Low Voltage Lights

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There are many reasons why you should go for installing outdoor light fixtures, including the fact that it will make your home’s exterior look very stunning at night. One of the alternatives that you might want to consider is low voltage deck lighting as it offers almost the same kind of charm but with added safety and less cost in electricity.

It is very important to factor in energy efficiency when it comes to installing outdoor lighting fixtures. If you are confronted by the possibility that it might cause an increase in your monthly power bill or if it poses a threat to the safety of your home, then you should consider the possibility of using an alternative.

Low voltage deck lightning does not mean that all aesthetics will be lost. In fact, there are a lot of deck lighting fixtures that you can find which are all still very classy and great to look at especially at night. All the difference is that they are a little cheaper than the high voltage types.

The installation of any and all lighting fixtures especially on the outside should be done by a professional so that you can be sure that everything is working properly and that there are no safety requirements that will be overlooked.

One of the most important things to remember is to mind the spacing of the lights as well as the wires that will be used. Every material and tool has to be there in order for the installation to go smoothly and efficiently. It is to be expected that the lights will be stable for a long time because they will hardly ever be touched.

Low voltage deck lighting is not that complicated. One just has to learn a little about it to see that it is not such a bad idea even as far as design is concerned. You do not have to make a compromise between safety and aesthetics these days because manufacturers and creators of light fixtures always find ways to make things pretty as well as safe to keep a well needed balance in the world of home improvement.

If you are considering updating or adding a patio to your home, don’t forget to add low voltage patio lighting. Low voltage patio lighting adds value to your home and is good for your wallet. It adds flare to your patio and adds a layer of security to your home.

If you like spending time outside at night, then patio lighting is a must. Patio lights allow you to take advantage of cool summer nights by allowing you and your friends a safe place to enjoy the evening.

Since low I am the owner of this site.voltage patio lighting is available in a multitude of styles, you can add flare to your deck, patio and your garden. Choosing lights that accent your home’s features will also add value to your home. It can give it the all important curb appeal. The lights make your home and yard inviting, making it a place you want to go.

If you have steps or stairs leading to your house or patio, then consider adding lights to the steps. The lights can gently guide your guests safely upstairs. Carefully place lights in the garden to add an attractive path through your garden showing off the hard work you put in to it. The lights act like an invitation to enjoy your outdoor world.

Use your imagination and creativity when updating or adding a patio. Take your time and plan how and where you want the focus to be. Low voltage patio lighting needs to be more than an afterthought. With careful planning, the lights can make an outdoor area warm and inviting.

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Low voltage landscape lights are more popular these days as many people would like to extend the use of their yards aside from being a garden but also hold parties during the night.

Low voltage landscape lights make the front porch safer and undeniably more attractive. It may be done in many forms such as installing path lights, deck lights, floodlights, patio lanterns or just the landscape lights. What makes this type of lights the number one choice for homeowners is because it is more practical than high voltage lights. Both offer the same quality lighting only that the low voltage is much more safe and cost-effective. It utilizes a transformer, which reduces the 120 volts house or business current to 12 volts. They offer the same quality lighting only that it has lower risk and energy consumption.

Why would homeowners need to install low voltage landscape lights? Aside from the fact that lights provide better visibility during the night, they also help create a much safer environment. Well they don’t actually prevent crimes from happening but they lessen the possibilities of your house being an easy target for thieves. By providing an even illumination rather than dark shadows at night, they guide your and your guest’s path. When you drive to your garage, you will not be blinded by the glare produced by high voltage lights.

Low voltage landscape lights help improve the over-all appearance of your property. They enhance and accentuate the shapes and textures of your landscape and its structure. You and your family could take pride of a more comfortable and beautiful property.

Low voltage landscape lights are much simpler to install than the high voltage ones. Homeowners could even exercise some creativity while planning for the installation of the fixtures. It’s so economical because they are cheaper to install, to maintain and the energy they consumer are lower than the high voltage lights. You can’t help but feel confident about your choice that it is both economical and beneficial from its features for your landscape lighting options.

