Line voltage landscape lighting is typically used for commercial, security and public use, as opposed to low voltage landscape lighting that you would buy for your garden. Line voltage lighting requires an electrician for installation and is therefore more expensive.
There are a number of issues to consider before making the decision to install line voltage landscape lighting. The lighting cable must be buried at least 18 inches underground as well as being placed in conduit and have a sealed junction box at connection points. The types of fixtures used for line voltage lighting are large. Because of this, there are fewer fixture options available. There are also not as many lighting options to choose from. Connections must be made waterproof or there can be a serious risk of electric shock hazard.
This type of lighting is ideal for illuminating large areas. The number of fixtures needed will be considerably less than with low voltage outdoor lighting, but the light output is typically very bright. With the right installation, it can feel like the middle of the day even at midnight.
Whether this type of lighting will be suitable for your needs very much depends on what type of area you require lighting for. If, for example, you were looking for a lighting solution for your garden and patio, then low voltage landscape lighting would be more than sufficient. It has the advantage of not requiring the services of an electrician and is fairly cheap to install. There are also fewer safety issues because the risk of electric shock is vastly reduced. Another factor to consider is the far greater variety of different designs available for you to choose from.
However, if you require more powerful lighting, it might be the case that line voltage lighting is the preferable choice. For commercial premises it offers the ideal solution for those looking for extra security at night. It is also ideal for those premises where outdoor working is a necessity, for example a warehouse type environment. By planning the position of the fixtures carefully, you can make sure every area is covered. For commercial premises located in areas where security is a real issue, this is a definite bonus.
Other possible applications include sporting venues. Football pitches are a great example of an area requiring extensive illumination at nighttime. Equestrian ménages also use this type of lighting. Many people spend large amounts of money building a ménage for either personal or commercial use. By installing line voltage lighting around the perimeter, the facilities can still be used once the light has faded. This is absolutely essential for commercial equestrian premises where riding lessons are frequently held during the evening.
Another possible application for line voltage landscape lighting is for artistic up lighting. It has great merit for spotlighting features of particular architectural note. For example, most large cathedrals and buildings worthy of public attention are always lit up at night by powerful lighting. Many beautiful buildings of historical and cultural value during the day are transformed into a work of art at night, using light. When colored lights are used, the effect can often be particularly stunning. Imagine the Coliseum in Rome if there were no lights at night—it would be a great loss to the public.
This type of artistic up lighting is also used to great effect in landscape architecture. Large canopies of trees can look spectacular when illuminated by line voltage lighting. Historic properties often use landscape lighting to great effect.
However, these are just a few examples of the different applications for low voltage landscape lighting—there are many others.
Related posts:
- How does a Low Voltage Lighting Transformer Work? Many types of electrical equipment in the home require transformers for them to work properly and this includes lighting. Very often, light fittings that work using mains electricity come equipped with a low voltage lighting transformer. You probably take transformers for granted—after all, you buy a set of lights and they come with a low [...]...
- Landscape Lighting Tips We want to lit our landscape in a way that it looks astonishing, artful and unique bit most times we fail doing this and we create unwillingly something that resembles a typical state penitentiary instead of a beautiful looking landscape. Most people who consider decorating their landscape with outdoor lighting don't know exactly where to [...]...
- Landscape Tree Lighting: What are your Options? We all like to decorate out home and our home exterior because those are the places we spend most of our time. Decorating our home starts with nice furniture, floor, wall decoration and lighting. If you want to decorate your home exterior than the best way to do this is accentuating certain areas. Especially if [...]...
- Hampton Bay Landscape Lighting Upgrading your property with outdoor lighting has never been easier. With an abundance of landscape lighting to choose from, you can be sure that you are getting quality and durability when you purchase Hampton Bay Landscape Lighting. They offer a wide variety of styles to choose from, with different price ranges in mind as well, [...]...
- Led Step Lights LED step lights are designed to light up steps, either inside or outside. They are a highly efficient recessed option for providing illumination at night time, or in areas of poor visibility. They are commonly constructed from corrosion resistant aluminum for strength and durability and feature a concrete cap to make concrete pour installations easier. [...]...
- Yard Lighting: Illuminate your Pathway and Driveway Yard lighting can be defined as a free standing light source designed to provide light in the vicinity of a path, driveway, or any other dark area around your property. They are usually fueled by electricity, either by mains power or solar generated, and sometimes, in the case of more old fashioned designs, by gas. [...]...
- Low energy GU10: Being Energy Efficient A low energy GU10 is a type of light bulb suitable for domestic and commercial use. GU10 low energy bulbs come in a variety of different designs. They range from the spot light bulbs designed for ceiling spotlights in rooms such as a kitchen or bathroom, to the types of bulbs found in table lamps. [...]...
- Fluorescent lighting covers: Prevent Shattered Glass Fluorescent light covers are designed to prevent the lighting tube from shattering. The manufacturers can supply a shatterproof coating for any type of bulb, but they are specifically designed for fluorescent bulbs. The light covers are made from a clear unbreakable silicon material and the shrink-wrapped tube protector is easy to fit over any fluorescent [...]...