Tips for Outdoor Lighting

Your outdoor space needs are different from the interior.
The proper distribution of lighting, as well as the particular outdoor lighting that will decorate your garden, patio or courtyard, are features to be considered in the selection process.

• Depending on the use of your space, you can also choose the right lighting! It is of course excluded the terrace which imposes a ceiling lamp, since its use is given anyway.

• A very important branch, which demands your attention, is the material from which the luminaire is made . Once it is outdoors, it faces all the weather conditions, so the leakproofness must be appropriate.

In the case of waterproofing, there are fluctuations ranging from IP44 to partially enclosed spaces (balconies), IP54 for uncovered spaces (vertical surfaces - walls, floor lamps), IP67 for fully watertight luminaires (sinks) and IP68 for indoor luminaires in the water (swimming pools, fountains).

• A large part of these luminaires is made of cast aluminum and filters that are resistant to all conditions. Nonetheless, it would be good to choose the material in relation to other factors. For example, in island regions, the luminaires should be made of brass or plastic, two materials that are proven to withstand more in adverse conditions (brackish or salty waters). Prefer certified products.
• Another important part, which you have to find a solution, is the energy saving. Even outdoor lamps can be used to save both lights and LED lamps.
• Do not forget that these lights remain on for several hours, so the economy and the least burden on the environment are issues that we are surely concerned about.
• The dimmers and motion sensors are also an important issue in outdoor lighting . It will help you get perfect result according to your needs for intense or no illumination but also manage to secure to save money when you do not need to be lit at all times the lights.
• Changes in temperature of light are necessary. Create an interesting game with cool and warm lighting. Cold light gives a sense of joy but also impressive. Never use cold lighting in living areas.
• Install the GFCI Protection or ground fault circuit breaker, this protection is one of the most important improvements in electrical safety for the last forty years. We have installed it in our kitchens, bathrooms, garages, even our attics, underground, etc. It is necessary wherever we could connect something electrical while we are earthed. And this certainly includes when the yard.

If the wiring that supplies the external connector has GFCI protection from a switch or another GFCI device, you can install a standard protective, weatherproof, in the outer carton. But if you do, then you should not install a GFCI receptacle there weatherproof, of course.

• Place a cover in the humid environment that is not protected from weather conditions. If your outdoor socket is not under a roof or other protective cover, then you have to place a special cover - cap over it. As the name implies, these covers will keep the socket and the plugin it dry, even in the rain.
• Use Cables for Outdoor Use. Expansion cables we use indoors are just for this. It is usually lightweight and flexible. For outdoor use, you should only use exterior grade extension cables for any temporary lighting you connect outside your home.

Very basic is the lighting study, especially at the stage where work is done in the building or in the garden (it saves you time and money).
Expert lighting consultants can protect you from a lot of mistakes. From where the benefits, durability, and reliability of the product should go, up to the type of luminaire that will give the desired result (do not all do the same job).
Also do not forget that we have to do with an external environment, so the whole result has to harmonize with the surrounding environment and not cause light pollution.