Yes, outdoor lights can be installed where there is no existing wiring. Options include running new line-voltage wiring from the home’s electrical system, installing a low-voltage lighting system powered by a transformer, or using solar-powered fixtures, each with different trade-offs in performance, cost and installation work.
The right option depends on where you want light, how bright it needs to be and how it will be controlled.
New Line-Voltage Wiring
For wall lights, porch lights, floodlights and other fixtures that need full household power, new wiring is usually run from an existing circuit or a new circuit at the panel. The route may go through walls, attics, crawl spaces or underground to reach the fixture. The distance from the power source, the wall and soil conditions, and any obstacles along the route all affect how involved the work becomes.
Outdoor wiring has to be suited to wet and damp conditions and protected against damage. Depending on the location and setup, ground-fault protection may be part of the installation. When new runs are involved, the work overlaps with electrical wiring projects.
Low-Voltage Lighting Systems
Low-voltage systems are common for path and landscape lighting. A transformer plugs into or connects to a power source and reduces the voltage for the fixtures along the cable. Because the cable carries lower voltage, it can be easier to route around gardens and walkways.
Low-voltage systems are not free from electrical safety requirements. The transformer still connects to household power, often at an outdoor receptacle that needs proper protection and an in-use cover, and fixtures and cable must be rated for outdoor use.
Cable runs that are too long or overloaded can cause lights at the far end to look dim, so the system needs to be sized for the number and type of fixtures.
Solar-Powered Fixtures
Solar lights need no wiring at all, which makes them simple to add. Their performance depends on sunlight, battery condition and fixture quality. In Salt Lake City, shorter winter days, cloudy weather and snow cover can reduce how long solar lights stay on.
Solar fixtures can work well for decorative accents and some pathways, but they usually do not match the brightness or reliability of wired lighting for entries, driveways or security lighting.
Planning the Power Source and Location
Each option needs a plan for where power comes from, how fixtures will be controlled and where wires or cables will run. Digging for underground wiring also requires locating buried utilities first; in Utah, that means contacting Blue Stakes of Utah 811 before excavation. Controls such as timers, photocells or a switch inside the house also need to be planned with the power source.
Do not run outdoor wiring or make electrical connections yourself, and never use indoor-rated fixtures or cords outside.
If you want lights where there is no wiring yet, our outdoor lighting installation service can compare options for your Salt Lake City property and plan a safe installation.