Landscape Light Installation - Truths

Little Known Facts About Landscape Light Installation.

Without any significant electric experience I went on the search for very easy to mount low voltage landscape lights. Low voltage landscape lights are powered with a transformer, that affixes to the cord, that lowers the voltage from regular 120 volts to 12 volts.


I always believed I would certainly need to dig ditches and run all kinds of wires but the low voltage outside limelights that I located were so very easy to mount. 30 minutes was all it required to give our cottage a magical glow during the night. I ordered 2 of these light sets for the front of our home.


I probably might have gotten by with fewer lights however the 4 light collection was the smallest one readily available. After I tightened down my selections I browsed for lights that had excellent evaluations.






The idea was to put 3 on either side of the front deck. I figured that that would be sufficient. Once I obtained them and laid the lights out I understood the 3 and 3 configuration would not work. Also though I obtained a great deal of wire with the set, I would have needed to dig under the pathway in order to conceal the wire.

Landscape Light Installation Can Be Fun For Everyone

Remember, I desired this to be very easy with no digging and no rewiring. While I found out a solution I simply mounted all 6 by the guest bedroom to see how they would look. A quick word of caution. Although we are just connecting in lights it's vital to be secure and make use of care when functioning with electricity.


After I unwrapped the limelights I screwed each light right into a ground stake. I just stuck the stake into the ground and adjusted the light. I went on to the next light up until all 6 were together and in the ground. There was a black cable that ran to each spotlight so I rolled up the extra from each light and tie wrapped it utilizing the black twist tie that included the set.


Currently the landscape lights transform on and off automatically at set times each evening. When the sun collection and my lights transformed on I went outside and modified them to hit the front of the house.


Like I stated, the tiniest collection I could obtain was 4 lights so that's what I purchased. Once they arrived I mounted them adhering to the exact same steps as the initial collection of lights.

Landscape Light Installation Can Be Fun For Everyone

He wouldn't confess that I was right butI was right.


# 10 scale outside cord # 12 gauge outside cable 1-1/2 in. x 12-in. PVC pipeline 1-1/2-in. PVC cap with -in. women thread -in. copper pipeline For each ground light: 1-1/2-in. PVC coupler with -in. tee for wire opening Lights One box of weatherproof cable adapters Transformer 2 -in. sweat-to thread copper adapters Extension ladder Yard rake Level Posthole digger Safety and security glasses Voltage tester Cord stripper/cutter Wrench setvolt me Volt meter A yard spade Aluminum camping tent risks.


Set up lights where they will not be conveniently harmed by rakes or shovels. Bear in mind, also, that the plants you illuminate will go through seasonal changes. Not all plants should be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are fascinating brightened also when leafless. As soon as you have your More Info products, your devices and your strategy, it's time to call 811.


It's a complimentary service and you'll prevent hazardous and expensive surprises. Use 10-gauge wire for the primary lines from the transformer to where the lights begin, then switch to 12-gauge wire in between the lights. To hide the cables where they cross the lawn, utilize a flat-nosed shovel to cut a slot and layer back the turf.

Landscape Light Installation - Truths

Considering that the transformer will certainly always be plugged in, you have to change the common outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, offered at a lot of major home improvement facilities and hardware stores. The ground risks that include many vertical illumination fixtures are not solid enough (or go deep sufficient) to keep them wonderful and straight gradually with altering dirt problems, erosion, and so on.


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


Having a strong plan pertaining to landscape illumination is more vital than you might visualize. Appropriately illuminating locations in your yard and your home throughout the evening not only gives a fantastic sight of your home but can likewise deter prospective vandals or thiefs. If you're not exactly sure where to begin with landscape design lights, you're in the ideal place! Right here is our handy outside lights guide, where we will go through where to position landscape lighting, what sorts of lights to make use of, and how to use light for the finest result.

The Ultimate Guide To Landscape Light Installation

Set up lights where they will not be easily damaged by plows or shovels. Remember, too, that the plants you illuminate will undergo seasonal modifications. Not all plants need to be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are fascinating brightened also when leafless. Once you have your materials, your tools and your strategy, it's time to call 811.


It's a free service and you'll stay clear of unsafe and pricey shocks. Usage 10-gauge cable for the main lines from the transformer to where the lights begin, after that switch to 12-gauge why not check here cord in between the lights. To bury the wires where they cross the lawn, use a flat-nosed shovel to reduce a port and fold best site back the sod.


Since the transformer will certainly constantly be connected in, you need to change the basic outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, readily available at the majority of significant home enhancement centers and hardware shops. The ground stakes that come with the majority of upright lighting components are not solid enough (or go deep adequate) to maintain them good and straight over time with altering soil problems, erosion, etc.


Making use of the PVC pipe, construct and hide a footer that will house the cord links and support your post extensions (advised to be made from 1/2- inch copper pipe). Connect the wires with weatherproof cord connectors. These cord connectors have a shield under and a blob of sealer inside that make them weatherproof.

Not known Details About Landscape Light Installation

If you're not sure where to start with landscaping lights, you're in the appropriate location! Right here is our helpful exterior lights overview, where we will certainly walk through where to place landscape lighting, what types of lights to use, and how to use light for the best effect - Landscape Light Installation.