Low voltage landscape lighting became prominent in the residential market during the 1950s. This period marked the beginning of its widespread adoption for home use, driven by the desire for safer, more energy-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor lighting options. The introduction of 12-volt lighting systems offered homeowners a practical solution for enhancing their outdoor spaces with lighting that was both easy to install and gentle on the electrical bill. Since then, the technology and designs have evolved significantly, leading to the diverse range of low voltage lighting fixtures available today, from spotlights, uplights, flood lights, pathway, stair and well lighting, bollard lights and even colorscapes.

Low voltage landscape lighting is a system designed to operate at a significantly lower voltage than the standard 120-volt household electrical current in the United States, using just 12 volts. This reduction is accomplished through a transformer that steps down the voltage. There are several key advantages to using low voltage lighting for landscaping:

1. Enhanced Safety: The lower voltage significantly decreases the risk of electrical shock, which is especially important for outdoor areas that might come into contact with water.
2. Energy Efficiency: By operating at a lower voltage, these systems use less power than their high-voltage counterparts, leading to potential savings on electricity bills.
3. Design Flexibility: Low voltage lighting systems allow for a wide range of fixtures and styles, from spotlights and path lights to underwater lights and hardscape lighting. This variety enables homeowners to customize their outdoor lighting to match any aesthetic or functional requirement.
4. Enhanced Ambiance: Low voltage lighting is excellent for creating subtle, ambient lighting effects. It can be used to highlight landscape features without overwhelming the space with light, creating a cozy, inviting outdoor atmosphere.
5. Simplified Installation: The reduced risk associated with low voltage systems allows for easier and often DIY installation. The wiring for these systems doesn’t need to be buried as deeply as high-voltage lines, which means less disruption to your garden or yard.
6. Versatility: Low voltage lighting is highly adaptable. Fixtures can be added, removed, or repositioned with relative ease, accommodating changes in your landscaping design or lighting needs.
7. Quality of Illumination: Low voltage does not mean low quality of light. These systems can produce a broad spectrum of light levels and colors, enabling the precise highlighting of landscape features without overpowering the area with too much brightness.
8. Durability and Longevity: Many low voltage lighting fixtures are designed for outdoor use, made with durable materials that can withstand the elements, and equipped with long-lasting LED bulbs. This durability ensures the longevity of the lighting system with minimal maintenance.

Components of a low voltage lighting system include a transformer (to reduce household current to 12 volts), low voltage cables, and the lighting fixtures themselves, which come in a variety of types such as pathway lights, spotlights, and accent lights. This kind of lighting is a favored option for those looking to add ambiance, safety, and beauty to their outdoor spaces efficiently and flexibly.