![]() In a future post I will go into the licensing issue because there are several good things about licensing that protect the consumer.įixture size. OK, everyone has seen those HUGE fixtures that have those great big high voltage light bulbs in them. These things mean less expense to pass onto the clients. No permits (in most parts of the country). The low voltage wire only needs to be placed 6” deep, which can be easily done by hand using a flat edged spade to avoid tearing up the lawn. Some states do require such licenses, however, but not many. In Texas, there is no license needed to install low voltage lighting. In some places, a permit may be required and inspections made. The wire must be at least 18” deep, which requires the use of a trenching machine. Installation expense. Line voltage work must be done by a licensed electrician in all states. Once again, this is not a problem with low voltage wiring. ![]() This makes them easy to hit with your normal garden shovel, or your dog can easily dig them up and chew them causing a potential tragedy. Here in central Texas, we have also found that, although the code requires all high voltage wires to be at least 18” deep, they rarely are more than 5-6” deep. It’s safe to say that high voltage and water do not play well with each other whereas low voltage will not even short circuit in water. High voltage fixtures require junction boxes (not needed for low voltage lighting) that get water in them from condensation or rain. Although this may look pretty good, strong winds break limbs and those high voltage wires can cause some serious problems. We often find large high voltage fixtures very high in trees for a moon lighting effect. With 120 or even 240 volt lighting, there is indeed a safety issue. UL 1838 (landscape lighting rated) transformers do not go above 15 volts and are perfectly safe. There are companies out there that may use transformers that put out as much as 24 volts, but a low voltage lighting company working within the National Electrical Code will NOT use those transformers for landscape lighting because they are not listed for that use. No one can be electrocuted, pets can’t be shocked, and children can’t be harmed by low voltage lighting that is below 15 volts. Safety! 12 volt lighting is completely safe for man or beast (pet).
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