How to Install a Two-Wire Low Voltage Landscape Lighting System

Introduction

Installing landscape lighting is an easy DIY project that can make a dramatic difference in how your home looks after dark. Low voltage landscape lighting is safe, energy efficient, and creates a beautiful nighttime ambience.

In this guide, I'll walk you step-by-step through installing a two-wire low voltage landscape lighting system. Here's what I'll cover:

Overview of Low Voltage Landscape Lighting

Low voltage landscape lighting uses 12V DC power, which is much safer than the 120V AC power that runs your home appliances. If a low voltage wire is damaged, you'll get a small tingle rather than a dangerous shock.

The two main components of a low voltage lighting system are:

• Transformer - Steps down your household 120V AC current to 12V DC current. It is installed on an outdoor receptacle or in a basement or garage.

• Low voltage landscape lighting wire - Specialized wire that runs power from the transformer to your light fixtures underground.

Low voltage lighting offers many advantages:

• Energy efficient - LED and halogen fixtures use far less energy than incandescent bulbs.

• Durability - Fixtures and wiring are designed to withstand outdoor elements.

• Safety - 12V DC current won't electrocute you.

• Aesthetics - Small discrete fixtureshighlight the natural beauty of your home and garden.

Planning Your Low Voltage Lighting Layout

Careful planning is crucial to ensure your low voltage lighting system meets your needs. Here are some tips:

• Map out fixture locations - Draw a simple sketch of your home and mark where you want light fixtures. Consider lighting paths, accenting garden features, and highlighting architectural details.

• Calculate transformer wattage - Add up the wattage of all your fixtures. Choose a transformer that provides enough power. As a rule of thumb, leave a 20% buffer.

• Plan the wiring routes - Find the most efficient routes to run your low voltage wire between the transformer and light fixtures while minimizing wire lengths.

• Get necessary permits - Most low voltage lighting projects don't require permits, but check with your city to make sure.

Buying the Proper Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Equipment

To complete your project, you'll need:

• Lighting fixtures - Low voltage fixtures come in a wide variety of styles. Consider path lights, spotlights, well lights, and flood lights. Choose metal halide, LED, or halogen.

• Transformer - Select a transformer with enough wattage for all your fixtures. Opt for a model with a timer, photo sensor, and surge protection.

• Low voltage wire - 12 or 14 gauge, 2-conductor copper wire rated for direct burial. Purchase the length you need based on your plan.

• Wire connector caps - Used to connect wires within fixtures and at the transformer. Get gel-filled twist connectors.

• Other accessories - Voltage meter, wire strippers, trowel or trencher to bury wire, outdoor caulk, PVC conduits.

Installing the Transformer

Installing the transformer properly is a crucial first step:

• Mount the transformer to an exterior outlet or an indoor outlet in your basement/garage. Make sure the outlet is GFCI protected and not on the same circuit as large appliances.

• If hardwiring to a junction box, connect the transformer's input wires to the supply wires in the box. Install a GFCI breaker.

• Connect all the neutral (common) wires from your low voltage fixtures to one transformer output. Connect all hot fixture wires to the other output.

• Install a timer and/or a photo sensor if your transformer has these features. This allows automatic on/off control of your lighting.

Running the Low Voltage Wire

Burying the landscape wire is the most labor intensive part of the process:

• Lay out the lighting wire along your planned route using spray paint. Have extra slack at fixture locations.

• Bury the wire at least 6 inches deep. Use a trencher for speed or dig by hand with a spade.

• In paved areas, run 1/2 inch PVC conduit just under the surface and pull the wire through it.

• Use gel-filled wire connectors to extend short wire runs if needed. Make sure to bury all connections.

• Don't run wires closer than 2 inches from other cables or pipes. Cross other buried lines at 90 degree angles.

Installing the Fixtures

The final step is installing your landscape lighting fixtures:

• Position the fixtures and mark the mounting hole locations with spray paint.

• Make the wire connections. Attach the fixture's hot wire (typically black insulation) to the wire running back to the transformer. Attach the neutral wire (typically white insulation) to the return line.

• Secure the fixtures by screwing them into the ground or mounting base. Apply caulk around the base.

• For flood or spot lights, aim the fixture head and tighten into position.

• Restore disturbed soil and sod around the light fixtures.

Testing and Troubleshooting Your Lighting System

To finish your project:

• Turn on the transformer and test that all fixtures light up properly. Check for loose connections.

• Use a voltage meter to verify 12V at each fixture. If not, locate any faulty wire runs.

• Make lighting adjustments. Reposition floodlights to optimize coverage. Remove or add accent lighting as desired.

• Run the lighting for several nights and readjust fixtures as needed.

• Develop a maintenance plan to keep fixtures clean and clear of debris and landscaping.

Installing low voltage landscape lighting requires planning, proper materials, and carefully running wire. But the benefits are definitely worthwhile! Your home will look spectacular long after the sun goes down.

Conclusion

With the right planning and preparations, installing a two-wire low voltage landscape lighting system is a very manageable DIY project. Strategically placed lighting transforms your home's exterior and also improves safety and security. Low voltage LED and halogen fixtures provide beautiful, energy efficient lighting that will make your landscape shine for years to come.