Outdoor & Landscape Lighting Flashcards
7 cards from real CLC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Outdoor & Landscape Lighting flashcards as text
Which type of outdoor lighting is specifically designed to deter intruders by activating only when motion is detected?
Answer: Occupancy-sensor floodlights
Occupancy-sensor (motion-activated) floodlights detect movement and switch on to deter potential intruders and alert occupants.
When calculating the transformer capacity needed for a 12V landscape lighting system, what safety margin above the total fixture wattage load is typically recommended?
Answer: 25%
A 25% safety margin above the total connected wattage is standard practice to prevent transformer overload and allow for future expansion.
In outdoor landscape lighting design, what is 'shadowing' (also called shadow projection)?
Answer: Placing a light source in front of an object to cast its shadow onto a surface behind it
Shadowing places a light source in front of and below a plant or object, projecting its dramatic shadow pattern onto a wall or surface behind it.
What wiring configuration distributes voltage most evenly across multiple 12V landscape fixtures on a single run, reducing voltage drop?
Answer: Parallel (home run) wiring
Parallel (home run) wiring connects each fixture directly to the transformer with its own pair of wires, ensuring each fixture receives the same voltage.
Which outdoor lighting application specifically requires fixtures rated for wet locations (not just damp locations) according to NEC guidelines?
Answer: Fixtures mounted above a swimming pool within 5 feet of the water edge
NEC Article 680 requires wet-rated fixtures for locations within or directly adjacent to pool areas where direct water exposure is possible.
What is the main advantage of using fiber optic lighting systems in water features or wet landscape areas?
Answer: No electricity at the point of light emission, eliminating shock hazard
Fiber optic systems transmit light from a remote illuminator through optical fibers, meaning no electrical current flows at the point of illumination, eliminating electrocution risk in wet environments.
A designer is specifying outdoor fixtures for a coastal property subject to salt air. Which material is most corrosion-resistant for fixture housings in this environment?
Answer: Marine-grade brass or 316 stainless steel
Marine-grade brass and 316 stainless steel contain alloying elements that resist chloride corrosion from salt air far better than standard iron, aluminum, or mild steel.