Can I put a low-voltage transformer in the attic?












1














I'm planning a low-voltage monorail light system,
fitted with 10x 7.5W 12V AC LED light heads. The manufacturer provides a "remote electronic transformer", and the installation instructions call for "remote but accessible location" for the transformer.



Can I put such transformer in the attic space above the room?



The attic is insulated, so the transformer will likely need an additional
enclosure box (like this)



I looked up the California Electrical Code 2016 but couldn't find a paragraph which would explicitly allow or disallow such installation (and everything <1000V is considered low-voltage by the code, which doesn't help with search)



Besides, the attic space gets quite hot during the summer, and the
transformer has a thermal shut-off. So maybe it is not a good idea
to put it there anyway.



The alternative option I have is to install the transformer inside a closet
nearby, but again I'm not sure whether this would be allowed by code.










share|improve this question






















  • Being over 55W, the low voltage exemptions won't fully apply.
    – Harper
    Dec 26 '18 at 20:13


















1














I'm planning a low-voltage monorail light system,
fitted with 10x 7.5W 12V AC LED light heads. The manufacturer provides a "remote electronic transformer", and the installation instructions call for "remote but accessible location" for the transformer.



Can I put such transformer in the attic space above the room?



The attic is insulated, so the transformer will likely need an additional
enclosure box (like this)



I looked up the California Electrical Code 2016 but couldn't find a paragraph which would explicitly allow or disallow such installation (and everything <1000V is considered low-voltage by the code, which doesn't help with search)



Besides, the attic space gets quite hot during the summer, and the
transformer has a thermal shut-off. So maybe it is not a good idea
to put it there anyway.



The alternative option I have is to install the transformer inside a closet
nearby, but again I'm not sure whether this would be allowed by code.










share|improve this question






















  • Being over 55W, the low voltage exemptions won't fully apply.
    – Harper
    Dec 26 '18 at 20:13
















1












1








1







I'm planning a low-voltage monorail light system,
fitted with 10x 7.5W 12V AC LED light heads. The manufacturer provides a "remote electronic transformer", and the installation instructions call for "remote but accessible location" for the transformer.



Can I put such transformer in the attic space above the room?



The attic is insulated, so the transformer will likely need an additional
enclosure box (like this)



I looked up the California Electrical Code 2016 but couldn't find a paragraph which would explicitly allow or disallow such installation (and everything <1000V is considered low-voltage by the code, which doesn't help with search)



Besides, the attic space gets quite hot during the summer, and the
transformer has a thermal shut-off. So maybe it is not a good idea
to put it there anyway.



The alternative option I have is to install the transformer inside a closet
nearby, but again I'm not sure whether this would be allowed by code.










share|improve this question













I'm planning a low-voltage monorail light system,
fitted with 10x 7.5W 12V AC LED light heads. The manufacturer provides a "remote electronic transformer", and the installation instructions call for "remote but accessible location" for the transformer.



Can I put such transformer in the attic space above the room?



The attic is insulated, so the transformer will likely need an additional
enclosure box (like this)



I looked up the California Electrical Code 2016 but couldn't find a paragraph which would explicitly allow or disallow such installation (and everything <1000V is considered low-voltage by the code, which doesn't help with search)



Besides, the attic space gets quite hot during the summer, and the
transformer has a thermal shut-off. So maybe it is not a good idea
to put it there anyway.



The alternative option I have is to install the transformer inside a closet
nearby, but again I'm not sure whether this would be allowed by code.







electrical lighting led low-voltage






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asked Dec 26 '18 at 18:50









user2907934user2907934

162




162












  • Being over 55W, the low voltage exemptions won't fully apply.
    – Harper
    Dec 26 '18 at 20:13




















  • Being over 55W, the low voltage exemptions won't fully apply.
    – Harper
    Dec 26 '18 at 20:13


















Being over 55W, the low voltage exemptions won't fully apply.
– Harper
Dec 26 '18 at 20:13






Being over 55W, the low voltage exemptions won't fully apply.
– Harper
Dec 26 '18 at 20:13












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

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2














Your attic is an accessible location that looks like it is already housed so all you will need a box for the connection to the power according to the instructions. Additional enclosures should not be needed.






share|improve this answer





























    1














    The term "low voltage" is used differently in different contexts. In this case the low voltage part is the 12VAC output of the transformer supplying the monorail.



