Outdoor Lighting Installation & Repairs: Quality Wire and Connections

10/16/15

Residential Architectural Lighting Omaha Nebraska McKay Landscape Lighting MH 01

A superior product is always the sum of its parts. Landscape lighting systems are no different. At McKay Landscape Lighting, we only use high quality parts and fixtures when installing an outdoor lighting system. Aside from our quality fixtures, there are the parts of the system that homeowners never see - the wire, connectors, and types of fasteners.

Here, our service technician shares the reasons why McKay only uses quality products, even on the parts that go unseen. 

Wire is especially important considering that the wire is buried in the ground. It is vital to use a wire product with quality insulation. Cheaper wire will have an insulation that is similar to plastic. Over time the plastic-like insulation hardens and becomes brittle, which leads to cracks that let moisture in. The moisture causes the wire to corrode at a much faster rate than expected, causing premature lighting outages and service expenses. To avoid moisture from getting into the wire, McKay only uses low voltage copper wire that has a quality insulation that will keep the copper protected for years to come.

The weak links of any system, no matter what the size, are the connections being used. We have repaired enough poor connections to know that quality does really matters here. McKay is often called to repair outdoor lighting systems that we did not install, and usually find failed connections that were made with either wire nuts, clamp-on style connectors, or electrical tape. Connections made this way will always fail because moisture makes its way in rather quickly, causing corrosion and poor system performance. Poorly made connections can lead to dimness or bulb outages, shorts in the line, and poor bulb life.

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Due to these reasons, McKay only uses connections that are watertight with brass barrel connectors for its durability and conductivity. Before making the connection, we slip on a tubular piece of shrinking rubber insulation. The inside of this shrink tube is coated with a special type of silicone that gels when heated. It then hardens as it cools, completely sealing the ends and the inside of the shrink tube, making the connections waterproof. We've found this process works best for keeping moisture out and preventing system problems, and it even holds up in water features and ponds, too. You'll find this quality work on all of McKay’s installations and repairs.

Lighting is what we do. Every day.

We’ve been in the landscape industry since 1987, becoming a dedicated landscape lighting firm in 1992. Our experienced lighting designers provide the expertise and experience needed to light your outdoor space for both beauty and security. Our goal is to provide the highest quality, custom lighting services and products, to homes and businesses across the nation.

Looking to Enhance Your Property?

Our dedicated team at McKay Landscape Lighting works with you to create a custom landscape lighting design that's unique to your property. From design to installation to service, you can count on our team of experts to make sure you are happy with your lighting system for years to come. 

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