Outdoor lighting provides added functionality, beauty, and security to any property. Installing outdoor lighting safely, however, is critical. Homeowners should understand the basics of how to install outdoor lighting safely.
Marking Utility Lines
Before we dig anywhere in the ground to run outdoor lighting, we mark the places where utility lines are. This may require the utility companies to send workers to place flags where their records show lines are. You don’t want to risk hitting a water, sewer, gas, or electric line while putting in outdoor lighting.
Preparing the Electrical Panel
We also check the electrical panel to see that it’s ready for the addition of outdoor lighting. Our electricians will check the breakers to see if any support the current outdoor lines. If not, we will put in a circuit breaker specifically for your outdoor lighting. We might run two circuit breakers to account for the front and back yard, too.
Line or Low Voltage
Line voltage is the 120-volt power that typically runs throughout your house for everything from lighting fixtures to outlets. It is common for use with outdoor lights that don’t pose a hazard. For example, you might run a flood light above your deck with line voltage because it’s at low risk of coming into contact with a person and shocking them.
Conversely, low voltage is a form of 12-volt power. We recommend low voltage mostly for landscape lighting. If you have several lights in a garden bed, for example, you want to reduce the risk that accidentally putting a trowel into the soil might hurt someone if you accidentally hit a line. Notably, 12-volt power requires a transformer to take your house’s line voltage and step it down to a safer one.
It is also wise to use low voltage near a pool or a hot tub. The risk of water potentially contacting a damaged line is significant, but lower voltage reduces the risk of a serious shock.
Generally, low voltage works best in use cases where there are few fixtures. Also, you might prefer line voltage if you need to power very intense lights that cover a large area.
GFCIs
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are essential for outdoor lighting safety. Typically, GFCIs belong anywhere there’s a risk that any water could come into contact with a lighting fixture, outlet, or line. In other words, all outdoor lighting should connect to a system with GFCIs. A GFCI detects when the electricity isn’t following the expected path, such as when water has gotten into a circuit. It then kills the power line’s electrical flow.
GFCIs have testing and reset switches that allow you to restore normal operation. Once the affected area has dried up, you can reset the GFCI.
Cabling
If the cabling run for low-voltage wiring is less than 100 feet, 12-gauge wire is sufficient for the job. We recommend 10-gauge wire for longer runs to minimize current loss. Our electricians usually dig narrow trenches that are at least 6 inches deep, and then we also install warning tape two inches above the cable. The goal is to minimize the risk that someone digs into the yard and hits a line.
When using line voltage, we will take the additional step of installing conduit. Our electricians usually bury the conduit 12 to 18 inches deep and then run 12-gauge wiring through it.
Fixtures
Finally, we install the fixtures. All wiring connections have heat-shrink tubing over them to maximize sealing. We also use electrical coating to protect all splices. Rubber sealant goes around the fixture’s base, and we employ UV-resistant ties for wire connections in the fixture. Likewise, we will apply anti-corrosive spray to all metal surfaces.
Documentation
We provide as-built drawings showing where all the wiring is and what we used. Our electricians will also file documentation with your local code compliance office. This ensures that anyone dealing with the property in the future can find the wiring for the fixtures so they can work safely.
Plugz Electric has been in operation since 2021. We are a licensed company with experienced electricians who can handle all your outdoor lighting needs. From security to landscape lights, our installation work is always impressive. We can also perform related work, such as upgrading circuits and putting in new wiring.
If you’re planning an outdoor lighting project in Forest Lake, MN, contact Plugz Electric today to discuss your ideas.
