How to Setup Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Without Expert
Installing landscape lighting in your garden can be a tricky task without the experts.
Not anymore as we present to you some useful tips to apply. While searching for landscape lighting options, you will get spoilt for choices.
Starting from the 120-volt line voltage lights to the 12-volt low voltage lights, there are numerous options available. Also, garden lighting consists of various categories for every little corner of your garden. For instance, pathway lights, in-ground lights, accent lights, water accent lights, and deck lights can illuminate different spaces and surfaces in your garden.
Here, we will share some useful tips on how to set up low voltage landscape lighting without an expert.
Garden lighting is all about excellent décor and proper functionality. As these lights remain on for a longer period, you need to choose low-voltage lighting options.
Firstly, these lights consume only 12-volt energy and contribute minimum heat to the surroundings. Secondly, these lighting options are less expensive and budget-friendly in the long run. Thirdly, the low-voltage lights come with magnificent designs suiting them for your beautiful garden.
Fourthly, these lights can illuminate your garden with the same amount of light as the line-voltage. Finally, these lights offer low maintenance and all you need to do is take a little care of them to sustain longer.
When you have so many reasons for choosing low voltage landscape lighting, let us proceed to the installation tips.
#1 Equipment you Need:
Transformer: You need a transformer to step down the house current from 120 volts to 12 volts and use the low-voltage lights. You will find transformers with a 24-hour timer, which will automatically switch off and on the light.
Electrical Cable: The most common low-voltage electrical cables have a length of 12-, 14, and 16-gauge. Now, you need to keep in mind that the lower the length, the thicker the wire, and the greater the capacity.
Accent Fixtures: To install floodlights, spotlights, up lights, and wall-wash fixtures in your garden, you need accent fixtures. The specialty about the accent fixtures is that these are often hidden from view.
#2 Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Installation Tips:
- Lay the Cable: You need to start the installation by laying the cable beside the light fixtures. In this process, you may come to an obstacle like a tree or a fence. The solution is to string the cable under or around it. Then, take a square-blade shovel and cut a 2- to 3-inch-deep trench along the line of the light fixtures. After this, setting the cable into the trench and pushing it to the bottom using thick plywood will complete this process.
- Install the Transformer: After laying the cable properly, it is time to install the transformer. Peel the two copper wires apart up to 4 inches free for each wire. Then, using a stripper, remove about half-inch of insulation from each side. On the back of the transformer, insert the two wires under two separate screw terminals. To secure the wires, tighten the screws nicely and you are done.
- Connect the Light: While installation, you can use a plastic cover to protect the outlet from rain and snow in the future. By plugging the transformer’s power cord into the outlet, you need to connect each light fixture to the cable. Once you have fixed all the fixtures properly, it is time to fill in the narrow cable trench with topsoil and top it with grass seed.
Above are some useful tips that will help you to install low voltage landscape lighting in your garden on your own.
However, it is always a safer option to appoint an expert for installing multiple garden lights and you can contact us for this task.
We, Illuminated Gardens, provide professional services in garden lighting that includes designing, planning, installation, and further maintenance guidance. We have been serving the Detroit metro since 2010.
As a one-stop solution for garden lighting, we ensure top-notch service at a nominal cost. Your garden deserves nothing but the best lighting and we are here to provide it.
To know about our various services and packages, feel free to get in touch with us now.
