Low Voltage Transformers

A low voltage transformer is at the heart of every landscape lighting system. It converts 120 volt current to a low voltage current (between 12-15 VAC). The efficiency of this conversion determines how well the transformer controls the voltage output and how much energy is consumed in the process. VOLT® transformers are the most efficient multi-tap low voltage transformers in the industry, providing high performance and energy savings. With high-quality toroidal cores as well as robust wiring and internal components, these transformers provide a highly stable source of current with very low energy consumption.

Magnetic transformers use two coils to reduce the voltage from 120 volt down to 12 volts. The primary coil carries the line voltage (108V to 132V). The flow of electricity through the primary coil induces a magnetic field that creates a current in the secondary coil. Since the secondary coil has 1/10th the number of windings, it creates a current with 1/10th the voltage. There are two types of magnetic landscape lighting transformers. These vary by the type of core:

• Laminated/stacked cores (also know as EI type). Laminated or stacked windings have sheets wrapped in copper wire that are then stacked or laminated together to make a core. This is the more common, less expensive method for manufacturing a core. These are less efficient, run hotter and are noisier than toroidal cores.
• Toroidal cores. These are one solid unit shaped 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 to make. Lighting systems with relatively high loads - such as 10 or more fixtures - benefit the most from toroidal cores. VOLT® toroidal cores are more energy-efficient, quieter and cooler than EI laminated-types. This is especially important for larger capacity transformers.

Electronic transformers convert the 120-volt current to 12 volts by first increasing the frequency of the current from 60 Hz to as high as 20,000 Hz. The increased frequency allows the use of a miniature core enabling the transformer to be very small, light and inexpensive. The biggest downsides are (1) their high-frequency current may not be compatible with LED circuits, (2) these currents also suffer from extensive voltage loss compared to magnetic types, (3) a 12-volt electronic transformer must be positioned within about 10 feet of the fixture and (4) electronic transformers are subject to overheating and premature failure.

It depends on the total wattage of your lights and the maximum draw of your transformer. We recommend not exceeding 80% of the transformer's capacity.

With our professional-grade transformers, outdoor lighting installers are able to compensate for voltage drop by using higher voltage terminals so that all lights receive appropriate voltage. Use one of these VOLT® transformers to ensure that your low voltage landscape lighting system runs at optimal efficiency for a lifetime.

• VOLT® Slim Line LED Transformers have either a single 15V voltage tap (100W) or both a 12V and 15V tap (150W and 300W)
• VOLT® Series Transformers feature 12V, 13V, 14V and 15V voltage taps .
• VOLT® PRO Series Transformers feature voltage taps from 12V through 22V.
• VOLT® Clamp-Connect™ Series Transformers are specifically designed for LED systems and feature the exceptional clamp-type terminal blocks for fast and secure connections. These transformers have 12V and 15V taps, because LED systems accommodate a wide range of acceptable voltage.