polarity of low voltage cable?

[Jim Fiocca]

The 14/2 cable that came with my fairly expensive low voltage deck
lights does not have clearly obvious polarity markings. The wiring
instructions refer to the 'ribbed' conductor, but the only markings I
see is some writing on one conductor, which is not continuous. The
little wires coming off the lights themselves have no markings at all
(that I can see).

So my question is, how important is polarity on a 2-wire AC circuit?

Thanks,
Jim

[John McGaw]

It should make no difference at all.
--
John McGaw
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Jim Fiocca <fio...@ccrl.mot.com> wrote in article
<7xhfp0o...@ccrl.mot.com>...

[Mike Lazzari]

How do you know the "low voltage" is AC? Is there a transformer? read the
fine print? tester?

Mike

[Tom Gauldin]

The low voltage lights I have DO have a grounded plug, but neither leg
of the secondary is grounded. This means they float, and neither leg
is "hot" or "ground/neutral." I suspect that yours is the same way.

For low voltage lighting, it doesn't matter- just forget about it.
--
Tom Gauldin, Raleigh NC
ftp://ftp.mindspring.com/pub/users/scoundrl/gauldin.htm
Here's to the land of the Longleaf Pine,
The Summerland, where the sun doth shine.
Where the weak grow strong, and the strong grow great,
Here's to Downhome, the Old North State.

Jim Fiocca <fio...@ccrl.mot.com> wrote in message
news:7xhfp0o...@ccrl.mot.com...

[Ed Francisco]

There is no polarity when dealing with low voltage AC. Low Voltage AC uses
120 Volts AC that is passed through a transformer rendering the question of
"Hot" side vs. "Neutral" side void. And AC by its' nature has no positive
or negative conductor.

Mike Lazzari <wate...@interisland.net> wrote in message
news:374B7386...@interisland.net...

> How do you know the "low voltage" is AC? Is there a transformer? read the
> fine print? tester?
>
> Mike
>
> Jim Fiocca wrote:
>

[Rob Stokes]

Actually, you've got to be a bit carefull here. Normally Ed is correct but
it is not uncommon to "reference" one side of a low voltage transformer to
ground. This is done frequently in the Building Controls industry when
dealing with a 4 to 20 mA control signal, or when "borrowing" power from
another factory type device.

The safest way to assure no reference to ground is to remove the line
voltage (120VAC) and test both the low voltage leads for continuity to
ground. If you have continuity on one of the two conductors, that one "is"
ground. If you don't have continuity to ground on either, re-read Ed's post.

Good luck
Rob

Ed Francisco wrote in message ...

[Johnsons]

Good advice, Rob, but if he does a continuity test to ground ( Make sure
that the line voltage is removed like Rob said) on the secondary windings
of a transformer, and one leg is grounded, he'll have continuity on both.

Regards,

Steve

[Ed Francisco]

Rob,

I didn't know that could be done on a transformer. If the secondary is one
continuous wire how do you reference once side of the output and not the
other?

Just curious.

Thanks

Rob Stokes <ro...@frugal.com> wrote in message
news:92803265...@news.remarQ.com...

[Johnsons]

"Referencing" one side of a low voltage transformer is done by intentionally
connecting it to ground or the metal framework of the device that it is
associated with. this allows someone who is troubleshooting the equipment to
obtain a voltage reading from the "hot" side to ground. More importantly if
the "hot" side should somehow become shorted to the framework it will cause
the overcurrent protection for the transformer to trip.

In regards to the importance of polarity of A.C.

While A.C. does not have a positive and a negative as does D.C. it does have
a "hot" and a "neutral". The neutral is an intentionally grounded conductor
and should always be connected to the screwshell on a lampholder, the wide
blade on a receptacle, and should not be switched. This has little bearing
on low voltage landscape lighting, but if it's not done properly, I wouldn't
want to be the person changing a light bulb in my bare feet on the basement
floor.

Have a Ball,

Steve

[Rob Stokes]

Ed:

I think Steve's post about say's it all. I will say that referencing one
side to ground, at least in the commercial side of things, is pretty common.
It does make for easier troubleshooting and can assist in doing away with
with interesting ground problems. I only bring up the point as a safety
check. 24VAC (typical "low voltage") will usually only give you a nice buzz
but it's always better to be safe,

Rob

Ed Francisco wrote in message ...

>Rob,
>
>I didn't know that could be done on a transformer. If the secondary is one
>continuous wire how do you reference once side of the output and not the
>other?
>
>Just curious.
>
>Thanks
>
>Rob Stokes <ro...@frugal.com> wrote in message
>news:92803265...@news.remarQ.com...
>> Actually, you've got to be a bit carefull here. Normally Ed is correct
but

>> it is not uncommon to "reference" one side of a low voltage transformer

[jmbbs...@gmail.com]