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(continued from cable lighting 101 (part 2))
Remote mount transformer – a transformer, within a metallic
housing designed to meet fire code, designed to be mounted in a
remote location such as a nearby closet or within the wall itself.
Remote mount transformers provide a very clean look and are
typically used when installing lighting in a new construction
project where access behind walls is available.
Isolating connector – used to physically connect two pieces
of cable together while breaking the flow of current between them.
Since cable lighting systems may only carry 300 watts of power
along any part of a run, isolating connectors allow a long cable
run to run continuously while being broken into multiple,
independently-powered segments.
Vertical support – cable runs over 20 feet (or those
supporting heavy fixtures) will typically require additional
vertical support along the run. Vertical supports are either
stem supports or cable supports. Stem supports are rigid pieces
of metal (typically from 2” to 24” long) that mount directly to
flat ceilings. Cable supports may be any length and are easily
installed on practically any irregularly shaped ceiling surface.
 Turn kit– Cable lighting systems may be turned at
almost any angle along the run. This is done using a turn kit which is
comprised of a pair of rigid stem supports attached to a
cantilevered horizontal support cable. It should be
noted that these kits only work on systems running close to the
ceiling. Turning systems suspended further from the ceiling is
possible, but more difficult.
Using pendants with cable lighting systems
Cable lighting systems support a wide variety of fixtures. Typically,
cable lighting systems are used with lightweight track heads (spot
lights) designed specifically for such systems. Although pendants
may be used, the added weight of glass fixtures will require additional
vertical supports along the cable run. Especially
heavy fixtures may even require an additional vertical support on each
side of the fixture.
Cable lighting limitations
One limitation of low voltage cable lighting systems is that, at the standard 12 volts, they
cannot carry more than 300 watts in any length of a cable run. This
means that one cable lighting system circuit may power six 50 watt
fixtures or eight 35 watt fixtures (both are common bulb wattages.)
As mentioned above, this limitation may be overcome by upgrading to a 24 volt transformer or by dividing a
cable lighting system into multiple circuits using isolating connectors.
In addition to being sleek and stylish, cable lighting
is also a very practical solution when lighting a variety of challenging spaces.
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