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Install power units at least 5 feet from water; connect to GFCI if within 10 feet.
Connect to GFCI, use Class A GFCI breaker, for outdoor landscape use only, no parallel supplies.
Calculate load by adding VA values for LEDs; use 0.7 Power Factor if unknown.
Mount on a solid, flat surface, 12 inches from ground, within 6 feet of GFCI receptacle.
Connect low voltage wires to common and voltage taps using a flathead screwdriver.
Verify fixture voltage is within range and output current is below rated amperage.
Understand voltage drop factors (distance, wattage, wire gauge) and how to minimize it.
Measure input current using a clamp-on meter and ensure it's below the transformer's rated input current.
Learn how to operate the timer module for automatic lighting control, including ON/OFF and dusk-to-dawn settings.
Install power units at least 5 feet from water; connect to GFCI if within 10 feet.
Connect to GFCI, use Class A GFCI breaker, for outdoor landscape use only, no parallel supplies.
Calculate load by adding VA values for LEDs; use 0.7 Power Factor if unknown.
Mount on a solid, flat surface, 12 inches from ground, within 6 feet of GFCI receptacle.
Connect low voltage wires to common and voltage taps using a flathead screwdriver.
Verify fixture voltage is within range and output current is below rated amperage.
Understand voltage drop factors (distance, wattage, wire gauge) and how to minimize it.
Measure input current using a clamp-on meter and ensure it's below the transformer's rated input current.
Learn how to operate the timer module for automatic lighting control, including ON/OFF and dusk-to-dawn settings.
The Universal Lighting Systems ECO Series Transformer is a low-voltage power module designed for landscape lighting systems. It functions by converting standard household voltage to a lower, safer voltage suitable for outdoor lighting. This device is intended for outdoor use only and is not suitable for dwelling units.
The transformer requires careful installation to ensure safety and proper operation. It must be connected to a covered GFCI receptacle marked "WET LOCATION" while in use. For conduit-connected power units, the transformer should be installed at least 5 feet from a pool or spa and at least 10 feet from a fountain. If installed within 10 feet of a pool or spa, it must be connected to a GFCI-protected branch circuit. For power supply cord-connected units, the transformer must be installed at least 5 feet from a pool, spa, or fountain. If installed indoors within 10 feet of a pool, spa, or fountain, or outdoors, it must be connected to a receptacle protected by a GFCI. It is crucial to use a branch circuit protected by a Class A type ground fault circuit interrupter. The device should not be mounted within 3 meters (10 feet) of a swimming pool or spa, and an extension cord should not be used with this power supply. Multiple power supplies should not be connected in parallel.
To mount the transformer unit, first remove the transformer door for access. Find a solid, flat surface for mounting, ensuring it is at least 12 inches between the terminals and ground level, with wire terminals facing down. The mounting location should also be six feet or fewer from a 120V supply circuit protected by a Class A type ground fault circuit interrupter. Load-bearing screws or wall anchors should be inserted into pre-drilled holes that align with the keyhole slots on the transformer's mounting brackets. Finally, secure the transformer's keyhole slots to the screws or wall anchors.
Connecting secondary wires to the transformer involves several steps. Begin by removing the bottom plate from the transformer. Use a flathead screwdriver to adjust the common tap and the appropriate low voltage tap on the terminal lug to accept secondary wires. Route the secondary wire cables through the knockouts in the bottom plate. Separate the wires from each pair and strip approximately one inch from both ends. Connect one wire from each pair to the common tap and the other wire to the appropriate low voltage tap. Secure the wires by tightening the common tap and the low voltage taps with a flathead screwdriver.
It is essential to check the voltage at each fixture to ensure it falls within the input voltage range of the lamp or fixture. Halogen lamps and some LEDs typically have a 12V input voltage rating. If the specified input voltage range is 12V, the input voltage to the fixture must be between 11V and 12V. Voltages exceeding 12V may increase light output but reduce average rated life, while voltages below 11V may decrease light output but extend average rated life. Many LEDs have wider input voltage ranges, such as 10V-15V or 10V-18V, and any voltage within this range is acceptable. To check the voltage, plug the transformer into a covered 120V GFCI receptacle, switch it on, and use a voltmeter to measure the voltage at each fixture. If the measured voltage is outside the acceptable range, adjust it by moving the wire to a higher or lower voltage tap.
After checking voltages, measure the output current on the low voltage cable at the transformer for each circuit using a clamp-on meter. Ensure the output current is below the maximum rated amperage for the circuit size.
Properly sizing the transformer is critical. The total wattage (W) or volt-amps (VA) of all fixtures must not exceed the transformer's wattage rating. For halogen lamps, calculate the load by adding the wattage of each lamp. For LED lamps or fixtures, calculate the load by adding the volt/amp (VA) values of all lamps using the formula: VA = Wattage / Power Factor. If the power factor of the LEDs is unknown, use 0.7 for the calculation. It is recommended to select a transformer with excess capacity to accommodate future additions.
Voltage drop occurs along the secondary wire and is influenced by the distance of the run, the total wattage of the system, and the wire gauge. Fixtures further from the transformer will receive lower voltage. To minimize voltage loss, thicker wire (lower gauge number) is recommended, such as 8/2, 10/2, or 12/2 wire. Spreading the load across separate wire runs and effective system wiring can also help minimize voltage drop.
The unit includes a looped wire attached to the optional photocell plug, which can be used with a clamp-on meter to measure the input current. Ensure the input current of the system remains below the maximum rated input current for the transformer. If it exceeds the maximum rating, fixtures should be removed or lamp wattages reduced until the input current is acceptable.
The transformer includes a countdown timer module and photocell. The circuit breaker will trip if there is a short circuit or if the total lamp wattage exceeds the transformer's rated wattage. To reset the breaker, the issue causing the trip must first be resolved, then push the "reset" button. If the breaker trips again, check for overload or short circuit.
The timer can be operated using the reset button, photocell, digital display screen, and up/down arrow buttons.
General| Frequency | 50/60 Hz |
|---|---|
| Enclosure | NEMA 3R |
| Category | Transformer |
| Series | ECO |
| Insulation Class | H |
| Standards | UL Listed, cUL Listed |