Low voltage transformer is a transformer which is designed and produced specially to protect the customer against voltage at the time of usage by the customer. The main advantage of using the low voltage transformer is to reduce the risk carried over by way of electric shock. The electronic motive force supplied from the transformer which is from to 12 or 24 volts is said to be low voltage and the transformer supplied is called as low voltage transformer. The low voltage transformer reduces the voltage usually up to 12 or 24 volts. The appliances and light that operate under low voltage transformer provides nominal supply to the customer and protects the user under short circuits.

Low voltage transformer protects against shock, when the transformer undergoes low voltage or earth. Low voltage transformer fetches more demand among the customer and it is specially designed to meet the requirements of the customer around the world. Low voltage transformer comes up with more protection and usefulness services to the people using around the world. Most of the people know that, the transformer is the device used to transfer the electrical energy from one circuit to another circuit using magnetic coupling.

Generally, the low voltage transformer used comes up to operate around 12 or 24 volts. The low voltage transformer is available with the standard voltage of 12 or 234 volts. The low voltage transformer controls the shocking capacity for the user and protects the user against accidents. The low voltage transformer used for the purpose may be either electronic transformer or magnetic low voltage transformer. The low voltage transformer may be lighter to operate and provides the best service to the customer using it. It should be noted that the electric circuit connected should be save and secured for the customer. When the customer feels that it is an unsecured one, the user should be cautioned.

Low voltage transformer is the simplest and best electronic machine which comes up with good efficiency and flexibility to provide large units of performance. The performance of low voltage transformer ranges from one circuit to another with their efficiency. The operation of low voltage transformer is easier and simple process and it is designed in such way that it protects the customer at the time of low voltage from the transformer. The low voltage transformer is designed specially to satisfy the needs of commercial, industrial and residential purpose of the society. Huge number of people around the world is using the service provided by low voltage.

Low voltage outdoor lighting can provide atmosphere to the area around a home, and low voltage outdoor lighting can provide effective security for a home or business. Lighting around a valuable home or successful business can deter vandals and thieves so this can be a very wise investment.

Low voltage outdoor lighting can bring substantial savings by protecting a home or business. Vandals might enter a property just to make horrible mischief, but the destruction of a few minutes or hours could be very expensive when it comes time to make the repairs.

Graffiti on a wall could cost a lot of money to cover up so anything that deters these vandals will eliminate the expense of the crime. Low voltage outdoor lighting can save money and deter many vandals.

Criminals that enter a home or business to steal or harm the occupants will be deterred if anyone can see their faces as they enter the premises. These awful people will move away from a home or business with low voltage outdoor lighting to a target without this protection. A homeowner or business owner does not have to have a gun to deter these criminals. Low voltage outdoor lighting can illuminate an area that these criminals will avoid.

Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting Is Attractive And Inexpensive

There is so much information on the importance of conserving energy, and the manufacturers of low voltage outdoor lighting have risen to the challenges of producing effective lighting while conserving energy at the same time. The demand for energy efficient outdoor lighting has encouraged these manufacturers to compete for eager customers.

These conscientious customers seek low voltage outdoor lighting to provide illumination for the areas around their home where they entertain or exercise. Business owners seek low voltage outdoor lighting to protect their employees and property.

The manufacturers of low voltage outdoor lighting have employed brilliant engineers and creative designers to work together to come up with efficient yet attractive lighting fixtures. The increased demand has produced a wide array of lighting fixtures that will be inexpensive to operate while illuminating the targeted areas efficiently.

Several companies now have some great products to satisfy the needs of the people. There are some great fixtures available that can be installed by those without a great knowledge of construction skills. These beautiful fixtures can save the each customer even more money if they do the installation on their own. The fixtures come with clear directions to complete the installation.

