How To Install Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting Transformer

The lower the gauge number is the thicker the wire will be.

How to install low voltage outdoor lighting transformer.

Grab a shovel and follow this step by step guide for installing low voltage outdoor lighting. We think you will also love our posts on 12 inspiring backyard lighting ideas and our own diy water feature for less than 30. Because the power comes from a transformer which lowers standard 120 volt household wattage to 12 volts. Why is it safe to install.

Overloading and cables that are too small for the load. Outdoor lighting can be used to illuminate paths steps and dark zones plus it can add artfully dramatic emphasis to your yard s best features. Cables used in installing landscape lighting is typically buried underground. Once your landscape lighting design is complete you can figure out what size of low voltage transformer you need.

The cable runs from the transformer to each light fixture to give them power. And since it s low voltage lighting it s safe to use and install even for beginners. The voltage that the light fixture needs is the same as the voltage supplied from your wall. The transformer reduces or steps down the 120 volt household current to 12 volts.

It plugs into a gfci protected outdoor electrical outlet and steps down the house current from 120 volts to 12 volts. Landscape lighting adds safety security and aesthetic appeal. Would you like to install outdoor lighting diy. The higher the rating the longer the cable and thus the more light fixtures.

Low voltage electrical cable comes in several gauges 12 14 16 are the most common. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a big impact diy project. The power behind every low voltage system is the transformer. So if the power source in your wall outputs 120 volts low voltage lighting fixtures require an input of just 12 or 24 volts.

The most common problems when trying to install low voltage landscape lights are poor wire connections too many fixtures on one transformer i e. Most low voltage lighting systems include a transformer that is plugged into a regular outdoor electrical outlet.