--- title: Can PIXIE control garden lights? description: "Support Docs · Garden Lighting # Can PIXIE control *garden lights?* Both low voltage and 240V garden lighting can be controlled by PIXIE, using the right combination of products for the load type. This article covers the recommended product for…" url: "https://pixiepartners.com.au/support-docs/can-pixie-control-garden-lights/" updated: "2026-05-12" category: Installation tags: - garden - garden lights --- # Can PIXIE control garden lights? Support Docs · Garden Lighting # Can PIXIE control *garden lights?* Both low voltage and 240V garden lighting can be controlled by PIXIE, using the right combination of products for the load type. This article covers the recommended product for iron core transformer setups, the load capacity of each PIXIE switching device, and the two electrical gotchas (power factor and minimum load) that decide whether an install will be smooth or not. 4 min read Updated May 2026 Audience: Electricians Yes. ## PIXIE controls low voltage *and* 240V garden lighting. Several products in the PIXIE range can switch garden lighting circuits. The right choice depends on the load type, and especially on whether iron core transformers are in play. Recommended approach ## For iron core transformers: the *Dual Relay Controller.* The cleanest way to control garden lighting that runs through iron core transformers is the **PIXIE Dual Relay Controller (`PC206DR-R-BTAM`)**. It is purpose-built for inductive loads, switches up to two independent circuits, and does not impose the minimum-load requirement that the smart switches do. No capacitors needed. Two relays means up to two separate garden lighting circuits from a single device, each one controllable individually. On-wall control is then handled by installing one or two PIXIE Multifunction Switches (`SMFBTAS`) and pairing each to the corresponding relay. #### Typical wiring scenario: two garden lighting circuits On-wall control SMFBTAS One per relay (max 2) → Switching PC206DR-R-BTAM Dual Relay Controller → Load Garden circuits Up to 2 via iron core **Why this combination works.** The Dual Relay Controller is a PIXIE Master device with full scheduling, group and scene support. It behaves like every other Master device in the app, so the garden circuits show up alongside the rest of the home for sunset schedules, holiday mode, scenes and so on. The simplest fix ## Having trouble? Swap the iron core for an *electronic driver.* If a smart switch is misbehaving on a garden lighting circuit (cutting out, flickering, hard to switch on), the fastest and most reliable fix is to replace the iron core transformer with an electronic driver instead. Most issues disappear with this single change. This is not always possible because of mounting location, weatherproofing, or because the transformer is buried in the wall. Where the swap cannot be done, the Dual Relay Controller path above is the next-best option, and the load capacity and power factor information below is what determines whether a smart switch can handle the existing transformer at all. Transformer types ## The two transformer families *behave very differently.* Most garden lighting transformers fall into one of two camps. The electrical character of each one is what dictates which PIXIE device can drive it. Type 1 #### Iron Core Transformer Big, bulky, heavy. Presents an **inductive load**, which is harder on switching devices. High inrush current at switch-on, lower power factor. **Best PIXIE pairing** PC206DR-R-BTAM Dual Relay Controller. SWL/STS switches if within their inductive load limits. Type 2 #### Electronic Driver / Transformer Smaller, lighter, modern. Presents a **resistive load** typically, which is much easier on switching devices. Lower inrush, higher power factor. **Best PIXIE pairing** Any PIXIE smart switch, within its resistive load rating. The recommended option where the install allows. Load capacity ## What each PIXIE device can drive. Different PIXIE switching devices have very different load capacities, especially on inductive (iron core) loads. Check the load against the device rating before committing. SWL350BT / STS350BT #### PIXIE Smart Switch (legacy 350W) Resistive 350W Inductive (iron core) 80W max **Note:** 13W minimum load requirement (see capacitor gotcha below). SWL600BTAM #### PIXIE Smart Switch (current 600W) Resistive 600W Inductive (iron core) 120W max **Note:** 13W minimum load requirement (see capacitor gotcha below). Also subject to power factor and inrush limits. PC206DR-R-BTAM #### PIXIE Dual Relay Controller Resistive 6 A Inductive (iron core) 500W max **No minimum load.