Outdoor Lighting falls into two catagories. Low voltage outdoor lighting and line voltage (110v). Most properties use low voltage outdoor lighting, which in most cases is the better choice, however there are issues with quality and longevity. In this article we will be discussing why the problem exisits and how to insure a quality, trouble free outdoor lighting installation.
First an overview. Low voltage outdoor lighting generally falls into two catagories-- consumer grade and professional grade. The majority of consumer exposure is to the consumer grade outdoor light fixtures found in home centers, and the experience is not a good one. These systems are intended to be disposable and often have very short life spans and performance. An aluminum fixture with a quick connect splice costs about $3.50 to make in China, is sold to Home Depot for $10 and retails to the consumer for $20. At $3.50 manufacturing cost, you can not expect to get an electrical item that will last when exposed to constant ground moisture. Inexpensive $20 fixtures are affordable but they will dissappoint. Moreover they bring down the reputation of outdoor lighting.
To get an outdoor lighting system that will perform and last you need three things:
1. Quality solid brass fixtures that will not corrode, powered by a multi-tap low voltage transformer than can compensate for voltage drop (so all the lights are bright even on long runs).
2. A professional installation. This includes a low voltage layout that compensates for voltage drop, multiple runs to equalize loads, connections made using a direct burial splice (for example grease filled connectors), and a quality installation.
3. A designer that understands outdoor lighting design. Outdoor lighting is an art and the effect is largely determined by the lighting designer. You want a variety of effects, fixtures to be placed where there will not be maintenace issues, using risers where appropriate, avoiding glare and direct viewing of any fixture, use of downlighting to balance the up lighting, and to be dark sky friendly.
Regarding the first item-- outdoor lighting fixture quality, there are alot of misconceptions even with "professional" fixtures. First, just because a fixture is sold thru contractor distribution does not mean its a professional fixture. The majority of professional fixtures sold are made of aluminum. Aluminum is a poor choice if you are looking for longevity. Brass will last many times longer. Additionally, the construction should be thick cast brass (not sheet brass) and be designed with quality components (water tight sealed bodies, orings seals, dielectric grease and greas on all connections and threads, heat shrink tubing over internal splices, etc..
Regarding professional installation, opt for someone experienced with low voltage outdoor lighting, preferrably someone who does it as their primary business. Often electricians, landscapers and other contractors do not understand the nuiances of low voltage outdoor lighting as well as you would think. Some of the things to ask for are what kind of connectors they use to make their splices. If they answer with a direct burial splice (e.g. grease filled cap, 3M direct burial tubes, Ace Connectors (metal crimp sleeve that has heat shrink tubing over it), Blazing DBR, etc. you likly have a pro. If the answer is a quick connect/pierce point connector (like found on Home Depot outdoor lights) or if they use regualr wire caps and electrical tape...run away.
Outdoor Lighting design. This is a harder one, and an area that differentiates the true pro's and craftsmen from the rest. Frankly, if you have amrquee property and are willing to pay the premium, you will see the results pay off. Not everyone can afford a great designer, but you should at minimum insure your contractor is using high quality solid brass fixtures, direct burial connectors, a multi-tap trasnformer, and understands voltage drop and proper layouts. With those basics, you can enjoy a high quality, long lasting, outdoor lighting system that has minimal maintenace needs. Over time, it will also cost less than replacing the consumer grade systems every couple years.
First an overview. Low voltage outdoor lighting generally falls into two catagories-- consumer grade and professional grade. The majority of consumer exposure is to the consumer grade outdoor light fixtures found in home centers, and the experience is not a good one. These systems are intended to be disposable and often have very short life spans and performance. An aluminum fixture with a quick connect splice costs about $3.50 to make in China, is sold to Home Depot for $10 and retails to the consumer for $20. At $3.50 manufacturing cost, you can not expect to get an electrical item that will last when exposed to constant ground moisture. Inexpensive $20 fixtures are affordable but they will dissappoint. Moreover they bring down the reputation of outdoor lighting.
To get an outdoor lighting system that will perform and last you need three things:
1. Quality solid brass fixtures that will not corrode, powered by a multi-tap low voltage transformer than can compensate for voltage drop (so all the lights are bright even on long runs).
2. A professional installation. This includes a low voltage layout that compensates for voltage drop, multiple runs to equalize loads, connections made using a direct burial splice (for example grease filled connectors), and a quality installation.
3. A designer that understands outdoor lighting design. Outdoor lighting is an art and the effect is largely determined by the lighting designer. You want a variety of effects, fixtures to be placed where there will not be maintenace issues, using risers where appropriate, avoiding glare and direct viewing of any fixture, use of downlighting to balance the up lighting, and to be dark sky friendly.
Regarding the first item-- outdoor lighting fixture quality, there are alot of misconceptions even with "professional" fixtures. First, just because a fixture is sold thru contractor distribution does not mean its a professional fixture. The majority of professional fixtures sold are made of aluminum. Aluminum is a poor choice if you are looking for longevity. Brass will last many times longer. Additionally, the construction should be thick cast brass (not sheet brass) and be designed with quality components (water tight sealed bodies, orings seals, dielectric grease and greas on all connections and threads, heat shrink tubing over internal splices, etc..
Regarding professional installation, opt for someone experienced with low voltage outdoor lighting, preferrably someone who does it as their primary business. Often electricians, landscapers and other contractors do not understand the nuiances of low voltage outdoor lighting as well as you would think. Some of the things to ask for are what kind of connectors they use to make their splices. If they answer with a direct burial splice (e.g. grease filled cap, 3M direct burial tubes, Ace Connectors (metal crimp sleeve that has heat shrink tubing over it), Blazing DBR, etc. you likly have a pro. If the answer is a quick connect/pierce point connector (like found on Home Depot outdoor lights) or if they use regualr wire caps and electrical tape...run away.
Outdoor Lighting design. This is a harder one, and an area that differentiates the true pro's and craftsmen from the rest. Frankly, if you have amrquee property and are willing to pay the premium, you will see the results pay off. Not everyone can afford a great designer, but you should at minimum insure your contractor is using high quality solid brass fixtures, direct burial connectors, a multi-tap trasnformer, and understands voltage drop and proper layouts. With those basics, you can enjoy a high quality, long lasting, outdoor lighting system that has minimal maintenace needs. Over time, it will also cost less than replacing the consumer grade systems every couple years.
Labels: outdoor lighting
