More and more, lighting outside your home is considered fashionable and a great safety feature as well. Beyond the outdoor lightning that’s meant to act as a security feature, low-voltage(LV) lighting is an excellent way to illuminate gardens, decks and walkways. There are a variety of easy to install kits that are available through garden centers. One of the typical kits that you can buy includes a 6 or 12 volt transformer, six to twelve light fixtures and a cable to run the power through.
These systems are very simple to install and enjoy, as most will connect to the existing outdoor receptacle that you’ve already got with no bother or fuss. Remember that these low voltage cables really present no electrical hazard although they should be protected from accidental cutting and/or splitting. It’s a good idea to run it through a plastic conduit where it is exposed for example across siding or decking. It’s always best to get the same color conduit so that you don’t draw unnecessary attention to the power cables.
Connecting these lights to the power source is as simple as connecting the cables to the screw terminals on the transformer. The best ones to install have self piercing clips or prongs that allow you to run the cable continuously without cutting into it. Others require the more traditional twisted end connections secured with crimps and caps.
The fixtures themselves will more than likely need some assembly. One of the standard units has a pointed stake that you can shove into the ground, a spacer, and one of several heads with a connector for fitting. There are also a variety of specialty fixtures that are used to accent decks and stairs. More recently, there have even been an assortment of solar powered items that need no other power supply.
There are a few things that you’ll need to keep in mind here and of paramount importance is the fact that these fixtures all use electricity and therefore a certain level of caution should be used. Always remember that each transformer is rated to carry only a specific number of fixtures and you should never attempt to overload any circuit. If you need more lights, plug in another transformer at a suitable outlet and run another cable for additional fixtures.
One of the other things that you’ll need to consider in these times of conservation is the amount of electricity that these units use. Remember here that six of these fixtures use less electricity than one standard 100 Watt light bulb.
Latest Videos of Installing Outdoor Lighting Fixtures:
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