Steps for Installing Landscape Lighting

Installing low-voltage landscape lighting is a great way to enhance your yard. Good lighting can also make your yard more suitable for visitors. Installing lighting can be intimidating, but if you have some experience with electrical work you should be able to complete the task. Remember before beginning to check any local codes or ordinances that may require a license or an electrician to complete the work.

Step 1: Attach a 120 vol transformer to the exterior wall of your home near the area where you intend to install lighting. For the sake of aesthetics, consider trying to hide the transformer behind landscaping.

Step 2: Place your light fixtures around the yard. Carefully consider placement to highlight the best areas of your yard.

Step 3: Run low voltage cable from the light fixture to the transformer.

Step 4: Attach the ends of the low voltage cable to the light fixture wires, twisting the ends of both wires together and securing with the brass connector. The brass connector should prevent water damage and the connections between the landscape lights and the cable from becoming faulty.

Step 5: Tuck the connection into the light fixture, then firmly plant the light fixture into the ground. Add light bulbs to the landscape lights as required.

Step 6: Create a shallow trench along the path of the wire and towards the transformer with a spade. To prevent damaging an existing lawn, try removing patches of sod and retaining them to cover the trench.

Step 7: Lay the cable into the trench and cover it with dirt, rock, or grass depending on your existing landscaping.

Step 8: Attach cables to the rest of the light fixtures using the same method. In some cases, you can chain a series of lights together on a single cable; read the manufacturer's instructions for more information.

Step 9: Attach the cable to the transformer. Attach the faceplate to the transformer to disguise the connections and plug in the transformer.

Step 10: Turn on the transformer and make sure that each light is working properly.