low volt LED puck lights

[Tim Jaramillo]

I have six cabnets that need LED puck lights. Rather then buying a transformer for every location I ran #18 lamp wire to every location. Did not know if I might find a proublem with voltage drop due to the distance of each run (about 25'). if so can I use another transformer with a higher volts or amps out put? the transformer it comes with is 12v 1a

 

[al hildenbrand]

#18 lamp wire

STP-1? A cord, or is it a CL2 cable?

 

[Tim Jaramillo]

just regular 2 conductor brown lamp wire

 

[al hildenbrand]

Take a look at 400.7 and 400.8

 

[Dennis Alwon]

just regular 2 conductor brown lamp wire

You should have asked this question before you wired with lamp cord. It cannot be concealed.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Also look at art. 411.4 as well as the entire section

 

[Tim Jaramillo]

because it is lamp cord or because it is low voltage

 

[Dennis Alwon]

because it is lamp cord or because it is low voltage

Concealed wiring for low voltage must be of a method approved in chapter 3-- nm cable, pipe etc. Lamp cord is not approved for being concealed. Read art. 411.4

 

[Tim Jaramillo]

sucks for me, any advice?

 

[donselectric]

last ones i did i used rx

 

[Dennis Alwon]

sucks for me, any advice?

It is hard to give advice on a product I know nothing about. Is there any info on the lights you ca give us.

 

[Tim Jaramillo]

do you think i will have a proublem with the distance of the wire runs?

 

[Tim Jaramillo]

I called the manufacturer and they said that they would get back to me. I just thought there might be a rule of thumb

 

[Dennis Alwon]

do you think i will have a proublem with the distance of the wire runs?

Yes I think you might depending on the wattage. 25 feet is a long distance for 18 gauge wire used for low voltage.

 

[infinity]

For LED lights the #18 over 25' might not be a problem, but as others have noted, the cable is no good for other reasons.

 

[al hildenbrand]

do you think i will have a proublem with the distance of the wire runs?

I agree with Infinity. The LEDs will be around a 100 milliamps, give or take, per puck. And even if a puck is twice that, consider this: 25' of 18 ga stranded copper, puck to transformer, from Table 8 in Chapter 9 of the NEC, will have a total circuit resistance of 1.3 Ohms.

The total voltage drop at the LED will be 0.13 Volts per 100 milliamps.

 

[danickstr]

Since the wire is in and there really is no imminent threat, you could "test" it as is. Just so you could evaluate your wire thickness/length for future reference. Then if you don't get around to changing it right away, shame on you.

But 12-14 gauge landscape cord would have been a smarter mistake. If is is showing in the top of the cabinet, then it is OK, and not concealed. Who is going to poke their head inside the cabinet? So if you have to fix it, just run it close to the door up on the front faceframe area.