Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Layouts

These diagrams show some of the most common low voltage cable/conductor layouts. Your choice of layout can help minimize voltage drop.

In the drawings the square represents the transformer and the circles represents the low voltage lights.

1. Straight run installation. Fixtures run in sequence directly from the transformer.




2. Split run installation Split the load using the recommended maximum cable/conductor length in two or more directions from the transformer. This method is also for use with multi-tap transformers.







3. "T" Installation This methods allows for the equal distribution of power to the center of a run, or to a run some distance away. The cable/conductor running from the transformer should be of a heavier gauge (10 gauge).






Other Thoughts to Minimize Voltage Drop:

The closer your lamps are placed to the transformer, the higher their voltage (and wattage) readings will be. Those farthest away will have lower voltages. If a cable/conductor run is too long, or if too many fixtures are being powered by a single transformer, noticeable voltage drop may occur. Voltage drop causes the lights farthest from the transformer to become dim. Voltage drop can be minimized in several different ways including those suggested in the illustrations above:

A) Use a multi-tap transformer (12-13-14-15)
B) Use multiple transformers
C) Shorten cable/conductor lengths (use multiple runs from the transformer)
D) Reduce individual fixture wattages
E) Reduce the total number of fixtures on a run