<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n
Using a timer and photocell to control your lights gives users the most flexibility by allowing the photocell to turn on the lights in the dark and then turning them off at a certain time at night. For example, the timer could be set to come on at 4:00 pm.\u00a0 Since it is still light outside, the photocell would not let the lights turn on.\u00a0 As soon as it gets dark, the photocell allows the lights to turn on.\u00a0 The timer then could be set to turn the lights off at a certain time that night.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
Multi-volt or multi-tap lighting transformers allow for multiple voltage outputs to compensate for voltage drop going out to the light fixtures.\u00a0 It is essential that halogen landscape light bulbs operate between 10.8 to 12 volts AC.\u00a0 Multi-volt landscape lighting transformers allow users to choose between various voltage taps to ensure the proper voltage is supplied to the bulb.\u00a0 Longer wire runs or higher wattage runs will require the use of higher voltage taps.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
Landscape lighting fixtures come with 25\u2019 leads so that they may be wired using the \u201chub method\u201d.\u00a0 This wiring method allows installers to group lights together and connects the 25\u2019 leads at a central point or \u201chub\u201d to a wire coming from the transformer.\u00a0 By grouping lights that are close together, installers can ensure proper voltage distribution to each light.\u00a0 If lights are closer than 25\u2019 away from the connection point or \u201chub\u201d, the excess wire should not be cut but rather wrapped around the bottom of the fixture.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
Our landscape lighting transformers can be mounted indoors or outdoors.\u00a0 Refer to local electrical codes when determining exact transformer location.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
Multiple transformers should be used on large properties where the location of the landscape lights are far apart or there will be a large number of lights used to light the property. If the lights are located too far from the transformer, it may not be feasible to run a larger gauge wire to the lights to compensate for the voltage drop.\u00a0These types of situations will require the use of multiple transformers to ensure the proper voltage can be delivered to the landscape lights.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
Wattage is determined by what is being illuminated.\u00a0Path lights require lower wattage because the area illuminated is small, whereas large trees, shrubs, and wall washing require higher wattage because of large areas or longer distances being lit.\u00a0 Many times underwater fixtures are of higher wattages because of refraction and density of water.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
Wattage is determined by what is being illuminated.\u00a0 Path lights require lower wattage because the area illuminated is small, whereas large trees, shrubs, and wall washing require higher wattage because of large areas or longer distances being lit.\u00a0 Many times underwater fixtures are of higher wattages because of refraction and density of water.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
The power supply should be a dedicated 20 amp breaker.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
There are three basic types of fixtures used for landscape lighting including path or area lights, well lights, and directional lights. Area and path lights are used to light areas such as walkways, paths, and landscape beds. Area and path lights come mounted on a post usually anywhere from 15-21\u201d tall and produce a pool of light generally around 8-10\u2019 wide close to the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well lights are mounted in the ground and are used to uplight trees, buildings, and large plant material.\u00a0This fixture is very versatile and is the primary fixture of choice for uplighting and providing an accent to the landscape.\u00a0Well lights spread light evenly across plant material and buildings making it ideal for uplighting. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Directional lights also known as bullet lights can be used for up or downlighting.\u00a0 These fixtures produce a concentrated beam of targeted light for illuminating focal points in the landscape.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
Transformers are available in 300, 600, 900, 1200, and 1500 watts.\u00a0 The size transformer you need will depend on the number of lights, the wattage of lights, and length of wire run to the lights.\u00a0 Note that transformer sizing is not as simple as adding together the wattage of all the lights on a system to determine the correct transformer size.\u00a0 The length of wire runs will also factor into what size you will need since the resistance in the wire acts as additional wattage or \u201cload\u201d.\u00a0 To best determine the correct transformer size, use the\u00a0Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Calculator<\/a>.\u00a0 Once you enter the wire distance, wire size, and wattage for each run, the calculator will determine the transformer size for you.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Tools needed to install a low-voltage landscape lighting system include a screwdriver, drill, drill bits, wire strippers, voltmeter, amp meter, electrical tape, and shovel.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The wire is sized according to the total wattage and length of run associated with that leg of the lighting system.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The voltage difference can range from 9 volts to 15volts+\/-.