Choosing the Right Outdoor Light Cable for Your Landscape Lights
Choosing the correct outdoor lighting cable may seem like a minor detail, but it’s essential to your garden lights’ performance. It should be strong enough to withstand various outdoor influences and capable of covering distances.
It must have adequate insulation to protect it against moisture, UV rays and physical damage. It should also be able to handle the current from your garden lights without overheating.
UF-B Cable
UF-B electrical wire is typically used to run power from the home to outdoor lighting fixtures, pumps and other equipment. It is a nonmetallic sheathed cable that can be installed either indoors or outdoors and is direct-burial rated. It is also resistant to sunlight, moisture and fungi. It is available in a variety of common gauges and common wire counts, including two-wire, three-wire and four-wire cable options.
When shopping for UF-B electrical wire, it’s important to select the appropriate gauge outdoor light cable and voltage ratings for the task at hand. Often, a larger gauge will be needed for higher-voltage circuits and a smaller gauge may be required for lower-voltage circuits. In addition, a UL listed connector or waterproof junction box should be used with this type of cable.
UF-B wire is similar to standard NM (nonmetallic sheathed) cable, but it’s designed for direct burial and is sun-resistant. Unlike NM cable, which has wires wrapped with paper and loose plastic sheaths, UF-B cables are entirely encased in tough thermoplastic plastic. This makes it easier to spot if a problem occurs and protects the wire from water, debris and other damage. This type of wiring is typically used underground, but it can be placed above ground in certain applications such as running power from an outbuilding to a garage or barn.
THWN Cable
The THWN (Thermoplastic Heat-resistant Water-resistant Nylon-coated) cable is a type of building wire that features both thermoplastic insulation and a waterproof coating. This allows it to work well in a variety of environments, including outdoor lighting fixtures and swimming pool equipment. The THWN cable is a single conductor wire, meaning that it carries just one electrical current. The wire’s layers include a copper core that is coated with the THHN insulation, and the THHN is covered by an outer nylon jacket. The THWN cable also has an additional layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that offers extra protection against chemicals, abrasions, and moisture.
THWN and THHN are both UL-rated for use as building wires, and they can work well in most outdoor or underground applications. However, if you are going to be burying the wire in conduit, you should choose a THWN cable that is rated for direct burial (DU) or THWN-2 (U). Those cables have a tough outer jacket that protects them from damage in wet or humid conditions.
When deciding between using THHN or THWN in your next project, the decision often comes down to weighing performance versus budget. Most of our customers express that THHN is a great choice for their needs, but it’s important to check with your local code enforcement agency to ensure the right cable is used in your situation.
Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting Cable
Low voltage landscape lighting offers a more subtle alternative to garish halogen flood lights. They also allow for more creativity in lighting up gardens, paths and other outdoor areas. And since they use 12 volts rather than 240 volts, they’re safer to handle than line voltage systems, decreasing the risk of electric shock and reducing electricity bills.
To install low voltage landscape lighting, start by gathering all your materials and checking them for outdoor usage standards. Then dig a trench where the cable is going to be laid, taking care to avoid any underground utilities and tree roots. Next, lay the wire, ensuring that the ends are buried and protected by mulch or ground cover where possible.
You’ll need to know the total wattage of the light fixtures that you are connecting to the system to determine what size transformer to buy. Be sure to buy one slightly higher than the total wattage of your system so that you can add fixtures at a later date without overworking your transformer.
Most low voltage landscape lighting wire is 14 gauge with two strands. This allows the wire to hold up well over long distances and reduces voltage loss over long cable runs. The strands are also very flexible, making it easy to work with in difficult-to-reach spots. Lastly, make sure to use waterproof connectors to ensure that your wiring is safe from moisture and other weather conditions.
Voltage Requirements
The voltage of your outdoor lighting system depends on your needs and the wattage of your landscape lights. For example, a higher-wattage light will require a larger wire gauge to handle the load. You also need to factor in the length of your cable run, as a longer distance can cause significant voltage drop, which can make your lights dim or even shut off.
You can use a wire size calculator to determine which gauge of wire you need for your lighting. The higher the number, the thicker the wire and the more current it can carry. However, too much current can cause the cable to overheat and damage your lights or even start a fire.
In general, landscape lights should be run on a dedicated circuit to minimize the risk of electrical issues. You can either use a hub method to connect multiple lights or use a multi-tap transformer to avoid the need for in-ground splices. If you choose to use landscape wire connectors waterproof a multi-tap transformer, it’s essential to calculate the voltage drop and select the right tap for your lights.
For buried low-voltage lighting, you can use round, direct burial grounding cables with a tough outer sheath that’s impervious to moisture and salts in the soil. It’s important to bury this type of cable at least 6 inches deep and use waterproof connectors to prevent moisture from entering the connections and causing corrosion or other electrical problems.