Both cabinet and under cabinet lighting require an emphasis on task and function with sensitivity to aesthetic and design. Contractors often run into the dilemma of having to accommodate both demands for clients on a tight budge. Optimal aesthetics may require leaving the lights on for longer periods of time – thus running up electric bills. Certain commercial environments such as company break rooms may need the lights left on throughout the day – thus tempting owners to use cheap fixtures to meet needs better met by custom low voltage cabinet lighting fixtures with transformers.

Contractors may feel pressured in these circumstances to cave in to popular demand for generic fluorescent, rope lighting or low voltage puck lights. This is seldom the best solution, and it does not work well for building repeat business.

Contractors can overcome these dilemmas and win more bids by proposing low voltage under cabinet lighting strips that are custom to exact client requirements. These display cabinet lighting strips combine optimal lumens output with maximum energy savings. Strips with smaller magnetic transformers also make for easy installation and concealment, and they offer a significant added value to LED accent lighting we will examine in a moment.

Through a partnership with linear strip light manufacturers like Phantom Lighting, you can pass on direct savings to your clients, and you can also accommodate them with user friendliness and a wide variety of lamping and color temperature options that can make low voltage under cabinet light installations a source of premier illumination at only a fraction of standard lighting costs.

For example, 12v incandescent festoons provide bright, cost effective sources of light in a variety of commercial environments. Companies are always concerned about the bottom line. Many will specifically request that contractors install fluorescent under cabinet lights in break rooms and work areas because they believe this offers them the most cost-competitive option.

You may want to point out to these clients that low voltage linear lighting fitted with incandescent festoons produce equivalent levels of light that are more amenable to human eyes. Upgrading the break room for employee comfort offers both a more relaxed atmosphere and an opportunity for employees to save money themselves by dining in rather than eating out. This also helps reduce employee tardiness by encouraging them to remain in the building during lunch hour.

Incandescent festoons fitted to low voltage under cabinet lights will also make residential kitchens look exceptionally well lit and more comfortable. The key to winning bids on under cabinet low voltage kitchen lighting is to propose a design that minimizes reflective glare. Fluorescents throw light forward, so your clients will probably not want to deal with forward light and reflected light combined. If they raise concerns about cost, point out the power saving benefits of a low voltage puck or low voltage and under cabinet Phantom strip.

Puck lights work best when there are no reflective metal surfaces directly under the cabinet. Phantom low voltage lamps actually point back toward the wall and direct light away from any highly reflective, large appliance positioned directly beneath them. They also come with dimmer switches that allow the end-user direct control over lighting intensity. Often, you can reduce a great deal of glare simply by lower lighting levels.

However, no matter what anyone does, a certain amount of glare is unavoidable, so a final selling point you can mention about 12v home LED lighting strips is their smaller size and ease of concealment. Pucks are clearly visible from a number of angles of incident, whereas custom strip lights are almost impossible to spot unless someone is looking for them.

For residential and commercial clients with high-end, custom counter tops such as granite or marble, consider recommending xenon low voltage lamps fitted to under cabinet lighting strips. Xenon’s ambient, golden aura has proven ideal for bringing out the richness of depth these exclusive materials are known for. Xenon is a warmer temperature that works best with warmer designs. It is rapidly gaining popularity in commercial arenas such as hotels and office buildings, where xenon linear strips can add a special ambiance to curio cabinets, bookshelf, and collectible displays in front foyers and lobbies.

Also, consider mentioning to your clients the benefits of LED energy saving under cabinet lighting any time they voice immediate concerns about electrical costs. LED bulbs on any lighting system will require only 20% the electricity required by incandescent and xenon bulbs. When you subsequently install LED replacement festoons on a low voltage, 12v under cabinet light fixture, the power savings are further multiplied to the client’s maximum advantage.

Some of the newer, proprietary magnetic transformers are engineered to operate on an AC network and do not require DC power inverters to operate, and many LED lamp manufacturers like Phantom lighting can create a lumens output of up to 50 lumens, making them an aesthetic and functional replacement for incandescents as well as an aesthetic equivalent.

