Fiberoptics:

The Lighting Choice for Dynamic Water Features

By Jodie Carter

This turquoise and green rock waterfall, by AquaLite, creates a dynamic poolside background.

On Hollywood movie sets lighting designers can change the color, and subsequently the mood of a scene by simply pressing a button. That desire to create instant, dynamic lighting effects fueled fiberoptic technology into commercial and residential markets where it?EUR??,,????'???s now commonly used to create enchanting water features.

?EUR??,,????'??Discriminating customers don?EUR??,,????'???t just want a spa or a waterfall, they want a retreat,?EUR??,,????'?? is the overwhelming consensus among the experts-manufacturers and landscape contractors who utilize fiberoptics to create dynamic mood lighting in every application from the neon glow of pool steps to the cool shimmer of a waterfall.

Where most traditional lighting products pose concerns over temperature, voltage and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, fiberoptic cables do not transmit electricity, UV, or heat, which makes them a koi friendly, energy efficient alternative to traditional incandescent or halogen 120-volt lighting. Fiberoptic lighting is perfect for explosion proof areas, underwater applications or museums with precious artifacts that can be destroyed by harmful heat and UV light.

This factory finished fiberoptic harness by Advanced Lighting includes six attached fiber cables, eliminating the need for hot-cutting in the field.

With more consumers placing emphasis on home spas and water features these days, contractors can set themselves apart from the competition by offering discriminating customers mood-enhancing, fiberoptic lighting that can turn an ordinary pool, spa or water garden into a night-time paradise.

Prefabricated Harnesses Mean Less Field Labor

The initial problem with fiberoptic installation, according to our experts, was that crews were fabricating fiberoptic cables in the field-which often took up to two days. ?EUR??,,????'??They [landscape crews] would go out with a spool of fiber, cut it to length in the field and terminate it at both ends,?EUR??,,????'?? advises Hetzke, executive vice president of Unitrac Energy Management Company whose AquaLite division designs, manufactures and installs fiberoptic lighting products. ?EUR??,,????'??At the harnessing end, contractors had to connect each separate cable into a harness and then connect the harness to the illuminator. It was a very labor intensive process.?EUR??,,????'??

So, how does a savvy contractor reduce labor costs? By using a prefabricated harness that comes with fibers already mounted, contractors contend with a single illuminator connection point, rather than struggling to connect each fiber cable separately. Just uncoil the cables and run them where you want them to go. Those nasty hot-knife cuts and copious connections, requiring days in the field, are now eliminated.

Options in fiberoptic lighting kits often include preharnessed, fiberoptic cables in standard lengths of 10, 12, 16, 18, 22 and 30 feet, with eight to 16 lights. Custom configurations can also be built to your specifications. ?EUR??,,????'??Every project is unique,?EUR??,,????'?? says David Hammel, director of sales at Advanced Lighting Systems Inc., who custom designs and factory finishes fiberoptic harnesses. ?EUR??,,????'??Being able to design and specify fiberoptic equipment to the exact requirement of each project is a major benefit for architects, designers and contractors.?EUR??,,????'??

Installation Basics

According to Hetzke, the following general steps are required to install fiberoptic lighting using a prefabricated harness. First, bury the base in a 12" by 12" x 12" hole. Place the chassis on top of the base and fasten with two Phillips screws. Next, fish the harness up through the ?EUR??,,????'??u?EUR??,,????'?? shaped cutout on the side of the base. Snap the spring clip on the harness in place on the chassis connection. Bury the prefabricated cables four to five inches deep (similar to low-voltage cable) and aim them at their lighting destinations. It?EUR??,,????'???s not necessary to place the fibers in PVC, but for added protection you may chose to install it in 3/4" PVC. Just plug in the power cord to a 120-volt outlet, secure the cover on the illuminator chassis with two Philips screws and voil??EUR??,,?EUR , you?EUR??,,????'???re finished. The light-emitting ends of the fibers rarely need cleaning, and if they do, a few swift strokes with a soft toothbrush can do the trick.