[MLMIB]

I'm trying to figure out if I can light a stairwell with a LED strip light uplighting the ceiling. The problem I'm having is locating the transformer. I think I can put it in a storage closet under the stairwell but I'd like to put it in the wall behind an access panel, is this legal since the junction would still be accessible or is it illegal since the junction is in a wall behind a not necessarily obvious junction point?

This transformer stuff for LED strip lights seems to be the hard part.

Thanks for help!

 

[Jim Port]

The transformer should have air circulation aroundmit. I do not believe behind an access panel would have the required air flow.

 

[MLMIB]

The transformer should have air circulation aroundmit. I do not believe behind an access panel would have the required air flow.

any idea's for how to mount instead? below is a picture, the previous owner surface mounted a light which is questionable in it's install and doesn't work well as can be seen. I'd like to add it to the switches seen. Can I just put the low voltage transformer in the back of the junction box the light switches are on? it'd be mixing line voltage and low voltage without segregating but it's the closest junction box.

otherwise I'm at a loss as to how to do low voltage strip lighting as most transformers leads aren't rated for in wall since they don't have the outer wrap around the 2 insulated wires to allow you to run them a distance back to a junction box.

guidance is much appreciated. I do have a closet below the stairs that I can put an junction box in as long as I can put it in the wall cavity as a junction box or something, but I don't want to closet to have a surface mounted junction box or something for airflow as it'd look bad.

 

[FrodoOne]

the previous owner surface mounted a light which is questionable in it's install and doesn't work well as can be seen. I'd like to add it to the switches seen. Can I just put the low voltage transformer in the back of the junction box the light switches are on? it'd be mixing line voltage and low voltage without segregating but it's the closest junction box.

otherwise I'm at a loss as to how to do low voltage strip lighting as most transformers leads aren't rated for in wall since they don't have the outer wrap around the 2 insulated wires to allow you to run them a distance back to a junction box.

guidance is much appreciated. I do have a closet below the stairs that I can put an junction box in as long as I can put it in the wall cavity as a junction box or something, but I don't want to closet to have a surface mounted junction box or something for airflow as it'd look bad.

How large is this "transformer" - which is probably "electronic" and, therefore actually a "switch mode power supply". Also, what are the connections to this device - direct wiring, screw terminals, plugs/sockets ?
Can you post a picture?
Depending on the method of connection, it should be possible to replace any wire supplied with it and connect to normal double insulated "building wire" (e. g. Romex) at each end of any in-wall run, if that is what is required.

(I am not familiar with US regulations concerning in-wall "Extra Low Voltage" wiring, such as this is, so I do not know if double insulation IS a requirement for it.
I know it is not a requirement here. However, the requirement here is to have either a physical "insulated" separation from "Low Voltage [230 V] cables - for which wood is adequate - or a minimum separation distance of 150 mm (6 inches) between them. Jim Port, please advise!)

Apart from any ventilation problems, placing it in a junction box would reduce the cubic capacity of the box, which (presumably) would reduce the number of "wires" allowed in the junction box(?)

If you really want to put it in a closet "as long as I can put it in the wall cavity as a junction box or something", I suggest that you look up "structured wiring enclosure images" and see if there is an in-wall enclosure that will suit.
While I am sure that most will be much bigger than you really need, they are available to fit in-wall between studs, have a door - often lockable, plenty of volume for ventilation and access holes for in-wall wiring (e. g. http://www.datacommelectronics.com/Enclosures/14-Inch-Flush-Mount-Enclosure or http://www.legrand.us/onq/structured-wiring/enclosures/standard/en2050.aspx#prod)

 

[gregzoll]

Go to the local electrical warehouse. They will have the parts and you can see first hand what the transformer looks like. A lot of them are really no different then what you will find as a standard wall wart with two screws. Others are transformer packs that you would need to place somewhere that there is an outlet.

 

[WyrTwister]

I would probably mount it , exposed , visible and ventilated , under the stairs . On or in a j-box , depending on how it is made .

God bless
Wyr