This Lake Mary lighting installation case study walks through the real diagnosis, the fix, and the code details from a recent service call. Six ground lights along a Lake Mary front yard went completely dark over a single weekend. Our field team traced the outage to the low-voltage transformer feeding the circuit, replaced the unit with a weatherproof 200-watt outdoor transformer, added a protective in-use cover, and installed a fresh bulb in an existing fixture so every light in the mulch bed came back on.
Customer’s Problem
A homeowner in Lake Mary, FL noticed that six landscape lights tucked into the front bushes had all stopped working at the same time. Because the lights sit in a mulch bed at ground level, she wanted them working again quickly. She also asked about getting power run to a new wi-fi camera, and our team walked her through what that would look like.
What Our Electrician Found
The team looked at the landscape lighting transformer mounted on the exterior wall. The weatherproof enclosure showed signs of wear consistent with years of outdoor exposure. When the low-voltage side was checked, the transformer was no longer delivering power reliably to the cabling that feeds the six ground fixtures. Because all six lights failed at roughly the same time, the transformer itself was the most likely source rather than individual fixtures. One fixture also needed a bulb replacement before it could come back to full brightness.
Options We Presented
Three options were put in front of the homeowner. The first covered a targeted repair to restore the existing transformer if possible. The second included a full transformer replacement along with a protective cover upgrade for the exterior connection point. The third combined the transformer swap, the cover, and the bulb installation as a complete package. The homeowner reviewed all three and chose the scope that addressed every item at once.
Solution Selected
The homeowner selected the option that covered all three components: a new 200-watt landscape lighting transformer, an in-use bubble cover for the exterior connection, and a bulb installation in one of the existing ground fixtures. That combination addressed the root cause of the outage and left the whole system in a reliable, weather-protected state.
Work Performed
- Landscape lighting transformer replacement: The team removed the worn outdoor unit and installed a new 200-watt landscape lighting transformer with a durable plastic housing. The new transformer connects to the existing power source and ties directly into the current low-voltage landscape cabling. All wiring connections were secured and weather-protected at the exterior wall.
- In-use cover installation: A new bubble cover was added to the exterior connection point. This keeps the connection protected from rain and moisture year-round, which matters in a Florida climate where afternoon showers arrive regularly.
- Bulb installation: A client-supplied commercial bulb was installed in one of the existing ground-level fixtures in the mulch bed, bringing it back to full brightness alongside the other lights on the circuit.
Important Materials and Equipment
Materials and equipment on the invoice for this project:
- Hampton Bay Low-Voltage 200-Watt Plastic Housing Landscape Lighting Transformer with Dusk to Dawn Operation
- Mulberry 30981, 1G Extra Duty In Use Bubble Cover
Why Pricing Can Vary
Two homes with the same job on the invoice can land at different totals. On projects like this one, the total is driven by:
- Number and type of fixtures
- Ceiling height and mounting conditions
- Condition of the existing boxes and wiring
- Switching, dimming and smart controls
- Fixture selection and any customer-supplied fixtures
Why This Lake Mary Lighting Installation Matters for Homeowners
Low-voltage landscape lighting is easy to overlook until it stops working. For most households, the front-yard lights do real work every evening: they guide the family to the door, they light up the driveway for kids coming home after dark, and they give the home a welcoming look that neighbors notice. When all six fixtures go dark at once, it usually points to one shared component rather than six separate problems, and that shared component is almost always the transformer.
A properly rated outdoor transformer, paired with a protective weatherproof enclosure, is what keeps a landscape lighting system running reliably through Florida’s wet seasons. Furthermore, the bubble cover adds a layer of protection that helps the connection stay in good shape year after year, reducing the chance of moisture working its way into the wiring over time.
For any homeowner in a similar situation, it’s worth knowing that low-voltage landscape systems are straightforward to service when the transformer is accessible and the cabling is intact. Additionally, if an exterior camera or additional fixture is on the wish list, existing outdoor circuits can often be extended without a major project. The peace of mind that comes from a fully lit, properly protected front yard is one of those things the household simply stops thinking about, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Code Compliance Cited in This Job
Every fix above maps to a specific section of NEC 2020. Each card links to NFPA’s public NEC index.
Receptacles in Damp or Wet Locations
NEC 406.9 requires that receptacles installed in wet or damp locations use weatherproof in-use covers rated for the exposure. On this job, the in-use bubble cover installed at the exterior connection point addresses that requirement, keeping the connection protected from rain and standing moisture at the exterior wall. NFPA reference ›
Means of Support for Luminaires
NEC 410.36 addresses proper support and mounting for outdoor luminaires. The ground-level landscape fixtures in this installation sit in a mulch bed at grade, and ensuring the transformer and cabling connections are correctly secured at the wall supports the stable, long-term operation of those fixtures. NFPA reference ›
Common Questions
Questions homeowners ask after seeing this kind of work.
Why would all six landscape lights stop working at the same time?
When multiple low-voltage landscape lights fail simultaneously, the cause is almost always upstream of the fixtures themselves. The transformer is the single component that powers every light on the circuit, so when it stops outputting voltage reliably, the whole run goes dark at once. Checking the transformer first saves time and gets everything back on in one visit. If this sounds like what you’re seeing, schedule online and our team can confirm the cause the same day.
What does a landscape lighting transformer actually do?
A landscape lighting transformer steps household current down to a safe low voltage, typically 12 volts, that runs through the buried or surface cabling to each fixture. It also has a timer or photocell built in so the lights come on automatically at dusk. A 200-watt unit like the one installed here handles a full run of ground-level fixtures without overloading. If you’re not sure whether your transformer is sized correctly for your system, our team can book a quick outdoor lighting check to find out.
How often should I have my outdoor electrical systems inspected?
A yearly inspection is a solid baseline for outdoor electrical components, including landscape lighting transformers, weatherproof covers, and any receptacles exposed to the elements. Homes that have been through multiple Florida storm seasons may benefit from a check more often, since moisture and heat cycling can wear connections faster than in drier climates. Schedule online to set up an annual outdoor electrical review.
Can a weatherproof in-use cover really make a difference for an outdoor connection?
It can. Florida’s combination of heavy rain, humidity, and sun exposure puts more stress on outdoor connections than most climates. A properly fitted bubble cover keeps water from pooling at the connection point and slows the corrosion that builds up over years of wet-dry cycling. It’s a small addition that contributes meaningfully to the long-term reliability of the whole system. If your exterior connections don’t have in-use covers yet, book a quick inspection and we’ll let you know what fits your setup.
Can power be added to an exterior security camera at the same time as landscape lighting work?
In many cases, yes. If an existing outdoor circuit is nearby, a licensed electrician can often extend it to a new camera location without opening walls or running new service. The scope depends on where the camera mounts and how far it sits from the nearest outdoor outlet. Our team is happy to assess that during the same visit as other outdoor electrical work. Schedule online and mention the camera location when you book.
Project Photos
Electrician and Technical Reviewer
Work performed by the Thomas Edison Electric field team serving Orlando.
Location
This project was completed in Lake Mary, Florida, in our Lake Mary service area. See our electrical services in Lake Mary.
