Installing Outdoor Lighting Products

By Monte Burch

Brighten your life with Low-Voltage and Solar powered outdoor lighting.

The fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down if you spice up your yard, garden and home with low-voltage and sun-powered solar lighting products. According to the American Lighting Association more and more people are using outdoor lighting to enhance the looks of their home and property. These economical lights also provide safety by illuminating walkways, steps and decks and can discourage prowlers. Statistics show that an unlit home is three times more likely to be burglarized than a lit one.

A wide range of low-voltage and sun-powered lighting products are available and are very easy to install. They also provide cost-effective, energy-efficient outdoor lighting options. Low-voltage lights are extremely safe. Because most systems require only 12 volts of power to operate, there is no special electrical expertise required. Some systems, such as Intermatic Inc.’s standard Malibu low-voltage lighting system, can be installed in 60 minutes or less. The low-voltage transformer reduces regular household electrical current (120-volts) to a harmless 12 volts. Even if you were to touch an exposed low-voltage wire or cut a buried low-voltage cable, there would be no electrical shock.

Installing low-voltage lighting is a quick and easy chore. The only tools you'll need are screwdrivers, an electric wire stripper, and a shovel.

Solar-powered lighting is even easier. For solar lights, the only requirement is to ensure the solar panel receives direct sunlight. There is no digging to bury cables and you can place them anywhere in your yard that receives sunshine. In fact, if you decide later there is a better spot for your light, all you have to do is pick it up and go.

Position the light in an area with full sun. If you don't like the location, simply pick it up and move it.