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Extend the cable from the transformer along the route of the fixtures you just mounted.Once you’ve positioned the fittings, push stakes into the ground to ensure they stay upright.For path lights, measure a specific pattern between the units and set them on the ground temporarily.Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. At the very least, you’ll need to snap the plugs into place, and you might need to perform some basic wiring. Low voltage light fixture kits are often self-assembly items.Do not connect the transformer just yet.Connect each wire to the terminals of the transformer according to the manufacturer’s directions.Remove roughly 3/4-inch of insulation from the two conductors of the 10-gauge main wire that will power the landscape lights.Another alternative is to install the transformer on a wooden pole near your house.For masonry, drill a hole for a lag shield, then screw it into the shield.
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Use screws that are long enough to penetrate the sheathing beneath the siding. A wood screw may be used to install most types of siding.Install the transformer according to the manufacturer’s instructions in a readily accessible position near a GFCI outlet outside your home.Total Nominal WattageĬheck to see whether your wire and connections are listed for direct burial, which improves the prevention of corrosion and other weather-related issues over time. If the total wattage of the fixtures on the line is 100 Watts or less, you may run 12-gauge wire up to 100 feet without experiencing voltage drop. The greater the distance between the transformer and its power supply, the more resistance arises in the circuit, causing the voltage to fall. We recommend 12-gauge or 10-gauge wire for long distances.
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The common wires for landscape lighting are 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, or 16-gauge wires. A lower number indicates a thicker wire and a higher capacity to transmit electrical current over greater distances. There are many number gauges or sizes of low voltage landscape cables. Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Cable Sizes Purchasing a complete new system in a landscape light kit may be more cost-effective than purchasing only a new transformer. If you wish to add more path lights than a transformer can handle, you’ll need to buy a larger transformer.A higher rating indicates a longer wire and, as a result, more light fixtures that may be connected to the system. Most transformers are rated to handle loads ranging from 100 to 300 watts.For a nationwide listing of utility companies, use the North America One Call Referral Service (simply dial 811). Integrating landscape lights with a transformer is more difficult than installing solar lights, but it is less difficult than installing line voltage lighting.Ĭheck for underground utilities before you start any digging. The transformer lowers, or “steps down,” the home voltage from 120 volts to 12 volts. The majority of low-voltage lighting solutions come with a transformer that plugs into a standard outdoor-rated GFCI electrical outlet. Installing Low Voltage Landscape Lighting They are connected to a GFCI outlet outside your home. These systems are safe to use, energy-efficient, and fairly simple to install. Low Voltage landscape lighting system is powered by a transformer that reduces the normal electricity to 12 volts. Because of the complexities of these systems, they may require an electrical permit and should only be installed by a certified electrician. Line voltage lights are connected to your home’s electrical system using an electrical junction box and a conduit to safeguard the wires. Line Voltage landscape lighting system runs at 120 volts, the same voltage as your home’s appliances. To charge fully, they need six to eight hours of direct sunshine every day. They are the easiest to install because they do not require any wiring. Solarlandscape lights are powered by a solar cell charged throughout the day. There are three types of landscape lighting, each with its own installation method. There are a variety of outdoor landscape lighting fixtures such as Spotlights, Floodlights, Up/Downlights, Step lights, Bollard lights, String lights, and Garden lights but there are currently three types of landscape lighting systems.Ĭhoose the type of light system you want before learning how to install landscape lighting. Driveway lights help guests looking for your home know where to turn at night. Outdoor spotlights can highlight specific features, while floodlights can illuminate a wide area. There are many types of lights and fixtures to choose from. The first step is to choose your lighting.
Landscape lighting can add a high-end look to your home and makes it safer too.