Many people are familiar with the small black plastic low voltage lighting transformers that can be purchased at the local big box home improvement stores, but few are acquainted with the types of transformers that are used by the outdoor lighting professionals.
Here at NightScenes we use only stainless steel, multi-tap, professional grade transformers – and many other pros do, too. Although some will also use the lower grade metal transformers, we have found that they just don’t hold up as well. We feel that the stainless steel units are a better value long-term for our clients.
When it’s time for a professional landscape lighting system to be serviced (we recommend at least twice a year), it is very important that the transformer gets a good check-up along with all the other components of the system. By checking things like amp readings we can determine if there is a problem in the lighting system. It is also very important to check the secondary lugs to insure that they are tight, because they can become loose due to heating and cooling. If those lugs loosen up, as they do in unpredictable Texas weather, it can cause dangerous arcing – and we all know what that can cause.
In this video, Andy is going through the steps of checking a professional series transformer. It is very important to open that door slowly because, here in central Texas, we find a lot of wasps, hornets and yellow jackets, and black widow spiders that can turn your good day into a very bad day in a hurry!
If you are in Horseshoe Bay, Austin, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Spicewood, Driftwood, Kingsland or other central Texas area and you need your landscape lighting system serviced, please contact us here and we’ll take care of you and your lighting system.
