Installing Landscape Lighting

Many people turn to outdoor lighting to improve the aesthetic appeal of their outside spaces. Well the good news is that most outdoor lighting is quite elementary to install and very safe. Even if you’re new to installing lighting fixtures you should be able to put in most pathway lighting without much effort. In the following article I will show you some simple steps you can take to install your brand new lights.

Pathway lighting consists of three main portions: light fixtures, a transformer, and low-voltage electric wire. The transformer must be secured into an outdoor GFCI wall plug fitted with a while-in-use cover. The transformer allows you to reduce the 120 volt electricity to a stable, functional 12 volt system that we will be using. Before you do anything, you must determine the areas that you wish to illuminate and the result you would like to achieve. For all intents and purposes, we will assume you have done Your research, shopped for The light fixtures, and purchased the right size transformer to cover the incremental wattage of those fixtures. With that done, lets begin. Before you do anything, you must verify the areas that you wish to light and the effect you would like to achieve. It is a good idea to find out the specifications of each light before planning out Your design. For all intents and purposes, we will assume you have done Your preparation, shopped for Your light fixtures, and purchased the proper size transformer to cover the additive wattage of those fixtures. With that done, lets begin.

Laying out all the components is the first step. Make sure that your path lights are properly aligned along your walkway. When you go to wire them be sure that you go around any obstacles like trees, roots, or shrubs. Use 14 gauge wire for jobs totaling less than two hundred watts, and 12 gauge wire for systems that surpass two hundred watts. Your 1st light should be at least ten feet from the transformer.

Digging your ditch is the second step. You should use a flat bladed spade head to make the trench. It should be at least three ” deep so you have room for the wires.

Your third step is to bury the wire. Set the correct gauge of low-voltage wire into the freshly dug trench. Lay the soil back over the wire, but leave a segment of it protruding at each fixture so that the electrical connections can be made. Make a hole in the folded-over grass where each fixture will be and stick the wire up through this hole, folding over the grass as you go.

The fourth step is to make holes for the fixtures. Set the outside lights in the grass in their correct position, making sure to make sure they are evenly spaced. Also check to make sure that the head of the light fixture doesnt extend into the path so that they do not get disturbed when people are walking. Using a long steel punch or a screw driver, make a hole in the ground to accommodate the fixtures stake. Screw the stake onto the bottom of the fixtures if you have not already done so.

Wiring the lights in is the final step. All light fixtures are different but with most you just take the connector at the base of each light and slip it around the electrical wire until you hear a snap. There are other ways to do this of course so check your light’s manual if you’re not sure.

And that’s all there is to it. You can finally enjoy all your hard work and flip the lights on. Just remember that you still have to change the bulbs if the burn out or you can risk damage to the whole setup.

Melody writes posts on her site outdoor lighting authority where she gives out useful tips and tricks that people can use for their solar outdoor lights.