10/21/2014 How to Put in Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting - Popular Mechanics

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Homepage / Home How-To / Projects & Plans / Lawn and Garden / How to Put in Low-Voltage Landscape
Lighting
How to Put in Low-Voltage Landscape
Lighting
To make your backyard or garden pop this spring and summer, install some low-voltage
lighting to illuminate fences, flower beds, and other features.
TEXT SIZE: A . A . A
Landscape lighting describes a large and
varied family of outdoor lighting fixtures. These
versatile, weatherproof lights can be used to
illuminate pathways, flower beds, trees, fences,
driveways, stone walls, doorways, and more.
Some landscape lighting systems operate on
"line voltage," the 120-volt current from your
house. For DIY installation, though, we highly
recommend low-voltage systems that operate
on just 12 volts. They're less expensive, easier
to install, safer, and use less energy.
Key Components
There are dozens of low-voltage lighting fixtures
and accessories available in a variety of styles,
sizes, colors, and finishes. Nearly every system,
regardless of its complexity, is composed of four
basic parts.


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10/21/2014 How to Put in Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting - Popular Mechanics
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Landscape Lighting
Outside Light Fixtures
Voltage Transformers
Transformer: The power behind every low-
voltage system is the transformer. It plugs into a
GFCI-protected outdoor electrical outlet and
steps down the house current from 120 volts to
12 volts. Most transformers are equipped with a
24-hour timer that allows users to decide when
the lights go on and off automatically.
Transformers are rated according to the
maximum wattage output. Models range from
about 44 watts to 900 watts. To determine which
size transformer you need, simply add up the
wattage of all the lights in the system. For
example, if you plan to string together 10 18-
watt light fixtures, then you'll need a transformer with a wattage output of at least 180.
Low-Voltage Electrical Cable: The cable used for landscape lighting is specifically made for burial
underground. It runs from the transformer to each light fixture in the system. Low-voltage cable is
commonly available in 12-, 14-, and 16-gauge. The lower the number, the thicker the wire and the
greater its capacity.
Which cable to use depends largely on the size of the transformer and the length of cable you need.
For example, a 300-watt transformer can power 100 feet of 16-gauge cable, or 150 feet of 14-gauge
cable, or 200 feet of 12-gauge cable. Check with the lighting manufacturer to determine the proper-
size cable to use for your specific system.
Pathway Lights: Designed for installation along walkways and driveways, this type of fixture
represents the most stylish and elegant of landscape lights. Shiny copper or plated-metal fixtures
stand out, while green-, black- or brown-painted fixtures can blend in with the surroundings.
Accent Fixtures: The unsung heroes of any landscape lighting design are the accent lights. These
specialty fixtures, which are often hidden from view, include floodlights, spotlights, up lights, and wall-
wash fixtures. They're used to shine a light on trees, shrubs, walls, flower beds, fences, ponds, and
other landscape features.
Installation Tips
Putting in a typical low-voltage lighting system requires three major steps: laying the cable, installing
the transformer, and connecting the lights.
Laying the Cable: Start by laying the light fixtures on the ground where you intend to install them.
Space the fixtures 8 to 10 feet apart. Next, unroll the spool of low-voltage electrical cable and lay the
cable beside the fixtures. If you come to an obstacle, such as a boulder, tree, or fence, string the
cable under or around it.
Now use a square-blade shovel to cut a 2- to 3-inch-deep trench along the line where you want the
light fixtures. The trench doesn't have to be perfectly straight, so if you hit a rock or root, just go
around it. You don't even need to remove any dirt from the trench. Simply stomp the shovel into the
ground and pull the handle back and forth to open a deep V-shaped trench.
Set the cable into the trench and push it all the way down to the bottom using a short, narrow piece
of 1/2-inch-thick plywood. Don't use the shovel or other tool; you might accidentally slice into the
cable.
Installing the Transformer: Low-voltage cable consists of two insulated stranded-copper wires
stuck together. Peel them apart so you have about 4 inches free for each wire. Then use wire
strippers to remove about 5/8 inch of insulation from each side. Slide the wires through the retaining
strap on the back of the transformer and then insert one wire under the A screw terminal, and the
other wire under the B screw terminal. Tighten the screws to secure the wires.
Next, drive a pressure-treated 2 x 6 stake into the ground next to an outdoor electrical outlet. Attach
the transformer to the stake with galvanized or stainless-steel screws. Secure the cable to the stake
with insulated cable staples.
