Outdoor Lighting
Make it subtle, bright, or both
What’s your preference: line-voltage fixtures, low-voltage fixtures, or both?
A 120-volt outdoor lighting system offers several advantages over a 12-volt system -- especially when security, not aesthetics, is the issue. For starters, 120-volt fixtures usually illuminate larger areas than 12-volt fixtures can -- useful both for security and for lighting trees from the ground. The bigger fixtures are also sturdier, and their buried cables and connections provide a look of permanence lacking in some low-voltage systems.
On the other hand, 12-volt systems are simpler to install -- especially for homeowners. And the cable and smaller fixtures can snake just about anywhere you need them.
Confused? It helps to choose the bulbs you want first and then the appropriate fixtures. For instance, low-voltage halogen MR-16 bulbs are popular for accenting; PAR spots and floods, available in both standard and low voltage, are best for lighting trees or wide areas.
Keep in mind that 120-volt wire splices and fixture connections must always occur inside a housing box. Boxes for exterior use come in two types: so-called driptight boxes that deflect vertically falling water and watertight boxes that keep out water coming from any direction. For anyplace likely to get wet, a watertight box is best. All covers for watertight boxes are sealed with gaskets.
Fixtures for 120-volt outdoor systems range from well lights and other portable uplights to post lights that mark front walks, spread lights that illuminate paths or bridges, and downlights designed to be anchored to the house wall, eaves, or trees.
Outdoor fixtures come in various sizes, mostly made of bronze, cast or extruded aluminum, copper, or plastic. But you can also find decorative fixtures in stone, concrete, porcelain, and wood (redwood, cedar, and teak weather best). When evaluating fixtures, look for gaskets, high-quality components at joints and pivot points, and locking devices for aiming the fixtures.
A 120-volt outdoor lighting system offers several advantages over a 12-volt system -- especially when security, not aesthetics, is the issue. For starters, 120-volt fixtures usually illuminate larger areas than 12-volt fixtures can -- useful both for security and for lighting trees from the ground. The bigger fixtures are also sturdier, and their buried cables and connections provide a look of permanence lacking in some low-voltage systems.
On the other hand, 12-volt systems are simpler to install -- especially for homeowners. And the cable and smaller fixtures can snake just about anywhere you need them.
Confused? It helps to choose the bulbs you want first and then the appropriate fixtures. For instance, low-voltage halogen MR-16 bulbs are popular for accenting; PAR spots and floods, available in both standard and low voltage, are best for lighting trees or wide areas.
120-volt systems
A 120-volt outdoor system consists of a set of light fixtures and either type UF (underground feeder) cable, if allowed by local code, or individual wires run inside rigid metal or PVC conduit.Keep in mind that 120-volt wire splices and fixture connections must always occur inside a housing box. Boxes for exterior use come in two types: so-called driptight boxes that deflect vertically falling water and watertight boxes that keep out water coming from any direction. For anyplace likely to get wet, a watertight box is best. All covers for watertight boxes are sealed with gaskets.
Fixtures for 120-volt outdoor systems range from well lights and other portable uplights to post lights that mark front walks, spread lights that illuminate paths or bridges, and downlights designed to be anchored to the house wall, eaves, or trees.
Outdoor fixtures come in various sizes, mostly made of bronze, cast or extruded aluminum, copper, or plastic. But you can also find decorative fixtures in stone, concrete, porcelain, and wood (redwood, cedar, and teak weather best). When evaluating fixtures, look for gaskets, high-quality components at joints and pivot points, and locking devices for aiming the fixtures.