  The primary objective in creating a well designed low voltage landscape lighting system is balance. Fixtures, while varying in style, wattages, and functionality, are placed in specific locations, for a specific reason. What I mean by balance is that where a fixture is not placed, that area may appear dimly lit; if not at all, creating a dark spot and be noticeable in comparison to other highlighted areas.

   Flags are placed in zone areas, ex, zone 1 front yard, zone 2 back yard. Also, deciding on a particular theme to your lighting project is as equally important. For example, path lighting, tree accent lighting, home accent lighting, or shrubbery and hedges accent lighting. Transformers must be selected for each particular zone, and chosen to accomodate the amount of fixtures and length of cabling in that area.

  Operational factors include the use of timers or x-10 controllers and modules. Certain key installation factors including the use of conduit (sleeving of cable through electrical conduit) in planter areas, and the installation of connection hubs, both promote system functionality over the long term while helping with problem solving issues later. A quarterly system cleaning and maintenance schedule must be considered, which is easily accomplished with minimal effort. Be sure to consider operational components such as photocells, and motion detectors, as well as X-10 applications which provide streamlined and efficient operations in regard to Safety, Security, and Beauty.

   For a FREE PREVIEW of related publishings on this topic please go to my website. As a contractor, I found inherent problems with previously designed systems which were in need of repair. Most of those situations required total redesign efforts of cabling systems. Someone hadn’t taken key factors into consideration when designing the project, and now you as the homeowner are faced with the fact that it is going to take more money to fix something which should have been done right in the first place. Also, another reason I wrote the book was that everything I found out there on the subject seemed over complicated to even myself as a contractor. 

Outdoor landscape lighting is a simple improvement that can make a huge difference in appearance of your home and property. Outdoor landscape lighting is typically used along driveways, steps, walkways, and pointing up at walls, fences, and trees.

There are a couple of important things to consider when planning your landscape lighting project, specifically whether you are using low voltage lighting versus 120V lighting systems. In general, low voltage, 12 volt, landscape lighting is safer to operate than the traditional 120V system. Installation can usually be done easily without the need of an electrician, and can be plugged into existing outdoor receptacles. There is more flexibility when installing and relocating the lighting because only a cable is hidden. A 120V system however will usually require installation to be performed by a licensed electrical contractor, and require wires to be buried and in a protective conduit, which makes it difficult to move. This also makes 120V systems more expensive, and can sometimes require local permits. 12V operating systems cost about a 1/3 less than that of 120V systems.

Many also prefer 12V lamps because they are small and allow fixtures to be smaller and less obtrusive. Lamps are also available in low wattages of
75 or less, so you have a choice over a hundred bulbs available for your application. The low wattage bulbs can also offer more precise lighting effects and lower energy costs. A120V system, on the other hand, only has about a dozen available options for your application, and the lamps are much larger thus requiring larger fixtures to house them. This eliminates problems of fixture and lamp availability along with concerns of limited selection when you choose low voltage lighting.

If you are working on a landscape lighting project that requires 120V wiring only, but do not want to be limited in fixture design you can now find 12V to 120V conversion kits you can easily use those high quality 12V fixtures!

It is recommended that you purchase a conversion kit, so that you no longer need to compromise or limit design when having to utilize a property’s “High Voltage (120V)” power source. The type of conversion kit you need depends on what type of lighting you are working with. Below are two types of kits you are likely to use.

When working with Flood, Accent and Path lighting fixtures, you will want to choose a kit that includes the following:

(1) Permanent post
(1) 75w step down electronic transformer
(1) 120V lamp
(1) Copper wire lead for grounding.

When working with Deck and Wall lighting fixtures, you will want to choose a kit that includes the following:

(1) 75w step down electronic transformer
(1) 120V lamp
(1) Copper wire lead for grounding.

The use of exterior low voltage lighting can both improve the appearance of your home and garden as well as improve its safety. This fairly simple and largely inexpensive enhancement to your property provides a completely different feel to the area around your home after dark and also makes it more conductive for entertaining guests. Further, it is both affordable and reasonably simple to install, even for people without experience. 

