Outdoor lighting installation covers new wall lights, porch and patio lighting, deck and soffit lights, and power run out to a detached garage or pergola. An exterior lighting electrician handles the details that matter outside: fixture ratings, sealed boxes, proper burial of any underground cable and controls like timers or photocells. Call to connect with a local electrician when you're ready to plan it.
Wiring that holds up outside
Outdoor fixtures are rated for either damp locations (covered porches, under eaves) or wet locations (exposed to rain). Using the right rating keeps water out of sockets and drivers. On siding, fixtures mount to a proper mounting block or box so the fixture sits flat and water sheds away rather than leaking behind it.
New exterior lights are usually fed from an existing indoor circuit or a new one, with cable run through the wall, soffit or attic. When power has to cross the yard to a post light or outbuilding, it goes in the ground at the depth required for that wiring method, usually in conduit or with cable rated for direct burial. Controls vary: a switch inside the door, a timer, a dusk-to-dawn photocell, or a combination.
Where homeowners usually want more exterior light
- A back patio or deck that goes dark once the sun sets
- Detached garages, sheds or carports with no power or light
- Driveways and walkways from the car to the front door
- Covered porches that need a ceiling light or fan with light
- A pergola or gazebo that needs lighting and outlets
Signs your outdoor lights need work
- Fixtures with water or bugs collecting inside the globe
- Rusted fixture bases or boxes pulling away from siding
- Lights that trip a GFCI or breaker after heavy rain
- Exterior cable stapled along siding without protection
- Photocell lights that stay on all day or never turn on
What a typical outdoor lighting job covers
The electrician walks the outside of the house with you, notes where you want light and where power can come from, and checks wall construction for mounting. They'll recommend fixture ratings for each location and a control method. Runs to a detached building or post light involve trenching and sometimes a new circuit. It pairs well with motion security lights at the corners of the house and landscape lighting in the beds and along paths.
- Damp or wet rating for each fixture location
- Mounting blocks, sealing and flashing on siding or brick
- Circuit capacity and GFCI protection for outdoor outlets
- Burial depth and wiring method for underground runs
- Switch, timer or photocell placement
- Weatherproof in-use covers on any new outdoor receptacles
Safety first. Water and electricity outdoors don't forgive shortcuts. Indoor-rated fixtures, open boxes and cable run across the lawn without burial are common hazards. If you plan any digging, call 811 first to have utility lines marked. Outdoor receptacles should be GFCI protected and have in-use covers that seal even with a cord plugged in. Never run an indoor extension cord permanently to power an outdoor light.
How it usually works
Call to start
Call to connect with a local electrician and describe the areas you want lit and any outbuildings involved.
Outdoor walk-around
The electrician checks mounting surfaces, power sources and any trenching routes, then suggests fixtures and controls.
Install and wire
Boxes, fixtures and cable or conduit go in, and any underground runs are buried and backfilled.
Set controls and test
Timers or photocells are set, and each light is tested, ideally after dark as well.
In Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee homes
Middle Tennessee's hot, humid summers and heavy spring storms are hard on exterior fixtures. Driving rain, humidity and summer heat all test seals and gaskets, so wet-rated fixtures and properly sealed boxes last noticeably longer. Many Murfreesboro homes also have back patios that see heavy use from spring through fall, so patio lighting is one of the most requested upgrades. For design ideas, see outdoor lighting ideas for Tennessee homes.
Related electrical problems
Seeing one of these at home? Each guide explains likely causes and what's safe to check before you call about outdoor lighting installation.