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The furthest wire run you will be able to make from the transformer to your landscape light will depend on a variety of factors including wire size, length of run, the wattage of lights, and voltage tap options available on the transformer.\u00a0 Use the\u00a0Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Calculator<\/a>\u00a0to determine maximum wire run lengths.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The most versatile fixture for this task is the well light.\u00a0Well, lights offer a wide degree of light that spreads evenly across the canopy of the tree.\u00a0This type of lighting highlights the entire canopy instead of having a tight beam spread that is more focused or directed such as spotlights or bullet lights.\u00a0 Another advantage of well lights is that the fixture is not visible in the landscape.\u00a0On large trees, multiple good lights may need to be used to light the entire canopy.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The \u201chub method\u201d for wiring low-voltage landscape lights has several advantages over traditional wiring methods such as \u201cdaisy-chaining\u201d since it allows installers a greater ability to balance the voltage to each light. The \u201chub method\u201d also requires fewer wire connections which helps to eliminate possible wiring problems.\u00a0 Halogen bulbs used for low-voltage landscape lighting must receive between 10.8-12 volts AC from the transformer in order to burn properly and not decrease the life expectancy of the bulb.\u00a0 The \u201chub method\u201d of wiring can ensure that the proper voltage is supplied to each fixture.\u00a0See the diagram below for the difference between the two wiring methods.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n A transformer is an electrical device that changes voltage from one level to another. The typical household voltage is 120 volts.\u00a0 Most low-voltage landscape lights operate on 12 volts. Due to the lower voltage (12 volts), low voltage landscape lighting wire can be routed under mulch.\u00a0\u00a0Multi-tap landscape lighting transformers convert 120 volts to a range of voltages, generally between 12 \u2013 22 volts.\u00a0Our\u00a0Low <\/a>Voltage<\/a> Lighting Calculator<\/a>\u00a0can help you determine the size transformer you need and which tap to use.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n A transformer is an electrical device that changes voltage from one level to another. The typical household voltage is 120 volts.\u00a0 Most low-voltage landscape lights operate on 12 volts.\u00a0 Due to the lower voltage (12 volts), low voltage landscape lighting wire can be routed under mulch.\u00a0\u00a0 Multi-tap landscape lighting transformers convert 120 volts to a range of voltages, generally between 12 \u2013 22 volts.\u00a0 Our\u00a0Low<\/a> <\/a>Voltage Lighting Calculator<\/a>\u00a0can help you determine the size transformer you need and which tap to use.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Photocells are available with 25\u2019 wiring harnesses that allow users to locate the transformer indoors while mounting the photocell outside.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The most versatile fixture for this task is the well light.\u00a0 Well lights offer a wide degree of light that spreads evenly across the facade of the house.\u00a0 This type of lighting highlights the entire exterior ensuring that the features of the home are displayed properly.\u00a0 Another advantage of well lights is that the fixture is not visible in the landscape.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The Kelvin rating refers to the color value assigned to the bulb.\u00a0The color of an LED that has not been corrected is normally a bluish color or has a high Kelvin value.\u00a0A cool white LED approximates the color of a typical halogen lamp so the Kelvin value is lower.\u00a0An LED with a yellowish cast has an even lower Kelvin value. An example of a Kelvin rating will look like this. ( 5500K)<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Breaker tripping can be caused by a number of factors due to excessive amp draw.\u00a0 Breakers are designed to protect the transformer from wiring problems going to the landscape lights.\u00a0 Primary causes of breaker tripping include poor wiring connections, improper wire sizing, too many lights on a run, and wrong transformer tap.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n 20 amp<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The main advantage of LED is their low power consumption.\u00a0 Because LED lights are able to produce more light at lower wattage than traditional bulbs, the transformer can then be down-sized which reduces material costs.\u00a0 The number of lights per hub increases which may reduce installation time.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n LED refers to a \u201clight-emitting diode\u201d.\u00a0 Almost any fixture can be retrofitted with an LED light.\u00a0 However, some LED fixtures on the market come as self-contained units which must be discarded once the LED burns out.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n 1.\u00a0Use an amp clamp to check the amp draw on the primary side of the transformer.\u00a0 Do this with the test loop of wire connected to the transformer.\u00a0 The amp draw should be equal to the total wattage of the fixtures divided by 120. 2. Check the individual wire runs from the transformer to the landscape lights. The amp draw should be equal to the total wattage on the run divided by 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Check the voltage on each individual \u201chub\u201d to ensure the proper voltage is being supplied to each group of lights.\u00a0The reading at the hub should be between 11.5-12.5 VAC.\u00a0This will ensure that each lamp in a group of lights will be supplied with 11-12 VAC since there is approximately 0.5VAC loss in the 25\u2019 lead going to each fixture.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n It is normal for landscape lights to feel warm.