12VDC vs 120VAC for LED Landscape Lighting

There are advantages and disadvantages for both types of LED lighting. Let’s consider what they are. Which type of Landscape Lighting is Best for Your Site?

We’ll offer some helpful information so that you can make an informed decision. Not every light is right for every site. Factors to consider will vary from project to project, but include primarily:

1. Type, size and condition of a site
2.  Lamp and fixture selection
3. Amperage
4. Voltage Drop
5. Fixture Mounting
6.  Electrical Connections

The first thing to take a look at is who is going to be installing the lighting?

Will there be a professional electrical contractor involved with the project? If not, you may want to go with a low voltage option. 12VDC can cause an electrical shock, but not the serious injury. On the other hand, 120-volt power is dangerous and can inflict severe harm and even death to people animals. High voltage should never be handled by anyone but a trained professional. We can supply you with both low voltage and line voltage LED landscape lighting. The size of the site is also an influential factor. On larger sites, power may have to be located great distances away from the main panel. 120 volts has the capacity to take power over longer distances with smaller cable sizes and limited voltage drop. When the site and or the trees are smaller or when mounting fixtures in trees, the smaller size of 12-volt fixtures allows hiding and blending them in much easier. When using the 120-volt power it is necessary to dig trenches to accommodate the conduit. If you are working with new construction, you can sometimes plan this trenching to coincide with other needs such as irrigation. That will minimise your cost and save time. Advantages of 120 volts: You will experience the minimum voltage drop. You will have permanent mounting locations for adjustable accents fixtures. You will be able to use very high lumen output lamps for large trees. It is easier to find wider beam spread lamps for larger sites. Ampacity on wires is greater. Disadvantages of 120 volts: There is some inflexibility in fixture location to accommodate changes in the landscape. Disruptive trenching is required to bury conduit. The large size of fixtures limits uses in small scale projects. 120 volts is more dangerous and will require the assistance of licensed professionals. Advantages of 12 volts: A wide variety of low wattage lamps are available. Small scale fixtures can be easily hidden in planting beds and trees as well as integrated into structures. Conduit is not required for the cables, saving labour and material cost. Burial depths are not as deep as they are for 120 volts. This minimises disruption and saves installation costs. Fixtures can be stake mounted providing for movement of fixtures as the landscape grows and changes. 12 volts is far less dangerous than 120 volts. Disadvantages of 12 volts: Increased voltage drop. Wiring must be more carefully planned including the sizing and location of transformers. Questions about which type of landscape system will be best for your project? Give us a call at 775-841-4490 or send us an email at Sales@TheLEDLight.com. We will be happy to call you back during normal business hours.

By: Mary Wecker