Beatrice Lang
Landscape lighting can enhance the beauty and functionality of your home's exterior, improve safety and security, and even extend your backyard living space. Installing low-voltage landscape lighting is a DIY project that most homeowners can complete, but installing line voltage lighting is more complex and usually requires a professional electrician. Before installing any type of landscape lighting, it's important to plan the layout, identify your nearest power source, and determine how to provide power to the fixtures. This may involve digging shallow trenches for the cables and connecting them to a transformer and light switch. Solar landscape lighting is another option that doesn't require wiring and can be placed anywhere that receives ample sunlight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Complexity | High |
| Recommended Expertise | Licensed electrician |
| Lighting Types | Line voltage, low voltage, solar |
| Lighting Goals | Safety, security, beauty, lifestyle, economy |
| Planning | Sketch layout, set transformer location, set fixture locations, determine wire runs |
| Nearest Power Source | Outdoor electrical outlet |
| Transformer Location | Next to the house, hidden, close to fixture locations |
| Wire Runs | Minimise total amount of wire |
| Trenches | Shallow, 6 inches deep, 5 feet of unburied wire at each end |
| Connections | Clamp connect transformer |
| Cables | Underground feeder (UF) cable, low-voltage electrical cable |
| Sensors | Photocell |
| Controls | Smart controls, timers |
| Final Steps | Bury remaining wires, program timer, restore lawn |
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What You'll Learn
Planning your lighting system
Define your goals:
Start by identifying your primary objectives for installing landscape lighting. This could be enhancing safety by illuminating steps and walkways, improving security by deterring intruders, accentuating the beauty of your landscape or home exterior, extending your outdoor living space, or saving energy and costs by using energy-efficient LEDs. Clearly defining your goals will help you make more informed decisions throughout the planning process.
Identify your power source:
Before you begin planning the layout, locate your nearest power source, typically an outdoor electrical outlet, where you can install a step-down transformer. The transformer's location will serve as the starting point for your lighting system, as it converts higher voltage power (120 volts) to a safer lower voltage (12 volts).
Create a layout sketch:
Start designing your lighting layout by creating a rough sketch of your property. Mark the locations of key areas you want to illuminate, such as walkways, steps, and focal points. Indicate the approximate positions of your light fixtures using flags or pencils on the sketch and on the actual property. Consider the distance between fixtures and the transformer, as well as the spacing between fixtures, to ensure adequate lighting coverage.
Choose the right fixtures:
Select fixtures that complement your home's architectural style. Consider the aesthetics and functionality of the lighting by highlighting attractive features, creating ambiance, and providing sufficient lighting for gathering spaces. Ensure that the fixtures align with your safety, security, and aesthetic goals.
Calculate wattage and voltage requirements:
Determine the total wattage of your fixtures to select an appropriately sized transformer. If your system is large, with more than 15 fixtures or about 100 watts, consider breaking up your layout into multiple cable runs of approximately 100-150 watts each. Use a cable gauge that suits the length of your run and the total wattage of your lighting system. A 12-gauge cable is commonly used for residential installations to minimize voltage drop and optimize performance.
Plan wire runs and transformer location:
Decide how to provide power to the fixtures efficiently. Minimize wire usage by employing wiring methods that avoid running a single wire from each fixture to the transformer. Set the transformer location, typically next to the house in a discreet spot, as close as possible to the fixture locations. If your property is large, consider using multiple transformers and create a separate plan for each one.
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Identifying power sources
When identifying power sources, it is essential to consider the type of lighting you plan to install. Solar landscape lighting, for example, does not require a connection to an external power source. Instead, solar panels absorb sunlight during the day to power the lights at night. This offers flexibility in placement, as long as the panels receive sufficient sunlight.
For low-voltage landscape lighting, you will need to identify an appropriate outdoor electrical outlet to plug in your transformer. The transformer should be placed near the house in a discreet location, such as behind a garden bed or near air conditioning equipment. It should be as close as possible to the fixture locations to minimize wire usage. If your property is large, you may need to use multiple transformers, each with its own plan and location.
When planning the wiring, avoid running a single wire from each fixture to the transformer, as this will waste wire. Instead, use wiring methods that minimize the total wire length, such as creating zones or hubs. Mark the approximate positions of the fixtures in your landscape using small flags or pencils, and indicate the distances between fixtures and the transformer. This will help you determine the best routing for your wires.
For line voltage (120V) lighting, it is recommended to hire a licensed electrician for installation. They will ensure compliance with local electrical codes and safely connect your lighting to the main power supply. Remember to consult the National Electrical Code and your local regulations before starting any electrical work.
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Installing fixtures
Firstly, unpack and assemble your landscape lighting fixtures. Install bulbs in any lamp-ready fixtures and attach mounts. There are three main types of mounting: stake, surface, and in-ground. Stake mounting involves attaching a stake to the fixture and placing it directly into the ground. Surface mounting is used when attaching a fixture to a hard surface and usually requires a power drill. In-ground mounting is when a fixture is mounted directly into the earth, so a spade, shovel, or post-hole digger is needed.
