If you are looking for a simple way to extend the time that you spend in your outside spaces, there's good news. You can actually attain this with some simple outdoor lighting that will brighten and liven up your pathways, stairs, trees, patio devices, architectural components, waterfalls, and decks.
Landscape lighting has three main components: light fixtures, a transformer, and low-voltage electrical cable. The transformer must be plugged into an outdoor GFCI electrical outlet fitted with a while in use cover. These are cheap, simple to install, and can be obtained from The local hardware store. The transformer allows you to weaken the 120 volt electricity to a safe, functional 12 V system that we will be using. First, you must verify the areas that you wish to light and the effect you would like to achieve. Each light fixture is different.
The starting step is to lay out the components.Arrange the path lights along the walkway you are lighting. Then take the low-voltage wire and string it along the lights and up to the transformer, going under or around any obstacles you may encounter such as trees or shrubs. Leave the cable loose as we will be encircling each fixture with a small loop of wire before burying it. Your first light should be at least 10 feet from your transformer.
The second step is to dig the trench. You need to use the edge of the flat-blade spade to make a ditch about three ins deep where the wiring will lay. If you don't want the dirt to tumble back in the best thing to do is to place something heavy over it.
Your third step is to bury the wire. Place the right gauge of low voltage cable into the fresh dug ditch and remember to leave it some slack. Also make sure that you create a hole in the grass to stick the wire up into.
Making holes for the fixtures is the fourth step. Make sure that you set your lights into the right spot so that they are equally spread out. Don't use a hammer to drive the light fixtures in, instead use stakes to drive them in.
Your fifth step is to cable The lights. Each brandmark of fixtures is different so consult your instructions enclosed with your brand of fixtures. But with most, you take the connector at the base of each light and slip it around the electrical wire until you hear a snap. In order to make a stronger connection you can also bypass this connection altogether, splitting the wire and wiring it with wire nuts as you would a traditional light fixture. If you choose to do this, make sure you seal the wire nuts with silicone to keep them waterproof. After wiring all the fixtures, push the fixture and its attached stake, firmly into the holes that you made earlier for them. Tuck the connector and cable at least two ins into the ground and make sure the stake is flush with the grass. The sixth step is to plug in the transformer. Strip the wires from the ends of the electrical wire you have placed near the transformer. The transformer needs to either be mounted to a post or directly to the house. Insert the wires into the terminals at the base of the transformer after it is mounted. Turn it on and, if you have done everything correctly, you should see the fixtures light up. If problems do occur, think to check that the light bulbs are inserted correctly and working before assuming you have a faulty transformer. Once all the lights are working properly, tuck the grass around the fixtures, pressing it down firmly all along the trench. Water the trench well.
And finally it's time to enjoy the hard work. Anyone can enhance their night-time curb appeal with attractive, functional landscape lighting with a little hard work and advance preparation. low voltage lighting requires very little maintenance. Just remember to change the light bulbs shortly after they go out or you will shorten the life of the remainder of bulbs. Other than that, just sit back and enjoy a job well done! - 30228
Landscape lighting has three main components: light fixtures, a transformer, and low-voltage electrical cable. The transformer must be plugged into an outdoor GFCI electrical outlet fitted with a while in use cover. These are cheap, simple to install, and can be obtained from The local hardware store. The transformer allows you to weaken the 120 volt electricity to a safe, functional 12 V system that we will be using. First, you must verify the areas that you wish to light and the effect you would like to achieve. Each light fixture is different.
The starting step is to lay out the components.Arrange the path lights along the walkway you are lighting. Then take the low-voltage wire and string it along the lights and up to the transformer, going under or around any obstacles you may encounter such as trees or shrubs. Leave the cable loose as we will be encircling each fixture with a small loop of wire before burying it. Your first light should be at least 10 feet from your transformer.
The second step is to dig the trench. You need to use the edge of the flat-blade spade to make a ditch about three ins deep where the wiring will lay. If you don't want the dirt to tumble back in the best thing to do is to place something heavy over it.
Your third step is to bury the wire. Place the right gauge of low voltage cable into the fresh dug ditch and remember to leave it some slack. Also make sure that you create a hole in the grass to stick the wire up into.
Making holes for the fixtures is the fourth step. Make sure that you set your lights into the right spot so that they are equally spread out. Don't use a hammer to drive the light fixtures in, instead use stakes to drive them in.
Your fifth step is to cable The lights. Each brandmark of fixtures is different so consult your instructions enclosed with your brand of fixtures. But with most, you take the connector at the base of each light and slip it around the electrical wire until you hear a snap. In order to make a stronger connection you can also bypass this connection altogether, splitting the wire and wiring it with wire nuts as you would a traditional light fixture. If you choose to do this, make sure you seal the wire nuts with silicone to keep them waterproof. After wiring all the fixtures, push the fixture and its attached stake, firmly into the holes that you made earlier for them. Tuck the connector and cable at least two ins into the ground and make sure the stake is flush with the grass. The sixth step is to plug in the transformer. Strip the wires from the ends of the electrical wire you have placed near the transformer. The transformer needs to either be mounted to a post or directly to the house. Insert the wires into the terminals at the base of the transformer after it is mounted. Turn it on and, if you have done everything correctly, you should see the fixtures light up. If problems do occur, think to check that the light bulbs are inserted correctly and working before assuming you have a faulty transformer. Once all the lights are working properly, tuck the grass around the fixtures, pressing it down firmly all along the trench. Water the trench well.
And finally it's time to enjoy the hard work. Anyone can enhance their night-time curb appeal with attractive, functional landscape lighting with a little hard work and advance preparation. low voltage lighting requires very little maintenance. Just remember to change the light bulbs shortly after they go out or you will shorten the life of the remainder of bulbs. Other than that, just sit back and enjoy a job well done! - 30228
About the Author:
Melody writes articles about all different types of outdoor lights on her site where she gives out useful tips and tricks that people can use for their outdoor landscape lights.
