The Facts About Landscape Light Installation Uncovered

Wiki Article

Get This Report about Landscape Light Installation

So without any significant electric experience I took place the search for very easy to mount low voltage landscape lights. That meant no electrical wiring or small building and construction. Roger had his uncertainties yet silently (well, practically silently) he watched from the sidelines. Reduced voltage landscape lights are powered via a transformer, that affixes to the wire, that decreases the voltage from regular 120 volts to 12 volts.

I always assumed I 'd have to dig ditches and run all kinds of wires however the reduced voltage outdoor spotlights that I located were so very easy to install. 30 minutes was all it took to provide our home a wonderful glow in the evening. I ordered 2 of these light kits for the front of our home.

I possibly can have managed with less lights however the 4 light collection was the tiniest one readily available. When I started browsing for exterior limelights my very first concern was to discover something that was easy for me to set up and hookup. After I narrowed down my choices I looked for lights that had excellent testimonials.




When I got them and laid the lights out I understood the 3 and 3 arrangement would not work. Also though I obtained a lot of cable with the collection, I would have had to dig under the sidewalk in order to conceal the cord.

The Best Guide To Landscape Light Installation

Keep in mind, I wanted this to be easy with no excavating and no rewiring. While I figured out a solution I simply mounted all 6 by the guest bedroom to see just how they would look. A quick word of caution. We are only connecting in lights it's vital to be secure and make use of caution when functioning with electricity.

After I unwrapped the spotlights I screwed each light right into a ground risk. After that I simply stuck the risk into the ground and changed the light. I carried on to the next light up until all 6 were with each other and in the ground. There was a black cord that went to each spotlight so I rolled up the excess from each light and connection covered it using the black spin tie that featured the collection.

Currently the landscape lights turn on and off instantly at established times each evening. As soon as the sunlight set and my lights turned on I went outside and adjusted them to strike the front of the house.

Like I said, the smallest collection I can get was 4 lights so that's what I got. Once they arrived I mounted them following the very same actions as the first set of lights.

Little Known Questions About Landscape Light Installation.

He wouldn't admit that I was appropriate butI was right.

# 10 gauge exterior cable # 12 gauge outside wire 1-1/2 in. x 12-in. PVC pipe 1-1/2-in. PVC cap with -in. female string -in. copper pipeline For each ground light: 1-1/2-in. PVC coupler with -in. tee for wire opening Lights One box of weatherproof cord ports Transformer Two -in. sweat-to thread copper adapters Extension ladder Yard rake Level Posthole miner Shatterproof glass Voltage tester Cable stripper/cutter Wrench setvolt me Volt meter A yard spade Light weight aluminum outdoor tents stakes.

Mount lights where they won't be easily harmed by rakes or shovels. Bear in mind, as well, that the plants you brighten will certainly undergo seasonal changes. Not all plants should be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and hop over to these guys sumac are appealing illuminated even when leafless. Once you have your materials, your tools and your strategy, it's time to call 811.

It's a totally free solution and you'll avoid dangerous and pricey surprises. Use 10-gauge cord for the major lines from the transformer to where the lights start, after that change to 12-gauge cord between the lights. To hide the wires where they cross the lawn, utilize a flat-nosed shovel to reduce a slot and layer back the sod.

The Buzz on Landscape Light Installation

Considering that the transformer will certainly constantly be connected in, you must replace the standard electrical outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, available at a lot of major home renovation centers and hardware shops. The ground stakes that come with most upright lighting components are not strong sufficient (or go deep sufficient) to maintain them good and straight in time with altering dirt conditions, disintegration, etc.

Utilizing the PVC pipeline, construct and bury a footer that will certainly house the wire links and sustain your post expansions (suggested to be made from 1/2- inch copper pipe). Link the wires with weatherproof cord adapters. These cord adapters have a shield on the base and a ball of sealant inside that make them weatherproof.

If you're not sure where to start with landscape design lights, you're in the appropriate area! Here is our helpful exterior lights overview, where we will stroll with where to put landscape lighting, what kinds of site link lights to utilize, and just how to use light for the finest effect.

Landscape Light Installation for Beginners

Install lights where they will not be quickly damaged by plows or shovels. Keep in mind, as well, that the plants you light up will certainly experience seasonal adjustments. Not all plants should be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are interesting lit up also when leafless. When you have your materials, your devices and your plan, it's time to call 811.

It's a free service and you'll prevent unsafe and pricey surprises. Use 10-gauge cable for the major lines from the transformer to where the lights start, then switch over to 12-gauge wire between the lights. To hide the cords where they cross the grass, use a flat-nosed shovel to cut a port and fold back the turf.

Because the transformer will certainly constantly be connected in, you have to replace the basic electrical outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, available at many major home enhancement facilities and equipment stores. The ground stakes that feature many vertical lighting fixtures are not solid sufficient (or go deep sufficient) to keep them visite site nice and straight with time with altering soil problems, erosion, and so on.

Making use of the PVC pipe, construct and hide a footer that will house the cord connections and support your post expansions (recommended to be made of 1/2- inch copper pipe). Connect the cords with weatherproof wire adapters. These wire connectors have a shield on the base and a blob of sealant inside that make them weatherproof.

The Definitive Guide to Landscape Light Installation

If you're not certain where to begin with landscape design lights, you're in the right area! Here is our handy outdoor lighting guide, where we will certainly stroll via where to put landscape illumination, what kinds of lights to make use of, and just how to utilize light for the finest result - Landscape Light Installation.

Report this wiki page