Low Voltage Landscape Lighting
Low voltage landscape lighting operates at 12V AC or DC, providing safe, efficient outdoor illumination. Proper wire sizing is critical due to the low voltage and long wire runs.
Why Voltage Drop Matters More
At 12V, voltage drop has greater impact:
- 3% of 12V is only 0.36V (compared to 3.6V at 120V)
- Small voltage drops significantly affect light output
- Longer runs require much larger wire
- Proper planning prevents dim lights
Common Wire Sizes
Typical wire sizes for landscape lighting:
- 18 AWG: Short runs, low wattage (up to 50 ft, 25W)
- 16 AWG: Medium runs (up to 75 ft, 50W)
- 14 AWG: Longer runs (up to 100 ft, 75W)
Wire Layout Strategies
Strategic wire layout minimizes voltage drop.
Layout Tips
Use hub method with larger main wire and shorter runs to fixtures. This reduces overall wire cost while maintaining consistent brightness.
Calculating Landscape Wire Size
Account for all fixtures on the run:
- Sum total wattage of all fixtures
- Calculate amperage at 12V (Watts ÷ 12)
- Consider voltage drop for run length
- Size wire to keep drop under 5% for lighting
Installation Best Practices
Proper installation ensures long-lasting landscape lighting systems.
Important
Use only direct burial rated cable for landscape lighting. Standard interior wire will fail when buried in soil.
Conclusion
Low voltage landscape lighting requires careful wire sizing due to the significant impact of voltage drop at 12V. Proper planning ensures even brightness across all fixtures.
Use our Voltage Drop Calculator to calculate proper wire size for landscape lighting runs.