300W Clamp-Connect Low Voltage Transformer

Description

VOLT® Clamp-Connect 300 Watt (12v/15v) Multi-Tap Low VoltageTransformer for LED Landscape Lighting

This 300-watt landscape lighting transformer features clamp-typeterminal blocks that offer many advantages over typical screw-typeblocks. Requiring no tools, the stripped wires are insertedindividually into each hole, then clamped in place. The process isfast, simple and provides extremely secure connections – you can’tpull them loose.

Installation Tip: To ensure a proper connection, lift the white lever to the fullyopen position. This is achieved once the lever is perpendicular tothe direction the wire is inserted. Once the wire is fully insertedinto the hole below the open lever, push the white lever back downuntil it clicks into the closed position. Make sure your connectionis complete by giving a light pull on the connected wire.

Features & Benefits:

• Exclusive VOLT®Innovation! Clamp-type connectors to save time andmoney – and, for better connections that will never comeloose.
• Designed for LEDs – only two voltages required – 12 & 15 volts.The lower voltage for short runs, the higher voltage for longerruns or for runs with more fixtures.
• Terminals rated for use of up to 10-gauge wire.
• Toroidal core for more reliable, efficient, cooler and quieteroperation than EI laminated transformers.
• Control device receptacles for optional timers and photocellsso you can set ON/OFF times.
• Spacious wire compartment (in combination with the clamp-typeconnectors) makes installation a breeze.
• Stainless steel enclosure with lockable hinged lid.
• Colored wire markers & installation manual.
• ETL Listed.
• Lifetime warranty.

For Your Information: TransformerTechnology

What are Magnetic Transformers?

These transformers use two coils, a primary coil and a secondarycoil, to reduce the voltage from 120 volt down to 12 volts. Theprimary coil carries the line voltage (108 v to 132 v). The flow ofelectricity through the primary coil induces a magnetic field thatcreates a current in the secondary coil. Since the secondary coilhas 10 times fewer windings, it creates a current with 10 timeslower voltage.

Two Magnetic Types. There are two types ofmagnetic landscape lighting transformers. These vary by the type ofcore:

1. Laminated/stacked cores (also know as EItype). Laminated or stacked windings have sheets wrappedin copper wire that are then stacked or laminated together to makea core. This is the more common, less expensive method formanufacturing a core. These are less efficient, run hotter and arenoisier than toroidal cores.
2. Toroidal cores. These are one solid unitshaped like a donut and have the windings wrapped around the donut,in and out of the donut hole. Toroidal cores are more efficient,experience less buzz, and run cooler but are more expensive tomake.

The choice of whether or not to use a toroidal core also dependson the system load. Systems with relatively high loads – such aslighting systems with 10 or more fixtures, benefit the most fromtoroidal cores; smaller systems – such as those with less than 50watts of load, are served well with EI laminated types.

What are Electronic Transformers?

This transformer type converts the 120-volt current to 12 voltsby first increasing the frequency of the current (from 60 Hz to ashigh as 20,000 Hz). The increased frequency allows the use of aminiature core enabling the transformer to be very small, light,and inexpensive. The biggest downside is that their high-frequencycurrent may not be compatible with LED circuits. These currentsalso suffer from extensive voltage loss compared to magnetic types.A 12-volt electronic transformer must be positioned within about 10ft. of the fixture. Electronic transformers are also subject tooverheating and premature failure.

Learn more: How to Install a Low Voltage Transformer

Still have questions about transformer types? Call ourlighting specialists at 813-978-3700.