Outdoor lighting does more than make your property look good after dark — it extends the usable hours of your yard, highlights landscaping and architectural features, lights walkways and stairs for safety, and deters unwanted activity around entry points and driveways. Done well, landscape lighting transforms how a home feels at night without drawing attention to the fixtures themselves.
Most residential landscape lighting in the Raleigh and Triangle area runs on low-voltage systems — typically 12 volts — powered by a transformer that steps down your home’s standard 120-volt electrical supply. The low-voltage fixtures connect to the transformer through direct-burial cable run through beds, along walkways, and around structures. The system is safe, energy efficient, and flexible enough to adjust as your landscaping matures or your preferences change.
CMC Electric installs outdoor and landscape lighting for homes across Raleigh, Clayton, and the greater Triangle. We handle the full scope — transformer selection and mounting, cable routing and trenching, fixture placement, timer and control programming, and any electrical work needed at the panel or junction box to power the system.
Below are the questions homeowners ask most often about outdoor lighting projects. For interior lighting topics, visit our Indoor Lighting FAQ. For the full topic list, visit our FAQ Center.
Both licensed electricians and dedicated landscape lighting companies install outdoor lighting in the Raleigh area. The distinction matters depending on the scope of your project. A dedicated landscape lighting company may focus exclusively on fixture design and low-voltage installation but may not be licensed to handle the line-voltage electrical work that powers the system — such as installing a weatherproof outlet, running a dedicated circuit to the transformer location, or tying the system into your home’s electrical panel.
A licensed electrician handles both sides: the line-voltage infrastructure that brings power to the transformer and the low-voltage distribution from the transformer to the fixtures. This is especially important when a new outdoor circuit is needed, when the transformer is located far from the nearest power source, or when the landscape lighting is being combined with other exterior electrical work like security floodlights, porch fixtures, or outlet installations.
CMC Electric installs outdoor and landscape lighting across Raleigh, Clayton, and the Triangle as a complete service. We assess the property, recommend fixture types and placement for the look and coverage you want, size and install the transformer, route and bury the low-voltage cable, set timers or photocell controls, and handle any panel or circuit work needed to power the system. Because we are a full-service licensed electrical contractor, there is no second trade to coordinate — we deliver the entire project from the panel to the last fixture.
Low-voltage outdoor lighting operates at 12 volts, stepped down from your home’s 120-volt supply by a transformer. The transformer is typically mounted near an exterior outlet or junction box, and the low-voltage cable runs underground from the transformer to each fixture. Because the system operates at 12 volts, the cable does not need to be run through conduit in most applications — it is rated for direct burial in soil — and the fixtures are safe to handle even while energized. Low-voltage is the standard for landscape accent lighting, path lights, uplights, well lights, and most residential garden and bed lighting.
Line-voltage outdoor lighting operates at your home’s full 120-volt (or 240-volt) supply and is used for larger applications — security floodlights, lamp posts, permanent porch and garage fixtures, and exterior outlet circuits. Line-voltage wiring must be run through weatherproof conduit when installed outdoors, requires GFCI protection, and is governed by the same code requirements as any other household circuit.
Most residential landscape lighting projects in the Raleigh area use a combination of both. The transformer and its supply circuit are line-voltage work. Everything downstream of the transformer is low-voltage. CMC Electric is licensed to handle both, which means we install the complete system — from pulling a new circuit at the panel (if needed) through mounting the last path light at the end of your walkway.
A typical residential landscape lighting project in the Raleigh area follows a consistent sequence. It begins with a site walkthrough where the electrician and the homeowner discuss the goals for the project — which areas to light, what effect to achieve, and where the transformer will be located. This is where decisions about fixture types, quantities, and placement are made.
Next comes the electrical assessment. The electrician confirms that a suitable power source exists near the planned transformer location — usually a weatherproof GFCI outlet on the exterior of the home. If no outlet exists, or if the closest circuit does not have capacity for the transformer load, a new circuit or outlet is added as part of the project.
The physical installation involves mounting the transformer, trenching shallow cable runs through beds and along walkways, placing and staking each fixture, connecting fixtures to the low-voltage cable, and testing the entire system for proper operation and even illumination. Cable is typically buried four to six inches deep in landscape beds and deeper where it crosses under paths or driveways.
Finally, the timer, photocell, or smart control is programmed. Most homeowners in the Triangle set their landscape lighting to turn on at dusk and off at a set time — either through a built-in astronomical timer in the transformer or through a smart control that adjusts automatically with seasonal daylight changes.
CMC Electric handles every step of this process and provides a written estimate that covers fixtures, transformer, cable, trenching, controls, and any line-voltage electrical work needed to power the system.
Landscape lighting systems use several types of fixtures, each designed for a specific application. Understanding the categories helps you communicate your goals to your electrician and make informed decisions during the planning stage.
Path lights are the most recognizable — they are stake-mounted fixtures that line walkways, driveways, and garden borders, casting light downward to illuminate the ground. They are essential for safety and are the backbone of most landscape lighting plans.
Uplights and spotlights are aimed upward or at an angle to highlight trees, architectural features, columns, or textured walls. They create dramatic vertical effects and are often the fixtures that give a property its nighttime character.
Well lights are recessed into the ground and sit flush with the surface. They are used for uplighting trees and structures from ground level without a visible fixture. They work well near walkways and in garden beds where a stake-mounted fixture would be in the way.
Wash lights cast a wide, even spread of light across a wall, fence, or hedge. They are used to create soft background illumination rather than focused accents.
Step and hardscape lights are small fixtures mounted into retaining walls, stair risers, deck posts, or stone features to illuminate transitions and edges for safety.
CMC Electric works with quality LED fixture lines across all of these categories. During the site walkthrough, we recommend fixture types based on what each area of your property needs — and we bring samples or product references so you can see what to expect before the installation begins.
