Outdoor Lighting Wire Size

Common wires for landscape lighting are 10- 12- 14- or 16-gauge wires.

Outdoor lighting wire size. 12 and 16 gauge. Type UF cable is the most commonly used nonmetallic cable for residential outdoor wiring runs. Landscape Lighting Cable is sunlight-resistant suitable for direct burial and for use at temperatures between -20C and 60C.

Examples of installing your landscape lights with specific wire gauges. Transformers will be placed out of reach of small animals and children for safety. A lower number means thicker wire and greater capacity to carry the power current for longer distances.

Over 200 watts you should use a 12 gauge sized wire. Multiply total wattage by total length. The cost difference between this wire size and a much smaller cable is negligible and 18-gauge is about as big as you can go if you would like your wires to fit into most holders or terminals.

122 Black Stranded Landscape Lighting Wire 12-2-Gauge Low-Voltage low-energy underground 12-2-Gauge Low-Voltage low-energy underground landscape lighting cable is designed for landscape security and outdoor accent lighting applications not to exceed 150-Volt. String Light Hanging KitGuide Wire for Outdoor String Lights Vinyl Coated Wire Rope Wire Cable Outdoor Light Guide WireInclude 182fts 304 Stainless Steel. The larger sizes of wire such as the 8 or 10 are used to reduce voltage drop in longer runs of wire or to handle more wattage.

For example the diameter of a 16-gauge wire is physically larger than that of an 18-gauge wire. The minimum wire size for a 30-amp 240-volt circuit is 10-gauge but to prevent poor performance because of voltage drop you should consider upgrading to 8-gauge if the outlet is far from the panel. You will often see landscape lighting wire called 122 or 102 the 2 stands for conductors which is the number of wires inside the outer insulation.

AWG ratings for wire work in a funny way the larger the number the smaller the wire. These calculations are similar except amperage. A good rule of thumb for selecting proper wire size is determining your wattage.