Useful information for water gardeners

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If you are going to install lights in your pond or fountain please be aware that you can not use mains lights (European low voltage directive) you can of course use a transformer. However we only know of one truly submersible transformer. There are other "waterproof" transformers available but they are NOT submersible. One in particular looks very good but when you read the small print it does say something like

" as this transformer is not resin sealed in normal use the heat generated causes the air to to expand, when it cools it creates a partial vacuum sucking in water, do not use this transformer under water or below ground level"

So although the description says its water proof it should in my opinion be called water resistant. Of course the "get out" is the fact it tells you in the small print not to use it under water.

You may also wonder why you would want to use a transformer under water, the answer is that being closer to the lights you can use shorter smaller cables so saving money.

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The CE mark

CE is not actually an abbreviation for anything, it just means it has passed certain tests / meets certain criteria.

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If you want lights in a pond they must carry the CE mark we have seen a website that supplies a special type of fountain that does use mains lights, as yet they do not have the CE mark and will not get it because you can not use mains lights in a pond or fountain as it does not comply with the European low voltage directive. Mains lights are used in other countries such as America and Canada, yes you can import them (subject to import duty) but you can not use them so why bother?