Next, lay out and dig trenches for your wire runs. Most people use a shovel or spade, but more specialized tools are available. The depth of the trenches is determined by local codes, but low-voltage cable is typically buried at least 6 inches deep. Place the wires in the trenches and cover them with dirt, leaving at least 5 feet of unburied wire at each end for adjustments.
Now, connect your system. Start by connecting your transformer to your main runs. Place one wire strand in the com terminal and the other in a terminal marked 12 or 15-volt, depending on the length of the wire run and the number of fixtures. Then, run the low-voltage cable that will power your landscape lights, starting at the transformer and running to each light fixture location. Leave extra cable at each fixture for connections and future adjustments.
Finally, push the lights into the ground so they are firmly rooted. Turn on each transformer and check that all the lights are working. You may want to make adjustments to the light locations and angles to get the desired look. Wrap electrical tape around each wire connector to secure the wires.
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Connecting the system
Now that you have laid out your trenches and placed the wires, it's time to connect your system. For a simple connection process, use a clamp connect transformer, which uses levers instead of a screw mechanism to clamp to the wires. Start by connecting your transformer to your main runs. This is done by placing one strand of wire in the com terminal and the other in a terminal marked either 12 volts or 15 volts. The 12-volt tap is for shorter wire runs with fewer fixtures, while the 15-volt tap is for longer runs that draw more power.
Use a cable gauge appropriate for the length of your run and the total wattage of your lighting system. A 12-gauge cable is suitable for most residential landscape lighting installations. This ensures minimal voltage drop and optimal performance for your entire system. Start at the transformer and run the cable to each light fixture location, leaving extra cable at each fixture for connections and potential future adjustments.
Leave a small amount of slack at each fixture location to allow for easy connections. Make a small slit in the detached sod where each fixture will be placed. Fold the sod back over the soil, ensuring the cable for each fixture remains above the grass. Remember not to bury the cable deeper than 3 inches or you’ll have difficulty connecting the light fixture later.
Once all the lights are connected to the main wire, push them into the ground so they are firmly rooted and won't move. Once the lights are wired correctly and positioned, turn on each transformer and make sure all the lights are working properly.
Finally, bury any remaining wires and program the timer on your transformer. If you need to run the cable through a wall, turn off the main circuit breaker in your home's electrical panel. Then, wire the light fixture and the light switch per the manufacturer's instructions. Connect the cable to the GFCI circuit breaker and turn the power back on.
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Final adjustments
Before you begin the adjustment phase, wait until nighttime so you can clearly observe the lighting effects of each fixture. Walk your property and ensure each light is aimed at the desired feature in your landscape. Keep an eye out for glare from your fixtures, which can be fixed by adjusting the angle of the fixture or the position of its glare guard.
If you are using transformers, they often include a photo sensor to detect light and dark and turn on the lights when it's dark outside. You can also use the timer on the transformer to control the lights.
If you need to make adjustments to light locations, use the angle adjustment knob on the lights. It is important to do this part at night so you can see how your landscape lighting will look in its final position.
Finally, bury any remaining wires and restore your lawn to its original condition. Smooth out the sod around each fixture using the slits you cut earlier. Use a shovel to trim any excess sod around the light fixtures for a neat appearance. Press down on the replaced sod to ensure good contact with the soil beneath. Use a garden hose to water the area, promoting quick grass reestablishment.
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Frequently asked questions
First, define your goals. This could be lighting up your front walkway, improving safety, enhancing security, or simply beautifying your home. Next, start sketching. Mark the approximate positions of your fixtures in the landscape and on your sketch. Identify your nearest power source, which is typically an outdoor electrical outlet.
Ensure the transformer is plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outdoor electrical outlet. The transformer must have enough capacity to support the cumulative wattage of the lights in the system. Also, make sure the transformer is within 1 foot of clearance in every direction and at least 30 feet away from water features.
Carefully lay the low-voltage electrical cable in the prepared trench, leaving some slack at each fixture location for easy connections. Cover the cable with soil but leave it exposed near each fixture. Use wire strippers to cut the cable and remove the rubber insulation from the ends. Insert the stripped wires under the terminal screws on the bottom of the transformer and tighten them securely.
If you are installing line voltage (120V) lighting, it must be done by a licensed electrician. Even if you are working with low-voltage lighting, be extremely cautious when working in the panel box. Never work in a panel box unless you are knowledgeable and comfortable doing so. Always turn off the main circuit breaker before starting work.
Once all the fixtures are functioning, wait until nighttime to start adjusting the lighting effects. Walk your property and make sure each light is aimed at the desired feature. Keep an eye out for glare and remedy it by adjusting the angle of the fixture or the position of its glare guard. Finish by burying any remaining wires and programming the timer on your transformer.
