Here is an article edited of extraneous information for brevity with important info in bold that details what can happen when the perfect storm of improper installation, corner cutting and unsafe products all collide and the tragedy that can result. The other hazard risk of low voltage lighting systems is a defect occurring where 120 volts is allowed to cross over to wiring and equipment and circuits that were designed for 12 volts. Loose connections generate excess heat that can burn and cause fires Short circuits can occur when exposed electrical wires touch and short circuits not shut down by proper fusing or circuit breakers will produce extreme heat and can result in melted wires, burns and fires. However it is not the voltage that can sometimes cause damage to property and humans it is high amperage caused by short circuits. Albeit a cut or break in skin coming into direct contact with 12 volts of power is not a pleasant feeling but it probably won’t cause any serious harm or death. The voltage is safe and in most all cases will not cause damage or harm to humans or animals when they come in direct contact with it. 12 volt lighting operates on 1/10th the amount of electricity then 120 volt lighting does. Locklin used to say, and this is a direct quote, “It is much easier to burn a house down with 12 volts of power than it is to burn a house down with 120 volts”. This plastic high wattage LED (Not a Gambino product) melted when placed in an enclosed landscape fixture due to it being unable to disapate the heat Amperage is ten times higher with low voltage power than high voltage power with the same wattage draw. A simple definition of Amperage is the strength of an electric current. 300 watts divided by 120 volts is 2.5 amps. 300 watts divided by 12 volts is 25 amps. Amperage is measured by dividing Watts by Volts = Amps. Therefore, if the voltage is increased, the current will increase provided the resistance of the circuit does not change. Ohm’s law states that the electrical current flowing in a circuit is proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance. My intent is not to get technical with this article but some basic information is needed. That being said over this 30 year career I have seen some absolutely scary and unsafe installs in the field done by part timers, do it yourselfers and even licensed electricians. Cable with black tape is not a proper repair. Cables direct buried in the earth without protection from rigid electrical conduit is a hazard waiting to happen.
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