Installing low-voltage lighting can illuminate and accentuate the beautiful features of your home. However, as with any home improvement project, mistakes can easily be made that ruin the look or functionality of your new lights. As a homeowner looking to install low-voltage lighting, avoiding these 7 common mistakes will ensure your lighting project is a success.
Picking the Wrong Type of Low-Voltage Lighting
There are several types of low-voltage lighting available, each with their own unique benefits and drawbacks. Choosing the wrong lighting type for your needs is a big mistake that can leave you unsatisfied with the results. The three main types of low-voltage lighting are:
Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting is designed to accentuate features in your yard and outdoor areas. This includes:
- Path lights to illuminate walkways and stairs
- Spot lights to highlight trees, fountains, or other focal points
- Well lights for placement in gardens or lawns
Landscape lighting is exposed to the elements so it must be weather resistant. Fixtures are designed to cast light in a downward direction.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting adds a focused beam of light to highlight architectural or design details indoors. Typical accent lighting includes:
- Track lighting
- Picture lights
- Cabinet lighting
- Wall washing to graze light across textured surfaces
Accent lighting employs adjustable fixtures to precisely control the direction and spread of light.
Task Lighting
As the name suggests, task lighting provides light for specific activities like reading, cooking, or working. Common task lighting fixtures are:
- Under cabinet lights for kitchen counters and workbenches
- Desk lamps
- Piano lights
- Toe kick lighting along baseboards
Task lighting uses longer light fixtures to distribute an even glow across a surface. Light levels are usually higher than accent lighting.
Choosing the Wrong Lighting Location
Picking the wrong lighting location is another big mistake homeowners make. Well-positioned lighting highlights the best features of your home while poorly placed fixtures can create shadows or glare.
For landscape lighting, the general rule is to keep fixtures half the distance between the object you are lighting and the viewing location. This creates a nice balance of illumination and shadow that adds depth. Lighting placed too close to objects appears flat and harsh while fixtures too far away leave the area looking dim.
With accent lighting, focus on highlighting architectural details and attractive features in each room. Wall sconces frame artwork while cabinet lighting accentuates displays of collectibles or china. Picture lights draw attention to prized photos and paintings.
Good task lighting placement centers the light on surfaces where activities take place. Under cabinet fixtures belong just behind the front lip of cabinets over work areas in the kitchen. Desk lamps should illuminate the center of the desk surface.
Take time to think about where you need light and determine the optimal fixture placement to achieve it.
Choosing the Wrong Light Color
Low-voltage lighting is available in a variety of light bulb colors measured in Kelvin or K temperature. Picking the wrong light color for an application can ruin the ambiance and feel of a space.
- Soft white bulbs in the 2700K to 3000K range create a warm, inviting glow perfect for living rooms and bedrooms
- Bright white around 4000K to 5000K is better for task lighting areas where you need to match daylight color temperatures
- Daylight bulbs in the 5000K to 6500K range have a cool, energizing effect good for spaces like kitchens
In outdoor lighting, stick to soft white and warm colors:
- Amber light flatters skin tones and adds drama
- Blue light can make foliage appear unnatural
Sample different bulb colors to see what works best in each unique space.
Not Using a Low-Voltage Transformer
Low-voltage lighting requires a transformer to convert 120-volt household current into 12V power. Failing to use a compatible transformer is extremely dangerous and could result in damage or fire.
Pick a transformer with enough watt capacity for all fixtures connected to the circuit. Locate transformers close to fixtures to avoid voltage drop from long cable runs. The transformers are designed for indoor or outdoor use so can be placed accordingly.
Avoid connecting high and low-voltage fixtures to the same transformer. Transformers for LED lighting won't work with traditional incandescent bulbs. Always match your transformer to the lighting you plan to use.
Using the Wrong Gauge Wire
Another wiring mistake homeowners make is using wire that's too thin or thick for their low-voltage lighting needs. Wire diameter, measured in gauge, affects how much power can pass through to operate lights. It also impacts voltage drop over long cable runs.
- Short runs under 50' use 14 or 12 gauge wire
- Long runs over 50' need thicker 10 gauge wire
Outdoor landscape lighting often requires 10 or 8 gauge wire to allow for longer distances between fixtures. Indoor accent lighting uses thinner 14 or 16 gauge over shorter distances.
Follow manufacturer recommendations for proper wire gauge to support light wattage and distance. Using wire that's too thin can starve fixtures of power while oversized wiring is more costly than it needs to be.
Not Securing Low-Voltage Wires Properly
Leaving low-voltage wires loose, tangled, or unsecured makes for a sloppy installation and risks damage to the cables. Properly securing and protecting wiring maintains a professional look and keeps your lighting running safely.
- Use wire clips to attach cables tightly along their run
- For landscape lighting, bury wires underground using suitable exterior-rated conduit
- Keep wires tidy inside junction boxes using wire nuts to join fixtures
- Avoid running wires across doorways or other hight traffic areas
- Use cable sleeves or guards when wires cross masonry or are exposed
Taking time to properly run and secure low-voltage wiring protects your investment and creates a clean, integrated lighting system.
Ignoring Dimming Needs
Dimmable lighting provides ambiance control from soft, romantic mood lighting to bright functional illumination. Ignoring dimming needs during low-voltage installation could mean you're stuck with a single harsh brightness level.
Check if fixtures and bulbs are dimmable and buy a compatible dimmer switch rated for low-voltage use. Leading and trailing edge dimmers work with different bulb technologies. Wireless remotes offer dimming without rewiring.
Pre-plan where dimmers should go based on room use. Bedrooms and dining rooms benefit from variable dimming while task lighting areas need full brightnesss. Get the flexibility you need upfront to avoid challenges adding dimmers down the road.
Doing It Yourself Without Research
While handy homeowners may be eager to install their own low-voltage lighting, attempting to do it without proper research can lead to mistakes, faulty installations, and potential hazards. Doing your homework pays off in great results.
- Read installation guides to understand wiring and placement best practices
- Watch online video tutorials to see how experts do it properly
- Research local codes for any regulations and permit needs
- Consider taking a lighting design or installation class at a home improvement store
Hiring a professional for at least a design consultation can help you avoid rookie mistakes. For large outdoor projects or challenging wiring situations, pros may save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.
With proper planning, research, and attention to detail, you can install beautiful low-voltage lighting that enhances your home. Avoiding these common mistakes will keep your project on track for lighting success. Pay attention to lighting types, placement, wiring, and controls when creating your perfect low-voltage lighting installation.