Learning / Installation

The CAST Lighting System of Installation

Note to Homeowners. . .

Unlike Landscape Lighting systems available in big-box stores, CAST Lighting products are designed for the landscape lighting professional. While you could conceivably install CAST products yourself, you will most likely achieve the best results by hiring a professional. Learn more. . .

What is the CAST System of Landscape Lighting Installation?

A combination of durable, well engineered products and fool-proof methods that work together for the highest possible system integrity.

The CAST system aims to achieve the best possible system integrity by providing tools, techniques and support for the various stages of the project: planning, installation, testing, voltage adjustment, documentation and maintenance.

Note that the CAST System of Installation is fully documented in the Landscape Lighting Installation Guide included with all CAST Lighting Transformers.

The CAST System is best learned through one of our Hands-On Landscape Lighting Seminars.

1. Planning
  • Simple to use and accurate – forms and tools for successful planning. 
  • Customized worksheets and planning guides assist the designer in calculating and selecting system components.
  • Accurate formulas predict voltage loss and aide the designer in the selection of wire gauge and transformer type.
  • Photometrics and architectural detail drawings for each fixture and system component assist in bid preparation and presentations.
  • All these planning tools freely available through our downloads area and through CADdetails.com.
 CAST Landscape Lighting Voltage Calculator
The CAST System Calculator
widely recognized as the quickest, easiest to use and most accurate calculator for landscape lighting.
2. The Spider Splice® Method

The CAST Spider Splice method is a vast improvement upon previous techniques that require more in-field splices and that fail to deliver consistent voltage to all fixtures. The following illustration shows the concept behind the CAST method – a system composed of a number of home runs terminating in Spider Splice junctions with fixtures attached with equal length wires. CAST fixtures are equipped with 25' or 35' lead wires for this purpose.

3. Testing and Voltage Adjustment

Accurate voltage measurement is the number one priority.
After splices have been made, all home run wires are connected to the 12 volt tap of the transformer and the system is powered up. The extra large terminal blocks in CAST transformers allow the connection of all home run wires.

The installer then tests the voltage using the testing wires in each Spider Splice® or at the fixture. From these measurements, voltage drops are noted and home run wires are shifted to the correct voltage taps.

CAST's Digital Clamp-On Amp/Volt/Ohm Meter (CMETER) is calibrated for greatest accuracy at the 12V range, unlike other commonly used meters.

 CAST Lighting MR-16 Voltage Tester
4. Documentation and Maintenance
  • Simple to use and accurate – forms and tools for successful planning.
  • Customized worksheets and planning guides assist the designer in calculating and selecting system components.
  • Accurate formulas predict voltage loss and aide the designer in the selection of wire gauge and transformer type.
  • Photometrics and architectural detail drawings for each fixture and system component assist in bid preparation and presentations.
  • All these planning tools freely available through our website.