The 9-Minute Rule for Landscape Light Installation

The 9-Minute Rule for Landscape Light Installation

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Landscape Light Installation Fundamentals Explained

Without any significant electric experience I went on the search for simple to set up low voltage landscape lights. Low voltage landscape lights are powered with a transformer, that attaches to the cable, that decreases the voltage from regular 120 volts to 12 volts.


I always believed I 'd have to dig ditches and run all kinds of cords however the low voltage outdoor spotlights that I found were so very easy to set up. Thirty minutes was all it took to offer our home an enchanting radiance at evening. I bought 2 of these light sets for the front of our residence.


I probably can have gotten by with less lights however the 4 light collection was the smallest one offered. After I narrowed down my selections I searched for lights that had wonderful evaluations.






The idea was to place three on either side of the front porch. I figured that that would suffice. As soon as I got them and laid the lights out I knew the 3 and 3 configuration wouldn't work. Despite the fact that I obtained a great deal of cord with the set, I would certainly have needed to dig under the walkway in order to conceal the cable.

Fascination About Landscape Light Installation

Keep in mind, I wanted this to be very easy with no digging and no rewiring. While I found out a fix I just mounted all 6 by the visitor room to see exactly how they would certainly look. A fast word of caution. Although we are only plugging in lights it is essential to be safe and utilize caution when collaborating with power.


I simply stuck the risk into the ground and adjusted the light. There was a black cord that ran to each limelight so I rolled up the excess from each light and connection covered it utilizing the black twist connection that came with the set.


When the wires were buried I connected the spotlights into my exterior expansion cable, that is connected in to an outlet on the residence. To make points even much easier I also made use of a timer. Now the landscape lights switch on and off automatically at established times each night. As soon as the sun collection and my lights activated I went outside and modified them to hit the front of your house.


Like I said, the smallest collection I could get was 4 lights so that's what I got. Once they arrived I installed them complying with the very same steps as the very first collection of lights.

Landscape Light Installation - An Overview

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


# 10 scale outdoor cable # 12 scale exterior cord 1-1/2 in. x 12-in. PVC pipeline 1-1/2-in. PVC cap with -in. women string -in. copper pipeline For each and every ground light: 1-1/2-in. PVC coupler with -in. tee for cord resource opening Lighting One box of weatherproof cord adapters Transformer 2 -in. sweat-to string copper adapters Expansion ladder Garden rake Level Posthole digger Shatterproof glass Voltage tester Cable stripper/cutter Wrench setvolt me Volt meter A garden spade Aluminum camping tent risks.


Mount lights where they will not be quickly damaged by plows or shovels (Landscape Light Installation). Not all plants need to be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are fascinating lit up also when leafless.


It's a free service and you'll avoid harmful and costly surprises. Use 10-gauge wire for the main lines from the transformer to where the lights begin, then switch to 12-gauge cord in between the lights. To hide the cables where they go across the grass, utilize a flat-nosed shovel to cut a slot and layer back the sod.

What Does Landscape Light Installation Mean?

Considering that the transformer will constantly be plugged in, you must change the conventional outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, readily available at a lot of major home renovation centers and equipment stores. The ground stakes that feature a lot of vertical illumination fixtures are not strong sufficient (or go deep adequate) to keep them good and straight over time with transforming soil problems, disintegration, etc.


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


If you're not sure where to start with landscaping lights, you're in the best location! Below is our handy outside lights overview, where we will stroll through where to put landscape illumination, what kinds of lights to utilize, and exactly how to use light for the finest result.

The Landscape Light Installation Ideas

Set up lights where they will not be easily damaged by rakes or shovels. Remember, see this here too, that the plants you light up will certainly undergo seasonal changes. Not all plants need to be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are interesting illuminated even when leafless. As soon as you have your materials, your tools and your strategy, it's time to call 811.


It's a cost-free service and you'll prevent unsafe and expensive surprises. Use 10-gauge cable for the primary lines from the transformer to where the lights start, after that change to 12-gauge cord in between the lights. To bury the wires where they go across the grass, use a flat-nosed shovel to cut a port and fold back the turf.


Because the transformer will constantly be connected in, you must change the basic electrical outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, readily available at most major home enhancement facilities and find out hardware shops. The ground risks that come with a lot of upright lighting fixtures are not solid sufficient (or go deep adequate) to keep them good and straight over time with altering dirt problems, disintegration, and so on.


Utilizing the PVC pipe, construct and hide a footer that will house the wire connections and sustain your post extensions (advised to be made from 1/2- inch copper pipe). Attach the cables with weatherproof cord connectors. These cable adapters have a guard under and a blob of sealant inside that make them weatherproof.

The Main Principles Of Landscape Light Installation

If you're not certain where to start with landscape design lights, you're in the right location! Here is our convenient exterior lights guide, where we will certainly walk via where to put landscape illumination, what kinds of lights to utilize, and just how to make use of light for the finest effect - Landscape Light Installation.

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