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This information sheet has been designed to help you make an informed choice. |
How to choose Pond Lighting.
An established Pond is a beautiful part of any garden scheme adding a totally new dimension, attracting many different types of wildlife and often introducing movement and sound. Why not extend the appeal of this unique feature into the darker evening hours by adding lighting around and into the pond itself. By doing this you will effectively double the visual value of your pond feature by creating two distinctly different looks, one for the day and one for the night.
Types of Pond Lighting.
Mains Pond Lighting is equipment that is connected to and powered by mains supply (220 – 240 Volts UK). A danger exists if this type of lighting is not installed correctly so a qualified electrician should carry out installation. (See also the note at the end of this information sheet). Because of this only a relatively few manufacturers offer a range of mains pond lights and these are usually larger display type models designed for public display in parks and gardens.
Low voltage lighting provides a quick, safe and easy way to add lighting in and around the pond. The lights are wired to two-core low voltage cable that runs back and connects to a transformer. The transformer plugs into a conventional three-pin socket and steps down the mains supply to usually 12 or 24 volts. The lighting will be supplied with a pre-determined length of cable that can usually be extended with extra cable if necessary. Always consult the manufacturers instructions if extending cable as light output can be adversely affected if the cables are extended to too great a length. The transformers provided will either be indoor or outdoor rated. Indoor rated transformers can only be plugged into an indoor socket and must not be plugged into outdoor type sockets. Doing so will void the product guarantee and result in early failure of the product as this type of transformer is not moisture resistant. Outdoor transformers are constructed to resist weathering and systems or individual lights with this type of transformer are more expensive than those with an indoor rating. One manufacturer (Oase) supplies an underwater transformer based light system enabling this equipment to be concealed within the pond. Never submerse an outdoor rated transformer as although moisture resistant they are not watertight.
Pond Lighting Options.
Pond spotlights are available in singles and often multiple kits of up to four linked to one transformer. A number of wattage options from 12 to 70 watts provide a choice of light output utilising highly efficient halogen bulbs. As a basic guide for comparison a 24 watt halogen bulb will provide around the same light output as a 60 watt household tungsten bulb and a 36 watt halogen about the same output as a 100 watt tungsten. Coloured lenses are often included in the kit or offered as an optional extra and allow the introduction of blue, green, red or amber hues that can be used to creative and mood setting effect. Spotlights can be used to illuminate specific features such as waterfalls, fountains or ornaments, pick out features at pond side by illuminating them from within the pond or sweeping a swathe of light through the length or breadth of the water.
These are lights, usually available in two, three or four light kits that do not have halogen bulbs and so produce a gentler output for a subtle affect with white light or colour.
Solar Lights do not have cables, as they do not require attaching to a power source. During the daylight hours a solar panel absorbs the power of the sun, storing the energy in re-chargeable batteries. At dusk a sensor switches on the light and they will provide illumination until the power stored is exhausted, usually up to about 5 to 7 hours. Some models are manually switched or have both sensor and manual switch override facility. White light or coloured versions are available. Because of the relatively low output, Solar lighting should be considered mood lighting.
These are combinations of a fountainhead that will fit onto the output of a pond pump to create a specific effect, such as a dome or bell shaped water flow and have a halogen light built into them. These look particularly good in pebble ponds or as a stand alone illuminated feature in the pond.
For best effect, combine in-pond lighting with garden lighting positioned in and around rockwork and shrubbery to compliment each other and extend the scale of the evening display. Pond lighting is often overlooked at the planning stage prior to commencing pond construction but is perhaps the feature that has the greatest scope for creativity and so should be given the consideration it deserves in the pond project right from the outset. But don’t despair if you have not included it as modern low voltage technology means that you can add lighting at any time to take advantage of this low running cost garden scheme enhancement.
IMPORTANT.
Please note all electrical work on “Garden lighting and power installations” must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.
If a competent electrician who is registered under a Part P self-certification scheme does not carry out the installation of a product that is covered by this legislation then you must notify the local Building Control Department before work begins. For further information and guidance on this matter and other electrical installations in and around your home that might be covered by the relevant legislation, contact your local authority’s Building Control Department.
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