Lighting is one of the most important aspects of any home or business design. It can create an inviting atmosphere, provide security, and improve curb appeal. When it comes to outdoor lighting, also known as exterior lights, there are a few things you need to take into account before starting your outdoor lighting project.

In this article, we’ll cover:

Lighting an outdoor space
The different types of outdoor lights available
How electricians install outdoor lighting
Australian standards for outdoor lighting installation
Why working with a licenced electrician is crucial

Lighting an outdoor space

First, you need to decide what type of lighting you want to use. There are many different types of outdoor lighting fixtures available, including:

Wall lights
Pendant lights
Flood lights
Spotlights
Security lights
Pathway lights
Deck lights
Post lights
String lights
Garden lights

Second, you need to think about where you want to install outdoor lights. Will they be placed on the exterior of your home or business, or will they be used to light up a walkway, garden, or other outdoor space? Weather conditions in your area will also play a role in where you can place your outdoor lights.

Third, you will need to consider whether to use LED, halogen, or solar-powered lights. LED lights are more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than halogen or solar-powered lights. However, they may be more expensive upfront. Halogen lights are less energy-efficient than LED lights but are typically cheaper. Solar lighting options are the most energy-efficient option but may not provide as much light as other types of lights.

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When you hire GreenElec electricians you can expect a few things:

We’ll arrive on time – Being punctual is important to us. You haven’t got all day to wait around for disorganised tradesmen.
We won’t leave a mess – We’ll ensure that once we’ve completed all work the space will be exactly how we left it. You shouldn’t have to clean everything up after you’ve hired an electrician
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Transparent pricing – We’ve all heard all the horror stories of people being charged hundreds and hundreds of dollars for changing one light bulb. At GreenElec we ensure that you get a transparent, honest quote. We’ll also be totally upfront if we think there is a smarter / better way to do things
High quality work – Being on time won’t matter if the quality of work is terrible. Our expert Sydney electricians are very highly trained and completely accredited and qualified. Our team of electricians have won multiple awards for their work and projects. They get receive frequent training to ensure they are always on top of the smartest and most effective ways to do things
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World class after sales service – For products like solar, on the odd chance something goes wrong, many installers go missing. They don’t want to deal with it. In the unlikely event anything needs to be fixed, our team get it sorted fast.

Types of outdoor lighting

We’ve mentioned some of the different types of outdoor lighting fixtures available, but let’s take a closer look at each one.

Wall lights

Wall lights are a popular choice for outdoor lighting because they’re easy to install and can be used to highlight specific features of your home or business. Wall lights are typically mounted on the exterior of a building, but can also be placed along walkways or in gardens.

Pendant lights

Pendant lights are another popular type of outdoor light fixture. They’re often used to illuminate entryways or walkways, but can also be used to accentuate other features of your outdoor space. Pendant lights are typically hung from a porch or other overhead structure.

Floodlights and security lights

These outdoor lights are designed to illuminate large areas, making them ideal for security purposes. Floodlights can be either mounted on the ground or on a wall, and security lights are usually mounted on a wall. You will see these lights used often in parking lots and commercial buildings.

Decorative landscape lighting

This type of lighting is used to accentuate features in your yard or garden, such as trees, shrubs, water features, and flower beds. Decorative landscape lighting can be either low-voltage products (12 volts) or solar-powered.

When choosing decorative landscape lighting, it’s important to consider the wattage of the bulbs to make sure they don’t overwhelm the area you’re trying to highlight. For example, garden lighting is typically only 2-3 watts, while path lights may be 6-8 watts.

Decorative lighting fixtures usually have light covers over the bulb to prevent glare and help disperse the light more evenly. These covers come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, so you can find ones that complement your outdoor space.

Feature lighting

Feature lighting is used to highlight specific features of your home or business, such as a work of art, a piece of architecture, or a landscaping feature. It is usually more powerful than other types of outdoor lighting.

Path lights

These lights are used to illuminate walkways, stairs, and other areas where people are likely to be walking. Examples of path lights include step lights, bollard lights, and well lights. Lamp posts are also a type of path light, but they are usually powered by electricity instead of solar power.

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How electricians install outdoor lighting

Outdoor lights need to be properly installed in order to be both effective and safe. Electricians will start by doing a site visit to assess the layout of your property and determine where the light fixtures need to be installed.

They will conduct an electrical inspection and site visit to assess your property and determine the best way to install the fixtures. Light switches also need to be installed in a convenient location. Once the electrician has a plan, they will begin running the wiring and installing the fixtures.

Electricians typically use one of two methods to install outdoor lighting: direct burial or surface mounted.

Direct burial

With this method, the electrician runs the wiring from the fixture to an underground junction box. The junction box is then connected to the power supply. This method is typically used for low-voltage lighting, such as solar lights and some types of LED lighting.

Surface mounted

With this method, the electrician mounts the fixtures on the surface of the house or on a pole. The wiring is then run from the fixture to an electrical box, which is connected to the power supply. This method can be used for both low-voltage and high-voltage lighting.

After the fixtures are installed, electricians will test them to make sure they’re working properly. They will also install any timers or light sensors that you’ve chosen to use.

Australian standards for lighting installation

There are several Australian standards that apply to lighting installation. These standards cover everything from the materials that can be used in outdoor lighting fixtures to the minimum clearance distances between fixtures and buildings. Below, we have listed some of the most important Australian standards for lighting installation.

AS/NZS 3000

This standard covers the wiring rules for electrical installations. It includes requirements for the installation of outdoor lighting fixtures, as well as other electrical equipment.

AS/NZS 4282

This standard covers the selection, installation, and maintenance of outdoor lighting. It includes requirements for the mounting of fixtures, as well as the clearances that need to be maintained between fixtures and buildings.

AS/NZS 1680

This standard covers the selection and installation of light fittings. It includes requirements for the wattage of bulbs, as well as the minimum IP rating that fixtures must have.

Basic considerations to remember when installing outdoor lighting:

All fixtures and wiring must be weatherproof and designed for outdoor use
All fixtures must be properly earthed, meaning they must be connected to a grounding rod or other approved grounding system
Fixtures must be installed at the correct height and angle
Fixtures must be properly protected from damage
Lighting must be installed in a way that minimises the risk of fire
Light housings must be made of non-combustible materials

Why working with a licensed electrician is crucial

Electricians are trained to work with electricity, and they have the knowledge and experience to properly install outdoor lighting products. In addition, electricians are familiar with the Australian standards that apply to outdoor lighting, so they can make sure your installation complies with all applicable regulations.

If you’re thinking about installing outdoor lighting at your home, we highly recommend working with a licenced electrician. Not only will they ensure that the job is done right, but they can also offer advice on the best type of lighting to use and help you choose fixtures that fit your budget.

GreenElec: Sydney's leading provider of outdoor lights and electrical services

Looking for a qualified electrician to help with your outdoor lighting needs? GreenElec is a team of licenced electricians that specialise in outdoor lighting installation. We’re based in Sydney, where we have worked on a wide range of projects, from small residential properties to large commercial complexes.

We offer a wide range of outdoor lighting services, including:

Installation of floodlights, security lights, and other types of outdoor lighting products
Design and installation of decorative landscape lighting
Installation of solar-powered and low-voltage (12 volt) path lights
Installation of timers and light sensors
Compliance with Australian standards for outdoor lighting

We are also experts in electrical safety, and we can provide a safety check of your home’s electrical system to ensure that it meets all Australian standards.

If you’re interested in learning more about our outdoor lighting services, please contact us today. We would be happy to provide you with a free quote on your outdoor lighting project.

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