Low voltage landscape wiring: Does the wire need to return to the transformer?

dgary123

Hi there,
I've been looking at tutorials and such but I can't seem to find a solid answer.

I've bought a low voltage outdoor transformer (120W magnetic power pack from Lowes), and I don't know whether the landscape cable needs to go from the transformer, to the lights, and then back to the transformer? Or whether it can just end at the last light?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I know this might sound like a stupid question, but I don't want to mess up!

Daniel

k_buz

Ends at the last light.

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stickboy1375

Depends on the load, coming back to the transformer lowers the voltage drop, but running individual homeruns works also..


it all depends on the load vs distance.

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dgary123

Oh okay thanks. In my case, I will have 8 7W deck lights connected to a wire that's about 55' long. How does that work?

Missouri Bound

That will work just fine....What is the wattage of your xformer?

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stickboy1375

you will be fine, but I would split the load in half to ensure proper voltage and equal light output.

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dgary123

What do you mean? I calculated the voltage drop to be something less than 5% (I forget the exact number) is that too much? How would I split it?

stickboy1375

you run two wires, one wire supplies half the lights, the other wire supplies the other half... this halfs the total load and the voltage drop.

You are probably fine with what you have, but this will ensure future add ons and stability of existing loads.

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