Water Safety Tips

By Perry Romano, IESNA, LC

 

A 12-volt/MR16-20 watt lamp with an underwater stabilizing tray supplied with 20 ft. of 18-2 105-degree C wire, 300 volt STW (service thermoplastic with outdoor jacket) cord and .5-inch NPT (American standard taper pipe thread) male fitting.

Placing 12-volt underwater lights in fountains, ponds or streams adds character to any garden pond or body of water, natural or manmade. It provides needed light at night making any commercial or municipal building, park or landscape project or residence more attractive and appealing. Sometimes, finding and working with underwater lights can be a challenge, but it need not be complicated. Landscape contractors should leave installation of more elaborate 120-volt lighting to licensed electricians, for safety?EUR??,,????'???s sake and time efficiency.

Pond Safety

When electricity is involved there are a few safety concerns to be aware of when working around a pond, pool or stream that has already been constructed. Basically, you can just dig down a few inches, drop in the electrical cable and connect it to the low-voltage transformer. However, 99% of light transformers are not waterproof?EUR??,,????'??+Weatherproof, yes; waterproof, no!

Transformers should be plugged into outdoor GFCI receptacles. When adding an electrical outlet for a water garden or landscape feature, keep the outlet within a few feet of the body of water. This minimizes excessive cable runs and possible interference from underground streams or storm runoff.

Use Waterproof Covers

Waterproof covers should be added to all outdoor electrical outlets to ensure that the bodies of water you may have designed do not kick a breaker and shut off important filtrating or oxygenating equipment. Never use extension cords in the landscape when you want to add a water feature. Extension cords used over long periods of time can cause fires and be subject to gnawing rodents and insects.

Cover Electrical Cords

When possible, cover electrical cords with corrosion-resistant conduit so the chance of cuts in the cord and electrocution are minimized. If moving lights, fixing a filtrating system or changing current on waterfalls or other features, unplug everything (do not merely shut off at the switch) to prevent shock or injury.

Housings?EUR??,,????'??+Avoid Copper?EUR??,,????'??+Use Brass, Stainless Steel or Composite Materials

When installing lights in or around water gardens and features, be sure to choose low-voltage systems made of brass, stainless steel or composite materials. These are your most corrosion-resistant choices. Copper fixtures should be avoided. Copper can be hazardous to fish. Even 12 volts out of place can quickly kill fish. Safety-certified, pond-rated low-voltage lighting and related equipment should be specified.

A 12-volt/MR11-10-watt lamp with weight magnetic bottom, supplied with 18-ft. SVO?EUR??,,????'??+service vacuum oil resistant jacket (rubber) cord for hard wiring to low-voltage supply cable.

Leave Extra Wire

When laying pond or other water lights into place, leave two or three feet of wire at the fixture to facilitate lifting the light fixture clear of the water for lamp replacements or other service.

All lights or light sockets you purchase or specify for water gardens should be waterproof. Waterproof lights will not let water in around bulbs or outlets from rain or when water is splashed from ponds, fountains or streams. Each time lamps are changed in or around water features is a good time to review the sockets installed in the water to check for rust or corrosion.

Source: Iowa State University