FAQ - Cables

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• What cable should I use?

  Use the planning grid found in Step to of the Low Voltage Planning Guide to complete your cable layout plan. Count or measure the 1/8" scaled blocks to determine the total feet of cable needed for your lighting systems. Also measure your longest runs. The chart above will tell you the correct size cable to use, depending on the length of your runs.

   

  

  Using too small of wire gauge can lead to a fire hazard

   

• How do I attach the cable to the power pack?

  Prepare the Cable

  Malibu cable is prepared, ready to connect to the power pack.  If using other cable, split one end of the cable for about 3", being careful when splitting NOT to expose the copper wire.  Then strip 5/8" of insulation from the end.  Also, refer to the Strip Length Guide on the power pack.

  Connect the Cable to the Power Pack

  Lay the power pack on a flat, stable surface and insert the stripped end of one wire under terminal clamping plate A.  Then tighten the screw.  Repeat this procedure for clamping plate B.  Do not exceed the wattage rating of the power pack.  NOTE:  The C terminal is ONLY used to connect an optional photo control.  WARNING - RISK OF FIRE:  Make sure there is no wire insulation under the clamping plate and firmly tighten the terminal screws.

• What should I do with the end of the cable?

  The end of the cable away from the power pack can be left as-is, or can be covered with electrical tape. There should be at least one foot of extra cable beyond the last fixture connection. Any more than one foot can be cut off.

• Can I coil extra cable near the power pack?

  No. Coiling cable may make it too hot. Cut off the unneeded portion.

• I moved a fixture on the cable. Do I need to cover the holes in the cable insulation made by the pierce connector?

  No. The insulation is elastic and self-sealing.

• Can I bury the cable in mulch, dirt, or rocks to hide it?

  Yes. The insulation on the cable is designed for wet location and for direct burial.

• Where can I get Malibu low voltage cable?

  Malibu no longer offers low voltage cable.

• What if I don’t want to do the work of burying the cable. Can I leave it on top of the ground?

  Yes. The insulation is formulated to be left in sunlight and in the weather.

• How do I add a branch or “T” to my cable run?

  Use the 8150-9801-01 (ML5C) cable connector. Be sure to sum the bulb wattage on the branch cable too when determining the power pack size requirement.

• How do I run cable under a sidewalk to light both sides of the house?

  There are a couple of methods. One is to clear out the grass and dirt on either side of the sidewalk. Drive a piece of conduit under the sidewalk and run the low voltage cable through the conduit. Another way is to use a pressure washer to remove dirt, sand, and gravel from under the cement. There are also some tools on the market designed to do this job.

• Is there a polarity to the cable when attaching the connectors?

  In most installations, there is no polarity to the cable. The cable is carrying 12V alternating current so the polarity is switching 60 times per second. The only case where polarity matters is if the user has created a ring cable layout and hooked the far end of the cable back into the same terminals on the power pack. This is a technique to fight voltage drop but requires a longer cable to circle back. The low voltage cable does have a flat side or ridge on one conductor to indicated polarity, if needed.