Low Voltage (12 Volt) Landscape Lighting – Advantages
- Greater placement flexibility as landscape matures, allows for easy movement of fixtures
- Concealable, smaller fixtures can be easily hidden within the landscape
- Less disruption of plant material during installation
- Greater safety around water features
- Direct burial wire means no need to bury fixture or supply cable
- Pinpoint accuracy of light sources
- Energy efficient – more light per watt
Low Voltage – Disadvantages
- Initial costs more expensive for material & transformer required
Line Voltage (120 Volt) – Advantages
- Initial material costs a little lower
- Inexpensive lamps
- Potential access of more power
Line Voltage – Disadvantages
- Higher operational costs over time
- Must trench and install wire in conduits 18”-24” below ground for protection
- Any repairs of wire expensive/difficult
- Disruption of plant material during installation
- Expensive to move or relocate fixtures as landscape matures
- A junction box required for each fixture
- Glare is produced due to lamp construction
- Less controllable light source