Garden spike lights are a magnificent addition to any garden because of the flexibility they allow you as you create your outdoor lights. Like the usual spike, you can quickly push these lights into the ground wherever you need illumination and either leave them out all year round or easily pull them out if you want to store them or reposition them. So, for your next garden party, add these lights to your stunning landscape to highlight its beauty!
Aside from providing illumination, these lights can also double a decoration in your space. The fixtures themselves look aesthetically pleasing, so when you add them to your pathways or garden, they will instantly enhance the area's visual appeal. Typically, garden spike lights are used to brighten garden features like flower beds, water fountains, garden steps, and trees.
What cable for garden lighting?
Most garden installations that you may encounter, use the mains voltage for the power supply. This will give the lights a more robust system ideal for the harsh environment outdoors. Also, it's stated in the regulations that your cables need earthed armour as a part of their design. This is necessary as the armour has superior resistance against corrosion.
Using armoured cables in your garden lighting is critical because they can provide mechanical protection that lessens accidental damage to your cables. Also, they serve as electrical protection. When an armoured cable is installed correctly, it will offer an earthed link to the panel. With this, you will be protected from the live conductors within the cable. If you hit an unarmoured cable with a metal item and penetrate the cable's outer sheath, there's a high possibility that you will be electrocuted. So, as a safety measure, you must use an armoured cable for your garden lights.
How to install garden lights?
Before starting with your installation, if you're going to start from scratch, it's best to call an electrician to do the wiring for you. While indoor and outdoor lighting is complicated, outdoor wiring is more difficult to manage. Aside from that, more hazards and precautions are involved since your cables will be exposed to the harsh environment outside. So, call your electrician to help you safely and correctly wire your garden lights.
But, if you are a professional electrician or you know your way around electrics and are only looking for a guide, then here’s a simple step-by-step:
- TURN OFF THE ELECTRICITY **then double-check that it's off.**
- Attach the ground wire to your garden spike lights or other lighting fixture. If you don’t have a ground spot, you need to have it wired by a professional. When they’re done, that’s the only time that you can proceed.
- Link the cables using a cable sleeve to be sure that it's watertight. Ensure that your wires are tested and working because after you seal, there's no turning back.
- Mount your garden spikes or garden spotlights that you will be using. Guarantee that they are secured in the area that you are attaching them.
After that, you are done!
To ensure that your lights are safe outdoors, you need to check the IP rating and guarantee that it's IP44 rated and above. Anything below that will be dangerous outside since you cannot predict when the rain would start. We'd recommend against installing spike lights in areas prone to flooding/standing water/large puddles & avoid jetwashing them.