\u00a0If the fixture is too hot to touch, it may be pulling too many amps.\u00a0Fixtures that are hot may have too high of wattage bulbs or faulty wire connections.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Yes. The higher quality bulbs have better quality drivers and use special lenses built into the LED to correct for the kelvin rating.\u00a0The less expensive LEDs make use of a coating to do the same thing but the kelvin rating increases as the coating wears off.\u00a0 The driver may not be as durable which may lead to early bulb failure.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Each voltage tap will handle a load of 600 watts.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Each common tap will handle a load of 300 watts.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Transformers are available in a wide range of wattage (VA) ratings, so we need to ask the question \u201cWhat size transformer do I need to run my low voltage landscape lighting system?\u201d\u00a0 This is very easy to determine, all we need to do is answer a few simple questions.\u00a0 First, how will my lights be grouped together?\u00a0 The answer to this question determines where the hub will be located.\u00a0 Second, what is the total wattage of this group of lights?\u00a0 This is determined by taking the wattage of each individual fixture and adding them together.\u00a0 Third, how far is the hub located from the location where the transformer will be installed?\u00a0 This needs to be measured along the route that the wire will actually be installed.\u00a0 Once you have the answers to these three questions you can plug this information into our\u00a0Low Voltage Lighting Calculator<\/a>.\u00a0 This calculator will help you determine not only the transformer required, but will also help you determine the correct wire size and the correct transformer tap to use as well.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The maximum number of lights you can connect to a hub is five due to the size of the brass lug wire connectors.\u00a0 We recommend for planning purposes to only use four in case you need to add an additional light in the future.\u00a0 Just because you can connect up to five fixtures to a hub, doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you will be able to run that many.\u00a0 Use the\u00a0Low Voltage Lighting Calculator<\/a>\u00a0to verify each wire run to make sure the transformer can supply the necessary voltage and to verify wire size.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The maximum number of lights you can connect to a hub is five due to the size of the brass lug wire connectors.\u00a0 We recommend for planning purposes to only use four in case you need to add an additional light in the future.\u00a0 Just because you can connect up to five fixtures to a hub, doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you will be able to run that many.\u00a0 Use the\u00a0Low Voltage Lighting Calculator<\/a>\u00a0to verify each wire run to make sure the transformer can supply the necessary voltage and to verify wire size.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n As a rule of thumb the conversions go like this: There are two control options for controlling the low-voltage landscape lighting transformer. A photocell can be added to the transformer to turn the lights on in the dark and then turn them off the following morning.\u00a0The other option that can be added to the transformer to control the lights is a timer.\u00a0The timer can be set to turn the lights on and off at certain times.\u00a0Both options are \u201cplug and play\u201d and easily connect to the transformer.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Most of the time low voltage wire is installed beneath mulch in landscape areas.\u00a0 If installing wire underground, the minimum depth, according to the national electric code is 6\u2033.\u00a0 It is always a good idea to run cable through the conduit when installing it under sidewalks, driveways or other hardscapes.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n The transformer does not come with a photocell or timer, although they can easily be added.\u00a0Both the photo cell and timer are \u201cplug and play\u201d.\u00a0The transformer can be controlled by either a photocell or timer or both.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n A 12 volt (low-voltage) 35-watt halogen bulb commonly used in landscape lighting requires the same amount of electricity to power it as does a 120 volts (line-voltage) 35-watt incandescent bulb found in your house. In this example, 35 watts is still 35 watts. The main difference between the two is that the halogen bulb will produce more lumens or brightness than the traditional incandescent bulb, therefore making it more efficient.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Yes.\u00a0Low voltage landscape lighting bulbs produce heat.\u00a0Exercise caution when handling bulbs when the lights are on.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Yes.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n Yes, you can. You just need to do some planning to make sure you use the proper size transformer and wire. There is an easy-to-use lighting wire size calculator located\u00a0here<\/a>. This calculator will not only help you size the proper wire and transformer, but it will also tell you the proper tap to use for each hub. There is also a low-voltage landscape lighting installation manual available at any of our branch locations.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n
300 watts = 2.5 amps
600 watts = 5.0 amps
900 watts = 7.5 amps
1200 watts = 10 amps
1500 watts = 12.5 amps<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2.4 watt LED = 18-watt halogen
3.8 watt LED = 35-watt halogen
5-8 watt LED = 50-60 watt halogen<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n