Most outdoor lighting systems only have three components: a transformer, low voltage electrical cable and the lighting elements.

The transformer converts your regular electrical house current down to just twelve volts. This has to connect to an outlet, preferably outdoors. However, if you do not have an outdoor outlet available, you can connect it to an indoor one as long as there is some way to lead the cables connected to it outside. Many people find electrical outlets in their garage or outdoor sheds perfect for this purpose. In general, once your transformer is plugged in, you should fit it with an “in-use” cover, or small plastic box that closes over the transformer, the outlet, and the connected cables. 

The low wattage electrical cable runs between the transformer to the lighting elements and is usually reasonably priced. These cables are what connect your outdoor lights to the power supply (your transformer). After the cables go over unpaved earth, they should be buried underground, at about three to six inches underground. In general, the more rain you get in your area, the deeper the cable should be laid. Bear in mind that some of power is lost as it is transmitted through the cables; therefore, be sure that you calculate in the length of your cables when buying your transformer. The general rule of thumb is one watt of electricity for each ten feet of cable.

The lighting elements themselves come in a wide array of styles and prices. The most common types of outdoor lights are walk lights and area lights. Walk lights are small and tend to placed together lining walk ways and paths in your yard or garden. Walk way lights tend to be less expensive, but you usually have to buy more of them to get the desired effect. Area lights illuminate large swaths of territory or can be angled to spotlight tall trees, walls, or other features.

Adding exterior low voltage lighting is an easy and affordable way to add an exciting new feature to your yard or garden. You can either purchase a pre-packaged set – which usually means the transformer is specifically designed to work with the elements and cable – or you can buy the components independently. Assuming you have an average sized yard or garden, most of these exterior lighting systems can be installed over a weekend. This is certainly something people should consider if they want to make their home more attractive after the sun goes down.

You might have heard of low voltage outdoor lighting, but you just aren’t sure exactly what it is or how to use it. Well, this article’s purpose is to help you become familiar with low voltage lighting and answer your most frequently asked questions on the subject.

First of all, just what is a low voltage lighting system anyway? Usually it consists of a transformer that is plugged into a wall outlet and steps the 110 volt current from the outlet down to a relatively safe 12 volts or so. The current is then passed through a low voltage cable to light fixtures that are placed along the way on the exterior of your home. These light fixtures can be used to eliminate your walkways, your landscaping, or any feature of the outside of your home that you want to direct attention to at night.

One of the big advantages of low voltage lighting systems is that they can be safely and easily installed by the homeowner themselves with no special tools. So if you’re looking to get involved in a home improvement project that will be relatively easy to do and really improve the outside appearance of your home especially at night, this is the job for you.

The second big advantage of low voltage outdoor lighting is that the lights are extremely energy efficient and therefore very low cost. Most of the lights that are used are in the 4 watt range, but they can go up from there. And all you have to do to get brighter light at night is just use a higher watt bulb in each light fixture.

Many installers of low voltage outdoor lighting systems wonder how many lights can be added to the system before it is overloaded. The answer to that is that each transformer is rated for a certain amount of total bulb wattage. So just add out the number of bulbs that you have in your system and multiply that by the bulb wattage that is being used and as long as that number is below the total bulb wattage rating of your transformer you should be fine.

Another interesting point to consider is that you can use different wattage bulbs in your outdoor lighting system as long as that total bulb wattage does not exceed your transformer’s capability. This will allow you to put brighter bulbs in certain areas to highlight those features even more at night.

If you do happen to exceed the total bulb wattage of your transformer, you can either purchase another power pack with a higher wattage rating to handle the load, or simply purchase a second one and split the load between two transformers instead.

One warning though to be observed is to never use an extension cord between the transformer and the electrical outlet. Always plug the transformer directly into the power outlet.

As you can see, low voltage outdoor lighting is not all that hard to install or maintain. So why not consider installing an outdoor lighting system for your next home improvement project?