[jaebaby]

hi.
i'm doing a diy backlit sign. i'm using a bunch of led lights from ikea.
i'm using about 8 of them. but they all have individual transformers.

can i splice all the wires AFTER the transformer (between transformer and wall plug) so that i only have one plug to plug in instead of the 8 separate plugs?

the transformer has written on it: "electronic transformer for low voltage led lamps. input:120v~60hz 0.1A. output:12vdc 5w max. listed 26cu"
but does that even matter since i'm splicing after the transformer?

thanks for your help in advance!

 

[nap]

can i splice all the wires AFTER the transformer (between transformer and wall plug)

in typical terms, that would be before the transformer. Since you get power from the wall, you generally consider that the beginning of your circuit. No big deal though as long as whoever you are speaking to understands what you mean.


what I would do is use a terminal strip or something like these:

and use jumpers to connect 8 of them for the hot feed and 8 for the neutral and if there are ground conductors, 8 for the grounds. Depending on your construction, that may have to be in a junction box.

are you incorporating an on/off switch?

 

[jaebaby]

thanks for the info on order. will keep in mind.

i was thinking of keeping the switches that came with the lights attached (after the transformer) in the 'on' position. and then i would plug it all into a power bar i can switch on and off.

as for the splicing together, i'm assuming the image you posted it just some sort of junction box and no matter how i actually splice the wires (i will do to code. just trying to understand concept) it will be ok. ie, my original thoughts are sound, correct?

 

[nap]

those are terminal blocks. 13 to be precise. I like that type of terminal. It mounts on a DIN rail (the goldish colored metal piece you can see that is underneath the terminal blocks) and can be made as large or as small as needed simply by stacking more or less terminal blocks together.

as I said, depending on how this is all constructed, that set of terminal blocks may have to be in a junction box. It's just difficult to figure out what you need since I don't know how you are actually building this.

 

[jaebaby]

thanks nap.

interestingly, i just ran into an electrician.

the transformers are rated at 5w. according to the ikea website the lights themselves seem to draw only 1.8w http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/50192073
so i should be able to splice 2 of the lights after the transformer and then splice all the wires before the transformer together for one plug therefore reducing the number of transformers.

it's all going behind a plexiglass sign. essentially a plexi box.

thanks for you and him i think i feel comfortable enough to start cutting the wires now. :thumbsup:

 

[nap]

jaebaby;642012]thanks nap.

interestingly, i just ran into an electrician.

I know a good lawyer to defend you if you need it:laughing:

 

[dmxtothemax]

What about using one transformer to power the lot ?
Power supplies are cheap, and it would be much neater,

 

[jaebaby]

the electrician suggested that too..but it sounded like more work that i didn't want to get into... finding it.. making sure it would work for my purposes.. etc...

 

[The Deez]

I think naps idea is best, get a terminal strip, run the all the 120v plugs from the lights individually to the strip and bring one 120v cord to the term strip. then just plug the cord in to light all the lights. i don't think i would splice 2 together using one transformer, if they each come with separate transformers then you should keep it that way, seeing as how their UL listed that way. but then again, if the transformer is separate and not integrated with the light maybe it can take more more load. maybe the transformer came with paperwork?