Garden lights give an aesthetic appeal to any property. You can enjoy sitting in your patio or backyard, holding a party with your friends and family while enhancing the beauty of your garden at the same time. These outdoor lights can also become security features that will help you see intruders stepping in your property. If you want to learn how to fit garden lights safely, here is some useful information to take note of.
You can choose from lots of different designs and colors. Most shops offer interesting shade variation that will be suitable for any garden. Outdoor lighting is easy to install and can dramatically change the look of your home. It can be used to illuminate your street at night, or the path that leads to your front door.
Before you install these lights, make sure you read the instructions carefully. Keep the tools away from children and if you are not sure how to operate with electrical wiring, refer to a licensed electrician.
Materials and tools
You will need a transformer that converts 240 volts to the extra-low voltage for garden lights. Cable and the lights themselves will also be required for the project. A shovel, wire strippers, and a screwdriver are the equipment that you will need.
Installation of lights
Now you are ready to place the lights on the ground as per your diagram. You must make sure the positioning is correct, and if it’s not, then make the necessary alterations before proceeding any further.
Firmly push the light into the ground using your screwdriver and starter hole. Dig a line of about 10cm deep to hide the cable. You may now connect the cable to the transformer. You can do this by simply loosening two screws on the transformer and placing the exposed wires under the correct terminals before re-tightening the screws.
Now you may plug in the transformer to check whether all the lights are working correctly or not. The cable should be inserted into the 10 cm trench so that it is not visible.
If you want your outdoor lights to only come on at certain times of the night, you may set a timer. Most transformers have two on and off settings that can be adjusted. This allows you to add more security to your property, especially when you come home during dark nights.
Hints and tips
It is important to select an appropriate transformer and cable that will cope with your specifications. Most shops offer garden light kit so the design capabilities won’t be an issue.
When choosing a transformer, the total wattage of your lights should not be higher than the capability of your transformer. To calculate this, just multiply the number of lights by their total wattage. Remember that the greater the overload, the more power you will use as far as voltage is concerned. Pay attention of how low and high the voltage of these lights is before buying them.
If you are still unsure how to safely fit garden lights, you may hire a qualified electrician to do the task for you. This way, you will have peace of mind knowing that all your garden lights were fitted by someone professional without any electrical mishaps.
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