Landscape Lighting Systems
Types of Landscape Lighting
Low Voltage Systems
Controls Option
Helpful Tips and Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary of Terms
Landscape Lighting Systems
Because the exterior installations relates to the landscape and must withstand moisture, temperature, weather and corrosion, landscape lighting uses its own fixtures and wiring. A system consists of two components: Luminaires, and Wiring and Transformers
Luminaires
Luminaires: lamps and fixtures. Landscape lighting makes extensive use of low voltage lamps. Because you light landscape in a low-light environment, wattages are generally lower than those used indoors, for example 20-35W MR11 and MR16 lamps.
The principal landscape lighting fixtures include accent lights, in-ground uplights, spread or path lights, deck lights, downlights, and floodlights. All must be UL listed for wet locations.
Wiring and Transformers
Residential landscape lighting uses low voltage (typically, 12-volt), or sometimes, line voltage (120 volt) electrical distribution. Low voltage is most popular.
Low Voltage Systems: 12-volt distribution offers the benefits of flexible, safe, and economical installation. And for most residences, the lighting quality of low voltage lamps is most appropriate.
Line Voltage Systems: 120-volt distribution is used mostly for lighting mounted to the house or for post-top lantern along the driveway. Line voltage landscape lighting can provide more light and handle greater distances, but the installation is less flexible and more costly than low voltage. Line voltage is required for HID and fluorescent sources and is more frequently used in commercial applications.
Types of Landscape Lighting
- IN-GROUND ACCENT LIGHTS: These accent lights provide maximum concealment because the source is recessed in the ground. Adjustment is often limited to 15 degrees, so the fixture must be located near the target object or tree. Corrosion-resistant and gasketed housings of molded polyester composite, cast aluminum, or bronze enclose the light source. Both line and low voltage sources are available.
- FLOODLIGHTS: Floodlights and lower instensity wash lights create a widespread distribution of light, suitable for illuminating a wall, sign or large object. They use compact fluorescent, incandescent, or HID sources, together with special optics. A floodlight should be well shielded with an accessory louver or shield to avoid stray light and glare. You can also use local shrubbery to block unwated light.
- PATH LIGHTS: Path lights consist of a small downlighting element on a thin stem, 12" to 36" high. They use nonreflectorized low - and - line voltage lamps for a soft, widespread distributions.
- DECK LIGHTS: Deck lights typically mount to the outside of home or to the railing around the deck. Like path lights, they use nonreflectorized low voltage lamps and throw light on a horizontal surface. Since they are located near where people sit, good shielding and proper mounting height are important to prevent glare.
- STEP LIGHTS: Step lights are recessed into walls and stairs so they illuminate the treads or pathways adjacent to the home. An eyelid shield is often used to block direct view of the source. The faceplate must be removed for relamping.
Low Voltage Systems
Most residential landscape lighting is done with 12-volt distribution The system concists of a central transformer, weatherproof cable, and low voltage fixtures and mounting accessories.
Transformer
Transformers are sized from 60-1.000 watts, with 150W, 300W, and 600W being the most common. You select one according to the wattage load. Larger transformers include several output taps. Outdoor transformers install to the side of the home and plug into an exterior outlet. They are weatherproof but must generally mount at least 12" above the ground.
Cable
The lighting fixtures take power from a weatherproof, flexible cable that can be used above or below ground and generally does not need to be housed in conduit or buried as deep as 120-volt wiring. The most common cable is 12 AWG with two-stranded wire conductors. Cable is supplied in bulk rolls.
Fixtures
Because they use compact low voltage lamps, 12-volt fixtures can be quite small, and they offer a very wide choice of beam spreads. Beam control accessories (lenses, louvers, snoots) prevent glare and refine the lighting effect (just as they do for indoor track lighting).
Fixture Connection
Fixtures include a pigtail that either attaches to the cable by means of splices in a wiring compartment or with press-on connectors, which pierce the cable insulation and lock in place. The connectors cost a little more but eliminate the need for manual splicing and splice compartments.
Mounting
Mounted on stakes, 12-volt fixtures can be easily reolcated every several years to adjust for the natural growth of trees and plantings.
Controls Options
Controls enhance landscape lighting, just as they do interior lighting. Photocells, timers, and motion detectors operate the lights automatically. Switches and dimmers operate manually
Timers
Timers provide automatic on/off control, according to how you program them. They are often integrated into transformers and can be wired into 120-volt systems.
Helpful Tips and Guidelines
- Be sure to not conceal the light source when the item is a decorative element.
- Do not over-light - a little goes a long way.
- Using a mixture of styles and fixtures is a great idea.
- Use a timer or photocell to create a more self-sufficient system.
- Try placing flashlight in the desired space prior to purchasing an entire system This will give a general idea of beam direction and illumination.
- Make sure you account for volate drop after about 100' of cable