Connect the Lights Attach a plastic "while-in-use" cover to the outdoor electrical outlet. This type of
cover protects the outlet from rain and snow but allows easy access.
Plug the transformer's power cord into the outlet. Next, connect each light fixture to the cable. Most
landscape lighting fixtures come prewired with easy-to-use snap-on connectors. Simply pinch the
connector onto the cable. Sharp prongs inside the connectors pierce the cable and make contact
with the wires. Since the transformer is already plugged in, the fixture should light up. If it doesn't, pull
apart the connector and try again, or check the lightbulb.
Once you've connected the cable, stand up the light fixture and press its pointed stake deep into the
ground. Be careful not to hit the buried cable. Check to make sure the fixture is straight, then move
on to the next. Once all the fixtures are installed, fill in the narrow cable trench with topsoil and top
with grass seed.
10/21/2014 How to Put in Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting - Popular Mechanics
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TAGS: landscaping, outdoor lighting, low-voltage lighting, home_improvement, lawn and garden
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10/21/2014 How to Put in Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting - Popular Mechanics
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/lawn-garden/how-to-put-in-low-voltage-landscape-lighting-15326645 4/5
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10 comments
Address LED
An illuminated street address sign from Address LED is a nice addition to a low voltage landscape
lighting system - www.addressled.com
Reply Like Follow Post October 24, 2013 at 12:21pm 1
Greg Amato Top Commenter UMiami
Thank God we don't all live in New Jersey, where the unions gangs would have you hire an
electrician to plug in your Christmas lights. "Exception: Homeowners performing work within their
residences." which is exactly the point of this popular Mechanics article.
Reply Like Follow Post July 21, 2013 at 4:56am 2
Peter Rhyne Works at Premium Lawn and Landscape
Just a note from a professional landscape designer, do not daisy chain any type of incandescent
bulb fixture, you'll end up with varying voltages at each light, and different levels of illumination. Very
important, DO NOT PUT MORE THAN 80% OF THE RATED LOAD on a transformer, it's not as
simple as 18 lights uses 180 watts. There's such as thing as electrical resistance people.
Reply Like Follow Post April 12, 2013 at 2:47am 4
Richard Ovens Top Commenter
Fire ants loved all my outdoor high and low voltage ground fixtures and often filled entire internal
cavities of lights and boxes. Southern states are infested now but they are inexoribally heading
north each year. They even shorted out conduit covered cables to my A/C. I put fire ant baits, like
Andro into each fixture that helped for a season or two, but they eventually filled the fixtures with
granular ground and sand.
Reply Like Follow Post June 20, 2013 at 11:36am 1
Jerry Buyck Works at John Deere
I notice these critters where ever I move a rock or anything else. Haven't notice them
around electrical things. I will check. Thanks for the tip.
Reply Like June 20, 2013 at 8:44pm
Joseph Hovanec Jr. Top Commenter President at Advanced Electric Design & Service LLC
The cable installation as described is a direct violation of the National Electrical Code.....Also the
size cable is not determined by the length of the run. In NJ a Licensed Electrical Contractor is
required for all wiring of 10 volts or more unless the installation qualifies under a very limited
number of exemptions. I thought that Popular Mechanics was better than that....Perhaps they have
been around to long.
Reply Like Follow Post April 18, 2013 at 2:05am 1
Colin Saunders Ahwatukee, Arizona
Electrician to run low voltage wiring is a waste of time and money. Only in New Jersey!
Reply Like July 29 at 7:02am 1
Rich Borek II
I agree on the comments below Low Voltage is mostly LED or at least that is the way it's going. What
do you guys think for doing an installation using a Terminal Enclosure. Like the ones on this site
http://www.litecycle.com/collections/terminal-enclosures/aluminum they seem durable and rated for
110 Thoughts?
Reply Like Follow Post April 18, 2013 at 10:38am
Follow
Brian Westlund Top Commenter
Boy, this article is great... if you were installing lights last century. I light up entire yards with 24 watts.
These old 300w-plus transformers etc. talked about in the article are mostly AC, not DC like nearly
all modern lighting. Also, good advice from "Peter" below.
But, don't pay attention to this article...unless of course you like to go retro, like changing bulbs and
high maintenance, and you like wasting your money on a lot more electricity.
Reply Like Follow Post April 16, 2013 at 3:31am
Sign House Hong Kong
If I want to connect a 3000 w transformer to 200 feet distance led light, which size of cable should be
used?
Reply Like Follow Post June 30, 2013 at 12:45am
10/21/2014 How to Put in Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting - Popular Mechanics
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