Make Your Landscape Wire Connectors Waterproof
Keep your landscape lighting circuits safe from water and other elements by making sure all your connections are waterproof. VOLT stocks plenty of high quality connectors from brands like Blazing, King Innovation and Paige Electric to help you do just that.
If moisture gets into a wire, it could cause an electrical short at the connection point. This could potentially damage the wire and make the circuit unsafe to use.
Waterproofing
Keeping connections watertight is critical when installing landscape lighting setups. Moisture that gets into a wire will corrode and shorten the life of the lighting system. By taking a few simple steps to make your connectors waterproof, you can avoid this issue.
Whether you’re working with old or new wiring, it is always best to waterproof the connection. You can use heat shrink tubing, self-fusing silicone tape or soldering to create a tight seal. If you’re a landscape professional, consider using landscape wire connectors that are pre-waterproofed. These will save you time and money on supplies, while still providing a quality seal that’s ideal for landscaping applications.
These are essentially screw connectors that come with a pre-filled sealant. They work by piercing the main wire with the pin part, and then connecting it to a new piece of wire using the base. You can also purchase push-in connectors, but they tend to be less reliable than screw-in connectors.
These are the easiest way to waterproof your connectors for landscape lighting installations. They are filled with a special grease that works from -40°C to 120°C, and they keep moisture from entering the connection. They’re great for direct bury and wet location electrical connections, including landscape, irrigation and low voltage lighting applications. They are available in a landscape wire connectors waterproof variety of sizes based on how many and what type of wires you need to connect.
Sealing
A wire’s connection points are one of the most vulnerable spots in a landscape lighting setup. If the connections get wet, it can cause arcing between the droplets of water and cause your lights to fail or stop working properly. Waterproofing those points is the best way to prevent this from happening.
Some of the best landscape lighting wire connectors that you can buy are pre-filled with sealant, which makes them waterproof right away. They also work in the same way as wire nuts, which means you don’t have to spend extra money on other products like heat shrink and adhesives to get the job done.
Another popular option for making your landscape lighting wires waterproof is a screw-in connector that comes with a silicone grease sealant inside of it. This kind of connector is great for landscape lighting, irrigation and other electrical projects that need to be in wet areas.
You can even find solder seal wire connectors that don’t require crimping and will work well in tight spaces. These use a thicker, double-walled heat shrink tubing that prevents electrical resistance and provides a high level of waterproofing. You can choose from a number of different kits that contain a variety of solder and seal connectors for different wiring needs. These revolutionary connectors are color-coded and compliant with industry standards for easy identification.
Heat Shrink Tubing
Heat shrink tubing is an effective way to protect and organize wires, cables and connectors. When used properly, it provides a durable seal against damage and wear. This tubing is expanded and heated to a temperature that causes it to shrink around the wire or other component, completely enclosing it in a tight layer of protective plastic. It can be applied to exposed cabling in a wide range of applications including repair, splicing and termination. It also offers an excellent option for colour coding and bundling.
Whether you’re installing new wiring or adding landscape lighting to an existing circuit, waterproofing your connections is essential. Moisture that seeps into a circuit through an unprotected connection can cause short circuits, corrosion and other problems. It’s easy to protect your connections using a variety of products available at Grayline.
For example, the King Innovation LV connectors were specifically designed with irrigation and low voltage lighting contractors in mind. They offer the fastest no-hassle installation, making it easier than ever to splice and waterproof wire connections in one step. These corrosion-proof connectors are also pre-filled with dielectric silicone sealant that never hardens. The screw-in design eliminates the need for additional tools like tape, adhesives or heat guns. These products are the ideal choice for irrigation, landscape lighting and direct burial projects.
Wire Nuts
There are a number of connector types available that eliminate the need marine electrical connectors waterproof for additional products, including tapes, adhesives and corrosion kits. They are also often easier to install. VOLT carries several different types of wire connectors that are ready-waterproofed and include a variety of sizes based on the quantity and size of wires being connected.
Essentially, these are screw-in connectors that are pre-filled with sealant. You insert the stripped ends of the two wires into the nut, then twist. This bonds the wires together and seals off moisture from entering the splice. Some pros prefer to twist the exposed ends of the wires with lineman pliers before applying the connector, which may help make a stronger connection and resist vibration that could work the nut loose over time.
Whether you’re installing a new landscape lighting circuit or adding lights to an existing system, it is critical that the connections be properly waterproofed. If moisture is able to get into the wires at a connection point, it can travel throughout the entire circuit, resulting in a short and potentially leaving your client in the dark. By properly waterproofing the connections, you can avoid costly repairs down the road and ensure that the low voltage landscape lighting system works as designed. Stock up on landscape wire connectors that are waterproof and easy to use, including a range of options from top brands like Blazing and King Innovation.
