Landscape lighting is a wonderful way to add beauty and elegance to your property and can be used on its own or as an accent to other features.
There are many different landscape lighting fixtures, but they all serve the same purpose – to create a more welcoming environment.
Most common type of landscape lighting is a low voltage powered by solar panels or batteries.
When troubleshooting low voltage landscape lighting, it is important to check for loose connections and replace any burnt-out bulbs.
Low voltage transformers are used to power low voltage landscape lighting.
Besides, it is a more cost-effective and efficient way of providing power to the transformer than using a high voltage transformer.
In this article, we will discuss what a low voltage transformer is and how it can be used for landscape lighting.
We will also discuss troubleshooting steps if there is an issue with your low voltage landscape lighting system.
Low voltage landscape lighting will require some maintenance and troubleshooting from time to time.
We will go over some common problems in this article that may arise with low voltage landscape lighting and how to fix them so that you can enjoy the benefits of your low voltage landscaping for years to come!
Table of Contents
What is landscape lighting?
We all know about the lights we use at home to get away with the dark. But what is landscape lighting? Unlike regular lights at home that use 120 volts of power, low-voltage lights consume much lesser energy.
To be very precise, it only consumes twelve volts to power up your outdoors. Hence, this has become a choice among all.
Furthermore, this does not require any previous experience to install as well as you do not need to deal with hazardous electrical wires. You can get it done with a few components.
Why is a low voltage transformer used for landscape lighting?
For your landscape lighting fixtures, you would require a power source. Do not worry, as you can use the same power source which lightens up your home.
Only thing you need to do here is lower the power to twelve volts. How to do it? Well, this is where the transformers come into play.
Without a transformer, you will not be able to provide the necessary power to your landscape fixtures. Remember to choose the transformer of proper capacity to get the desired output.
For instance, if the landscape fixtures sum up to three hundred watts, you will require a transformer capable of producing 400-500 watts.
Troubleshooting Low Voltage Landscape Lighting
Mentioned below are some of the reasons that might have been causing low voltage landscape lighting issues.
- Incorrectly wired transformer or outlet
- Circuit breaker or fuse is tripped
- Poor connectivity from the transformer to the outlet
- Improper wire gauge for the length of wire run
- Bad connections in the system
First step to troubleshooting low voltage landscape lighting is identifying the problem.
Is it a blown fuse? Is it a bad transformer? Is it a short circuit? Once you have determined the problem, this article will help you solve it.
Many things can go wrong with your landscape lighting system, and they all need to be checked before you can fix them.
Most common problems are blown fuses, loose connections, and bad transformers.
Sometimes, there is an issue with the wiring itself or with an electrical component such as a timer or sensor.
Fixing a broken wire is not a challenging task, but it can be time-consuming. If the issue is caused by damage to the wire, you will need to replace it.
If loose connections cause the issue, then you need to tighten them. If a connection has come loose or broken completely, you will need to replace the wire.
Let us explore a few important faults and their troubleshooting in detail below.
Lights not turning on at all
It is quite frustrating to see that all the lights are not turning on at all after the all-hard work. There may be several reasons for this to happen.
In this scenario, the first thing to do is to check whether the transformer is connected to a power source or not. If yes, whether it has power.
A faulty transformer that cannot generate power may cause your light not to turn at all. But if this is not the case, then a short circuit may be causing this.
Short on the circuit
What can cause a short on the circuit? There may be several factors that can cause a short circuit, such as corrosion, exposure to water, or a damaged socket .
Furthermore, it can be a wire cut that is exposed to moisture or water. Whatever it is, the hack is to trace the problem and repair the damaged part to avoid short on the circuit.
Lights are not as bright as they should be
Lights not as bright as it needs to be will surely frustrate, and dim light indicates an improper connection. You need to check whether fixtures are connected to the sockets properly or not.
Do not forget to check the power cable connection also. Furthermore, it is also recommended to check the overall wattage of the low voltage landscape fixtures.
If the value is higher than the recommended one, remove a few fixtures from the circuit.
Identifying the Issue is the Key for Low voltage Landscape Lighting
First step to repairing low-voltage landscape lighting is to identify the issue.
- If you are experiencing a flickering or blinking light, it may be an electrical issue.
- If the lights are not on, you may have a blown fuse or faulty transformer.
- If the lights flicker but do not turn on, there may be an issue with your wiring.
- If you are experiencing any other issues, please contact your local electrician for assistance.
One of the most common issues with low voltage landscape lighting is a loose connection between the wire and the transformer. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and repair the problem.
- Check for loose connections by running your hand along the wire. Look for loose or exposed wires. If you find any, fix them by twisting the wire firmly around the terminal screws on both ends of the transformer.
- Check for a short circuit by testing each light bulb in sequence with an ohmmeter or multimeter. Set to continuity mode and touch one probe to each end of the bulb’s two terminals while wiggling it gently back and forth in its socket to simulate an intermittent connection. If you find a short circuit, replace, or repair it as needed. For instance, replace burnt-out bulbs.
How To Test Low Voltage Lighting with Multimeter?
Testing low voltage lighting with a multimeter is not as simple as it seems. The first step is to identify the low voltage light with which you are dealing.
