DIY Security Systems
At night, we find ourselves vulnerable since our field of vision is limited. Opportunistic burglars thrive in the dark and take advantage of dark corners before making their way into a household. Outdoor lighting is the perfect solution to deter thieves, illuminate pathways, and to brighten up dark corners. Knowing how to install an outdoor security light in the right locations is a huge factor in the success rate of outdoor lighting.
More than just deterring thieves and burglars, outdoor security lighting is essential for a fun household. Having the proper lighting outdoors means that you can spend more time with family and friends in the yard or pool area. You can even choose to illuminate your garden to make a subtle night ambiance, or the porch, for your star bathing moments. So let’s get started and talk about the basic things you’ll need to know on exactly how to install an outdoor security light, the right way.
The Proper Location
The location of your outdoor security lights should be your primary concern. Imagine a blueprint of your household and decide on the spots where you need more light, especially at night. Take into consideration the entrances of your home, front, and back, also the garage. Entryways play a considerable role in a person’s daily routine, and we want our security lights to be functional in making life easier for us.
Windows are also a potential entry point, especially for burglars and thieves. Make sure that windows situated in the dark corners of the house are correctly lit-up. Your outdoor security lights will be your first line of defense when it comes to deterring unwanted intruders. You can even take it a step further and have outdoor security lights capable of motion sensors and an alarm.
Pathways are another location that needs proper lighting. This is so you can navigate adequately during the night since our field of vision is significantly lower. Accidents are prone to happening in dark areas where we walk, especially when we don’t see an obstacle in front of us. Having the proper lighting in pathways provides peace of mind when walking towards your doors, garden, or garage.
Determine The Area To Light Up
To determine how to install an outdoor security light properly, you should be aware of the area you’ll illuminate. Light bulbs come in different types and wattages that give out different amounts of light measured in lumens. It is essential to understand light bulb types and their wattage because this will determine how lit your area will be after installation.
If you are lighting up a big area, like your yard, consider high-pressure metal halide security lights. A 70-watt sodium security light can brighten up more than 8,500 square feet and provide 6,300 lumens. This type of light also lasts 12 times longer than the regular incandescent lightbulbs in the market.
Locate Your Power Source
An essential thing to establish after knowing the location of your light will be finding the nearest power source. This is essential in knowing how to install an outdoor security light neatly. Locating an outlet or switch where you can run wiring efficiently and adequately is something to look for within the area. Make sure the outlet or switch can handle your outdoor lights’ load capacity to prevent short circuits and to overheat.
When tamping into the breaker, make sure that you turn off the main power before performing your wiring installation.
When plugging in your lights to a circuit breaker, your load’s power should not exceed 80 percent of the total load capacity. For example, when using a 20-amp circuit, the total load should only end at 16-amps. This allowance is necessary for optimum safety and security. If your lights’ electrical load exceeds 80 percent of the load capacity, you will need to install a new circuit or lower your light capacity.
Installation Proper
A vital thing to note when you want to know how to install an outdoor security light properly is the placement. The lights should be situated over-head and not eye-level. Having the security lights 6-10 feet above ground will provide better lighting for the area. This is because the light can spread out better and also will have fewer obstructions.
A simple procedure to do before mounting your lights in place is to prep the fixture. As much as possible, we would want our installation to be clean and neat. To help hide the wiring better, you can pre-drill holes for wires to pass through, an excellent way to do this is to have the proper equipment ready like a good drill and hole saw.
With regards to wiring, if you do not know what you are doing, don’t hesitate to call for professional help. Wiring is essential when handling heavy-duty electrical equipment like outdoor security lights. Also, make sure you are abiding by your local rules and regulation when installing your lights. Lastly, make sure that the hardware used for the installation came from the manufacturer to avoid destroying your purchase and voiding a warranty.
Test The Light
When installing the security light fixture for the first time, you can loosely mount the housing. This is so you can make the necessary changes easily after testing the lights. Make sure to check the lights before installing them entirely into the wall, so you won’t have to redo your work all over again later.
When testing your lights, make sure to wear protective gear like rubber gloves, especially when dealing with the circuit breaker. Loose wiring can be a hazard when installing your security lights for the first time. A strong electrical surge is life-threatening and should not be taken lightly. Just remember to keep safety as the priority in knowing how to install outdoor security lights properly.
Conclusion
More than just being the first line of defense for intruders, the outdoor security light can be beneficial in every household. It can provide adequate lighting around the house, giving you a sense of freedom, home security, and clarity, especially at night. Knowing how to install an outdoor security light the right way can benefit you in the long run by providing you with fewer headaches and repairs. Just remember to follow protocol and wear the appropriate protective gear, because safety is always the priority when it comes to installing your lights. Find out more about Security Lights.