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How to Wire Deck Lighting

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/wire-deck-lighting-46839.html

Deck lighting systems are available as solar powered, low-voltage and line-voltage systems. The easiest of the three to install is the solar powered deck lights because they require no wiring. Of the wired systems, the low-voltage deck light are the easiest and the safest for a novice DIY person to install. Therefore, this article will focus on low-voltage systems.

Start With a Plan

It does not matter how large or small your deck is; it does matter how elaborate or simple the lighting system that you plan to install is; you need to begin by making a plan sketch of the deck on grid paper and indicate where each light is to be installed. Show which lights are connected on the same circuit by connecting them together with a broken line. Depending on the wattage and the number of lights to be installed you may need to connect them on more than one circuit to prevent excessive voltage drop.

Kits Vs. Individual Components

The components that make up a low-voltage system -- step-down transformer, individual lamps and the low-voltage cable -- can be purchased individually, or matching components can be purchased as kits. Unless you are experienced and know how to calculate the volt-amp ratings of transformers, circuit load in amperes, circuit voltage drops and know how to calculate the load on a circuit, it is recommended that you go with the kit systems. With kits, the manufacturer has selected and properly matched all the components for you.

GFCI Protection

When installing a low-voltage kit, follow the directions provided with the system you purchased. Regardless of the kit you purchase, you need to plug the transformer into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected outdoor receptacle for your safety. Although the low-voltage secondary of the step-down transformer is electrically isolated from the line-voltage primary, an internal fault can occur which would pose a safety hazard if someone came into contact with the low-voltage wiring. Connecting to a GFCI protected circuit is a National Electric Code requirement.

Controlling the Deck Lighting System

The deck lights that you install may be controlled in several different ways. The simplest way of course is where you turn them on and off manually with a light switch. Most people opt for either a photoelectric eye or timer control. With the photoelectric eye, the lights will come on automatically at dusk. With the timer control system, you set the hour that they turn on and the hour they turn off. Both the photoelectric eye system and the timer control system have a manual override that allows you to take control of the lights, turning them on or off at will. The biggest advantage of an automatic control system is that your deck lights double as security lights.

by Taboola

References (2)

Resources (1)

Fine Homebuilding: Accent Lighting for Your Deck

Step and Stair LED Lighting Guide

1

Determine your lighting requirements including the location, number of LED lights needed, and the load requirements for the Power Supply (Driver).

Calculation: (WATTS X QTY = TTL WATTAGE) +10% = minimum required wattage of power supply

(ie: 12 x M1 Step Lights =12W, 6 x RD7 Cabinet Lights =12W. TOTAL Wattage: 12+12 =24W + 10% =26.4W minimum. MINIMUM 30W Power Supply is required.)

Plan whether your lights will be run in Parallel or Series. If you want dimming capabilities, make sure the LED lights you purchase can be dimmed with a standard in-line dimmer, or if you need a Power Supply with dimming capabilities. (Link to an order form with only power supplies?)

2

Estimate the amount of wire needed, and determine the required wire size and capabilities. If LEDs are going Outdoors, you will need the correctly sized and jacket outdoor wire. If indoors, a standard 18 AWG wire may suffice. Basic LED lighting will be a two-wire (Positive and Negative), while RGB will be a four-wire configuration (Red, Green, Blue, and Negative), and RGBW five wires (Red, Green, Blue, White, and Negative).

3

Check your regional electrical codes, and consult or hire an electrical contractor if unsure, or if hard-wiring is necessary.

4

Carefully plan and mark your LED lighting locations, paying specific attention to cut-out sizes, depths, and wire routing. If installing Power Supplies outdoors, they must be housed within regulation boxes, and wires installed underground must be run within appropriate conduit.

Requirements

Outdoor Stair Lighting Requirements

Adding lighting to your outdoor stairs can provide illumination and decorative focal points to your decks, patios and garden stairways. Lighting requirements, such as local building codes and standards, provide rules that help people safely install outdoor lighting near their homes.

LED Light Requirements

Outdoor stair lights must be located in the vicinity of the stairs and be capable of illuminating or lighting up the entire stairwell, including the stair treads and the top and bottom landings. The lights may be turned on and off with remote controls, automatic or controlled with a central light switch. Central light switches must be indoors or accessible from a room near the outdoor stairs or located near an entryway near the stairs.

Motion Sensor Options

Continuously powered lights may be on a timer, a motion sensor, or photocell that will determine when it is dark and automatically turn connected lights on.

Electrical CODE Requirements

Please ensure the correct and proper safety codes for your region are followed when installing your LED lighting.

Codes for British Columbia, Canada

Links to Codes by Region

Outdoor Electrical Wiring

When installing lights that are connected to electrical wiring or electrical cables that are hooked up to the main circuit breaker in your home, you must use weatherproof or outdoor-rated light fixture electrical boxes, which safely hold the electrical wire connections and prevent water from coming into contact with the wires. Some locations may require that the electrical wiring for your outdoor stairs be installed inside conduit. Conduit is a type of plastic or PVC pipe, or it can be a metal pipe that holds electrical wiring. Depending on your local building codes, the conduit may have to be installed underground and run from the house to the lights or be installed near the stairs.

Dimming Options

Continuously powered lights may be on a timer, a motion sensor, or photocell that will determine when it is dark and automatically turn connected lights on.