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Low voltage outdoor lighting is a secure, affordable and easy way to implement an outdoor lighting option. Most homeowners can light up their yard with a low voltage outdoor lighting doing it themselves, without even having to pay for an electrician.

Low voltage outdoor lighting runs on a 12-volt current, which is achieved with the aid of a transformer, rendering the dangerous 110/120-volt current to a relatively safe 12-volt current. The electricity is transmitted through a special weather-resistant low voltage cable, which begins and ends at the transformer (creating a looped run).

Low voltage outdoor lighting benefits include:

1. It is very easy to set up your own low voltage outdoor lighting. The system usually comes in kits, which include everything needed to assemble the lighting (the transformer, cables and fixtures). You would just have to buy the bulbs with a preferred wattage.

2. Low voltage outdoor lighting is a very low cost solution, since it can use light bulbs, starting at nearly 4 W. In addition to regular lamps, home owners may choose to use halogen or fluorescent lamps.

3. Some kits also come with special timers, which allow the homeowner to set his/her low voltage outdoor lighting system to go on and off each 4, 6 or 8 hours.

4. Low voltage outdoor lighting systems provide homeowners with the ultimate security due to specially built-in heat motion sensors, capable of identifying any intruders.

5. It is extremely easy to relocate your low voltage outdoor lighting system since its wires have to be just slightly immersed under the ground, instead of being buried deeply and permanently.

6. It is usually recommended to purchase a transformer for your low voltage outdoor lighting setup, which somewhat exceeds the current needs of your lighting system. This will allow you to expand your system in the future as well as to start using lamps with more wattage.

7. You can pick the low voltage cable depending on the amount of watts required to operate your low voltage outdoor lighting system. Popular sizes of the low voltage cables include 12 ga. (can carry 300 watts), 14 ga. (can carry 200 watts) and 16 ga. (can carry 150 watts). Standard wire size is 12 gauge.

8. Low voltage outdoor lighting designs can be built to suit a wide range of lighting situations. The types of lighting include path lighting, in-ground fixtures, tree-hung moonlighting fixtures, spotlights, and deck lighting for an extra measure of safety while walking on the steps etc.

9. Another advantage of the low voltage outdoor lighting systems is their low cost. Not only the systems may cost anywhere starting from $15, but they also help the homeowner save a lot on the energy costs. However, keep in mind that a sound quality system will usually cost anywhere around $300.

10. It is very easy to calculate how many lamps you can use with any given transformer. For example, if the transformer is 300-watt, then you can have up to 30 garden lights with 10-watt bulbs. Just multiply the number of bulbs in your system by the bulb wattage to find out how many lamps you can use with a given transformer.

Several things to consider when implementing a low voltage outdoor lighting system:

1. Make sure not to use an extension cord for the transformer. Instead plug it directly in the outlet.

2. The wires of the low voltage outdoor lighting system are more prone to damages if they’re not buried deeply in the ground.

3. When choosing a transformer for your system, try to make sure that the wattage of your transformer is not over one third of your system’s current wattage.

Low voltage outdoor lighting is among the most secure, affordable and easy to set up systems to light up your garden. Most homeowners get amazed with their gorgeous secure garden, after implementing a low voltage outdoor lighting system.

John Monsholi knows a lot about low voltage lighting systems and low voltage landscape lighting.