I've got a set of 4 12 volt halogen downlighters that came with transformer and wire but there is only about 18 inches between each terminal. Can I extend each wire by say, 12 inches to acheive reasonable spacing of the lights. Is the length of cable that critical? Thanks.
12 volt downlighters
- Thread starter calvert
- Start date
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should be okay to extend to cable.
12 inches is OK, but don't add too much otherwise the lamps at the end of the extended length will be dimmer than the other ones - and that wouldn't look so great.
This guy has exactly that problem... //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=196377
This guy has exactly that problem... //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=196377
I bet it has a nasty wirewound transformer, one of those rectangular long ones similar to an electronic fluoro ballast. I had two of them, from B&Q, both failed after about a year, their plastic casing had cracked and the laminated core had started to peel apart under the heat.
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How does part p affect this question?
If the OP is in England or Wales the installation of these lights is notifiable.
What most people have forgotten is that you can only install extra low voltage lighting in rooms (outside special locations -like kitchens & bathrooms) if they are CE marked sets.
All other ELV lighting installations ARE notifiable. They count as special installations, like garden lighting, or PV systems. See page 8 table 2 of the dreaded P doc.
If the set the OP has is CE marked then he can install it without notification.
If he chops it up and adds bits of cable then it is no longer CE marked and the work is notifiable.
Isn't that right, BAS??
All other ELV lighting installations ARE notifiable. They count as special installations, like garden lighting, or PV systems. See page 8 table 2 of the dreaded P doc.
If the set the OP has is CE marked then he can install it without notification.
If he chops it up and adds bits of cable then it is no longer CE marked and the work is notifiable.
Isn't that right, BAS??
That's right.
You can see the reasoning - ELV lighting cables carry much larger currents than LV ones, so the potential for overheating is greater.
You can see the reasoning - ELV lighting cables carry much larger currents than LV ones, so the potential for overheating is greater.
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