Getting your exterior lighting right fulfills both a functional and an aesthetic purpose. While you’d like to highlight the areas you’re most likely to be staying in or want to see from the house, but also illuminate paths, stairs and home entrances in the dark, as well as stumbling blocks and obstacles.
In the case of a new building, planning the exterior lighting alongside the outdoor installations allows you to have the cables and switches installed simply at the same time. In the case of subsequent planning, the laying of cables requires quite a few earthworks, as the assembly of switches won’t be as easy as with a new building.
Planning is the first step
For an extensive exterior lighting plan, some basic questions have to be asked before planning starts:
- Where should paths, steps or entrance areas be lit up, so the outdoor area is safe even in the dark?
- Where can lighting help with burglar protection (for example, spotlights with motion detectors)?
- Which other outdoor elements, such as bedding areas, stone gardens or ponds, should be highlighted?
- The best way to do this is by marking the appropriate areas. Then, in the next step, technical details come into play:
- Is the location of a light source subject to special weather conditions? The IP protection rating will provide important information here.
- Which type of motion detector should I choose?
- Which light colour and brightness do I need in which area?
- What does the power supply look like? Are connections already in the vicinity or do they have to be planned and re-installed? Or is solar operation the right solution for a specific outdoor area?
- How and from where should I control the exterior lighting?
Foreign objects or moisture: Matching the IP protection
Outdoor lighting must not only defy all weather conditions, but also be specially protected against other elements, such as children’s hands. The IP (Ingress Protection) protection class, which consists of two digits, indicates the degree of protection.
The first figure refers to solid foreign bodies, the second to water. The higher the number, the higher the protection in this area. More detailed information and tips on which standard fits your needs can be found in our information on the IP protection classes.
IP code number
|
IP code 1 |
Contact protection |
IP code 2 |
Water protection |
|
0 |
No contact protection, no external body protection |
0 |
No water protection |
|
1 |
Protected against foreign objects 50mm and larger |
1 |
Protected against dripping water |
|
2 |
Protected against foreign objects 12.5mm and larger |
2 |
Protected against dripping water when the housing is inclined to 15 ° |
|
3 |
Protected against foreign objects 2.5mm and larger |
3 |
Protected against dripping water when the housing is inclined to 60 ° |
|
4 |
Protected against foreign objects 1.0mm and larger |
4 |
Protected against dripping water when the housing is tilted up to 15 ° |
|
5 |
Dust protected |
5 |
Protected against splashing water |
|
6 |
Dust seal |
6 |
Protected against water jets |
|
7 |
Protected against penetrating water during temporary submergence | ||
|
8 |
Protected against penetrating water with permanent submergence | ||
|
9 |
Protected against water from any direction under high pressure against the housing |
Selecting the right motion detector
When choosing lighting for paths and entrance doors, the use of lights with an integrated motion detector is a good option to save energy; you can choose between infrared motion sensors and high-frequency motion detectors.
Infrared or PIR (Passive Infrared) detectors are the most common type of motion detectors and respond to movements along with heat. This is how they activate the light in approaching pedestrians, as well as in animals or passing cars. The range and duration of the light can usually be customised.The XLED Home Slim exterior light from Steinel provides discreet light for entranceways and access routes, with a stylish, elegant design.
High-frequency motion detectors transmit high-frequency waves, with small wavelengths to detect even the tiniest movements. These high-frequency waves also penetrate thin materials so the motion detector can be “invisibly” integrated into lighting designs.
However, as they do not sense any temperature differences, in contrast to PIR motion detectors, they are particularly suitable for indoor use as heating systems don’t affect them.
The L 820 iHF outdoor light from Steinel shows how you can use the advantages of high-frequency technology outdoors without using up too much energy.
It uses intelligent RF technology and has a processor that analyzes movements before light is triggered. In this way, smaller movements, such as rainfall or leaves, won’t cause unnecessary concern.
Picking the right light for different areas
Metal halide lamps can offer beautiful lighting. The most energy-efficient are LED lamps, which offer a wide range of light colours. Warm white light gives a cosy atmosphere in rooms, but with a low temperature of less than 3,300 Kelvin.
Neutral white light between 3,300 and 5,300 Kelvin, on the other hand, is often used outdoors, where lights with 5,300 Kelvin can be seen even in daylight.
The latter is an option for areas such as a courtyard or garage entrance, or play areas, to achieve optimal lighting. Simple LED floodlights for private use are available at low cost, providing significantly more power for daytime lights, such as this LED floodlight.
Controlling your lighting systems
In addition to the selection of the lights themselves, don’t forget to plan how you’ll control your exterior lighting.
For example, it is possible to switch on your atmospheric external lighting from your living room or via a modern smart home light control system. A safe route can be ensured for passers by outside, by means of motion detectors.
A survelliance system or video security camera can clearly identify who‘s approaching the house.
Photo credit: Fotolia
