Low Voltage Landscape Lighting

Beginner’s Guide to Low Voltage Landscape Lighting

By BidMagic.com staff

Want to spruce up the look of your home on a shoe string budget? Installing low voltage lighting might be just the ticket. The technology isn’t exactly new. It’s been around since the 1950’s. This style of outdoor light has quickly gained popularity due to its numerous benefits to the homeowner. Not only does the lighting highlight exterior features of the home such as walkways, tree lines, and ornamental décor, it also economically increases visibility around the perimeter of the home which wards off potential intruders.

There are also high voltage (120 Volt) lighting options available; however, for novices using low voltage (12 or 24 volt) is usually a better choice.

Getting started:

Before you jump straight into a project it is very important to first develop a plan. Layout which areas you wish to accent. Determine your primary focal points then evaluate each area from the viewpoint of the spectator. For example if most people will be admiring your lighting from the street, then make sure to accent features that are visible from that distance. Start penciling out your plan on paper. For a good example click the following link: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Improve/OtDrDecLight.html#4

How many lighting fixtures will you need? What style of lighting fixture best fits the feel of the area you are illuminating? Each type of light has its own intended purpose such as path lights, cone lights, spot lights, spread lights, flood lights, or even pond lights. For a great illustration of lighting styles and a lighting plan click the link: http://www.rd.com/images/tfhimport/2000/Jun00_Weekend_Improvements/20000601_Weekend_Improvements_page002img001_size2.jpg

Next determine the tone or mood you are trying to design into your landscape. Make sure that the setup does not create too much glare. Try to provide just enough light to accent the textures of your landscape. Bulb sizes can vary from 4W up to 50W or more so choose accordingly. Keep in mind that one common mistake people make in designing lighting plans is over illuminating areas instead of taking full advantage of soft lighting and shadows.

You may also choose different colors to alter the mood of your landscape. Blue bulbs are often used for a subdued, calming effect. Orange and red bulbs help create a warming touch to your landscape.

Basic Straight Line Wiring:

This is generally considered the easy way to run the wiring to your lights. As the name implies all the fixtures are wired in a single line simply connecting one end of the wire to a transformer. The purpose of a transformer is to “step down” the AC voltage from 120V to 12V or 24V. To ensure that your transformer is sized appropriately add up all of the voltages of the fixtures together and multiply this total by 1.2. Transformers VA ratings can vary widely from 75W all the way in excess of 750W. Most kits bought at do it yourself home centers can safely plug directly to an exterior outlet .

Burying Your Cable & Connecting Lighting Fixtures:

A quick and effective way to bury your low voltage wiring is to use your lawn edger to cut a small path for you to lay your wiring into. If the wire will be located in an area where it may get damaged by lawn equipment, it is a good idea to run the wire through a small diameter PVC pipe to protect it before burying.

Now that your wiring has been run according to your layout, you are ready to install each of your fixtures.

General Lighting Strategies/Terminology:

Accent Lighting – A bright light is focused on a fixed object where the area behind the object is intentionally left dark to create a pronounced effect. Utilize spotlights or small spread lights.

Cross Lighting – Reduce or soften shadow lines by mounting lights on either side of a tree or decorative object.fixed object such as agate or arbor to reveal detail and soften shadows. Utilize Floodlights or Spotlights.

Downlighting – Mount lights up high and point them downward to create a soft feel. Utilize floodlights, spotlights, and/or spreadlights to create this effect.

Grazing Light – To enhance the texture of the surface of an object, focus a light so that it just grazes the edge of a fixed object. Utilize floodlights, spotlights or ground mounted lighting. 

Light Trespass – Poorly aimed lighting that shines or “spills” next door creating a nuisance for neighbors.

Shadowing – Shine a light from ground level against and object so that you create a shadow on a fixed object or wall behind it. Utilize floodlights, spotlights or ground mounted lighting.

Silhouetting – Illuminate the surface behind an object to help make the appearance more pronounced. Utilize floodlights, spotlights, or ground mounting lighting.

Spread Lighting - Create a round lighting pattern from a lighting placed up high and pointed down to shine on low growing plants or shrubbery. Utilize spread lighting fixtures.

Uplighting – Mount lights down low on the ground or on a fixed object and angle them upward to a high focal point. Utilize floodlights, spot Lights or ground mounted lighting.