Installing Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Transformer

Most transformers are rated to handle a load of 100 to 300 watts.

Installing low voltage landscape lighting transformer.

Most low voltage lighting systems include a transformer that is plugged into a regular outdoor electrical outlet. Grab a shovel and follow this step by step guide for installing low voltage outdoor lighting. Low voltage landscape lighting is a great way to add value to your home and up its curb appeal while saving you money and minimizing energy use. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a big impact diy project.

It plugs into a gfci protected outdoor electrical outlet and steps down the house current from 120 volts to 12 volts. 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. The power behind every low voltage system is the transformer. The transformer reduces or steps down the 120 volt household current to 12 volts.

Installed along walkways steps and driveways or pointing up at trees walls and fences the typical low voltage lighting system requires just three components. The lower the gauge number is the thicker the wire will be. A transformer low. All you need to get your system installed are the right lights the proper transformer and cables.

Because the power comes from a transformer which lowers standard 120 volt household wattage to 12 volts. Cables used in installing landscape lighting is typically buried underground. Why is it safe to install. And since it s low voltage lighting it s safe to use and install even for beginners.

The cable runs from the transformer to each light fixture to give them power. Once your landscape lighting design is complete you can figure out what size of low voltage transformer you need. Low voltage electrical cable comes in several gauges 12 14 16 are the most common. The higher the rating the longer the cable and thus the more light fixtures.