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    Here's how it's done!

    A cable plan in 3 steps

    You can create the perfect cable plan in three simple steps. What are these steps? Read on and we'll tell you! 

    You can create the perfect cable plan in three simple steps. What are these steps? Read on to find out.

    01

    Cable plan

    Just like for your lighting plan, you should also start your cable plan with a sketch. Whether creating a plan for your current garden or a new one that is in development, a sketch will greatly help the design process. A cable plan can help you to plan where to put the cables before you install them. This will prevent the cables from clashing with each other or with other objects you may have in your garden. All of this guarantees optimum performance, and more importantly, optimum safety.

    Key issues to address in your sketch:

    • Calculate the total voltage of your lighting plan.

    • How many transformers do you need?

    And remember, it's much easier to make changes before the cables are installed: this will save you a great deal of time and effort. Make things easy for yourself!

    Swipe

    02

    Step by step

    Once your rough sketch is done, it's time to add the ground cables to the plan. Your starting point for this is the transformer. We recommend installing the transformer indoors, such as in a shed. You then draw all cables starting out from the transformer and leading to the fixtures. It doesn't matter where the cable ends. The cable can be easily and safely hidden under a layer of soil.

    What does matter is that you carefully note down the length of the cable from the transformer to the end of the cable. This way, you know exactly how much cable you will need.

    Tip
    After drawing everything in, it is very important to choose the right type of cable. in-lite has two types of cable: the 10/2 cable and the 14/2 cable. When to use the different types of cable and how you install a system cable are explained on the page 'in-lite'.

    • Cable outlets

      Depending on the VA value, and hence the number of garden lights that you wish to install, you will select a HUB (transformer). in-lite offers the HUB-50, the HUB-100 and the SMART HUB-150. The first two of these have two cable outlets, which means you can install two separate cables in your garden. The SMART HUB-150 has three cable outlets and these can be operated and adjusted separately.

    • Branches

      When drawing in the cables, you may find that a cable isn't long enough. In such cases, you can choose to add a cable branch. Try not to use too many, but if it can't be avoided, use the cable connector CC-2.

    • Extension cables

      As the name suggests, these cables are used to extend the distance between a fixture and the system cable, between the light sensor and transformer, etc. in-lite offers 1-metre, 2-metre and 3-metre cables, so you can make your decision based on the distance you require. This is great for wall fixtures that are difficult to reach with the main cable.

    03

    Double check your VA value 

    Your cable plan is now complete. What now? Just to be certain, check once again that the transformers will not be overloaded. Make sure that you add up the VA value of all of the fixtures you wish to connect. Ensure that the total VA value is always lower than the transformer's maximum voltage capacity. 

    • HUB-50 > maximum of 50 VA

    • HUB-100 > maximum of 100 VA

    • HUB-150 > maximum of 150 VA

    In addition, try to distribute the voltage as evenly as possible across the cable outlets.

    LUMINAIRESQUANTITYVA / PIECETOTAL VA
    ACE DOWN75,3 VA37,1 VA
    MINI SCOPE CEILING62,0 VA12,0 VA
    EVO FLEX 2M215,7 VA31,4 VA
    LUNA15,0 VA5,0 VA
    PUCK62,5 VA15,0 VA
    EVO GROUND 30041,0 VA4,0 VA
    BIG FLUX24,2 VA8,4 VA
    ACE HIGH35,3 VA15,9 VA
    MINI SCOPE42,0 VA12,0 VA
    TOTAAL 140,8 VA
    SWIPE TABLE
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    Would you rather have an expert create a cable plan for you? If so, in-lite is always happy to help!

    After reading these three steps, you may prefer to have a professional create a plan for you rather than doing it yourself. No problem! in-lite's experts are here to help. They can create both a lighting plan and a cable plan for your garden.

    After reading these three steps, you may prefer to have a professional create a plan for you rather than doing it yourself. No problem! in-lite's experts are here to help. They can create both a lighting plan and a cable plan for your garden.

    Making a lighting plan for your garden? Here's how it's done!

    Before creating a cable plan, it's vital that you know where the light fixtures are going to be placed. To decide this, you create a lighting plan. For information on how to do this, read the article: 'A lighting plan in four easy steps'. As the lighting plan lays the foundations for the cable plan, you need to create the lighting plan first before continuing. Do you have any questions after reading this article or would you like to hire an expert to create the plan for you? No problem! Request a lighting plan and we'll come and help.

    Before creating a cable plan, it's vital that you know where the light fixtures are going to be placed. To decide this, you create a lighting plan. For information on how to do this, read the article: 'A lighting plan in four easy steps'. As the lighting plan lays the foundations for the cable plan, you need to create the lighting plan first before continuing. Do you have any questions after reading this article or would you like to hire an expert to create the plan for you? No problem! Request a lighting plan and we'll come and help.

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