What is Low Voltage Landscape Lighting?

Are you seeking an energy-efficient, cost-effective way to light up your outdoor space? Consider installing low-voltage landscape lighting. These lights use a 12-volt power system and can illuminate outdoor areas, including home gardens, patios, pathways, decks, and large commercial landscapes. Unlike standard lighting, they are easy to install and can be used for both functional and decorative lighting.

If you're considering installing low-voltage landscape lighting in your backyard, read on to learn about the types, components, and basics of this system and how it is better than high-voltage landscape lighting.

What is a Low Voltage Landscape Lighting

Low-voltage landscape lighting is a popular option for outdoor lighting in residential and commercial areas. It uses a 12-volt power system, much safer than standard 120-volt systems. It is also energy-efficient, especially when paired with LED bulbs, which can reduce energy costs by up to 85%, such as LED Landscape Aluminum Path Light. With low-voltage lighting, this system will improve your home's beauty, safety, and security and let you enjoy your outdoor space after the sun sets.

Moreover, low voltage landscape lighting comes with different bulbs, fixtures, wattages, and designs to fit any outdoor look. This lighting system is easy to install because wires can be buried in shallow trenches with minimal risk of electric shock. It is a great DIY project.

High Voltage Vs Low Voltage Landscape Lighting: Which is Better?

When it comes to landscape lighting, most homeowners and gardeners prefer low-voltage systems. Why? They are safer, affordable, and reduce power from 120 volts to 12 volts using a transformer. While high voltage (120 volts) provides powerful lighting, it's better suited for large areas like parking lots or public spaces where intense illumination is needed. High-voltage fixtures and bulbs are also more expensive and consume more electricity.

Low voltage lighting, on the other hand, offers energy savings, easier installation, and fewer risks of electric shock. Though it requires regular bulb replacements, low voltage fixtures are widely available and cost-effective. They are ideal for pathways, patios, and gardens. For residential landscape lighting, low voltage is the clear winner.

Components of Low Voltage Landscape Lighting

Low voltage landscape lighting consists of three main components: transformer, wiring, and light fixtures.

1 Transformer

The transformer is the primary component of a low voltage landscape lighting system. It distributes safe voltage to all landscape lights. Each transformer has numerous electronic components that work together to reduce the 120-volt power in your house to the safe 12-volt required to power your landscape lights. Moreover, each transformer has a specific wattage rating that depends on the wattage of all connected lights.

For example, if you've eight 50-watt lights, you'll need a transformer rated for at least 500-600 watts. Don't choose a transformer with more power than required. It can overheat and fail.

2 Wiring

The second component is wires that connect the transformer to each light fixture in a low voltage landscape lighting system. The thickness of the wire affects the brightness of the fixtures. Thicker gauge wires are used for higher-power setups, while thinner ones work well for low-power lights.

Low-voltage systems use strong outdoor wiring, usually 12- or 14-gauge cables. These low-voltage cables can either rest on the ground or be buried three inches or less below the mulch or soil. Since the voltage is low, there is no risk of electric shock.

3 Light Fixtures and Bulbs

What's the spacing requirement for the light fixtures? Generally, low voltage lights can be spaced about 10 feet apart from each other and from the transformer.

The best thing about low-voltage landscape lighting is its versatility. You can mix different fixtures, like patio and path lights, on the same transformer line.

However, be sure that the total wattage of all light fixtures doesn't exceed the transformer's power rating. If it does, the lights may become dim or fail to work.

Types of Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Fixtures

Do you know that there are different types of low voltage landscape lighting fixtures you can choose? Below are the standard lighting fixtures for low-voltage systems:

• Path Lights: These lights are positioned along walkways, driveways, and garden edges, adding soft illumination such as LED Landscape Aluminum Path Light.
• Spotlights: Also known as accent lights, these lights are installed to highlight landscape features such as trees, shrubs, or architectural elements. Examples include the Corona CL-525 Spot Light and LED landscape Aluminum Spotlight.
• Deck and Step Lights: These low-voltage landscape lighting fixtures increase safety and visibility in areas with frequent foot traffic, like stairs or deck edges. For example: Corona CL-352 Step Light.
• Underwater Lights: These light fixtures such as Corona Light CL-307 Underwater, are designed to be installed in shallow ponds, waterfalls, and fountains.

