Landscape Lighting Installation
Now comes the part where you get down in the dirt and implement your landscape lighting design. You have a plan showing what lights go where, you have the lights, the transformer, the cable and now you just need to get it done.
We are going to discuss the installation of low voltage landscape lighting only. For solar lighting, the installation is just simply placing the light fixture in the ground at a location where it gets maximum sun during the day.
Installation of high voltage lighting where the power cable must be installed away from your home is a separate discussion. Most high voltage landscape lighting pertains to porch, patio, garage, deck and post lighting that is already installed during your home construction. These lights are typically mounted to walls and the fixtures can be easily changed. If you need to install additional high voltage lines where there is not existing access, there are several options, one is to call an electrician, again a separate discussion.
Low voltage or 12 volt landscape wiring is safe and can be placed directly on the ground. It is designed for exposure to a wet environment and sunlight. However, I recommend that the cable be covered for at least appearances and maybe to keep it from getting damaged. The “how to cover” the cable depends upon the traffic over the area and the vegetation. Possible wire damage can come from foot traffic, digging and animals. It would be best if your dog didn’t chew on the cable. A note here; I use the term cable to mean the complete line with both conductors and insulation. I use the term wire in reference to the actual conducting wire inside the cable.
The low voltage system consists of the light fixtures, the cable and the transformer. The light fixtures can be LED, halogen or incandescent, just so they are low voltage. The cable will have two conductor wires. Only use the cable specifically designed for use with outdoor low voltage lighting. The size and length will depend upon your design plan. Check here for help in determining the correct low voltage wire size and length limitations.
Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Installation
For the installation of any low voltage landscape lighting, there are some basic steps after you have completed the design plan and purchased the materials.
- Determine the electrical access point on or around your home.
- Install transformer near access point.
- Mark placement of low voltage cable and lights.
- Install low voltage cable between access point and each light position.
- Connect one end of low voltage cable to transformer.
- Connect each light fixture to previously placed low voltage cable.
Outdoor Electrical Outlet
The biggest issue with installing any outdoor electrical system is getting access to an outdoor high voltage electrical outlet, your standard household voltage. If you have an existing electrical outlet already installed and located where you need it, your problem is solved. If not, you have three options:
- Use the outlet you have and run the low voltage cable to where it is needed.
- Use an electrical contractor to add an additional outside receptacle.
- Add the outdoor electrical outlet yourself.
Install Low Voltage Transformer
A transformer is used to step up or down an input voltage. In this case, the transformer is used to step down your household high voltage down to the low voltage 12 volts needed for your landscape lighting. The transformer is attached with a few screws to a post or side of your house next to your high voltage outlet access point. The low voltage wire is then connected to the transformer typically by stripping back each of the two conductors ¾ inch and attaching each conductor wire to the transformer.
Low Voltage Wire and Fixture Placement
First place each light fixture in the location as defined by your landscape plan. Then lay the cable on top of the ground to get the correct length and most efficient routing between lights.
Install Low Voltage Cable
The cable does not have to be buried but should be covered. If needed, dig and bore a hole to go under a sidewalk or existing landscape edging. You can use your water hose, high pressure nozzle and some PVC pipe to make the hole under your sidewalk. If you need to go under some landscape rock or mulch, clear a path for this. It may be better and easier to run the cable completely under the landscape fabric by pushing a stiff wire under first and then pulling the low voltage cable through. In some places where damage could easily occur due to traffic, the cable can be buried a few inches below the surface. If you need to go across the lawn, use a flat blade shovel to make a shallow trench. Do this by inserting the shovel straight down into the soil beneath the grass about 3 – 4 inches and then move the shovel handle back and forth to make a shallow trench. This method can also be used for telephone and TV cable. Keep repeating this until your shallow trench is complete. Place the cable into the trench and then walk on the trench to close it up.
Now that you have provided a path under and around all obstacles, the low voltage cable can be installed from the transformer to each light.
Transformer and Fixture connections
Simply connect source end of cable to transformer and then the fixtures to the cable at the proper locations. The cable does not have to be cut or modified to add a fixture; just follow the manufactures recommended procedure. Typically the fixture will have a connection point that pushes prongs into the low voltage cable when attached.
Transformers usually are more than just a transformer. They will have some method or methods of controlling the time power is applied to the cable. This could be a simple dusk to dawn sensor, a timer or both. If there is only a dusk to dawn sensor, you may cover the sensor with a small piece of tin foil and tape during daylight to test the lights.
If any one light does not work, chances are there is a loose connection at the fixture, or possibly the bulb. If none of the lights seem to work, the dusk to dawn sensor is still getting too much light, the cable is not adequately connected to the transformer or some other control is not properly set.
Related Information:
- Landscape Low Voltage Wire Gauge For any low voltage landscape lighting design, you will need to pay special attention to your cable wiring, including the length and wire gauge....
- Landscape Lighting Basics Spend some design time before you spend the money on landscape lighting. Some design time can bring big savings and help provide more satisfaction later on....
- Landscape Lighting Design A few landscape lighting tips will help you get better results for both the do-it-yourself person or to help you communicate with your landscape professional....
- LED Outdoor Lighting If you are considering LED landscape lighting for a new installation or upgrading your existing system, there are a few things you should know....
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- Sprinkler Rain Delay If your automatic lawn sprinkler system runs during the rain, quickly add a rain delay sensor to delay the sprinkler from turning on....
- Lawn Trencher Operation Digging a trench in your yard can be simple with a walk behind trencher. Or you can get a lot of exercise digging with a shovel! Learn a little about trencher operation....
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