    The transformer in your link is in an enclosure that can be mounted anywhere you can get to it without cutting drywall or otherwise ripping something apart to get to it. Your attic would be fine from an accessibility standpoint but so would your closet. It would not be OK to install it between the studs in a wall you're building, then sheetrock the wall so you can't get to it any more.



    Although the spec sheet on the link page doesn't have operating temperature info, it's likely that the transformer is rated for attic temperatures, but you'd have to contact the manufacturer for that information.






    share|improve this answer





















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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      2














      Your attic is an accessible location that looks like it is already housed so all you will need a box for the connection to the power according to the instructions. Additional enclosures should not be needed.






      share|improve this answer


























        2














        Your attic is an accessible location that looks like it is already housed so all you will need a box for the connection to the power according to the instructions. Additional enclosures should not be needed.






        share|improve this answer
























          2












          2








          2






          Your attic is an accessible location that looks like it is already housed so all you will need a box for the connection to the power according to the instructions. Additional enclosures should not be needed.






          share|improve this answer












          Your attic is an accessible location that looks like it is already housed so all you will need a box for the connection to the power according to the instructions. Additional enclosures should not be needed.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Dec 26 '18 at 19:26









          Ed BealEd Beal

          31.2k12145




          31.2k12145

























              1














              The term "low voltage" is used differently in different contexts. In this case the low voltage part is the 12VAC output of the transformer supplying the monorail.



              The transformer in your link is in an enclosure that can be mounted anywhere you can get to it without cutting drywall or otherwise ripping something apart to get to it. Your attic would be fine from an accessibility standpoint but so would your closet. It would not be OK to install it between the studs in a wall you're building, then sheetrock the wall so you can't get to it any more.



              Although the spec sheet on the link page doesn't have operating temperature info, it's likely that the transformer is rated for attic temperatures, but you'd have to contact the manufacturer for that information.






              share|improve this answer


























                1














                The term "low voltage" is used differently in different contexts. In this case the low voltage part is the 12VAC output of the transformer supplying the monorail.



                The transformer in your link is in an enclosure that can be mounted anywhere you can get to it without cutting drywall or otherwise ripping something apart to get to it. Your attic would be fine from an accessibility standpoint but so would your closet. It would not be OK to install it between the studs in a wall you're building, then sheetrock the wall so you can't get to it any more.



                Although the spec sheet on the link page doesn't have operating temperature info, it's likely that the transformer is rated for attic temperatures, but you'd have to contact the manufacturer for that information.






                share|improve this answer
























                  1












                  1








                  1






                  The term "low voltage" is used differently in different contexts. In this case the low voltage part is the 12VAC output of the transformer supplying the monorail.



                  The transformer in your link is in an enclosure that can be mounted anywhere you can get to it without cutting drywall or otherwise ripping something apart to get to it. Your attic would be fine from an accessibility standpoint but so would your closet. It would not be OK to install it between the studs in a wall you're building, then sheetrock the wall so you can't get to it any more.



                  Although the spec sheet on the link page doesn't have operating temperature info, it's likely that the transformer is rated for attic temperatures, but you'd have to contact the manufacturer for that information.






                  share|improve this answer












                  The term "low voltage" is used differently in different contexts. In this case the low voltage part is the 12VAC output of the transformer supplying the monorail.



                  The transformer in your link is in an enclosure that can be mounted anywhere you can get to it without cutting drywall or otherwise ripping something apart to get to it. Your attic would be fine from an accessibility standpoint but so would your closet. It would not be OK to install it between the studs in a wall you're building, then sheetrock the wall so you can't get to it any more.



                  Although the spec sheet on the link page doesn't have operating temperature info, it's likely that the transformer is rated for attic temperatures, but you'd have to contact the manufacturer for that information.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Dec 26 '18 at 19:34









                  batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson

                  10k11229




                  10k11229






























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