** No capacitor needed. Two independent relays. Loads with poor electrical performance apply *destructive impact* beyond the switch's rated capabilities, irrespective of power consumption. This is the practical reality: a circuit can sit comfortably under a device's wattage rating and still kill that device if the underlying load has bad electrical character. The next two sections cover the two specific characteristics that matter, and how to spot them before installing. Compatibility gotcha 1 ## Power factor and inrush limits *for the AM series.* The `SWL600BTAM` and `STS600BTAM` devices are NOT compatible with drivers below the minimum specification shown below. Driving a load with worse power factor or higher inrush will shorten the switch's life and may cause irreversible damage. PF ##### Minimum power factor ≥ 0.7 A ##### Maximum inrush current ≤ 24 A #### Known incompatible drivers (as of March 2023) The following drivers are confirmed NOT compatible with PIXIE `SWL600` or `STS600` devices, because their power factor and inrush characteristics fall outside the spec above: - Aquatran `AQD` 24V DC, 100W - Havit `HV9653` 12V, 60W - QZAO weatherproof LED driver 24V, 200W For loads using any of these drivers, use the Dual Relay Controller (`PC206DR-R-BTAM`) instead, or specify a different compatible driver up front. Compatibility gotcha 2 ## Minimum load: the *turns-on-then-off* behaviour. PIXIE smart switches in the SWL350 and SWL600 series require a **minimum load of 13W** on the circuit. Below that, the switch cannot reliably keep itself closed. The symptom is unmistakable: the switch turns the circuit on, and then turns it off again a few seconds later, with no input. This is a minimum-load issue, not a fault. **The fix.** Every SWL350 and SWL600 box ships with a **capacitor** for exactly this case. Wire the capacitor across LOAD and NEUTRAL on the affected lighting circuit. This raises the effective load just enough for the switch to hold. The Dual Relay Controller (`PC206DR-R-BTAM`) has no minimum load requirement at all, so this is one more reason to default to it for low-load garden circuits. Downloads ## Installation manuals and datasheets. Reference documents for each of the devices mentioned in this article. #### PIXIE Smart Switch (legacy 350W) SWL350BT [Installation manual](https://pixiepartners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SAL-PIXIE-smart-switch-SWL350BT-installation-manual.pdf) [Datasheet](https://pixiepartners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PIXIE-Datasheet-SWL350BT-G2-Smart-switch-bluetooth.pdf) #### PIXIE Smart Switch (current 600W) SWL600BTAM [Installation manual](https://pixiepartners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Quick-Start-Guide_SWL600BTAM_V2.0_RL_20230626_compressed.pdf) [Datasheet](https://pixiepartners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/PIXIE-Datasheet-SWL600BTAM-G3-Smart-smart-switch-bluetooth_compressed.pdf) #### PIXIE Dual Relay Controller PC206DR-R-BTAM [Installation manual](https://pixiepartners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/PC206DR-R-BTAM-installationv1.pdf) [Datasheet](https://pixiepartners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/PIXIE-Datasheet-PC206BDR-R-BTAM-DUAL-RELAY-bluetooth.pdf) Where to next ## Specifying a garden lighting *install?* The Dual Relay Controller is the right answer for almost every iron core scenario. For everything else, get the transformer, the load and the smart switch all matched up before you commit. [Full library Datasheets and installation manuals Every PIXIE device, current and legacy](https://pixiepartners.com.au/pixie-datasheets-and-installation-manuals/) [Wiring PIXIE wiring diagrams Visual references for every wiring scenario](https://pixiepartners.com.au/pixie-wiring-diagrams/) [If something is off Fixing intermittent PIXIE behaviour Mesh, load and minimum-load troubleshooting](https://pixiepartners.com.au/support-docs/why-does-my-pixie-system-not-work-reliably/) [Support hub All PIXIE support docs and FAQs Index of every support article and walkthrough](https://pixiepartners.com.au/pixie-online-support/)