The transformer is the central component of a low-voltage landscape lighting system. It converts your home’s standard 120-volt electrical supply down to 12 volts, which is the operating voltage for the fixtures. It is typically a weatherproof metal or composite box mounted to the exterior wall of the home, near a GFCI outlet or a dedicated junction box.
Sizing the transformer correctly is important. Each fixture in the system draws a certain number of watts, and the transformer must have enough capacity to power all of the fixtures on its circuits with some headroom to spare. A common approach is to total the wattage of all planned fixtures and select a transformer rated for at least 20 to 25 percent more than that total. This provides room for future additions and avoids running the transformer at full capacity, which can shorten its lifespan and reduce voltage to fixtures at the far end of long cable runs.
Modern LED landscape fixtures draw significantly less wattage than the halogen fixtures they have largely replaced — often just three to five watts per fixture compared to 20 or more watts for halogen. That means a modest transformer can power a surprisingly large number of LED fixtures.
CMC Electric sizes the transformer based on the fixture plan for your property and installs it in a location that is accessible for maintenance but unobtrusive. We also verify that the power source feeding the transformer — whether an existing outlet or a new dedicated circuit — is adequate and properly protected.
All three options work, and the right choice depends on how much automation you want and whether you plan to integrate the lighting with other smart home systems.
A timer is the most straightforward option. You set specific on and off times, and the transformer follows that schedule every night. The downside is that sunrise and sunset shift throughout the year in the Raleigh area, so a fixed timer needs to be adjusted seasonally — otherwise your lights may come on while it is still bright in June or turn on too late in December.
A photocell solves that problem by detecting ambient light levels. It turns the system on automatically at dusk and off at dawn (or after a set number of hours). Photocells are low-maintenance and respond naturally to seasonal changes, overcast days, and storm darkness. Many modern transformers include a built-in photocell option.
Smart controls connect the transformer to your home’s Wi-Fi network and allow you to manage schedules, brightness, and on/off status from a phone app. Some smart controls include astronomical timers that automatically adjust to local sunset and sunrise times without a physical photocell. They also integrate with broader home automation platforms if you are running one.
CMC Electric installs all three types and can recommend the best fit based on your preferences. For most homeowners in the Triangle, a transformer with a built-in astronomical timer or photocell provides the right balance of automation and simplicity without adding complexity.
Landscape lighting is consistently cited by real estate professionals and home improvement assessments as one of the most cost-effective exterior upgrades for curb appeal. A well-lit property creates a strong first impression after dark — which matters in the Raleigh market, where a significant share of buyer showings and drive-bys happen during evening hours, particularly during shorter fall and winter days.
Beyond visual appeal, landscape lighting provides functional benefits that buyers recognize: safely lit walkways and entry points, visibility around driveways and garages, and a sense of security that comes with a well-illuminated perimeter. These are practical features, not just cosmetic ones, and they contribute to how a property is perceived during the buying process.
Whether landscape lighting directly increases appraised value depends on the quality of the installation, the fixtures used, and how well the design complements the property. A professionally installed LED system with clean fixture placement and proper cable burial is an asset. A DIY installation with surface-laid cable and misaligned fixtures is not.
CMC Electric designs and installs landscape lighting systems that are built to last and built to look professional. We bury cable to the proper depth, use quality LED fixtures with long warranties, and place every light with intentional aim and spacing. The result is a system that performs well for years and adds genuine value — not just for a sale, but for your everyday enjoyment of the property.
Low-voltage LED landscape lighting is relatively low-maintenance compared to older halogen systems, but it is not maintenance-free. Understanding what to expect helps you keep the system performing well year after year.
The most common maintenance tasks include repositioning fixtures that have shifted due to settling soil, mulch accumulation, or lawn care activity. Path lights and stake-mounted fixtures can gradually lean or get bumped out of alignment over a season. A quick walkthrough every few months to straighten and re-aim fixtures keeps the system looking intentional.
LED bulbs and modules last significantly longer than halogen — often 25,000 to 50,000 hours — so bulb replacement is rare. However, individual fixtures can occasionally fail due to moisture intrusion, cable connection corrosion, or physical damage from landscaping equipment. Replacing a single fixture on a low-voltage system is straightforward and inexpensive.
The transformer and its connections should be inspected annually. Look for tripped GFCI outlets on the power source, loose wire connections at the transformer terminals, and any signs of moisture or insect intrusion inside the transformer housing. Timer and photocell settings should also be checked seasonally to confirm the system is still operating on the schedule you want.
CMC Electric is available for landscape lighting maintenance and repairs across the Raleigh and Triangle area. If a fixture goes dark, a section of the system stops working, or you want to add fixtures to an existing installation, we can diagnose the issue and get the system back to full operation — or expand it to match changes in your landscaping.
Outdoor lighting connects to several other electrical topics:
CMC Electric was founded in 2005 by Chris Conrad in Clayton, NC, and has grown into one of the Triangle’s most trusted residential and commercial electrical contractors. Our licensed, insured, and background-checked technicians serve Raleigh, Clayton, Garner, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, and dozens of communities across central North Carolina.
Outdoor and landscape lighting installation is a natural extension of our residential electrical work — we handle the full project from panel and circuit work through transformer mounting, cable burial, fixture placement, and control programming. We also specialize in electrical panel upgrades, whole-house generator installation and maintenance, EV charger installation, indoor lighting, and full-service electrical repair. Every project comes with upfront pricing, a lifetime craftsmanship warranty, and clear communication at every step.
Thinking about landscape lighting for your property? CMC Electric provides free outdoor lighting consultations for homeowners across Raleigh and the Triangle — including a site walkthrough, fixture recommendations, and a written estimate with no obligation.
