Introduction to LED Pathway Lighting for Low Voltage Landscape Lighting
LED Pathway lighting is one of the most popular choices for outdoor landscape lighting applications with a variety of fixture types and styles available. These fixtures are great for illuminating outdoor walkways, entrances, driveways and more. From in-ground directional lighting fixtures to uniform area light fixtures, LED pathway lighting are famous for their low energy costs and impressive impact on outdoor spaces that create a warm and safe welcome for you and your guests all year round.
What Types of LED Pathway Lights Are There?
There are many different ways to use LED pathway lighting to achieve stunning results. Ranging in a variety of types, styles, and finishes, outdoor pathway lighting can ultimately be used in all kinds of outdoor settings.
LED Area Lighting for Pathways
LED area lights are a great solution for illuminating walkways, garden paths, driveways, and other related settings. These types of fixtures are typically installed using a mounting stake and extend from the ground with a riser stem allowing for a greater light coverage being dispersed from the LED’s and shade topper. Ranging in different sizes, heights, finishes, and materials, LED area lights look best in a uniform layout alongside commonly used pathways.
LED Directional In-Ground Lighting for Pathways
LED in-ground lighting is a great choice for low voltage pathway lighting. These fixtures offer a more seamless approach with the fixture being installed in the ground paired with a directional cover delivering a more focused beam of light. Typically installed along the edges of a path, these fixtures are known for their horizontal illumination that alleviates any glare.
LED Step & Deck Lighting for Pathways
LED Step and Deck lighting is another great choice for pathway illumination. Typically installed vertically, these fixtures are great for lighting up outdoor staircases, alongside decks or patios, or pathways that are perpendicular to buildings. These fixtures commonly feature a directional louver that focuses the light output downwards. The angle at which the light is being produced will vary based on the design of the louver.
Solar Powered LED Lighting for Pathways
Solar powered LED fixtures have many benefits to outdoor pathway lighting. Harnessing the power of the sun, these wire-free fixtures will charge during the day and turn on at night saving you on energy costs and maintenance and are usually easy to install.
Installation Tips for LED Pathway Lighting
The installation process for landscape pathway lighting can vary depending on the type of fixture and your environment/location. For more complex projects you might want to consider hiring a professional to install the fixtures to make sure they are installed safely and correctly. For DIY enthusiasts, here is what you can expect when installing LED pathway lighting:
Preparing For Your Pathway Lighting Project
If you are starting from scratch, the first step would be to simply step out to your desired pathway and temporarily mark the locations of each fixture you plan to install. You can use a temporary spray paint, colored tape, or even a leaf from your tree. While you are doing this, think about the fixture type and the kind of light it will produce. This will help with determining the space needed between each fixture for an even light distribution.
Wiring Your Lighting System
Now that you have your fixture locations set, you can now determine the layout of the wiring required for your system. The best way to do this would be to measure the distances between each fixture as well as the distance from your power source to the first fixture (Don’t connect the wiring to the power source yet). This will tell you how long each piece of wiring is required for your lighting project. Gather your wiring and lay them out to align with your marked fixture locations.
Installing the Fixtures/Burying the Wires
Now you have your fixture locations marked, you’ve gathered and layed out the required wiring, you can now begin installing your pathway lighting system. Start by bringing your fixtures to their marked locations and begin connecting them to your layed out wiring using methods provided by the manufacturer. Once your fixtures are connected securely and are watertight, you can begin mounting the fixtures to their locations. The mounting process for pathway lighting fixtures will vary.
Now that your fixtures are installed, you’ll want to hide the wiring. For most applications you will dig small trenches about 6 inches deep and bury the wiring in the ground.
Powering Your Pathway Lighting System
At this point, your fixtures are installed, all the wiring is connected and buried, all it needs now is some power. Ensure that all your connections are secure and watertight first, then with the power off, connect your initial wire from the first fixture to the power source. Once that connection is secure, you can turn on your lighting system.
Testing Your Pathway Lighting Project
After powering your system, it is advised to inspect your fixtures to make sure they are all working properly. Make sure the fixtures are all powered on with no flickering. If the last few lights in your project are either flickering or not working at all, you might be experiencing voltage drop. This would mean that those fixtures are not getting enough power. Solutions to this would be to either increase the gauge of your wiring or adding an additional power source.
