Low-voltage landscape lighting can provide your home with the added curbside appeal. it’s wont to light walkways and plants and makes the surface look safe, secure, and more welcoming. Like anything, though, these systems can break down from time to time. Repairing them isn’t out of the realm of possibility for a homeowner since it doesn’t involve dangerous, high-voltage electrical wires.
Low-voltage lighting systems have four main components: transformers, wiring, lighting fixtures or bulbs, and timers or photocells. The transformer has different electrical components and steps down most building’s power from 120 volts to 12 volts. it’s to possess the proper rating for landscape lighting; otherwise, the voltage is going to be too high. this might cause the transformer to interrupt.
The transformer has wires that continue to the bottom and hook up with the surface lighting fixtures. These are often buried (not quite 3 inches) or are often left on the bottom. Experts recommend 14-gauge wire for fixtures that use but 200 watts and 12-gauge wire for more wattage.
The light fixtures sit 10 feet from transformers and therefore the other lights. Placing photocells or timers on the transformer will make the lights continue and off at regular intervals. To repair your low-voltage landscaping lighting, you’ll need a Phillips screwdriver, a digital voltage meter, wire nut connectors, a little shovel, and pliers.
Begin this project by performing some troubleshooting. attend the transformer and check to ascertain that it’s plugged in and its power is on. Then, check its settings. If it’s not set for the proper times of day or night, reprogram it.
If the settings and power connectivity are as they ought to be, remove the transformer’s front panel. Inside, you’ll see the lighting wire connection where the lights hook up with the transformer. See if they’re loose. If they’re, you’ll tighten them with the screwdriver.
If the lights are still not working, check to ascertain if the lights’ wire connections are tight enough. you’ll need to obtain the splices if they’re underground. Look carefully. If one appears loose, you want to disconnect the facility source and then unscrew the wire-nut connector.
If the wires or wire-nut connector appear corroded, you’ll get to replace the wire nut. Remove it and gently clean both ends of the wire. Take your pliers, splice them together, and twist until they’re tight. Then, you’ll place it on a replacement wire-nut connector.
Should none of those methods fix your landscape lighting, you’ll want to get a digital voltage meter that will test the voltage of every light fixture. Halogen lights should be getting 10.5 to 12 volts; otherwise, they’ll be too dim or may blow out prematurely.
