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Installing Low Voltage Downlighters

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Old 15-08-2008, 11:35 AM   #1
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Exclamation Installing Low Voltage Downlighters

Can anyone advice on the maximum amount of 50 watt low voltage down lighters can be installed on a standard 1.5 cable?
My plan is to install 50 lights at 50 watts each, and wondered if I should upgrade the feed cable size to 2.5
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Old 15-08-2008, 11:51 AM   #2
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Re: Installing Low Voltage Downlighters

Why not divide uo into 4 seperate circuits and bring them back to a central point, This way you build in resilience and wont lose every thing if a circiut goes down, also you can create scenes and have more flexiability mood wise.2.5 can be arkward looping in and out as well due to the large CSA .If you are using transformers you may encounter dimming problems with that quantity on one circuit get the tramformer manufacturer to guarantee it.
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Old 15-08-2008, 12:52 PM   #3
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Re: Installing Low Voltage Downlighters

What voltage are the light fittings your using? Current carrying capacity of 1.5mm cable is about 18Amps

Saying its for example 240v fittings, 50 of at 50w is 2500w, current is equal to power over voltage meaning its roughly 11Amps which is well within the 18Amp rating of the cable

Or split it into seperate rings as mentioned by light

Last edited by ChrisGT3; 15-08-2008 at 12:55 PM.
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Old 15-08-2008, 10:46 PM   #4
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Re: Installing Low Voltage Downlighters

Thanks guys
Yes creating more circuits is the most practical way.

The light fittings I have are 240v with 12v mouse type transformers running 50w bulbs.
I wasn’t sure if a 50w low voltage bulb still draws the same current as a standard 50w bulb

Many thanks

Last edited by cocre8; 15-08-2008 at 10:48 PM. Reason: html
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Old 15-08-2008, 10:52 PM   #5
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Re: Installing Low Voltage Downlighters

add 10% for the transformer. 50 x 55W = 2750W total load for 20m of cable you'll need 2.5mm but 50 is a hell of alot in a single ciruit I would split to 5+ depending on the room/rooms also that going to pull 11Amps so a normal 10A breaker won't do
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Thanks from:
cocre8 (15-08-2008)
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