Getting My Landscape Light Installation To Work

Landscape Light Installation - The Facts

Without any type of significant electrical experience I went on the quest for simple to set up low voltage landscape lights. Reduced voltage landscape lights are powered with a transformer, that attaches to the cable, that lowers the voltage from normal 120 volts to 12 volts.


I always assumed I 'd have to dig ditches and run all kinds of cables yet the low voltage outside spotlights that I found were so easy to install. 30 mins was all it required to give our cottage a wonderful radiance during the night. I got 2 of these light sets for the front of our home.


I possibly might have gotten by with fewer lights but the 4 light set was the smallest one available. After I tightened down my options I looked for lights that had excellent evaluations.






The idea was to put three on either side of the front deck. I figured that that would certainly suffice. When I got them and laid the lights out I knew the 3 and 3 configuration would not work. Although I got a great deal of cord with the collection, I would certainly have needed to dig under the sidewalk in order to hide the wire.

More About Landscape Light Installation

Remember, I desired this to be simple with no digging and no rewiring. While I found out a repair I simply set up all 6 by the visitor bedroom to see exactly how they would look. A fast word of caution. We are just plugging in lights it's important to be risk-free and utilize caution when functioning with electrical energy.


After I unwrapped the spotlights I screwed each light into a ground risk. I just stuck the stake right into the ground and changed the light. I moved on to the following light till all 6 were together and in the ground. There was a black cable that ran to each spotlight so I rolled up the extra from each light and tie covered it making use of the black twist tie that featured the set.


Currently the landscape lights transform on and off automatically at set times each evening. Once the sun set and my lights turned on I went outdoors and modified them to hit the front of the house.


Like I claimed, the tiniest collection I could get was 4 lights so that's what I ordered. Once they arrived I mounted them following the same steps as the first set of lights. Actually, an extremely basic means to add a lovely glow to your home. I must have done it 5 years ago.

The Greatest Guide To Landscape Light Installation

He wouldn't admit that I was right butI was (Landscape Light Installation).


# 10 scale exterior cable # 12 gauge exterior wire 1-1/2 in. x 12-in. PVC pipeline 1-1/2-in. PVC cap with -in. female thread -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 connectors Transformer 2 -in. sweat-to thread copper adapters Expansion ladder Yard rake Level Posthole digger Shatterproof glass Voltage tester Cable stripper/cutter Wrench setvolt me Volt meter A garden spade Light weight aluminum outdoor tents stakes.


Mount lights where they won't be quickly harmed by plows or shovels. Remember, also, that the plants you light up will certainly experience seasonal adjustments. Not all plants need to be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are interesting brightened even when leafless. When you have your products, your tools and your strategy, it's time to call 811.


It's a totally free service and you'll prevent dangerous and expensive shocks. Use 10-gauge cord for the main lines from the check my source transformer to where the lights start, then change to 12-gauge cord in between the lights. To bury the wires where they go across the yard, use a flat-nosed shovel to reduce a slot and layer back the turf.

Landscape Light Installation - The Facts

Since the transformer will certainly constantly be plugged in, you should replace the common electrical outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, offered at a lot of significant home renovation centers and equipment shops. The ground stakes that include many vertical lighting fixtures are not strong sufficient (or go deep adequate) to keep them great and straight gradually with changing dirt problems, disintegration, etc.


Making use of the PVC pipe, construct and bury a footer that will house the wire connections and More about the author support your post expansions (suggested to be made from 1/2- inch copper pipe). Attach the cords with weatherproof cord adapters. These wire ports have a shield on the bottom and a blob of sealant inside that make them weatherproof.


If you're not sure where to start with landscaping lights, you're in the ideal place! Below is our convenient exterior illumination guide, where we will stroll via where to place landscape lights, what kinds of lights to use, and just how to utilize light for the ideal effect.

Excitement About Landscape Light Installation

Mount lights where they will not be conveniently damaged by plows or shovels. Not all plants have to be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are intriguing lit up also when leafless.


It's a free service and you'll avoid dangerous and expensive surprises. Use 10-gauge cord for the major lines from the transformer to where the lights start, then change to 12-gauge wire in between the lights. To hide the cables where they go across the yard, make use of a flat-nosed shovel to cut a port and layer back the turf.


Because the transformer will constantly be plugged in, you have to replace the conventional electrical outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, readily available at many significant home renovation facilities and hardware stores. The ground risks that feature a lot of upright lights fixtures are not strong sufficient (or go deep adequate) to keep them good dig this and straight gradually with changing soil conditions, erosion, etc.


Using the PVC pipe, construct and hide a footer that will certainly house the cord links and sustain your post expansions (advised to be constructed from 1/2- inch copper pipeline). Attach the cables with weatherproof wire connectors. These wire ports have a guard on the bottom and a ball of sealer inside that make them weatherproof.

Landscape Light Installation Fundamentals Explained

If you're not certain where to start with landscaping lights, you're in the appropriate area! Right here is our helpful outdoor illumination overview, where we will certainly walk with where to place landscape illumination, what kinds of lights to use, and exactly how to make use of light for the finest effect - Landscape Light Installation.