Landscape Lighting Transformer (Multi-Tap)

Sizing (service-first)

A practical sizing approach is to total the wattage of every fixture on the plan, then add a safety margin. This gives the transformer breathing room and reduces heat stress.

• Total load: add up fixture wattage across the system.
• Headroom: size for roughly +25% over the total load.
• Operating discipline: we avoid running transformers at the edge of capacity during peak season.

What “multi-tap” does

Multi-tap transformers provide multiple voltage taps (commonly 12V and sometimes 13–15V). The goal is not “brighter,” it’s compensating for voltage drop on longer runs so fixtures finish closer to their intended operating voltage.

Common failure patterns we see

• Overloaded transformer: too much load, too little headroom.
• Voltage drop misdiagnosed: end-of-line dimming blamed on bulbs when the run needs re-balancing.
• Terminal corrosion: moisture intrusion and poor splice discipline cause intermittent behavior.

Availability

We confirm fit and compatibility during service and can supply or install owner-supplied hardware.