Are you looking for a fun weekend project to increase curb appeal and add an elegant glow to your yard? Low voltage landscape lighting may be just what you are looking for. With this DIY project, you can illuminate your yard without spending a lot of money or hiring an electrician. These wires are so easy to install, even for people without wiring experience.
In this article, we’ll cover everything from choosing the perfect landscape wire for your project to detailed installation instructions. By the end, you should be well equipped to wire your own path, flower bed, patio border, or any other low voltage project around your home.
What You’ll Need
The first step to installing a low voltage landscape lighting system is collecting all the necessary materials. By doing so, you will have a much easier time putting the lighting system together. The materials required are as follows:
- Low voltage landscape lighting fixtures: This could be path lights, spot lights, flood lights, etc. The specific lights that you need will depend on your individual design.
- Transformer: This will be used to convert the home’s standard voltage output to low voltage power.
- Low voltage landscape wire: This is a durable wire that is specially made to resist the elements.
- Waterproof wire connectors: These connectors will be used to create strong and secure wire joins.
- Screwdriver and wire stripper: These tools are used to create clean and dependable wire connections.
- Shovel or trowel: You will need one of these to dig a shallow trench to lay your landscaping light wire in.
Plan Your Layout
Begin by drawing a rough sketch of the area you want to light up. On the sketch, indicate where you want light fixtures. Measure the distance between each lighting point you marked on the diagram. This will give you a rough idea of how much landscape lighting wire you need for the job. Don't forget to measure the wire length required to reach the transformer and factor in any potential obstacles like trees, paths, and garden beds.
Choose the Right Wire
The quality of wire you choose is the single most important factor in the success of your lighting project. A good landscaping wire will deliver consistent power to your lights, resist breakage from tough environmental conditions, and connect easily to your fixtures. Consider these key recommendations:.
For standard residential projects:
14/2 Low Voltage Landscape Wire – 100ft / 200ft / 250ft / 500ft: is a popular low voltage wire for small-to-medium residential landscape lighting applications such as walkways, patios, and garden beds. It’s flexible, easy to bury, and compatible with the majority of landscape lighting connectors.
For longer distances or higher wattage loads:
12/2 Low Voltage Landscape Wire – 100ft / 200ft / 250ft / 500ft: is suitable for larger yards, bigger homes, or multiple lighting zones. The thicker gauge copper core keeps voltage drop to a minimum, and allows you to connect more fixtures..
10/2 Low Voltage Landscape Wire – 200ft / 250ft: is ideal for long wire runs or very high-load installations. It has a heavy-duty build for the toughest jobs.
For short runs and low-watt systems:
16/2 Low Voltage Landscape Wire – 100ft / 200ft / 250ft / 500ft: is lightweight and easy to work with. It's great for quick installations, low-voltage LEDs, or when the distance from the fixture to the transformer is short.
Install the Transformer
The transformer is the most important piece of equipment. It steps down the 120-volt power that comes out of your wall outlet into the 12 or 14-volt output that powers your lights. Here's how to install one:
- Choose a location close to a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlet, preferably one that is high off the ground and out of direct contact with water.
- Mount the transformer to a wall, fence or post using the included screws or mounting brackets (most units include a mounting kit).
- Attach the landscape light wire to the terminal block in the back of the transformer. (Match the polarity - most use a "Common" and "12V" or "14V" terminal.)
- Plug it in and leave it off until you are finished with your lighting install. You will turn the transformer on after all of your lights are connected.
Lay Out the Wire
With your transformer installed, you can now run your landscape wire from your power source to the location of each of your light fixtures. Here’s how to do it:
- Begin at the transformer and unroll your wire along the path you'll be installing your lights.
- Leave some slack in your wire at each fixture location (12–18 in). You'll need this extra wire to make adjustments or repairs in the future.
- Do not bend the wire sharply or allow it to kink. Bend all curves gently to prevent internal damage to the wire.
- Route the wire around trees, rocks, and flower beds instead of trying to force it through or under these obstacles.
Connect the Fixtures
Now that you have laid your wires and connected them to your transformer, it’s time to connect the lights. Let’s go through the steps.
- Strip ½ inch of insulation from your main landscape wire at every location where you will attach a light.
- Use either waterproof wire connectors or quick connectors, which are typically provided with your fixtures, for connections.
- Connect the correct wire polarity. Most fixtures will have colored wires or be marked positive/negative. Connect these to the appropriate side of your landscape light wire.
- Tug-test your connections. This ensures they’re secure. A bad connection can cause lights to flicker or not turn on.
- Run your wire and connect every fixture along the way.
Bury the Wires
Burying the landscape lighting wire helps prevent damage, and it also makes your yard safe. Here's how to go about it:
- Dig a shallow trench 4 to 6" deep along the wire run. This will protect the wire from foot traffic, dogs, or lawn tools.
- Lay the wire in the trench. Do not pull the wire tight as you lay it in the trench; leave a little slack for expansion and ground movement.
- Fill the trench back in with soil, mulch, or gravel. Pack it down lightly so that it stays in place but is not compressed.
- If your wire is running across a driveway, sidewalk, or other high-traffic area, use edging or conduit to provide additional protection.
Light It Right with Haisstronica
Installing low voltage landscape lighting can be easy and fun. With the right tools and planning, you can complete your installation project in a weekend.
Haisstronica has got you covered with all the supplies you may need to finish this project. We offer a broad selection of UL-listed low voltage landscape wires to meet any of your lighting installation requirements. Visit our store today and gear up with durable wiring that will give you long-lasting landscape lighting for years to come.
