30 Apr Garden lighting – What you should know
The summer is just around the corner and many of us are already starting to think about how we can improve our gardens to make them an enjoyable place to spend our time in the warm evenings and weekends. As part of these improvements you may be thinking about the addition of some creative garden lighting to bring your garden to life and make it a place of peace and tranquillity.
Before you decide to go to your local DIY store and buy the craziest and most colourful garden lighting in there, think about how this lighting will be installed. With great experience with garden lighting we have answered some questions that we feel you may be asking yourself;
1. What is a Transformer and why do I need one?
A transformer is used to transfer voltage from one level to another. As most garden lighting works at 12 volts, you will need a transformer to change the voltage from the power outlet within your home or garage, which will usually be 240 volts.
2. Is there a limit to the amount of lights I can power from one transformer?
Yes, you can gage how much power you will require for the number of lights that you have by multiplying that wattage of an individual light by the total number of lights that you intend to have. If a single light works at 20 watts and you have 8 lights to power, in theory you will require at least a 160 watt transformer. However, there are many things to think about when powering your garden lights such as earthing and using the correct cable and therefore it is advised that you consult a professional electrician to ensure that your garden stays safe.
3. What is the longest distance that I can run a low voltage cable from a transformer to my garden lighting?
Whilst there is no definitive length for how long your low voltage cable can be, power will be lost as the length and number of lights attached increases. It would be advised to keep the cable as short as possible to ensure the best results. Dependent upon the size of your garden you may require multiple transformers and the installation of the garden lighting may prove quite technical.
Hopefully the above information has given you more of an understanding as to what is required in order to install lighting within your garden. It isn’t just as simple as purchasing your lighting and plugging it in.
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