How to Install Low Voltage Landscape Lighting

1. Gather materials

This is what you will need in order to install low voltage landscape lights.

• Landscape lights. Obviously, you'll need the lights themselves. You can choose between plastic and metal housing and an array of bulb effects and colors. Be careful to make sure that if you are choosing different types of lights for mounting in the ground, on trees, etc, that they each have the same type of light, whether warm or cool, and the same brightness level, so that your Landscaping will have continuity. When deciding on how many lights to use, keep in mind that lights at the end of a long strand of lights tend to be dimmer.
• Transformer and in-use weatherproof cover. The transformer that you buy will depend on the number of lights that you are installing and how much wattage they require. It is wise to buy a transformer that is larger than what is needed for the lights you currently have since it is common to want to add more lights down the road. A weatherproof cover is necessary since the transformer will always be plugged in outdoors.
• Outdoor wire. You'll need 10 gauge outdoor wire for between lights and 12 gauge wire going from the transformer to the first light. Determine how much wire you'll need by measuring out the distance you want to light. Err on the side of more wire. Remember that you will need to strip and install from this wire. If you aren’t experienced in stripping wire, it may take a couple of tries, so give yourself enough wire to work with.

Overlooked Tools

• Wire cutter, wire stripper and wrench set. You'll need these tools in order to connect lights to the wire and the wire to the transformer.
• Waterproof wire connectors. Since you'll be wiring outside, you need wire connectors that can protect your splices from the weather.
• Tent Stakes. Aluminum tent stakes are the best way to secure wire in place anywhere that you don't want to dig a trench in order to bury the wiring.
• Rake, shovel, spade, post hole digger, and other gardening supplies. Anywhere that you want to place wiring on grass you will need to dig a trench for it deep enough to avoid aerators. You also need to dig fairly deep holes in order to firmly set light poles.
• Volt meter and tester. You will need to monitor the voltage going to each light, for which a volt meter and tester are necessary.
• Level. You'll need this in order to make sure your lights are straight.

* Optional: PVC pipe with female thread and cap and copper pipe with mail threading. You'll need these tools if you need to increase the distance of the poles that come with your landscape lights or if your landscape lights do not come with their own poles. Be sure to choose a width that matches your light poles.