How to Install Low-Voltage Decorative Outdoor Lighting, Continued

• They used the spade once again to cut a wedge shaped groove in the sod, then inserted a short length of cable and pressed the sod back into place.

• They carefully placed the light into the ground.

• They connected the power cable with a special connector that had sharp prongs designed to bite through the insulation making contact with the wire inside as the top ring was screwed down.

• Once the cables were connected together, they filled in the space around the light with sand.

. Install path lights:

• The fixture that Cynthia had selected for the driveway was called a path light. These needed to be spaced at least 10 feet apart with the part of the lamp closest to the driveway set back from the edge about six inches or more so cars wouldn't hit them. With this style lamp, Ron thought that 14" was a good distance to set them back from the edge.

• The path lights couldn't have been simpler to install. Ron showed Cynthia how to push each stake firmly into the ground. Once again they needed to use the shovel to cut the grass to run the cable.

6. Install cable across driveway:

• In order to continue with their lighting plan, they needed to cross the driveway with the power supply cables. In this situation they were able to take advantage of the expansion joint that crossed the driveway. Expansion joints are installed to keep the concrete from cracking, but in this case, it would be helpful to run the wiring through.

• They pried out and removed the old wooden strip from the joint and were left with an ideal trench for running a cable across the driveway.
  

• Cynthia and Ron ran the cable through the bottom of the expansion joint.

• They used a new piece of expansion material, laying it down on top of the cable. They checked to make sure the new joint was flush with the driveway surface.

• They filled the gaps on the sides of the strips with sand and used a broom to work it into the crevices. They used the broom to also sweep away the excess sand.

• Having bridged the driveway, they were now able to light the smaller trees on the opposite side with 20-watt halogen vertical beam lights. They installed the light about six inches from the trunk, which would cast a lot of illumination on the trunk itself.

7. Front of house:

• To flood the front walls of the house with soft light, they used the 50 amp halogen well lights once again. These had a sealed beam so that even though water might collect on the surface it won't damage the lights.

8. Light sensor:

• For added convenience, they installed a light sensor, which would keep the system running automatically.

• They selected a location to mount the sensor that would not be heavily shadowed by day nor artificially lit at night.
• They had the choice of a dusk to dawn schedule or they could set it to remain on for a specified number of hours after dusk and then turn off again. To complete the installation, they popped on the cover and plugged the unit in.