A video recommended running low voltage wire for outdoor up-lighting by tucking the low voltage wire in the seams (cuts) of a concrete driveway instead of trying to tunnel underneath the wide driveway. Is this code permissible? If so, should the seams with the tucked wiring be sealed with a polyurethane caulk such as Vulkem 116 Exterior Polyurethane Sealant or Loctite PL Concrete Polyurethane Caulk? Any other precautions if doable?
NoVA Guy
All excellent information. The power supply in this case is on a garage GFCI circuit. The automotive fuse is certainly a nice touch. The Polyurethane caulk is meant for keeping the low-voltage wires tucked in the extremely remote chance of dislodging; and offering another layer of UV protection, albeit with already heavily insulated low-voltage wire. Using the concrete driveway seams (cuts) will eliminate much longer runs and tedious gophering.
As the OP, the reference to the GFCI circuit was made to show compliance that all outdoor circuits be on a GFCI protected circuit.
FrodoOne, the Hampton Bay low voltage transformer is the one that I actually had bookmarked for this project. Any redundancy with the Glass 3 ag Fuse using butt connectors is fine by me toward peace of mind as afforded by a mere $2 inline item (I get OCD whenever it comes to electrical projects). My wrongful assumption that even a simple transformer would have built-in resettable short circuit, overload and surge protection.
Herdfan, your suggestion to angle drill at the edge of the driveway beats what I had in mind to avoid an inadvertent edge line cut.
GrayHair, yes, the Polyurethane caulk is meant to keep the cable tucked in/from dislodging along with providing UV protection.
Much appreciated, gentlemen.
FrodoOne, the Hampton Bay low voltage transformer is the one that I actually had bookmarked for this project. Any redundancy with the Glass 3 ag Fuse using butt connectors is fine by me toward peace of mind as afforded by a mere $2 inline item (I get OCD whenever it comes to electrical projects). My wrongful assumption that even a simple transformer would have built-in resettable short circuit, overload and surge protection.
Herdfan, your suggestion to angle drill at the edge of the driveway beats what I had in mind to avoid an inadvertent edge line cut.
GrayHair, yes, the Polyurethane caulk is meant to keep the cable tucked in/from dislodging along with providing UV protection.
Much appreciated, gentlemen.
I found the subject video put out by ClaroLux Landscape Lighting (the audio abruptly stops at 1:15):
They have other videos including how to run wire, how to wire a low-voltage transformer, etc.:
Update: The low-voltage landscaping project is a resounding success. I ended up tucking 12-2 low voltage landscape wire into the concrete driveway seams and then caulk sealing with Rapid Set Self-Leveling Sealant available at HD; it self-leveled beautifully. I used a circular saw to deepen/widen the driveway seams as needed. I angle-drilled holes as needed in the seams 2-3 inches short of the driveway edge to run the 12-2 below grade so that it won't be damaged by landscaping tools, etc. Thanks to all.
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