Why Low Voltage Lighting makes your home's outdoors stand out

Low voltage lighting is your ticket to a lighting masterpiece.

If you've got a deck, patio, landscape, garden or anything you want to show off but have the slightest clue about how to approach this monstrous lighting task, keep reading.

But first, what exactly is low voltage lighting? In today's market 12 volt incandescent lamps are the most common type, but any system that runs on 50 volts or less is considered low voltage.

It is not uncommon in outdoor lighting to use lamps that use 24 volts or even 5.5 volts.

Normal house current in the United States uses 120 volts, so how do you power a 12 volt lamp into a system that produces 120 volts? The answer is a Transformer. A transformer is a device that converts voltage from it's main source (your home) to be compatible to support lower or higher voltages.

Adding multiple low voltage lamps on one line is easy. Doing so gives you the flexibility to position your lights wherever you see fit. Installing outdoor lighting properly should always be done with care.

Advantages of Low Voltage Lighting

2) They are much more energy efficient than line voltage lighting, saving you money while also doing something good for the environment.

3) Light output isn't overpowering so you won't be blinded every time you are near one.

4) Lamps are available in various different voltages that provided the low light levels needed in many circumstances.

5) They last much longer than line voltage lamps.

6) They can be used in combination with 120 volt systems to produce the desired result.

7) It is much easier to install wiring for low voltage lighting.

Low Voltage lamp placement and function

A nice thing about low voltage lighting is that they come in a variety of small sizes. Thats great news for designers like you and me because we can easily create a clean look and hide the fixtures without sacrificing light output.

When deciding on an outdoor lighting fixture, don't take the easy way out. Spend the money on a quality fixture, its money well spent. You don't want to have to keep replacing parts because you decided to save a few dollars.

Its always best to find a place to mount the fixture that is out of people's view. The idea is to focus attention on what you want people to see, not show off your newest lighting fixture.

If you can't hide a fixture, try to find a one that blends into its surroundings. Lighting manufacturers make a whole slew of fixtures with different finishes. You could match them up to almost any outdoor element without drawing too much attention to it.

Have fun with it. Easily adjust it's light output to help you focus on whatever object you want to accentuate.

Because of the wide variety of lamps available, it's easy to customize your project. You can choose any type of beam spread from very narrow and tight to wide and open.

Most narrow and tight beam spreads are used as accent lighting. Maybe you want to draw your guests' attention to a particular object like a sculpture or fountain.

A wide beam spread could be used as a form of flood lighting. Because this lighting is so energy efficient, a low voltage flood light would provide a decent amount of light without being too overpowering.

Use it to accentuate a section of your garden that you love. Be unique, fun, try something new for a change, get inspired. Use lighting to make your outdoors more enjoyable.

Return from Low Voltage Lighting to Creative Outdoor Lighting