Technical features of outdoor lighting

Both a simple lamp fixed at the gate and a specially designed landscape lighting project will require, first of all, compliance with electrical standards — lighting fixtures must withstand external influences, and the power supply system must be properly insulated and grounded.

It is also important to ensure the functionality of the system — to think over the control modes and the power supply system.

For outdoor lighting of a summer cottage, you need to use special lighting fixtures with mains or battery power. The electric cable is laid in trenches at a depth of 30-50 cm with a special protective coating for wires.

The installation of the system must be carried out with the preservation of safety standards; special boxes are used for connections, insulated and protected from the effects of temperature changes and moisture. Grounding required.

Creating a convenient control of the on and off modes, taking into account the range of devices presented on the modern market, is not difficult. It can be both network panels and remote controls.

It is also possible to install automatic devices that will control the lighting autonomously, in combination with a general security system, or as part of a Smart Home.

Before you make an independent installation or repair of electrical equipment, you need to familiarize yourself with the instructions and safety standards for outdoor lighting.

Types of outdoor lighting

Any light source installed in a private area performs the functions of protection, access and decoration. When developing a general project, various modes and functions overlap each other, but the following conditional division helps to develop the best option that combines the requirements of functionality with a common architectural and landscape style. This also takes into account the size and location of the site, residential, office and decorative buildings.

According to their purpose, lighting systems are divided into the following groups:

Security lighting indicates the presence of people. To do this, it is advisable to use autonomous power supply of lamps, equipped with a time relay or photocells for automatic switching on after dark.

Security points are located along the perimeter of the site, at doors and gates, and in areas that are under video surveillance. In such systems, an audible alarm can be mounted. Another scarecrow can be infrared sensors that turn on the light when living beings approach.

A functional lighting system provides access to all areas of the site in the dark. Lamps are usually installed along the edges of paths, stairs, bridges. They are part of landscape lighting, and in addition to ensuring safe movement, they also have a decorative function.

Such a system should be as durable as possible and easy to operate during all seasons. On it, you can test different energy saving methods — solar panels, touch sensors, photocells, etc.

Decorative lighting performs the function of decorating and transforming the site in the dark. It is akin to architectural and artistic lighting, only in this case lawns, trees, gazebos, artificial reservoirs and alpine slides become the object of decor. If desired, it is possible to carry out the illumination of the facade of the country house.

A variety of such lighting can be considered the festive decoration of the site and the country house in the form of neon garlands, which can be timed to coincide with traditional dates, or simply become a hobby and entertainment during a country holiday.

All three types of lighting are combined in a single project, complementing each other functionally, and creating a common light picture of the object.

Rules for the lighting design of the suburban area

When designing and implementing a lighting project, there are several universal factors to consider.

It is necessary in every possible way to avoid enumeration in the number and power of lighting devices. Calculations and schemes are best done to a minimum. After all, there is always the opportunity to add new elements.

The exact location of the lighting fixture, especially in cases where the angle of illumination will be static, is best determined during experiments in a particular area, with specific lighting fixtures. This is the only way to adjust both the decorative and functional lighting effect.

The site should look well-groomed and harmonious also in the daytime. The style and decoration of lighting fixtures during the bright period of the day are striking, so they must be selected in harmony with colors and shapes. You can also apply lighting masking.

Lighting nearby neighboring houses and plots can bring dissonance, spoil the scenery by crossing lighting beams. The lighting of neighbors must be taken into account, and when considering lighting options for your site, it is better to agree in advance with your neighbors on issues of functionality and aesthetics.

Outdoor lighting should not create discomfort indoors. Zoning the site will help to avoid both excessive and insufficient lighting.

The presence or absence of street lighting adjacent to a suburban area or if it is still at the project stage should also be taken into account when calculating and marking lighting points.

Types of fixtures

For night decoration of areas, upper or lower illumination is used. With overhead lighting, such as column lamps or spotlights, objects must be at a certain distance.

With bottom lighting, which is increasingly being used not only for design, but also for illuminating paths, light sources are located in the vicinity of illuminated objects.

The photo with a general view of the plots shows examples of lighting with illumination at different levels.

Classic park lamps and spotlights, as well as high-tech ground lamps and bollards, allow you to realize any fantasy. The assortment of festive lighting, sculptural and multi-colored lamps for landscape design is also wide enough.

When choosing a design project and lighting fixtures, in addition to individual preferences, you need to be guided by the parameters of the quality of goods and services.

Photo of site lighting