How to Install Low Voltage Landscape Lighting

After selecting the best lighting fixtures for your landscape, let's see how to install them. As we discussed above, low-voltage landscape lighting is easy to install.

1. Design Your Layout

Begin by walking around your outdoor space and drawing a rough map of the areas to illuminate. Consider the purpose of lighting installation, whether it's for security, visibility, or aesthetic enhancement. Then, mark the location of each light fixture and ensure it is within the reach of the transformer.

2. Collect Materials and Tools

After planning your landscape layout, gather all the tools you might need to install low voltage landscape lighting. These may include a transformer, lighting fixtures, low voltage cables, connectors, a shovel or trenching tool for burying cables, and a voltage tester for setting up.

Pro Tip: It is also helpful to monitor local electrical codes for any restrictions on outdoor wiring.

3. Lay the Landscape Wire

The next step is to place the light fixtures according to your design layout. Then, lay the landscape wire from each fixture to the transformer location. If there is an obstacle along the path, gently guide the wire under or around it. Once the wire is laid out, dig a shallow trench along the wire's path.

Place the wire in the trench and gently press it down with your hand. Don't use a shovel to push the wire, as it can damage it. Leave the trench uncovered. You can do it after testing the lights.

4. Set up the Transformer

Mount the transformer close to an outdoor power outlet and connect it to the wires following the manufacturer's instructions. Don't place the transformer where it can be directly exposed to rain or irrigation, or cover it with a waterproof sheet.

5. Connect the Light Fixtures

How do you connect the light fixtures? Use the snap-on connectors to connect the light fixtures to the transformer. Snap the prongs onto the main cable and connect it with each fixture's wire. For better protection, you can use weatherproof connectors.

6. Adjust Lighting and Testing

Once light fixtures are connected, turn on the transformer to test each light. After adjusting the angles and positions of each light and satisfying the light output, cover the trench with soil.

7. Add Photocells and Timers

Lastly, you can add smart controls and timers to light fixtures to help save energy. Smart hubs allow remote control over lighting schedules, brightness, and color options. Some low-voltage lights are compatible with motion sensors or dusk-to-dawn sensors, which automate lighting for more security and efficiency.

Pros and Cons of Low Voltage Landscape Lighting

Pros

• Low-cost and energy-efficient
• Wide selection with many types of light fixtures and bulbs
• Easier installation and maintenance
• Operates safely in wet weather,
• Safe for kids and pets
• Less risk of shock
• Variety in lighting fixtures and bulbs
• Less expensive

Cons

• Transformer installation is needed to reduce the voltage
• Dim lights

FAQs

Why is Low Voltage Used for Landscape Lighting?

Low Voltage is best for residential landscaping, such as pathways, decks, patios, and gardens, because it offers energy savings, easier installation, and fewer risks of electric shock.

What are the Common Types of Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Fixtures?

Path lights, spotlights, step lights, underwater lights, flood lights, and well lights are some of the types of landscape lighting fixtures.

What Gauge Wire is Best for Low Voltage Landscape Lighting?

For low voltage landscape lighting, 12-gauge and 14-gauge wires are commonly used.

How Does a Low Voltage Lighting System Work?

A transformer converts 120-volt power to 12 volts, then distributes the electricity through low-voltage cables to each light fixture.

Conclusion

Low-voltage landscape lighting is a safe, budget-friendly way to light outdoor spaces. With energy-efficient LED light fixtures and low installation costs, you can customize a beautiful layout for your backyard, pathways, decks, patios, or larger garden spaces. Buy quality landscape lighting fixtures and enjoy a warm, safe, and functional outdoor space that looks eye-appealing day and night.