Contents:
- Electric lamps
- Solar lamps
- LED
- Portable lamps
- Garden lighting - safety
Garden lighting is an extremely important element not only because of its practicality, but also making the house surroundings more attractive. Properly selected lamps will ensure comfort of movement, facilitate communication and increase the level of safety after dark. What are electric, solar, LED and portable lamps characterized by? How to safely install lighting in the garden?
Garden lighting: electric lamps
Well-designed lighting for the garden will give it a unique atmosphere and character. Perfect for summer meetings with friends and for late returns home from work or shopping. It will make it easier to find the keys in your purse, secure parking and climb stairs. Well-placed outdoor light with an appropriate level of brightness is able to effectively deter thieves and burglars, as it will prevent them from passing unnoticed.
Installation of electric outdoor garden lamps and terrace lamps should be planned already at the stage of building a house and arranging home green areas. The electrical installation to which the lighting is connected is most often attached to the one we already have in the building, so it is worth doing it earlier, so that in the future you do not have to do excavations that destroy flower beds, shrubs, flowers or lawns. It is good to connect to a completely separate electric circuit and set up two separate switches for it - the first to protect against electric shock, and the second should be selected according to the intensity of the current.
The lighting design should include the necessary type of power supply, which will depend on the permissible power of the selected lamps and additional devices that will be connected to the same circuit in the future.Low voltage power supply will be sufficient only for small plots with several light points installed. Realizations larger than the lighting of the path to the building should be planned for 230 V.
There is a whole range of various types of garden lamps on the market:
- directional headlights - adapted to direct light precisely, ideal for illuminating plants, elevations and driveways;
- wall lamps (wall lamps) - lighting attached to the wall, it will work well on the terrace, in the gazebo or by the gate;
- ceiling lamps - it is recommended to mount them above the entrance or in suspended ceilings;
- overrun lamps (in-ground) - designed to be mounted in paths, floor or driveways; they are resistant to impact, pressure and water;
- posts and standing lamps - most often they are decorative and placed along paths and driveways; they are installed on ready-made concrete foundations or screwed to the cobblestones and the sidewalk.
Garden lighting: solar lamps
Garden lighting in the form of solar lamps can undoubtedly be described as modern garden lamps. Until recently, they could only be a supplement to the garden arrangement, but now, thanks to modern and energy-saving LED technology, they have greatly expanded the scope of their applications. They can be used to illuminate driveways, paths, letterboxes, gates and home entrances. The light they emit will not be as bright as in the case of electric lighting, but it will be sufficient for safe movement around the house.
The main advantage of solar lamps is that there is no need for permanent access to electricity, which means that you do not have to worry about complicated electrical connections when installing them. They have internal accumulators, the task of which is to store energy. They are made in three technologies: lithium-ion, lead-gel and nickel-metal-hydride.The higher the capacity of the battery, the greater the intensity of the light beam and the higher the burn time.
Solar lamps are equipped with photovoltaic panels that collect light energy during the day. They are adapted to work at night. They have an internal system that automatically activates the lamp after dusk and possibly during movement. On their housing there is a potentiometer that allows you to set the lanterns according to your preferences. They have the following adjustment: brightness at which the lamp will be activated, sensitivity of the motion sensor and the time the lamp will be on when motion is detected.
Garden lighting: LED
Garden lighting is a very important decorative element. LED lamps for the garden and terrace have several important advantages:they are energy-saving, safe and efficient . In addition, they come in many shapes, sizes and colors.
Garden lighting of this type is characterized byhigh shock resistance. It reaches full luminous flux immediately after switching on and emits a focused or diffused beam of light.
The main disadvantage of LED lighting isthe high purchase cost of such an installation, which, however, is compensated by a long service life and low operating costs.
Garden lighting: portable lamps
Garden lighting in the form of portable lamps are most often battery-operated garden lamps or solar lamps. Lamps of a decorative nature most often have this character, their task is to give a unique charm during a garden party. They will also work well as an element of balcony, veranda and terrace decor. They will give the interior a pleasant and cozy character. Colorful illuminations are also perfect in winter, when creating a festive decor for the yard.
Garden lighting: safety
Garden lighting is highly exposed to weather conditions, thereforeit is important that it has properly selected luminaires.When making the right choices, IP symbolism will help us. It is marked with two numbers. The first one speaks of resistance to dust and other solids. The second - about vulnerability to water. For lamps on the porch, terrace or balcony, IP 22 is sufficient. For lighting a pond, it is worth choosing an IP of 68. Lanterns illuminating the driveway, paths, lawns and plants should have an IP of 44. Driveway lamps embedded in concrete or pavement should have an IP of 65.
An important factor when choosing garden and patio lamps iselectrical insulation class.The higher the class symbol, the higher the insulation level. Class II will be suitable for garden lamps. Class III lighting is ideal for fountains and water reservoirs.
The most important function of garden lighting is to ensure safety and functionality, so it is important that it is properly arranged. Garden lamps that are to brighten paths, driveways, stairs, porches, wickets, gates or pools should be placed at a height that will allow to brighten the entire selected area. It is good for the light to be highly concentrated and strong. It is worth considering the choice of lamps with a motion sensor, which will significantly reduce utility costs.
It is worth ensuring that the garden lighting we choose is made of high-quality materials that will be resistant to weather conditions and safe for everyday use. Steel and structural glass will work well. They will ensure not only the perfect appearance of the lamps during the day, but also the comfort of use.
