I'm having a problem with my low-voltage transformer for outdoor lighting.?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Laurie B
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Laurie B

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I just bought a low voltage transformer (Hadco multi-tap (12-15V) with a single circuit with 300W capacity). I plugged it in, added a timer and an optical light detector, connected 6 pairs of wires (10 gauge) and then tested the Com tap and the 12V tap with a voltmeter and got nothing. I tested the AC circuit that the unit is plugged into and got 120V. Any ideas? I tried unplugging the time and optical light detector. I also confirmed the the circuit is switched to the On position. There are no lights attached to the wires yet.
Thanks for your responses. I tried to do a resistance test. I callibrated my multimeter voltage tester, turned off the power in the outlet that the transformer is plugged into and touched the probes to the Common and 12V taps. The reading on the analog meter went all the way to the right (zero ohms). Any additional thoughts?

I then turned the outlet back on and tried the DC voltage test again by touching the probes to the Common and 12V taps and got nothing--zero volts. The needle never moved.
 
Check the windings with an ohm meter. You might find either the hi or lo voltage winding is open.
 
You might have a grounded circuit. Check for voltage at the common & 12v terminals with nothing else connected. If there is no voltage then the transformer is faulty. If you have voltage, then there is a fault in your wiring. If you have a multi-meter then change from voltage to ohms, & measure the resistance between either connector of each circuit to ground. The resistance should be infinite. If you get a reading from any conductor to ground then you have a problem, & it needs to be corrected. Make sure you aren't measuring resistance through your fingers, & your body.
 
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