Is there any saftey problem with mounting a LGB transformer on the wall?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

My LGB ceiling set is done & I want to start running the wires & mounting the transformer/controller.  Since there will be an amoir on one wall, I wanted to put the wiring behind the amoir.  They will come off the track & just hang, but the furniture will block you from seeing the wires, but if you move the furniture, the wire will be right there.

As it happens, there is a power plug right in that spot.  I want to plug the transformer into the wall, mount the transformer on the wall, then mount the controller on the wall as well. 

The walls are sheetrock.  The transformer will be behind the furniture (not right against it but hidden a bit).  Can I do this?  I dont really see the difference between this & mounting it to a 4x8 board, but I figured  I would ask.

 

Thanks,
Rich

[tangerine-jack]

I would think that so long as you have air circulation around the transformer you wouldn't have any problems.  The transformers don't get anywhere near hot enough to cause a fire under normal operation, and they all have some kind of built in short circuit cut out just in case of a problem.  The only thing to watch for would be that you should be able to easily unplug the main power cord in case of severe weather.

[vsmith]

Well I had mine screwed to the side trim of my layout, but that was into wood. Into drywall might be a bit more problematic as the drywall is far more susceptable to deteriorating and failing if you just screw it straight in. I would use those plastic sleeve inserts and match small screws and if possible use a clip of some sort so you can fasten it down at 3 points, 2 at the bottom and one at the top. You can't do 2 as the wiring mounts get in the way. As long as your not rocking the controller around and work it loose you should do just fine with it. One thing though, put a plug-in switch at the outlet if its not controlled by regular wall switch otherwise the powerpack is always on, even in the stop position, its still on and any bump could send power to the track or it could eventually overheat. So never leave it plugged in unless the power is off at a switch somewhere. I had mine plugged into a powerstrip with a power indicator light so I always new to kill the powerstrip when I was finished. 

[Anonymous]

Great tips!  It sounds like its pretty safe then!

[Anonymous]

You Americans seem to be pretty keen on what "UL" think and you also seem to worry a lot more about catching on fire than getting electrocuted; which is just the opposite to ua Australians. Possibly you may consider contacing Underwriters about it?

I can only see that you would have two problems one is a possible fire hazard and the other is that the wires may get caught in something or other and get broken. It is also bad working practice to leave anything just hanging for other reasons as well.

Rgds Ian

[vsmith]

Thats why I was empathic about having on an outlet controled by a power switch. I had mine mounted this way for close to two years no trouble, just made sure the power was always off once I was done, used a lighted powerstrip to let me know it was on or off.

[Anonymous]

Sounds good to me.

Ian

[Anonymous]

Great tips!  It sounds like its pretty safe then!

 

Actually,  many of the LGB layouts I have seen in person and in the literature show power supplies (LGB brand only) mounted on the wall.  Then, the controllers/throttles are also on the wall or on a table below.  There should be no problem with LGB transformers that way, provided you take into consideration the drywall itself and its heat limitations.  Mounting to wood would be much preferred, but if thats not possible, drywall would be okay as although after about 3 hours of use the LGB transformers will get quite warm (it does depend on the total amperage of current you are using on the tracks) a little mounting board of wood or plastic behind the transformer before the drywall would really work fine.

Regards,

 

Tom M.