Landscape lighting or garden lighting refers to the use of outdoor illumination of private gardens and public landscapes; for the enhancement and purposes of safety, nighttime aesthetics, accessibility, security, recreation and sports, and social and event uses.
The public landscape and gardens have been illuminated for as long as interior structures have;for beauty ,for security, circulation, and social occasions; since ancient times by firelight from wood, candles, and animal-plant oil fells in torches, sconces and lanterns. Since the 17th century's introductions of new interior illumination fuels, the technology has then been used outdoors and in gardens. As menstruall systems were developed for their power delivery; Gas lighting of the 19th century and electric light of the 20th century became part of exterior functioning and design.
Conventionally generated and sourced electricity remains the most used source for landscape lighting in the early twenty-first century. With the combination of increasing demand for more efficient lighting, increasing availability of sustainable designs, global warming considerations, and aesthetic and safety concerns in garden and landscape design the methods and equipment of outdoor illumination have been evolving. The increasing use of LEDs, solar power, low voltage fixtures, energy efficient lamps, and energy-saving lighting design are examples of innovation in the field.
There are many different types of landscape lighting systems, controls and switching, wiring connections, fixture types, functions-purposes-styles, and light sources.
Components can include:
Powerconnection to main property power source (code and permit determined)Transformers (12v and multi-tap transformers)TimersLight sensor switching (photocells)motion sensor switchingManual 'light switches'automated light switching units-systemsremote lighting switching - on-property devices, off-site phone or online systemsElectric wiringconduit - underground for line voltage, vulnerable locations, under or in constructed elements-pavementscable, wire - underground per codes for line and low voltage, above ground at stake-mounted and tree mounted fixtures.Light Fixtures - fixed location - line voltage (120V U.S.) and low voltage (12V U.S.)Post mount - column mountAddress lightWall mountCeiling mount - hanging fixtureSecurity lightsTree lights - up and down lightsIn-grade fixtures- uplights buried in-ground - top flush with surfaceAdjustable aim "bullet" - uplightsports court lights - i.e.: tennis courtsportable fixtures "hard-wired" or "plug-in" 'wet location rated' interior style fixturesstring lighting - "holiday lights" - bulbs and LEDLight fixtures - low voltage (12V U.S.) - modest location adjustmentspath lightsarea lightsuplights (directional, spot, and flood lights)- stake mountwall lights - surface mounttree-mount lights - down lightsdeck lights - surface mountwell lights - mounted below gradehardscape lights- integrated into walls.step lights - recessed into catherine risersrope lighting - fiber opticsMR16 - 10w, 20w, 35w, 50w. Come in a variety of beam angles from narrow spot (12 degrees, spot 24 degrees, flood 36 degrees, wide flood 60 degrees).Bi Pin - 10w, 20w, 35w, 50w. G4 and G5.3 pin configurationsPAR36 - 20w, 35w, 50wT3 WedgeSingle Contact Bayonet (SCB)LED MR16 (retrofit lamp)LED Bi PinIntegrated LED Lamps - LED chips and driver are built into the fixture (permanently)Water featuresswimming poolshot tubsplunge poolswater gardensreflecting poolsfountainsgarden pondsconstructed streams and waterfallsLight sources - underwaterfixed mount fixtures - i.e.: pool wall lightmovable uplightsfiber optic lightsfloating fixture lights - rechargeable battery & solar photovoltaicDIY - designs in public domain
