How Electricians Install Safe Outdoor Landscape Lighting

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How Electricians Install Safe Outdoor Landscape Lighting

Feb 20, 2024

Landscape lighting can help transform your backyard into an ideal outdoor living space. Outdoor light fixtures allow you to host nighttime parties outdoors, bolster home security, and increase property value. Setting up outdoor lighting fixtures is a good idea and electricians can handle that job without any problems. Read here to learn more about the essential safety practices that professionals follow for installing outdoor lighting.

Creating Setups

If you have electricity running through fixtures dangling around your backyard, there's always a chance an accident can happen. Your child or pet could make contact with one of the fixtures and suffer an electrical shock. The dangers of electrical shocks should never be underestimated. That's why you should prioritize protecting your kids and pets.

Creating a low-voltage setup is one way to minimize the odds of people and pets being shocked by your landscape lighting fixtures. According to This Old House, many outdoor lighting systems feature transformers that lower the 120-volt household current to a safer 12-volt current level. You should pick up that same type of transformer for your backyard to create a safe lighting setup.

Meeting Requirements

Next, let's talk about the fixtures you're using for your landscape lighting. Unsurprisingly, not all light fixtures you can install indoors are also suited for outdoor use. Choose the wrong light fixtures for your outdoor landscape, and they can turn into electrical hazards. People and pets roaming your backyard could be in for a nasty shock because you chose unsafe fixtures.

According to our experts, outdoor lights should have an IP44 rating. Light fixtures with that IP rating can withstand rain, splashes of water, and even potential damage caused by insects. You can choose outdoor lights with a higher IP rating, but 44 should be the minimum.

Burying Cables

We've already touched on transformers and light fixtures, so let's finish up with electrical cables. Electrical cables located outdoors can be dangerous because they can trip and potentially electrocute people if they are cut. Prevent those accidents from happening in your backyard by burying the cables. Generally speaking, we recommend a trench about six inches deep into the ground to accommodate the cables safely.

Outdoor landscape lighting can be a terrific addition to your home, but you must handle its installation correctly. Take note of the tips detailed here to ensure your outdoor light fixtures don't pose a danger to anyone. You can also visit our website for more safety tips about outdoor electrical installations! Contact Corona Lighting & Electric, Inc by giving us a call or filling out a form on our website.

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