A lot of time is spent on maintaining the appearance of the home’s exterior and landscape. Have you considered how the house appears at night? Exterior lighting installation is an excellent method to make the property stand out long after the sun has set, as well as to provide security. This article will tell you about low-voltage landscape lighting installation to make the property inviting to visitors and neighbours.
See also:Â 8 garden lighting ideas for your home
Types of landscape lighting
Solar landscape lighting
Advantages
- Rechargeable
- It can be used anywhere.
- Inexpensive
Disadvantages
- Only in sunny locations
- At night, fades out
- Dim lights
Solar landscape lighting is ideal for marking the edges of a walkway or driveway. There are no wires connecting solar lights to the house. They can thus extend the whole network to the most remote portions of the property when paired with a wired landscaping lighting system.
Low-voltage landscape lighting
Advantages
- Â Consistent lighting
- Timer management
- Moveable
Disadvantages
- Balky light connections
- Light restrictions per cable
Low-voltage landscape lights are powered by a transformer connected to an outdoor GFCI outlet. The transformer reduces the voltage from 120V to 12V or 24V.
Source: Pinterest (thegardenglove.com)
Line voltage landscape lighting
Advantages
- Higher power
- Increased light
- Cable that has been protected
Disadvantages
- Installation is more challenging.
- There is no kit, only separate materials.
- It is difficult to transfer or change
Line voltage landscaping lights produce a brighter, more consistent light than low voltage lights. Line voltage is a better alternative than low voltage for highlighting big regions or powering a large number of route lights.
Choose the best location for landscape lighting
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Find a power source
Solar lights generate their own power. Low-voltage landscape lights, on the other hand, should be kept near an outdoor GFCI outlet. The transformer cord is typically 6 ft long. A new power source will be installed on the house’s side for line voltage lights.
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Install lights on firm but soft ground
Landscape lights are secured with stakes ranging in length from 6 to 13 inch. Stakes will not go through hard, compacted soil. The soil should be hard but soft enough to allow the stakes to go through.
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Locate the transformer or solar panel
Position the transformer near the GFCI outlet for low-voltage lights. Find a location where the solar panel will receive direct sunlight for solar lights. Avoid using artificial lighting that could interfere with the panel.
How to install low-voltage landscape lighting?
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Lay out cable and lights
Unspool the low-voltage cable along the general path of the lights. Place the fittings near the areas where you plan to stake them. Make sure to leave enough cable to reach the transformer (which should be near the GFCI outlet), plus an additional 3 or 4 ft to deal with. Keep the first light no more than 10 feet away from the transformer.
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Dig trench
Dig a 3-inch-deep trench with the trenching shovel.Â
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Lay cable
Insert the cable into the trench. For the time being, take care not to let soil fall onto the cable.
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Install transformer
Place the transformer at least 20 inch above ground level and no more than 6 ft from a GFCI outside outlet. Connect the transformer to the side of the home. When working with vinyl siding, it’s advisable to first install a 1/2-inch plywood mounting board before attaching the transformer.
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Add stakes
Place stakes in the dirt at the desired positions. Install the lights on the stakes last.
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Connect lights to cable
Push the two opposing edges of the push-pierce connector together, trapping the cable between them. Each connector spike must pierce the cable covering and make contact with the inner copper wire. Push the two halves together as tightly as can be done with the hands (no tools).
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Attach the cable to the transformer
Strip and separate the two wires at the transformer end of the cable using the wire stripper. Loosen the screws that hold the transformer terminals together. Hook the wires over the terminal screws and tighten them down.
Warning
Low voltage solely refers to the power in the underground cable line. All of the voltage running to and within the transformer is still high voltage.
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Test system
Connect the transformer to an outlet. Switch the transformer to manual mode and double-check that all lights are functional.
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Bury cable
Bury the cable while the lights are still on. If any of the lights stop working while replacing the soil, the connection is loose and must be corrected or reconnected.
Source: Pinterest (Todd’s Marietta Tree Service)
FAQs
Can I install my own landscape lighting?
Yes, you can do a DIY landscape lighting with low voltage (12V). This is safe and easy project.
What is the best way to place landscape lighting?
It is recommended to place the lighting fixture a few feet away from the feature and give a sideways angle. With this, a subtle ambience is maintained.
How to plan for landscape lighting?
Plan by identifying focal points, pathways and desired lighting effects before choosing fixtures.
What are the benefits of landscape lighting?
Landscape lighting improves curb appeal, highlights features, increases security and extends outdoor usability.
How deep should wires be buried?
Wires should be buried at least 6 inch deep to prevent damage and ensure safety.
How to connect the lights to a power source?
Connect the lights to the main cable using waterproof wire connectors and attach the cable to the transformer.
What’s the role of a transformer?
The transformer reduces household voltage to safe levels for outdoor lighting, preventing hazards.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
