Preventive Maintenance Procedures Flashcards

A landscape lighting transformer is rated at 300 VA. During PM, the measured load is 285 VA. What should the technician recommend?

Answer: Document the high load, advise the client to avoid adding fixtures, and monitor at next PM

At 95% of rated capacity, the transformer is near its limit; the client should be informed and no additional fixtures added without upgrading the transformer.

What is the significance of recording the date of the last lamp replacement on a PM inspection tag attached to a transformer?

Answer: It provides a reference for predicting lamp end-of-life and scheduling proactive group relamping

Knowing the last replacement date allows technicians to proactively schedule relamping before widespread failure rather than reacting to individual burnouts.

During a PM inspection of an LED landscape lighting system, a technician notices several fixtures producing a greenish tint instead of the specified 3000K warm white. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: The LED modules have shifted color due to thermal degradation or driver failure

Color shift in LED fixtures most commonly results from thermal degradation of LED phosphors or a failing driver producing incorrect operating current.

What PM procedure helps prevent 'voltage creep' problems when landscape plant material grows and reduces the distance between fixtures and plants?

Answer: Pruning plants as needed and rechecking fixture aim and clearance during each PM visit

Plant growth can block fixture output and create fire hazards if flammable material contacts a hot fixture, requiring periodic pruning and clearance checks during PM.

Which of the following connector types provides the most reliable weatherproof connection for low-voltage landscape lighting wire splices?

Answer: Gel-filled waterproof wire connectors (IDC or locking type)

Gel-filled waterproof connectors displace moisture and seal the connection against corrosion, making them the preferred choice for direct-burial landscape lighting splices.

When conducting a PM on a newly installed system after its first winter, what specific damage should the technician prioritize inspecting for?

Answer: Frost heave displacement of stakes and cable exposure from ground movement

The first winter is particularly likely to displace stakes through frost heave and expose buried cables through soil movement, requiring a thorough spring inspection.

A client reports that their landscape lighting system turns on at dusk but shuts off after 2–3 hours instead of running until dawn. What PM check would identify the cause?

Answer: Check the transformer's timer settings and photocell override, and verify the programmed off-time

Premature shutoff is almost always a timer or scheduling error; verifying and correcting the transformer's timer program is the first diagnostic step.