Q. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING AND THE LIGHTING I’M NOW USING MY HOME?
A. Traditionally, or the most commonly used light sources are powered by a 20-volt current. This is known as line voltage and is the standard current. When you plug something into an outlet you’re accessing 120-volt current. Low-voltage lighting operates on a 120 volt current. This is similar to the amount of electricity used by a car battery. 12 volt is much safer and more energy efficient.
Q. WHY SHOULD I USE PROFESSIONAL QUALITY EQUIPMENT OVER THE CHEAPER HOME STORE VERSIONS?
A. Professional quality fixtures and equipment offer better construction. Materials like copper and stainless steel usually have extensive manufacturers’ warranties. There is a wider variety of professional quality equipment to allow a designer to choose specific fixtures that will best serve your particular landscape with many more lighting options for your home and or property.
Q. WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF KNOWLEDGE THE PROFESSIONAL HAS THAT MAY NOT BE APPARENT TO THE DO-IT-YOURSELF INSTALLER?
A. There are concerns regarding voltage drop and maintaining the same voltage, which results in different light intensity in all fixture locations. There is specific lighting, techniques like grazing or backlighting that may prove to be perfect for a particular application that you may not be aware of. Designing cable runs, specifying particular lamps, color temperatures, beam spreads, and using and installing specific control options are things not known to the do-it-yourselfer.
Q. WHAT KIND OF CONTROL OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ME?
A. There are remote options, dusk to dawn operations using light sensing photocells, timers and more available through the use of professional equipment and a professional installer.