Lights.com—Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting
Low-voltage outdoor lighting is usually incorporated into landscaping as a decorative element. These lights are most often seen lining walkways and flowerbeds, both to help people navigate up the walks and to keep them out of the flowerbeds. The lights also serve to highlight the beauty of natural stone walkways and the beauty of flowers and plants, which can go unnoticed at night. Low-voltage lights can thus aid in safety and enhance decorative landscape elements, but by themselves they are not that useful for security concerns.
Low-voltage systems commonly operate at voltages as low as 12 volts. Standard, household voltage in the United States is 120 volts. Therefore, low-voltage lighting systems also require the use of transformers (which are usually included in such lighting packages). A transformer connected to a home's power supply steps down the voltage from the power grid to the voltage required by the lighting system. These systems should, and usually do, include ground fault circuit interrupters (GCFIs) to reduce the risks of shock.
It is quite important to get the right transformer for your purpose. If you will have only a few lights, the included transformer will probably be enough. If you start using more lights, however, you may need a more powerful transformer to keep the lights from going dim. This is a function of the transformer's power rating, measured in watts. So, in buying a separate transformer, you want to be sure it has a strong enough power rating, the correct voltage setting for your lights, and a circuit interrupter for fault conditions. (Even 12 volts can give a memorable shock.)
Installing Low-Voltage Lighting Systems
Installing low-voltage outdoor lighting is not too difficult. Most systems include a transformer, a GCFI, a power cable, and the lights themselves. The lights are clipped onto the power cable, which is connected to the transformer and GCFI, which is plugged into a standard wall outlet. Once the lights are tested to ensure proper operation, the power cable is shallowly buried, and the lights (which are usually mounted on stakes) are driven into the ground. Many systems will even turn themselves on and off, either with a timer or a photo-sensor.
