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In Your Own Words
Is Lighting Really Construction?

California

“I think of myself crossing over daily between construction and service/maintenance/repairs.

“I’ve had my contractor’s license for almost 20 years, but I’ve never really thought of myself as construction either.

“Upgrades and enhancements, maybe? That sounds a little fruity, though—not as macho as construction. Oh well, maybe it really doesn’t matter.”

Texas

“You do have to construct the lighting system, don’t you?”

Ontario

“I have always disliked the moniker of ‘contractor,’ preferring to describe myself as a ‘lighting designer.’ Either way, we do construct the systems.”

New Jersey

“Well, since we’re on a lighting subject, who uses a licensed electrician to install their lights?”

Mississippi

“We use an electrician for all line voltage work. We take it from the transformer to the lamps—from ideas and designs to installation and service.

“Anything recessed or that will require running a wire inside the dwelling is done by an electrician.”

California

“I don’t need an electrician often enough to push much work his way. I’ve actually used three different guys, because sometimes they’re too busy for me. Sometimes an electrician is already doing work or has done work for the customer. So, if they already have a relationship, I’ll just tell their electrician what I need. It has worked out so far.”

New Jersey

“In New Jersey, all lighting over 10 volts has to be run by a licensed electrician—even the lamps have to be wired by them.”

California

“Funny, I have a few contractor friends in New Jersey that have never mentioned this (although I did hear something about Connecticut). Were they grandfathered in or something?”

New Jersey

“Most landscape lighting contractors in my area don’t know this, or they don’t obey the law. Ask any licensed electrician about it; they will let you know the do’s and don’ts—mostly don’ts. I’ve never heard of any legal actions towards the contractors getting caught.”

Texas

“New Jersey started cracking down this year. They have issued citations, and they’re expected to really become a pain in the rear. Some manufacturers and the AOLP (Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals, www.aolponline.org) are working on this issue, but we need help from the people who are installing. This will only change when the contractors get involved. I recommend that all landscape lighting people in New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Florida and Kentucky in particular, and all others to get involved in the AOLP.”

New Jersey

“I hear that guys are trying to lower the volts off the transformer. I’ve never seen it, but that’s how they are beating the system.”

Illinois

“Any other states have that 10-volt rule?”

Colorado

“We don’t in Colorado.”

Ontario

“So, you put out 10 volts at the transformer, then install a ‘voltage enhancer’ just before each fixture to buck the volts back up to near 12 volts so the lamps work properly— interesting tact there.

“How are you going to deal with amperage issues and the code? As I understand it, as you lower the volts out, the amperage increases. This will put additional limitations on wiring, circuit design, etc.

“Wouldn’t it just be easier to form a professional association and then move to educate the New Jersey (and other) electrical authorities as to the professionalism and inherent safety of the already well-documented and established low-voltage lighting system?

“Easier still, start researching, using and promoting LED-based systems. They can operate at 10-volt AC and can even be built to the ‘ultra safe’ Class II specifications.

“Where there is a will, there is a way.”

California

“We have no intent of utilizing a voltage enhancer for a 10-volt system. Although your idea is cool, it is not what we are investing our efforts into at this point.”

“In Your Own Words” is contributed from the forums at www.LandscapeConstructionSite.com. Visit them, and join in the discussions