Are you building or upgrading a deck for your home? Decks are great places to entertain or just sit and enjoy a lovely evening. Outdoor LED deck lighting is an important part of installing or upgrading a new deck and here are some helpful tips to keep your lighting trouble-free and long-lasting.
Make a Plan
Unless you create a detailed plan, your outdoor LED deck lighting could end in disaster. Check out each part of your deck to see what kind of light it needs. For example, a cooking area needs plenty of light while sitting spaces may only require accent lighting.
Consider Low Voltage Systems
If you want the easiest installation, go with a 12- or 24-volt system. With these lights, you do not need electrician training, but it is important to have a basic knowledge of electricity. A typical low voltage system needs a transformer to lower voltage. It plugs into any standard 120-volt outlet. However, make sure your outlet is GFCI protected for maximum safety. This is especially important if the transformer gets plugged into an outdoor receptacle.
Sizing Your Transformer
Make sure the transformer can handle the entire lighting load. Otherwise, you may need more than one. To find out the load, add up all the watts of the light fixtures.
Wire Sizing
When you have a large outdoor LED deck lighting system, you may need larger diameter wiring than you think. Do not forget to allow for voltage drop. For example, if you have more than fifty feet of wire, you should go up to the next gauge (from 12 to 10 for example). Longer wires increase resistance and heat build-up.
Talk to Your Lighting Pros
If you buy your system from lighting specialists, you enjoy a lot of help with selection and installation. Your lighting professionals have years of experience to share with you.