There are two types of low voltage lights – line and low. Line voltage lights are 120 or 240 volts, while low voltage lights are 12 or 24 volts.
To test the landscape lighting, you will need a multimeter. A multimeter is an instrument that measures electric currents and voltages in electronics by using two probes connected to it through wires.
The most common way to test a line-voltage light is to measure the resistance between the ground wire and each of the other wires coming from the fixture, starting with the ground wire then moving up one at a time until you find where the fault is.
Why Landscape Lighting?
Landscape lighting is a wonderful way to add curb appeal to your home. Also, it has many other benefits, such as adding security, safety, and ambiance.
Low voltage landscape lighting can be used in areas where power lines are not available or feasible.
There are many types of low voltage landscape lighting that you can choose from, such as solar-powered, LED, or solar-powered LED.
Landscape lighting is a type of outdoor lighting that illuminates landscapes and other features. It is usually installed on the exterior of homes or commercial buildings.
Landscape lighting can be used in both residential and commercial applications for security, safety, decoration, and to highlight architectural features.
There are many different types of landscape light fixtures available in the market today. One of the most common types is low voltage light fixtures powered by electricity from a transformer plugged into an outdoor outlet.
The transformer steps down the 120 volts coming from an outdoor power source to twelve volts safe to use in this application.
Landscape lighting can be used in both residential and commercial applications for security, safety, decoration, and to highlight architectural features.
Features of Low Voltage Landscape Lighting
Easy and Safe to Install
One of the best features of low voltage landscape lighting is installing it yourself by spending a few hours
Enhance your property aesthetically
Landscape lighting fixtures enhance your property aesthetically if you choose the right size and colors to lighten up your outdoors.
Boosts Return on Investment (RoI)
If you plan to sell your property, these lights will rapidly enhance the property value and help attract large potential buyers.
Pros and Cons of Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting is a terrific way to add ambiance and safety to your property. But it can be an expensive investment, so it is important to choose the right lights for your space.
One of the most common problems with low voltage landscape lighting is that the light bulbs flicker or dim. This may be due to a blown fuse or loose connection at the transformer box or wires. If you have these issues, you might need to replace your transformer box or some of your light fixtures with higher-quality ones.
Pros
- Landscape lighting can be used to create a sense of safety and security in the home
- Can make your property look more attractive and welcoming
- Can be used to highlight features of your property, such as plants or a garden
- Low energy consumption and easy to install without paying extra to an electrician or any professional
- Easy to customize the fixture as per your property requirement and ambiance
Cons
- If you have low voltage landscape lighting, then you will need to troubleshoot any problems with the power supply before they get worse
- Some people find that they are too bright at night and can cause some health problems
- Moving the fixtures may not be as easy as that of solar lights as here the bulbs are dependent on wiring and length. Whereas in the case of solar lights, you can move them quickly wherever and whenever you want
How to Repair Landscape Lighting Wire?
A wire may have been damaged when the landscape lights were installed. Moreover, it can happen if the wire is not secured or if a shovel or other sharp object nicked it.
First step is to determine where the damage is. If it is buried underground, you will need an electrician to locate and fix it. If it is visible on top of the ground, you can use a voltage tester to identify the broken wire.
If the damaged area has been identified, use pliers to remove all the insulation from around that area of the wire.
Furthermore, cut off about one foot (30 cm) of insulation from both ends of that section of wire. Now strip about 3/4 inches (2 cm) of insulation off each end and insulate them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to keep landscape lighting safe?
Landscape lighting fixtures should be kept away from fertilizers or lawnmowers. Furthermore, you can opt for protective glass treatment to safeguard the glass of lighting fixtures.
Also, the treatment will help glass not get foggy due to extreme weather conditions.
How to clean landscape lighting?
All you need is a bucket full of water and detergent to clean the lighting fixtures.
Furthermore, the only thing to remember is to unplug the complete lighting fixtures from the power source before you initiate the cleaning process.
Rinse the fixtures with clean water to remove the deposits and detergent foams. Use a soft sponge or clean cloth to get rid of dirt and dust from the surface of the fixtures.
How to choose the best outdoor landscape lighting?
There are no formulae as such for selecting the best landscape fixtures. Nevertheless, it is just that the one which you choose must work perfectly for your property.
Hence, it would help if you did proper planning before buying the landscape lighting.
For instance, you should be noticeably clear about where you would like to install the fixtures, the length of wiring required to connect the fixtures to the transformer, etc.
How much gauge is required to cover one hundred feet area in landscape lighting?
To cover one hundred feet area without any voltage or drop issues, you need a 12-gauge cable.
In this case, the total wattage should not exceed one hundred watts, and it is recommended to keep it below one hundred watts for flawless performance. Go for higher wattage if you wish to cover a larger area.
Wrap up
By now, you must have understood that landscape lighting is a very economical way to make your outdoor look more pleasant and welcoming.
With a little bit of research, you can DIY and install the fixtures by spending a few hours.
Troubleshooting low voltage landscape lighting is also not rocket science and you can fix it on your own by following the tricks mentioned above and tips.
Furthermore, low voltage makes it pocket friendly and easy to maintain. So, go ahead and lighten up your outdoor space for better visibility and ambiance.