Also consider cable lighting if the space to be illuminated has
few points of power. Another reason cable lighting is so practical
is that it allows many fixtures to be powered from a single junction
box. When remodeling, cable lighting is often an easy way to add more
light to the space without requiring installation of more ceiling
junction boxes by an electrician.
A cable lighting system glossary
Cable lighting systems are extremely simple in theory, but a quick
review of common cable lighting components is always helpful.
Turnbuckle - Turnbuckles serve two purposes. They attach
the cable to a wall or ceiling mount point and, by expanding and
contracting in length via a screw motion, they allow tension to
be applied to the cable run. Every cable lighting system should
include at least one pair of turnbuckles.
Anchor – Anchors are similar to turnbuckles in that they
attach the cable to a wall mount point. Anchors are very simple,
however, and do not allow additional tension to be applied to a
system. Short, simple cable runs typically include one set of
turnbuckles and one set of anchors. Longer runs may use turnbuckles
at both ends to provide extra tensioning ability.
Cable – The primary support and conductive cable used in cable
lighting systems is Kevlar-reinforced, tin-plated 10 gauge cable.
Cable is self explanatory and is only mentioned here to
differentiate it from another type of cable occasionally used
in cable lighting systems - aircraft cable. Aircraft cable is used
to provide vertical support for longer cable runs. Aircraft cable
is very thin and should never be used in place of standard cable
lighting system cable.
It should be mentioned that cable lighting system cable is typically
bare, but insulated cable is available as well. Insulated cable is
commonly used in applications where the cable is passing through walls
to be powered by a remote transformer and might come into contact with
its sister cable.
Surface mount transformer – a transformer, typically housed
in a stylish enclosure, attached directly over a power junction box
in the ceiling or wall. Surface mount transformers are more common
than remote transformers due to their ease of installation during
remodeling projects.
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