What Is Voltage Drop in Landscape Lighting — And Why It Matters

What Is Voltage Drop?


Voltage drop happens when electricity travels through a long wire and loses strength along the way. In a low-voltage (12V) landscape lighting system, even small losses can make a big difference in performance.

The farther electricity has to travel — and the more fixtures it powers — the more resistance builds up in the wire. That resistance reduces the voltage each fixture receives at the end of the run. The result?

  • Dim or uneven lighting

  • Flickering fixtures

  • Overworked transformers

  • Shortened fixture lifespan

  • Client frustration

Why It Happens (And How to Prevent It)

Voltage drop is a basic electrical reality — but many installers don’t design around it. That’s where systems fail. If you put too many lights on a single run or use the wrong wire gauge, voltage will plummet by the time it reaches the last fixture.

Causes of Voltage Drop

  • Too many fixtures on a single run

  • Long wire lengths without compensation

  • Incorrect wire gauge (too thin for the load)

  • No voltage tap adjustment on the transformer

  • Cheap connections that introduce resistance

  • Poor system planning — or no planning at all

What It Looks Like in the Real World

Most voltage drop issues aren’t noticed right away. The lights might “work,” but clients eventually call back because:

  • The lights in the front yard are bright, but the ones on the far side are faint

  • Some fixtures flicker at night or randomly fail

  • Lights get dimmer over time as wire resistance adds up

  • The transformer runs hot or gets overloaded

We’ve replaced many systems across Central Florida that were installed by other companies who simply didn’t do the math

How We Prevent It at Ecotek

At Ecotek, we calculate voltage drop for every job. We factor in:

  • Wire gauge

  • Fixture load (VA)

  • Distance to last fixture

  • Multi-tap transformer selection

  • Layout efficiency (hub, T, daisy chain, etc.)

  • Target voltage delivery (usually 10.8–11.5V at the end of the line)

We also use larger transformers, multi-tap outputs, and proper VA budgeting to ensure every fixture gets what it needs — from the first to the last.

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Signs Your System Has Voltage Drop Issues

  • Fixtures farthest from the transformer are noticeably dimmer

  • You’ve already replaced bulbs or fixtures, but the issue persists

  • Transformer feels hot or trips

  • Light quality is inconsistent (color temp shifts, pulsing, etc.)

  • The system looked fine at install, but degraded quickly

Why Voltage Drop Affects Fixture Lifespan

Running LED fixtures below their intended voltage weakens performance and can actually shorten their lifespan. The LEDs run hotter, color shifts occur, and integrated drivers may fail prematurely.

It’s not just about light quality — it’s about protecting your investment.

A Quality Lighting System Starts with the Right Design

Voltage drop isn’t just technical trivia — it’s the difference between a system that works for 10 years and one that fails in 6 months.

We install low-voltage systems across Central Florida with proper voltage balancing, transformer sizing, and system layout — built for brightness, reliability, and long-term ROI.

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Want a System That’s Built to Perform?

Most companies overlook voltage drop. We engineer around it. Let’s build a system that lights every corner of your property — evenly, cleanly, and without compromise.