One of the biggest hassles in installing low voltage garden lights is running the actual cords. It lies somewhere between a science and an art as you try to run the cables with the right voltage from your transformer while at the same time trying to hide the cords and light install the light fixtures in the areas you want them. There are many different ways to run these cords and most of the installation can be done on your own, however there are some parts of it, notably installing the high voltage cords that connect your transformer to the power grid that should not be done on your own.
The most important thing that you need to take into account when you are trying to figure out how to run cord for outdoor landscape lighting is the power of your transformer. The power of your transformer will determine the length of the cord that you can run and how many bulbs you can place on the cord. It’s important you work this out in any garden lighting plans you have before you buy and install the transformer. For example, if you are installing four fifteen watt lights you’ll have a total of 100 watts on your line, and you’ll want a transformer that supplies more power than this. Be careful not to buy too big of a transformer however. You can run the risk of supplying too much power to your lights and over-volting them, which results in them burning out much, much earlier.
After you’ve figured out how much total wattage you need your transformer to be, you also need to place the transformer and figure out how long you are going to run your cables. Generally, you should try to run the least amount of power cord to the lights as possible because you lose power along the line the longer your cable gets. If your cord is too long it can even result in the last light on the cord being very dim because it’s not getting enough power. The more lights you place on a certain line, the less distance you will be able to actually run the cord as well.
What this amounts to is that you need to install your low voltage transformer in a central location to your lights. Luckily today most transformers come in waterproofed boxes that allow you to install them in many different locations outside. Unfortunately, this also requires running high voltage cable from your house or power line out to the transformer. For this you need to nearly always consult a professional as it is very dangerous and involves a large amount of electricity. If not done right, the high voltage cable can be a serious shock hazard.
Finally, when you actually get to running your garden lights you should try to hide them as much as you can. This is easy in many places because the cables can be hidden under mulch, earth, and other plants or trees. Hiding the cables accomplishes several things. It removes a trip hazard for people and also protects your lights from getting yanked from their fixtures if the person to trips yanks the cord hard enough. It also makes your garden lights look better in general and removes a shock hazard, even if it is very small to start out with. You also protect the cords from the elements, pets, other animals, and your lawnmower, which lengthens their life and makes sure you have to replace them less often.
Find the best way to run cords for garden lights seems easy on paper, but the technical aspects present a larger problem. In order to run your cords correctly, you need to estimate the wattage of the bulbs you want connected, buy the right transformer, place it in the right location, and run the cords in lower trafficked area. It may be difficult, but the payoff you get when you garden is beautifully lit night after night is worth it.
If you live in Arizona, you can find Pheonix landscaping companies near you.
