Garden and pool transformers

Our garden and pool transformers

In the garden and around a swimming pool, lighting and many small devices run at extra-low voltage, 12 or 24 V AC: a pool light transformer or a garden transformer steps the 230 V mains down to that voltage. Here are our outdoor transformers, with a price shown for every rating:

• 230 V / 12 V swimming pool transformer, 300 or 630 VA, square or round (toroidal): for pool lights, with the transformer installed in the plant room.
• 230 V / 12 V waterproof transformer from the Garden Family range, IP68, from 20 to 400 VA: garden spotlights, bollard lights and other lighting.
• Garden Family 230 V / 24 V transformer, IP68, from 20 to 400 VA: devices and small motors running on 24 V AC.

For a larger installation, see the 230 V / 12 V toroidal transformer (up to 1,000 VA), the 230 V / 12 V transformer (up to 20 kVA) and our lighting transformers.

Pool light transformer: where and how to install it

A 12 V pool light transformer supplies pool lights running on 12 V AC. It is installed outside zones 0, 1 and 2 of the pool: in the plant room, in a dry place, inside an enclosure. The electrical installation of a swimming pool must comply with IEC 60364-7-702 (NF C 15-100 in France): have it carried out or checked by an electrician.

At 12 V, the current is high: the size of the cable to the pool light is worked out from the power and the distance, otherwise the light will be dimmer. On the 230 V side, a time-lag fuse (T) or a type D circuit breaker withstands the inrush current at switch-on.

In the garden: an IP68 waterproof transformer

For outdoor lighting, such as spotlights, bollard lights and patio lighting, the IP68 waterproof transformer from the Garden Family range can be installed outside. This garden transformer comes in 12 V, for lighting, and in 24 V, for devices or motors running on 24 V AC, such as some roller shutter motors.

An open-frame transformer (IP00), by contrast, must be housed in an enclosure, in a dry, ventilated place.

Transformer or DC power supply for LEDs?

A transformer delivers alternating current (AC). It suits pool lights and other lamps marked “12 V AC” or “AC/DC”. LED strips and many LED spotlights run on 12 V direct current (DC). They need a DC power supply, often called an LED driver, rather than a transformer: for example, our waterproof 12 V DC power supply. The lamp's label or instructions will tell you which.

Sizing a pool light or garden transformer

Add up the power of all the lamps, multiply by 1.25 and choose the next rating up. Three 10 W LED spotlights make 30 W: 30 × 1.25 = 37.5 VA, so a 50 VA transformer.

A 300 W halogen pool light needs 375 VA, so a 400 VA transformer; with several pool lights, move up to the 630 VA pool transformer.

Ordering and delivery

Standard models are dispatched from France within 24 to 48 hours, and each product page shows the price of every rating and every version. Our team in Gailhan, in the Gard (southern France), where ABL Transfo has been making transformers since 1993, answers your questions about installation.

For another voltage, see the custom-built transformer. For professionals, a trade account shows prices excluding VAT, with an immediate 5 % discount.

By voltage: 230 V to 12 V transformers and 230 V to 24 V transformers.