Low Voltage Garden Lighting

[taycast]

I have a problem with my low voltage garden lighting. I noticed a burning smell coming from the transformer...

Untitled

• taycast
• 13 Sep 2009
• 1

but noticed that it was the connector next to it which had melted.

Untitled

• taycast
• 13 Sep 2009
• 1

I have the transformer plugged in to a 13 amp socket, and it is able to power up to 150 w of lights, and I have about 100 w of lights. The top of the connector comes from the transformer, and the bottom goes out of the house and to the outside lights.

Any ideas what could be wrong? Is the transformer goosed? Surprisingly my outside lights have been working fine although I will not use them again until I know the problem is fixed.

Thanks

 

[ColJack]

loose connection on the terminal, or wrong sized terminal.. can't tell from the photo..
100W @ 12V is 8.34A.. so a 5A terminal block should not be used..

 

[flameport]

If the lights still work, so does the transformer.

To repair this, it is likely only those connections need to be replaced.
You need some of this - available at any DIY or hardware shop:

rated 15A or above.
Unplug the transfomer.
Remove the melted mess, strip back the wires so that the ends are shiny copper (the heat will have damaged the end of the wires so you will need to cut off the existing wire ends) and join using the new connectors.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The enclosure for the connectors also needs replacing - it might be easier just to buy a junction box...