Voltage drop on your system will affect lamp life and the amount of light the lamps will deliver. Though you may start with 12 Volts, there is a phenomenon called voltage drop that will reduce the voltage being delivered to each fixture. Now you must determine the amount of voltage being delivered to each fixture of each cluster. Place a small bead of household silicone seal inside the wire nut to create a water-tight fit. If quick connection devices are not available, you can use a common wire nut. These Quick Connectors are included with most low-voltage outdoor landscape lights. Then you will use a similar item known as a Quick Connector to fasten the laid-out cable to each light fixture. The T-connector allows you to place your cable along the path of the lights, cut the cable at the last light, and then connect the middle of the laid-out cable to a new piece of cable that will run back to the power supply. To achieve this wiring method, you will need a common device known as a T-connector. Repeat this process from the two newly connected fixtures until the entire cluster is connected. From the center point, draw a line to the nearest fixture on the right, and do the same for the nearest fixture to the left. One cluster at a time, select a fixture -or a point between two fixtures- that is the most centralized and draw a line from the power supply to this point (your center point). Group your light fixtures into clusters of 2 to 6 do not form a group whose total wattages exceed 240 Watts. Be sure to include all landscape features, buildings, individual light fixtures, and power supplies in your drawing. You want a cable wire that will deliver the best voltage to each individual fixture, and the best method for selecting this cable begins with a layout of your project. The cable lengths in your design will determine many further aspects of your lighting system. It is important to note that the cable referred to in this document is two-pronged i.e., there are two independent wires inside. There is an extensive variety of selection in mounting hardware, so check to see which kind is offered with your light fixture. Metal canopies allow you to mount fixtures to a deck or soffit, while plastic stakes are for mounting into the ground. The mounting method is determined by the location of the fixture. These fit into smaller and less obtrusive fixtures. These are available as a reflector (MR) and as a projector (PAR) type for controlling the direction of the light. Halogen and Quartz lamps are a compact light source which provides a consistently bright light. They are inexpensive but yield less light than other bulbs. Incandescent lamps are the standard type commonly used around the home. When mounted high up provide focused down-lighting and moonlighting.ĭeck/Step/Brick Lights – These wall mount fixtures light pathways, steps, garden walks, deck and pool areas. Use for up-lighting trees and shrubs, an grazing textured walls.Īccent/Spot Lights – Versatile/adjustable fixtures used for up-lighting, cross lighting, accenting and grazing. In-ground/Well Lights – Burying these fixtures flush with the ground conceals the light source. Some also cut off glare and protect the lamp and socket from debris and moisture.Īrea/Path/Bollard Lights – These low level units are designed to cast illumination in a broader pattern for: flower beds, perimeter plantings, driveways, steps and paths. Decorative fixtures will be placed in plain sight otherwise, conceal the light source when possible.īullet/Directional Lights – These designs help focus and direct the light beams. The fixtures and lamps are selected after determining which features of your landscaping are to be used. Transformer – an electrical power source this device is required to operate any low voltage fixture, in this case 12-volts.Ĭircuit – a closed, usually circular electrical line that leaves a transformer (positive) and returns to the transformer (common)ĭesign Voltage – the amount of voltage a fixture is designed to operate on the actual voltage that you supply may be more or less depending on the wiring method. Commercial Christmas Trees, Garland & Holiday Lightsįixture – a housing and the electrical components contained in that housing, a luminaire.
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