B & Q Spotlights cable too short

[magicmouseman]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I have purchased a transformer and spotlights from B & Q and have found that the cable that runs from the transformer to the white 2 pin blocks (dont know what they are called!) that the lights connect into is too short. Is there a safe way to make this lead longer? Or is there some sort of extendeder I can buy?
Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[ElBlanco]

I had a similar issue with IKEA cables recently. I cut the cable in half and spliced in some cable of the same amp rating (3A) using crimps which I then heat shrunk over the top.

Worked like a charm.

 

[riveralt]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I have purchased a transformer and spotlights from B & Q and have found that the cable that runs from the transformer to the white 2 pin blocks (dont know what they are called!) that the lights connect into is too short. Is there a safe way to make this lead longer? Or is there some sort of extendeder I can buy?
Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Most manufacturers stipulate that the lenght of the cable must be limited to.... 250/500mm. You will need to read this instruction to clarify this.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Any help would be appreciated

Voltage drop is a particular concern with ELV lighting cables because of the high currents.

This calculator will be of use: http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/Lighting/VoltageDrop.html

 

[mikhailfaradayski]

how much longer do you need the cable to be?

 

[securespark]

About 50 metres.

 

[Alarm]

About 50 metres.

ROFL

 

[mikhailfaradayski]

About 50 metres.

yea, extend away, might i suggest using a mixture of bell wire, choccy blocks and tape (pref masking or duct tape, electrical tape is un-necessary)

 

[magicmouseman]

Only needs to be extended by a couple of feet maximum

 

[riveralt]

Only needs to be extended by a couple of feet maximum

As I said most manufacturers set the limit on this cable and keep it short.
Why can't you extend the lighting circuit cable to the transformer so you don't have to cut the cable from the transformer to the light?
Provided you have ready access you could use juntion boxes or crimps to extend the lighting circuit cable.

 

[magicmouseman]

The main lighting circuit is fine - its the length of cable between the spotlight connectors that is too short - the cable comes with 60cm between connectors - i would like them to be a little longer...

 

[riveralt]

The main lighting circuit is fine - its the length of cable between the spotlight connectors that is too short - the cable comes with 60cm between connectors - i would like them to be a little longer...

Can't help you anymore I am afraid. Reading between the lines I think you are saying that the transformer serves more than one light and the maximum length of the cable between the transformer and the lights is 600mm.
That size has presumably been set by manufacturers because of the potential voltage drop and you are therefore stuck with it.
It would have been better to get a set of lights where one transformer serves one light or one light cluster only.