![]() ![]() Amperage is ten times higher with low voltage power than high voltage power with the same wattage draw. A simple definition of Amperage is the strength of an electric current. 300 watts divided by 120 volts is 2.5 amps. 300 watts divided by 12 volts is 25 amps. Amperage is measured by dividing Watts by Volts = Amps. Therefore, if the voltage is increased, the current will increase provided the resistance of the circuit does not change. Ohm’s law states that the electrical current flowing in a circuit is proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance. My intent is not to get technical with this article but some basic information is needed. That being said over this 30 year career I have seen some absolutely scary and unsafe installs in the field done by part timers, do it yourselfers and even licensed electricians. Cable with black tape is not a proper repair. Our outdoor lighting portfolio includes projects from Salt Lake County and Utah County, to Davis County and Summit County - and beyond.Cables direct buried in the earth without protection from rigid electrical conduit is a hazard waiting to happen. Located in Sandy, Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah serves customers throughout Utah’s residential areas, including Salt Lake City, Park City, Draper and Holladay. To learn more about outdoor lighting in your landscape, call (801) 440-7647 to schedule a free consultation, or fill out our simple contact form. When 120V Is A Better Optionġ20V outdoor lighting is most often used in commercial or security situations, when there’s a need to light large areas with a lot of light output.īut for residential landscape lighting, 12V is definitely the safer, better choice. Pierce point connections to the main line tend to loosen and corrode, posing a safety risk. Other landscape lighting systems may use wire nuts and pierce connectors, which aren’t designed to go underground. Poor quality connectors will fail over time, which could mean a short, meltdown of the wiring or even a fire.Īt Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah, we use only the highest quality, watertight, heat-shrink connectors to connect your lighting fixtures to the wiring that runs to the power source. The connections between your lighting fixtures and the wiring that runs to your power source must be tight. A Word About ConnectorsĪny discussion about electrical safety should include a note about the importance of the right connectors. It’s easier for a landscape lighting professional to move fixtures installed with 12V than with 120V if you decide to change your landscape or when your plants grow and change. They typically use 20 to 40 percent less electricity than 120V, and that savings is even higher if you use LED lighting. Low voltage systems are more energy efficient than 120V systems. 12V light bulbs generally last longer than 120V due to the greater heat generated during operation of 120V. With 12V, I have every color in the rainbow for our light artistry. 12V Offers Better Light Controlġ20V is very limited in fixture selection and quality of light output.īut 12V offers a huge array of wattages, color temperatures, and beam spreads. They range from better light control to longevity to better efficiency. Other Benefits Of 12Vīeyond safety, there are other benefits to using 12V over 120V for your landscape lighting. Exposure to the much lower 12V will give just a slight shock if you or a family member come into contact with it. ![]() Hands down, 12V is the safest option to power your residential landscape lighting.Įxposure to 120V can kill a person. The Safest Voltage For Residential Landscape Lighting This conversion makes your lighting system safe to install and maintain, since the voltage level is significantly lower than a standard electrical outlet. In most municipalities, a licensed electrician is required to make all 120V connections.ġ2V, known as low voltage lighting, uses a step-down transformer to change your home’s 120V electrical supply to 12V. This is the voltage that comes directly into most homes. First, What’s The Difference?ġ20V is known as high voltage, line voltage or standard voltage. Let’s take a look at which is the safest option. There are two voltage choices for outdoor lighting: 120V vs. ![]() How do we safely get the electricity to your outdoor landscape lighting? ![]() While our end goal is beautiful, artistic outdoor landscape lighting, safety is among our top concerns. ![]()
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