The CAST System of Landscape Lighting
A combination of durable, well engineered products and fool-proof methods that work together for the
Author: Steve Parrott
A combination of durable, well engineered products and fool-proof methods that work together for the highest possible system integrity.
The CAST system achieves 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.
| 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 asist in bid preparation and presentations.
- All these planning tools freely available in the products section of our site and through CADdetails.com.
The CAST System Calculator
widely recognized as the quickest,
easiest to use and most accurate
calculator for landscape lighting.
|
 |
| INSTALLATION |
The CAST Spider Splice* Method of Installation
A proven technique used by thousands of lighting professionals
The CAST Spider Splice method is a vast improvement upon previous techniques that require more in-field splices and that fail to deliver consistant 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. |
|
|
|
The Spider Splice method in combination with CAST products ensures even distribution of voltage and corrosion-proof wire connections.
The installation phase of the system relies upon the following CAST product features:
- Solid bronze or copper fixtures prewired with tin-coated No-Ox marine grade wire
- Spider Splice junctions
- No-Ox home run wire
- Transformers designed for quick and secure connections
Using these products, the designer lays out the installation with Spider Splice junctions positioned near fixture locations. Each junction accommodates up to 6 fixture wires. Since each fixture is pre-wired with a 25 ft. wire, the distances from Spider Splices to fixtures are equal and the voltage losses will be identical. This ensures all fixtures on a single Spider Splice will receive the same voltage.
The only splices in the field are in the protected Spider Splice junctions.
|
| 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. |
Two test leads are soldered into Spider Splices to act as a convenient voltage testing point. |
The MR-16 Voltage Testing Tool (CTESTMR16) to allow testing at the fixture under full load. |
| DOCUMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE |
|
Accurate and permanent documentation of system information – essential for proper system maintenance.
After the fixtures have been adjusted and aimed, the installer uses a center punch to record system information on the CAST Fixture Record Tags. These stainless steel tags are included with all CAST staked fixtures. The tags provide a permanent record of lamp type and wattage, wire run number and off-grade fixture location. This information is essential for future maintenance of the system.
Finally, forms on the inside lids of CAST transformers provide places to record information on each wire run including location, amp reading and voltage tap.
The CAST Fixture Record Tag
(patent pending) (CABFR) provides
a permanent record of lamp and
system details. This ensures acurate
system maintenance year after year.
|
 |
*"Spider Splice" and "No-Ox" are registered trademarks of CAST Lighting LLC. |
(Document No. : Created on: 05/02/08 Last modified on: 08/26/09)
