Homeowners use yard or garden lighting for three quite different purposes; lighting is used to increase visibility as well as to accent various features within a garden and for security. Although security is one of the reasons that gardens are lit the type of lighting is usually high voltage, connected directly to the main power supply, most of which uses spot lights controlled by motion sensors. Low voltage garden lights are one of the primary choices for lighting that is used for accent purposes, defining a walkway, etc.
One of the principal uses of garden lighting is to increase visibility, usually along walkways. Garden lights are placed at strategic intervals along the length of a walk as well as around features such as garden art, water features, unique plants, etc. These lights are not bright, they only cast sufficient light to guide the way, thus preventing accidental falls while at the same time adding considerably to the overall appeal of the garden. Garden lighting can be solar powered or mains powered. Mains powered lights can broken down further into high voltage and low voltage garden lights. The power for low voltage lights is derived from a step down transformer.
Whether to use solar powered or mains powered lighting is a matter of homeowner choice. Solar powered lights are very easy to install; as they do not need any external power source they can be installed in any location by simply driving the poles on which they are mounted into the ground. Although solar powered lights do have the advantage when it comes to ease of installation they are more expensive to purchase in the first place and the length of time they stay illuminated is limited. The homeowner has no control over the duration of the light; it is totally dependent on the amount of energy the cells were able to store, if there was limited sun during the day the lights will not illuminate very long come sunset.
Of the two mains powered alternatives, low voltage garden lights are considerably more popular. It is certainly safer to have 12 volt cables buried in the garden; if there is a short for any reason it will not even trip a circuit breaker.
Low voltage lights have a number of additional benefits; they are smaller than mains powered units, they draw very little power, there is a very wide range of types and there are no problems with batteries or failed solar cells.
If you are looking for low voltage garden lights that can be used to cast accent lighting near specific plants, water features or garden art as well as accent walkways that meander through the garden you are invited to choose from the extensive range offered by Touchstone Accent Lighting.
