![]() ![]() Many homeowners opt for the 12 volt system for its over-all increased aesthetic value. The 12 volt system offers the homeowner more flexibility for future changes than the 120 volt counterpart. In the case of the 12v system, wires can simply be “hidden” out of site behind ground cover or borders or just be left exposed. In most cases the wires have to be buried at least 18 inches deep and therefore must be placed in protective conduit, or go the expensive route and use wiring that can go directly underground without any protective encasing. Burying the cables of the 120 volt system can also be problematic. ![]() Transformers using 12 volts can be easily installed by the homeowner, whereas in the case of a 120 volt system requires professional installation by a licensed electrical contractor and in some state you have to go the cost of a permit as well. This is just one example of the differences between the two. In this case, special energy saving fixtures are used that can operate efficiently off of a lower voltage. Low voltage landscape lighting systems uses a transformer which lowers the electrical output to the lights. For starters, regular voltage systems operate on household 120 volt power and require connections to your home system as with any appliance. There are several differences between 120 volt and 12 volt (low voltage) outdoor landscape lighting systems. Each of the options has both pros and cons, but your lighting designer from Mike’s Landscape Lighting will be able to discuss all those with you.Regular 120V Lighting VS Low Voltage Landscape Lighting There are many options to do this, a simple mechanical timer, an astronomical timer, a simple on and off switch, an app on your phone, or a photocell. The last thing you will need to consider when choosing a transformer is how do you want to control the lights to turn on and off. LEDs do not like to go far below 12 volts, or they may turn into a strobe light, you don’t want your yard to look like an 80’s disco club, do you? The higher the voltage connections will come in handy if you have a long run of wire to be sure you still have 12 volts of power at the light fixture. Transformers you see in the big box stores will usually only have a 12-volt tap to hook up lights. A multi-tap transformer will have voltage taps from 12-volt to 15-volt, some will even go up to 20-volt. Most commercial-grade transformers are multi-tap transformers. Now that you have the size of the transformer you need, there are other factors to consider. Remember the 80% rule and always account for future needs. How do you figure out how many watts you are using? You need to figure out how many watts each fixture is using (they all could be different) and add up the total number of watts. If the transformer can handle 100 watts you never want to use more than 80% (80 watts) of the transformer. ![]() What transformer do you need? Transformers come in many different sizes based on how many watts a transformer can handle. With the information above, using a transformer to power your landscape lighting system is truly the best way to go. Third, it is easier to install with little or no damage to your yard to bury wires and set fixtures. Second, a 12-volt landscape lighting system is more flexible for moving and adding fixtures in the future. What are the benefits of using a transformer to reduce the power to 12-volt for outdoor lighting? First and foremost, it is a safer and lower voltage to run in your yard to the landscape lighting. Our transformers perform a 10 to 1 reduction of power. □) Transformers reduce the power coming into the transformer (usually 120-volt) down to a desired lower voltage (usually 12-volt). Now we can talk about transformers! (No… we don’t mean Optimus Prime. The only thing Mike’s Landscape Lighting will do with those systems is to disconnect the power from the source, remove the fixtures, and install a new low voltage landscape lighting system. These systems are not adjustable as the wires are in rigid pipes below the ground so you cannot move the fixtures very easily. These older systems are usually controlled by a yellow dial timer in your basement or garage. I don’t know about you, but whenever I see 120-volt electric wires in the water it makes me leery. Let me explain, just about every system we have looked at has had water in the electrical boxes that hold the fixture. Most of them are old and a little dangerous. We have come across many 120-volt landscape lighting systems in our years in business. If you are looking to install a low voltage or 12-volt landscape lighting, then the answer is yes. To answer this question, we would need some additional information. ![]()
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