter cable.
Realisticly, your lighting will be in 1mm sq cable, so, what you have done is OK. Just for a bit of 'learning' think about the national grid, thats all at high volts, to enable a lower current, hence smaller diameter cables....Got it now????

Answer 5

Was there a cable supplied that would lead from the transformer to the light bulb......if so it should be fine to use this.....anything before the transformer is at mains voltage ie.230V therefore connecting the cables from the old light in to the transformer will be fine so long as they are connected correctly.....

I am assuming they are suggesting a larger size cable for the low voltage conductor if the run from the transformer to the lamp is a longer run therefore voltage drop will cause the lamp to be less bright......using bigger cables at low voltage is one way round this......

Hope this helps....

and as DEREK suggested if you are still unsure get someone in that knows what they are doing....

Good luck

Answer 6

All it means in laymans terms is that the old cables you have connected into must able to handle the extra load put on them by the transformer ,witch is not much for two bathroom down lighters .You should have connected your old cables to the 240 volt side of your trans.and there should have been cables out the other side to go to your lights.If they were not provided use cable 2.5 in diameter and that will be plenty.IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT IT GET A SPARK ITS A VERY CHEEP JOB AND ELECTRICITY WILL KILL YOU IF YOU DONT RESPECT IT!!!

Answer 7

Not to sure what is actually meant by "the 240 volt mains". I can't imagine they mean the main incomer to the property. If you have purchased the lamps from a reputable source the fittings will be subject to very stringent safety standards. The cross sectional area of the cables fitted to the fittings should not be less than the cross sectional area of the cable supplying the original fitting ie the one you took down.If you are in any doubt please consult a qualified electrician. Remember electricity don't take prisoners.

Answer 8

likely you're relating downlights ? (low voltage floor mild fittings have a tendency to come back finished with required transformer) as previous, i ought to pick a transformer for each setting up, those ought to frequently be rated round 60-65w each and every, and could in effective condition into the hollow contained in the ceiling, this makes it extra ordinary to regulate at a later date if required. dimmable transformers also are available, make constructive you take advantage of acceptable rated dimmer swap. it truly is accepted for an extremely low voltage transformer to 'buzz' even as in operation, extra so even as dimmed. once low voltage bulbs are nearing the proper of there lifetime, you may even see a shade change, a type of blu/pink. i ought to circumvent using low voltage fittings in a kitchen or bathing room, merely because the lights fixtures in those rooms have a tendency for use sparingly, hence reducing the existence of the bulbs. for those rooms i ought to pick mains halogen, (GU10) which do no longer require transformer, as they paintings off 240v, reducing upkeep themes (no trannie to change later) and occasional wattage LED bulbs are available for those,shrink back is the bulbs are extra intense priced. if uncertain examine with a qualified electrician

Answer 9

you need a real Electrician for this job you should not be putting them in a bathroom anyway there are not shower proof should be by regs