I am installing some low voltage (12) lighting at my house, the kit came with a 500w transformer.
The transformer will be plugged into a GFCI outlet at the front porch. Unfortunately, the transformer has a very short electrical supply cord and needs to be placed further away from the porch lights so that they don’t interfere with the light sensor that will turn the 12v lights on. So, I want to put a longer supply line on the transformer to get it around the entry corner, a few feet further away from the porch lights. <!—-><!—-> <!—->
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The OEM cord is 3’ 8†long, and the specs on it are: <!—-><!—->
UL E167861 SJTW 18AWGX3C VW-1 105oC KENIC<!—-> <!—->
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The replacement cord I bought is 7’ long and the specs are: <!—-><!—->
UL SJEW E56356 105oC “water resistant†14AWGX3C FT2 Woods<!—-> <!—->
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Question 1. Have I increased the gauge enough to compensate for the increased length to the transformer?
Question 2. My question is about the other ratings: SJTW vs. SJEW and the weather and sun resistance. Since this will be outside in the weather, against brick and in the sun from Noon until dusk, does the T (thermoplastic) or the E (elastomer) make a difference? Will one cord hold up better under these conditions than the other? Have I missed anything, or should I consider something else?
Thanks for any help. <!—-><!—->
Replies
you put on the better cord and it's plenty heavy duty...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I agree w/ IMERC...
So I shouldn't really be concerned about the difference between the SJTW vs SJEW cords?
Thanks for the replies.
no...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Looking at http://www.interpower.com/icl/NA_Cable_Types_C.htm
SJT – Junior hard service, thermoplastic insulated conductors and jacket. 300V. (PVC)SJTW – Same as SJT except outdoor rated. (PVC)
SJE – Hard service cord, thermoplastic elastomer insulated and jacketed, 300V. (TPE)SJEW – Same as SJE except outdoor rated. (TPE)
You're good to go. I'd be more worried about keeping the transformer a) out of the rain, b) cool, and c) somewhere where if (sorry! WHEN) it fails it won't burn the house down. Underrate the transformer: Its rated at 500w, don't put more than ~200w on it so it stays cool.
-- Brooks
Thanks to all for your help. I'm sort of OCD with electrical. (which I know very little about)
Just a small caution...
NONE of the flexible cords are listed for use in contact with the ground. In my experience, the cords will degrade quickly, especially if buried.
So where does this leave you? Well, there's no "quick and easy" answer. Probably the best thing is to use some angle iron, make a small rack with legs you can bang into the ground. Then, you can mount a receptacle on this frame, and feed it with PVC conduit. (You'll want to bury the conduit lower than you can hit with a single bite of the shovel- don't want the Gardner hitting it!)
Since his transformer needs to be protected, I wouldn't think pounding some post in the ground will solve his issue. On the other hand, should someone need to have a remote exterior outlet, look at this:
http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com/landscape_lightingpost.htm
Some have 120 volt outlets hooked up to them. Getting them thru your electric supply house is far cheeper than dealing with the internet thieves.
I've used them for Xmas lights out in the bushes. And the picture shows an excellent application for landscape light boxes themselves. Although one could use underground feeder cable, I've always used plastic conduit.