Outdoor Lighting Installation Geelong
Security, garden, deck and alfresco lighting for homes across Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast, by CabledIN
Outdoor lighting installation in Geelong covers security and sensor lights, garden and path lighting, deck and alfresco lights, and the wiring and switching that run them. CabledIN's licensed electricians (REC 30925) supply and fit weather-rated fittings, run the cabling, test the circuit and issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety.
One sensor light on an existing point is a short visit. A full garden or alfresco job commonly takes half a day to a day. We quote after seeing the site.
- What we install
- Security, sensor, garden, path, deck and alfresco lights
- Controls
- Sensors, timers, day-night switches and smart control
- Paperwork
- Certificate of Electrical Safety for the work
- Who does it
- Licensed electricians, REC 30925
Outdoor lighting we install around Geelong
Our outdoor electrical jobs are spread from Lara and Norlane through central Geelong, Highton and Mount Duneed, out to Bannockburn, Leopold and Drysdale. Lighting outside the house usually has one of three purposes, and most homes want a mix:
- Security: sensor floodlights over driveways, side paths, garages and back doors.
- Safety: lights on steps, paths, entries and around bins and clotheslines, so nobody walks in the dark.
- Living: alfresco, deck, pergola and garden lighting that makes the yard usable at night.
We also wire lighting for sheds, garages, carports and front fences, and replace old outdoor fittings that have filled with water or rusted through. For lighting inside the house, see our main lighting installation page.
Security and sensor lighting
A sensor light does two jobs: it lights your way to the door, and it removes the dark corners around the house. Where it points and what triggers it matter more than how bright it is.
- Placement. We mount sensor lights high enough to be out of easy reach, aimed to cover the approach and not shine into a neighbour's window or the street.
- Sensor range and timing. The sensor is set so it picks up a person on the path, not every car passing or every branch moving, and stays on long enough to be useful.
- Override. Wired through a wall switch, a sensor light can also be held on when you are outside for the evening.
- Cameras. Sensor lighting works well alongside cameras. See CCTV and security cameras.
Talk to a licensed Geelong electrician (REC 30925).
Garden, path and deck lighting
Garden lighting is mostly low, small fittings used in numbers: spike lights under trees and feature plants, bollards and path lights along walkways, step lights set into risers, and recessed lights in decking and retaining walls.
Many garden systems run at low voltage from a transformer. The lights themselves are low voltage, but the transformer needs a 240 volt supply, often a weatherproof power point or a dedicated connection, and that part is licensed electrical work. We install the supply, position the transformer where it stays dry and accessible, and size it for the number of lights, with room to add more later.
If landscaping or a new deck is planned, tell us early. Cable and conduit are far easier to place before paving, concrete and decking boards go down.
Alfresco, patio and pergola lighting
Covered outdoor areas are treated like another room. LED downlights turn up on our outdoor jobs more than any other light fitting, set into alfresco ceilings and eaves. Other common requests are wall lights beside doors, pendant or festoon lighting under a pergola, and a dimmer so the area can be bright for cooking and low for sitting.
Most alfresco jobs include more than lights. Weatherproof outdoor power points are regular items on these jobs, along with outdoor ceiling fans. See power point installation for outdoor power and our downlight installation page for fitting choices.
Sensors, timers and smart control
- Motion sensors for security and convenience lighting.
- Day-night switches that turn lights on at dusk and off at dawn.
- Timers that run garden or front-of-house lighting for set hours.
- Standard wall switches and dimmers, placed inside by the door you actually use.
- Smart switches controlled from a phone or set to schedules. See smart home and automation.
The right control often saves more power than the choice of fitting, because the lights only run when they are needed.
Not sure what you need? Tell us what is happening and we will talk it through.
Outdoor fittings built for Geelong weather
Outdoor lights sit in rain, sun, wind and garden sprinklers. Each fitting carries an IP rating that shows how well it keeps out dust and water, and the right rating depends on where the light goes: under cover, on an open wall, or in the ground.
Along the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast, salt air is the bigger problem. Cheap plated fittings corrode quickly near the coast, so we recommend materials made for it, such as marine-grade stainless steel, copper, brass or good-quality powder-coated aluminium. Cable buried in the garden is run in conduit so that a spade does not find it later.
How outdoor lighting installation works
- Walk the site. We look at the house and yard with you, ideally with a clear idea of what you want lit and why.
- Plan the supply. We check the switchboard has capacity and work out the cable route.
- Written quote. The quote lists fittings, controls, cabling and any trenching.
- Install. Cable is run through the roof space, under the floor or in conduit underground. Fittings are mounted, sealed and connected.
- Aim and set. Sensors, timers and light angles are adjusted. For garden lighting this is best checked after dark, so we show you how to fine-tune it.
- Test and certify. The circuit is tested and you receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety.
Why outdoor lighting needs a licensed electrician
Water and electricity are a poor mix, and outdoor wiring faults are a common cause of safety switches tripping after rain. In Victoria, any equipment that operates above extra-low voltage must be installed and connected by a licensed electrician, and DIY electrical work is illegal.
A Certificate of Electrical Safety must be provided for all electrical installation work, whatever the size of the job. You can read what the certificate covers on the Energy Safe Victoria website. CabledIN is a Registered Electrical Contractor, REC 30925, with more than 20 years' experience, a lifetime workmanship warranty and 2,000+ five-star Google reviews.
Recent outdoor lighting jobs around Geelong
Sensor, garden and alfresco lighting installed by our electricians.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an electrician for outdoor lighting installation in Geelong?
Yes, for any light that is wired in or runs on mains power. In Victoria that work must be done by a licensed electrician, and you receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety for it.
Do low voltage garden lights need an electrician?
The transformer needs a 240 volt supply, such as a weatherproof power point or a wired connection, and installing that is licensed electrical work. We also size the transformer and plan the cable runs so the lights at the far end are as bright as the first.
What IP rating do outdoor lights need?
It depends on where the light goes. A fitting under a covered alfresco faces less water than one on an open wall or in a garden bed. We match the rating to the position when we choose the fittings.
Where should sensor lights be installed?
Over the approaches to the house: the driveway, front entry, side paths and back door. They should be mounted high, aimed at the path people take, and angled away from neighbours and the road.
Can you install lights on a deck or pergola that is already built?
Usually, yes. Cable can often be run under the deck or along the framing in conduit. It is neater and cheaper when lighting is planned before the deck is built, so call us early if you can.
Why does my outdoor light trip the safety switch when it rains?
Water is getting into the fitting, a junction or the cable. Leave the light switched off and have it checked. We find where the moisture is entering and repair or replace the fitting.
What outdoor lights last near the coast?
Fittings made from marine-grade stainless steel, copper, brass or good-quality powder-coated aluminium cope best with salt air on the Bellarine and the Surf Coast.
Can outdoor lights be put on a timer or sensor?
Yes. Motion sensors, day-night switches, timers and smart switches can all be fitted to new or existing outdoor lights.
Which areas do you cover for outdoor lighting?
Lara is where we fit the most outdoor lights, followed by central Geelong, Bannockburn and Leopold. We cover the rest of Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Surf Coast and Golden Plains too.
Still have a question? Ask the CabledIN team.