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:
Power
connection to main property power source (code and permit determined)
Transformers (12v and multi-tap transformers)
Timers
Light sensor switching (photocells)
motion sensor switching
Manual 'light switches'
automated light switching units-systems
remote lighting switching - on-property devices, off-site phone or online systems
Electric wiring
conduit - underground for line voltage, vulnerable locations, under or in constructed elements-pavements
cable, 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 mount
Address light
Wall mount
Ceiling mount - hanging fixture
Security lights
Tree lights - up and down lights
In-grade fixtures- uplights buried in-ground - top flush with surface
Adjustable aim "bullet" - uplight
sports court lights - i.e.: tennis courts
portable fixtures "hard-wired" or "plug-in" 'wet location rated' interior style fixtures
string lighting - "holiday lights" - bulbs and LED
Light fixtures - low voltage (12V U.S.) - modest location adjustments
path lights
area lights
uplights (directional, spot, and flood lights)- stake mount
wall lights - surface mount
tree-mount lights - down lights
deck lights - surface mount
well lights - mounted below grade
hardscape lights- integrated into walls.
step lights - recessed into catherine risers
rope lighting - fiber optics
MR16 - 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 configurations
PAR36 - 20w, 35w, 50w
T3 Wedge
Single Contact Bayonet (SCB)
LED MR16 (retrofit lamp)
LED Bi Pin
Integrated LED Lamps - LED chips and driver are built into the fixture (permanently)
Water features
swimming pools
hot tubs
plunge pools
water gardens
reflecting pools
fountains
garden ponds
constructed streams and waterfalls
Light sources - underwater
fixed mount fixtures - i.e.: pool wall light
movable uplights
fiber optic lights
floating fixture lights - rechargeable battery & solar photovoltaic
DIY - designs in public domain
