Outdoor Lamppost Lighting

[mordecai]

Hi, I'm interested in installing a few lamposts around my pool, about 15' from the edge of the pool. Does this have to have a low voltage power supply? I've done some basic residential wiring in the past and planned to run a line to my current light switch for my underwater lights or have a completely separate switch, but in looking at the configuration today I noticed a low voltage transformer and wanted to be sure about the proper procedure.
Thanks.

 

[Trouble15]

Going to be doing the same in the next few weeks or so. Wanted to hear others experiences too. Thanks for posting about this!

 

[Kingston331gt]

No, it can be line voltage that far away (and triggered of an aux on your automation panel if you have one). I think it's 5'..or maybe 8'. Read up on section 680 of the NEC for the actual specs.

 

[mordecai]

ok thanks for the reply. I'm thinking of running additional landscape lighting and as an amateur I don't understand why we even bother with low voltage considering you have to do deal with the transformer. Something to research I guess.

 

[jza1736]

Well 1 reason is low voltage cable can be buried 3-5" while 110 v cable has to be under 24".

As long as your more than 5' away from the pool you can use a standard lighting transformer.

Make sure you don't go over 80% of the transformers wattage.

 

[ccasanova]

I used Volt for our 12v landscape lighting and have been very pleased. The transformer plugs into an outlet on the side of my pool panel which is controlled by the automation. It was an easy install/setup and I’m no electrician. We plumbed for gas lanterns and had them installed today.