Low voltage outdoor lighting is an easy to implement, safe and a low-cost way to light up your yard. In order to set up the system, you won't even have to pay for an electrician, since most likely you will be able to set up your low voltage outdoor lighting on your own.
Low voltage outdoor lighting runs on a 12-volt current, which is achieved with the aid of a transformer, rendering the dangerous 110/120-volt current to a relatively safe 12-volt current. The electricity is transmitted through a special weather-resistant low voltage cable, which begins and ends at the transformer (creating a looped run).
Low voltage outdoor lighting has several important advantages, the main ones being:
1. A homeowner can set up his/her own low voltage outdoor lighting system hassle free, with the use of a special kit. Such kit usually includes all of the needed components, such as the cable, a transformer and the fixtures. The only needed component that is not included in the kit is the bulbs. However, it would not be prudent to include the bulbs in the kits, since every bulb may have a different wattage.
2. Low voltage outdoor lighting helps you to save money on the electric. The bulbs used for the lighting may be 4 W light bulbs. There are also available fluorescent lamps and fluorescent lamps, the latter being currently the most cost-efficient.
3. Timers are another very useful feature, allowing you to set the time for the lighting to go on/off for 4, 6, or 8-hours. Some low voltage outdoor lighting systems also include a photocell, which can turn the lights on at night and turn it off in the daytime.
4. Low voltage outdoor lighting is very important for security. Many systems come with heat motion sensors, which would notify you about any intruders after dark.
5. Low voltage outdoor lighting is very easy to relocate, since the wires do not have to be buried deeply and permanently in the ground. The wires can be just slightly buried.
6. A transformer for low voltage outdoor lighting can range anywhere from 150 W and up to 900 W. It would probably be a good idea to purchase a transformer with a little more muscle, so that you can expand your lighting system if you decide to start using the bulbs with more watts.
7. In order to pick the correct cable for your low voltage outdoor lighting system, you would need to know the amount of watts that your system will require. The most common size wire is 12ga, which is capable of carrying 300 W. There also are 14 ga. and 16 ga. cables, which respectively can carry 200 W and 150 W.
8. Another benefit of the low voltage outdoor lighting system is that it can be built to fit any required lighting design. The lights for the system may include a tree hung moonlighting fixtures, in-ground fixtures, spotlights, and deck lighting in order to easily find your way around your garden after the sun goes down.
9. Another advantage of the low voltage outdoor lighting systems is their low cost. Not only the systems may cost anywhere starting from $15, but they also help the homeowner save a lot on the energy costs. However, keep in mind that a sound quality system will usually cost anywhere around $300.
10. Simple mathematical calculations will help you estimate how many light bulbs you can use in your system, as well as what will be the average wattage of each bulb. Simply multiply the number of the bulbs in your system by their wattage, and you will find out what the wattage of the transformer is that you need for your lighting system.
Several things to consider when implementing a low voltage outdoor lighting system:
1. Always plug the transformer of your lighting system directly into the power outlet, without using an extension cord between the electrical outlet and the transformer.
2. If the wires of your low voltage outdoor lighting system are not buried deeply, they will be more prone to getting damaged.
3. The extra wattage of the transformer should not exceed one-third of the total needs of the system.
Low voltage outdoor lighting is among the most secure, affordable and easy to set up systems to light up your garden. Most homeowners get amazed with their gorgeous secure garden, after implementing a low voltage outdoor lighting system. - 30228
Low voltage outdoor lighting runs on a 12-volt current, which is achieved with the aid of a transformer, rendering the dangerous 110/120-volt current to a relatively safe 12-volt current. The electricity is transmitted through a special weather-resistant low voltage cable, which begins and ends at the transformer (creating a looped run).
Low voltage outdoor lighting has several important advantages, the main ones being:
1. A homeowner can set up his/her own low voltage outdoor lighting system hassle free, with the use of a special kit. Such kit usually includes all of the needed components, such as the cable, a transformer and the fixtures. The only needed component that is not included in the kit is the bulbs. However, it would not be prudent to include the bulbs in the kits, since every bulb may have a different wattage.
2. Low voltage outdoor lighting helps you to save money on the electric. The bulbs used for the lighting may be 4 W light bulbs. There are also available fluorescent lamps and fluorescent lamps, the latter being currently the most cost-efficient.
3. Timers are another very useful feature, allowing you to set the time for the lighting to go on/off for 4, 6, or 8-hours. Some low voltage outdoor lighting systems also include a photocell, which can turn the lights on at night and turn it off in the daytime.
4. Low voltage outdoor lighting is very important for security. Many systems come with heat motion sensors, which would notify you about any intruders after dark.
5. Low voltage outdoor lighting is very easy to relocate, since the wires do not have to be buried deeply and permanently in the ground. The wires can be just slightly buried.
6. A transformer for low voltage outdoor lighting can range anywhere from 150 W and up to 900 W. It would probably be a good idea to purchase a transformer with a little more muscle, so that you can expand your lighting system if you decide to start using the bulbs with more watts.
7. In order to pick the correct cable for your low voltage outdoor lighting system, you would need to know the amount of watts that your system will require. The most common size wire is 12ga, which is capable of carrying 300 W. There also are 14 ga. and 16 ga. cables, which respectively can carry 200 W and 150 W.
8. Another benefit of the low voltage outdoor lighting system is that it can be built to fit any required lighting design. The lights for the system may include a tree hung moonlighting fixtures, in-ground fixtures, spotlights, and deck lighting in order to easily find your way around your garden after the sun goes down.
9. Another advantage of the low voltage outdoor lighting systems is their low cost. Not only the systems may cost anywhere starting from $15, but they also help the homeowner save a lot on the energy costs. However, keep in mind that a sound quality system will usually cost anywhere around $300.
10. Simple mathematical calculations will help you estimate how many light bulbs you can use in your system, as well as what will be the average wattage of each bulb. Simply multiply the number of the bulbs in your system by their wattage, and you will find out what the wattage of the transformer is that you need for your lighting system.
Several things to consider when implementing a low voltage outdoor lighting system:
1. Always plug the transformer of your lighting system directly into the power outlet, without using an extension cord between the electrical outlet and the transformer.
2. If the wires of your low voltage outdoor lighting system are not buried deeply, they will be more prone to getting damaged.
3. The extra wattage of the transformer should not exceed one-third of the total needs of the system.
Low voltage outdoor lighting is among the most secure, affordable and easy to set up systems to light up your garden. Most homeowners get amazed with their gorgeous secure garden, after implementing a low voltage outdoor lighting system. - 30228
About the Author:
John Monsholi is passionate about low voltage landscape lighting and low voltage light.
