A frequently asked question here at in-lite is how to finish off a main-line low voltage cable.
After you finish rolling out your low-voltage cable, there are a couple ways you can end the cable correctly.
You want to do this to prevent any moisture damage to the system. If water gets into your main line cable, it can cause issues to the transformer and the fixtures – so this part of the installation is very important!
How to Finish Off a Low-Voltage Cable
Finishing off your low-voltage cable is quite simple. You’ll need:
- Low-voltage cable designed for landscape lighting
- Wire cutters and strippers
- Electrical tape
- Dielectric grease
To end your main line cable, you can either:
- Use our cable caps that come with the in-lite transformer.
- Simply split your wire a little and slide the cable caps down the end of the main line cable.
Our transformer comes with two different sized cable caps so just make sure you're using the ones that fit snug. I can’t stress this enough, you do not want moisture to get into the cable.
If you want to ensure you have extra protection just wrap the cable with a little electrical tape.
If you don't have these caps or they have been lost, use dielectric grease and electrical tape. The trick here is to split the cable right down the middle to separate the two copper sides, then cut one of the sides shorter to ensure that they don't touch.
Add a tiny amount of dielectric grease (which can be purchased at your local hardware store) then wrap them with the electrical tape.
I like to fold over the cable in a loop and tape it again to really ensure no moisture gets in there.
And that’s it!
As I said, this is an important and necessary step to ensure the system is installed correctly and that things will continue working well into the future. With quality fixtures, a good lighting design plan, and a few simple tricks, installing low-voltage landscape lighting is a breeze!
Finishing a Low-Voltage Cable: Tips and Best Practices
There are a few tips and tricks we’d like to share with you to ensure the longevity of your outdoor lighting system. And there are few things that you want to avoid as well when ending your main line cable.
Tip #1: Don't Leave Your Cable As Is.
If the copper is exposed to moisture, you can damage the lights in your system or cause shortages.
Tip #2: Do Not Let the Copper from Either Side of the Cable Touch.
When both sides of the copper touch, it will sort out your system, meaning it simply won't work.
Tip #3: Do Not Use Any Material that is Not 100% Waterproof.
Even a tiny amount of moisture can and will damage the system.
Now don't worry, it's not actually that complicated to finish off your low voltage cable correctly. I just wanted to get those important tips out of the way to ensure that your installation goes smoothly, and you don’t have to troubleshoot later!
Choosing Your Low-Voltage Cable
As you can see, finishing a low-voltage cable isn’t hard. These tips will help ensure your installation goes smoothly and the system will continue working well into the future.
But in the busy landscape lighting business, less time spent fighting with grease and electrical tape means more time to work. So, we decided to make the process even easier.
Created with lighting pros in mind, in-lite’s low-voltage cable comes with finished ends designed for an immediate connection to your landscape lighting transformer. Plus, in-lite’s low-voltage cable is specifically designed for low-voltage landscape lighting in order to extend the transformer’s lifespan.
Speaking of transformers, in-lite’s HUB-150 and SMART HUB-150 Transformers come with two different sized cable caps to ensure a snug, moisture-resistant fit.