What Landscape Wire to Use for 20 Watts at 60 Feet?
What Landscape Wire to Use for 20 Watts at 60 Feet?
If you're powering a 20-watt landscape lighting fixture 60 feet away from your transformer or power source, choosing the right wire gauge is critical for performance and safety.
Recommended Wire Gauge
For this setup, use 16 AWG landscape wire. It offers a practical balance of cost and performance for low power landscape lighting systems.
Why 16 AWG Works
At 60 feet, 20 watts (~1.67 amps) through 16 AWG results in a voltage drop of approximately 0.80V (6.7%). While this is slightly above the typical 5% benchmark, it's still very common in low wattage outdoor setups and generally does not affect performance especially when using efficient LED fixtures.
Voltage Drop Summary
- Power: 20 watts
- Voltage: 12V
- Current: ~1.67 amps
- Distance: 60 ft
- Voltage drop on 16 AWG: ~0.80V (6.7%)
Tips for Installation
- Bury cable at least 6 inches deep
- Use waterproof connectors
- Avoid tight bends or damage to insulation
- Label wire ends for easy troubleshooting in the future
- Keep wire runs away from sharp rocks or edges that may cut the insulation
FAQs
Can I use 14 AWG instead?
If you want to reduce voltage drop further, 14 AWG is a great choice. But for this load, 16 AWG performs well.
What if I add more fixtures later?
Plan ahead use 14 AWG or even 12 AWG if you expect to increase total wattage on this run.
Is voltage drop really that important?
Yes too much drop can dim your lights and reduce lifespan. Even a slight excess above 5% in low power setups like this is typically safe but worth monitoring.
Should I use solid or stranded wire?
Stranded wire is recommended for landscape lighting due to its flexibility and ease of installation around curves and obstacles.
Summary
Use 16 AWG for 20 watts at 60 feet. It offers reliable performance with acceptable voltage drop in most 12V landscape systems.