Low voltage outdoor lighting represents a safe and cost-efficient lighting solution. It is quite easy to assemble and install your own low voltage outdoor lighting system, without having to use the services of a professional electrician.
Low voltage outdoor lighting runs on a 12-volt current, which is achieved with the aid of a transformer, rendering the dangerous 110/120-volt current to a relatively safe 12-volt current. The electricity is transmitted through a special weather-resistant low voltage cable, which begins and ends at the transformer (creating a looped run).
Low voltage outdoor lighting has several important advantages, the main ones being:
1. Special kits allow any homeowner to set up their own low voltage outdoor lighting. The kits come with everything necessary for the set up, including cables, fixtures and the transformer. The only thing that is not included in the system is the light bulbs, which have to be purchased independently.
2. Low voltage outdoor lighting helps you to save money on the electric. The bulbs used for the lighting may be 4 W light bulbs. There are also available fluorescent lamps and fluorescent lamps, the latter being currently the most cost-efficient.
3. Most of the low voltage outdoor lighting kits also come with a built-in timer allowing the owner to set it to come on and off every 4, 6, or 8 hours etc., as well as many kits come with a built-in photocell, capable of turning the lighting on and off according to whether there is sun or there isn't.
4. Low voltage outdoor lighting systems provide homeowners with the ultimate security due to specially built-in heat motion sensors, capable of identifying any intruders.
5. It is extremely easy to relocate your low voltage outdoor lighting system since its wires have to be just slightly immersed under the ground, instead of being buried deeply and permanently.
6. A transformer for low voltage outdoor lighting can range anywhere from 150 W and up to 900 W. It would probably be a good idea to purchase a transformer with a little more muscle, so that you can expand your lighting system if you decide to start using the bulbs with more watts.
7. You can pick the low voltage cable depending on the amount of watts required to operate your low voltage outdoor lighting system. Popular sizes of the low voltage cables include 12 ga. (can carry 300 watts), 14 ga. (can carry 200 watts) and 16 ga. (can carry 150 watts). Standard wire size is 12 gauge.
8. Low voltage outdoor lighting designs can be built to suit a wide range of lighting situations. The types of lighting include path lighting, in-ground fixtures, tree-hung moonlighting fixtures, spotlights, and deck lighting for an extra measure of safety while walking on the steps etc.
9. The most affordable low voltage outdoor lighting systems may cost as little as $15. However, better quality systems may cost up to $300.
10. Simple mathematical calculations will help you estimate how many light bulbs you can use in your system, as well as what will be the average wattage of each bulb. Simply multiply the number of the bulbs in your system by their wattage, and you will find out what the wattage of the transformer is that you need for your lighting system.
Before starting to bring about your low voltage outdoor lighting set up, please consider the following:
1. Make sure not to use an extension cord for the transformer. Instead plug it directly in the outlet.
2. If the wires of your low voltage outdoor lighting system are not buried deeply, they will be more prone to getting damaged.
3. The extra wattage of the transformer should not exceed one-third of the total needs of the system.
Low voltage outdoor lighting is easy to implement, low cost and a safe way to light up your landscaping. Low voltage outdoor lighting will make any garden safer, and extend the life of the garden into the night.
Low voltage outdoor lighting runs on a 12-volt current, which is achieved with the aid of a transformer, rendering the dangerous 110/120-volt current to a relatively safe 12-volt current. The electricity is transmitted through a special weather-resistant low voltage cable, which begins and ends at the transformer (creating a looped run).
Low voltage outdoor lighting has several important advantages, the main ones being:
1. Special kits allow any homeowner to set up their own low voltage outdoor lighting. The kits come with everything necessary for the set up, including cables, fixtures and the transformer. The only thing that is not included in the system is the light bulbs, which have to be purchased independently.
2. Low voltage outdoor lighting helps you to save money on the electric. The bulbs used for the lighting may be 4 W light bulbs. There are also available fluorescent lamps and fluorescent lamps, the latter being currently the most cost-efficient.
3. Most of the low voltage outdoor lighting kits also come with a built-in timer allowing the owner to set it to come on and off every 4, 6, or 8 hours etc., as well as many kits come with a built-in photocell, capable of turning the lighting on and off according to whether there is sun or there isn't.
4. Low voltage outdoor lighting systems provide homeowners with the ultimate security due to specially built-in heat motion sensors, capable of identifying any intruders.
5. It is extremely easy to relocate your low voltage outdoor lighting system since its wires have to be just slightly immersed under the ground, instead of being buried deeply and permanently.
6. A transformer for low voltage outdoor lighting can range anywhere from 150 W and up to 900 W. It would probably be a good idea to purchase a transformer with a little more muscle, so that you can expand your lighting system if you decide to start using the bulbs with more watts.
7. You can pick the low voltage cable depending on the amount of watts required to operate your low voltage outdoor lighting system. Popular sizes of the low voltage cables include 12 ga. (can carry 300 watts), 14 ga. (can carry 200 watts) and 16 ga. (can carry 150 watts). Standard wire size is 12 gauge.
8. Low voltage outdoor lighting designs can be built to suit a wide range of lighting situations. The types of lighting include path lighting, in-ground fixtures, tree-hung moonlighting fixtures, spotlights, and deck lighting for an extra measure of safety while walking on the steps etc.
9. The most affordable low voltage outdoor lighting systems may cost as little as $15. However, better quality systems may cost up to $300.
10. Simple mathematical calculations will help you estimate how many light bulbs you can use in your system, as well as what will be the average wattage of each bulb. Simply multiply the number of the bulbs in your system by their wattage, and you will find out what the wattage of the transformer is that you need for your lighting system.
Before starting to bring about your low voltage outdoor lighting set up, please consider the following:
1. Make sure not to use an extension cord for the transformer. Instead plug it directly in the outlet.
2. If the wires of your low voltage outdoor lighting system are not buried deeply, they will be more prone to getting damaged.
3. The extra wattage of the transformer should not exceed one-third of the total needs of the system.
Low voltage outdoor lighting is easy to implement, low cost and a safe way to light up your landscaping. Low voltage outdoor lighting will make any garden safer, and extend the life of the garden into the night.
About the Author:
John Monsholi is passionate about low voltage lighting systems and low voltage landscape lighting.
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