Knowledge Builders

how deep should pool lights be

by Dr. Dena Kihn Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Place lights at a uniform depth, between 9-12 inches below the waterline, throughout the pool. Possible exceptions would be if the lights need to be placed on a step or bench or extremely deep pools (see Pro Tip). Lights should be positioned 4 inches beneath the waterline.

Full Answer

How many lights do I need for my Pool?

That depends on several factors, including the size of your pool, the depth of your pool, and your reasons for installing lights in the first place. Your local pool professional can work with you to determine exactly how many lights you need to make your swimming pool lighting dream a reality.

Where do you put lights in a swimming pool?

Wrongly positioning the swimming pool lights Pool lights should be placed at mid-height, almost at the surface of the water. For practical reasons, this will make changing the lighting equipment easier. This position in the structure will give you the best effect, rendering well-lit contours and highlighting the depth.

How deep should the conduit be for a pool light?

I would recommend having the conduit about 2-3 feet down inside the trench. Q: How is the Pool Light Installed? The conduit that runs from the pool light niche to the junction box should also be very deep, to avoid freeze damage in northern climates.

Should I install LED pool lighting?

One thing to consider before taking the plunge with LEDs lighting: LEDs aren’t quite as bright as halogen lights. If your pool is very large or if you want a lot of light, you may need to purchase more LEDs to achieve the lighting look you want.

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Where should pool lights be placed?

0:041:14Swimming Pool Light Design - Placement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe general rule of thumb is to place lights about every eight feet. So in a 32 foot long pool. FourMoreThe general rule of thumb is to place lights about every eight feet. So in a 32 foot long pool. Four lights should do the trick.

How many LED lights should I put in my pool?

The number of lights you need depends on the size of your swimming pool. 15' x 30' pools only require one light. 20' x 40' pools require two lights. 20' x 42' pools and up require three or more lights.

Should pool lights face the house?

Always try to have the lights point away from the house. By doing this you will avoid the headlight effect of the lights shining in your face. If you build a spa with your pool you will want a light in it also.

Are inground pool lights worth it?

An LED light will save you roughly 75% on your energy usage compared to a comparable incandescent light. REMEMBER, that LED pool lights cost more, on average, than a simple incandescent light so your cost savings will not start till you recoup the additional money that you spent on the LED lights.

Should there be water in pool light?

Water inside the Pool Light? If there is water inside the lens of the pool light, which you can usually see from on-deck, that doesn't mean that the light is leaking, but it does mean that the lamp gasket has failed, letting water leak inside and surround the bulb.

Why are LED pool lights so expensive?

It costs a lot of money to have sales people to go to all the different pool store chains that must be covered in the bulb price. You aren't paying for a better bulb, you are paying for expensive overhead and multiple mouths to feed when each bulb is sold.

How many lumens does my pool light need?

According to section 4.6. 1.5. 1 of the Model Aquatic Health Code, “Underwater lighting, where provided, shall be not less than eight initial rated lumens per square foot of pool water surface area.”

How do I measure my pool light?

4:576:27How to Select Inground Pool Lights - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you plan to use a junction box measure from the box to the niche. Make sure you measure heightMoreIf you plan to use a junction box measure from the box to the niche. Make sure you measure height rise from the niche to the power source as well as distance.

How are pool lights installed?

2:027:42Poolside Repair: How To Install A Pool Light - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're going to be taking the epoxy out of the niche. Yeah and the epoxy it's a it's a very hard andMoreWe're going to be taking the epoxy out of the niche. Yeah and the epoxy it's a it's a very hard and tough it's actually at the top on this one where the conduit is sometimes in the back.

How much does it cost to install a pool light?

The smaller LED lights like the Pentair Globrite or PAL 2000 typically cost between $700 and $900 installed. Fiber optic pool lights are usually around $1,300 to $1,700 installed. Full size incandescent pool lights are typically in the range of $450 to $650.

Do LED pool lights get hot?

The Most Energy-Efficient Lighting Available Since there is no filament, an LED does not heat up the way an incandescent bulb does, which wastes up to 80% of the electricity routed to it to produce heat rather than light.

How long do inground pool lights Last?

Your pool lighting should give you few problems overall. Most incandescent bulbs will burn for 1,000 hours before bulb replacement is necessary. LED bulbs can burn for 25 years or more (or so they tell us).

How many lumens do you need to light a pool?

According to section 4.6. 1.5. 1 of the Model Aquatic Health Code, “Underwater lighting, where provided, shall be not less than eight initial rated lumens per square foot of pool water surface area.”

How many watts should a pool light be?

Wattage Savings Incandescent light bulbs used to illuminate swimming pools are traditionally 300-, 400- and 500-watt bulbs. A typical 30-by-70-foot commercial pool, for instance, might use up to six lights to illuminate the water for nighttime swimming.

Can a 12v pool light electrocute you?

Some believe the 120 volts generated by an incandescent light can introduce a fatal charge, whereas the power from low-voltage lights, generally 12 volts, can injure but not kill.

How do I choose a pool light?

0:306:27How to Select Inground Pool Lights - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMajor advantage it's low upfront costs for example the Pentair mera light and here at astro lightMoreMajor advantage it's low upfront costs for example the Pentair mera light and here at astro light fixtures are much cheaper than their LED counterpart.

How big of a pool light should I use?

Most pool lights are required to be a minimum of 18″ underwater and should face away from the house or sitting areas. A 15 x 30 pool is the maximum size we recommend for using one light. If using one light for the entire pool, place the light at the deep end of the pool in a narrow beam (if that’s an option).

What information is needed to maximize pool lights?

Still, information such as the light’s lumens rating, light output, and vertical beam shape, helps any pool owner looking to maximize the lights in their pool. It may also give you an idea of why certain lights appear duller in your pool as opposed to your neighbor’s.

What is the difference between an LED pool light and an incandescent pool light?

The higher the rating, the ‘cooler’ the light is. Incandescent lights are considered ‘warm’ lights, while LEDs are cool lights, which gives them the intense bluish color.

Why are pools lit from the sides?

Fitness Use: Fitness pools are typically lit from the sides so that the swimmers don’t swim directly into beams of light. Family Use: Because recreational pools usually contain the most light, pay attention to safety areas such as steps, entrances, and exits. There should be enough light to safely assist swimmers in and out of the pool.

What color lights should I use for a pool?

In fact, some colors will appear brighter than others in the water, especially towards the deeper end. For light to medium pool finishes, colored or white lights are sufficient.

Can you see colored lights in a pool?

When that happens, some colors may not be visible, especially in the deeper ends. In darker pools, the colored lights tend to be concentrated in one area as opposed to a wide beam you normally see. In most cases, the best option is to purchase a white light. Colored Lights On a Dark Finish Pool.

How many lights do I need for a pool?

You might be wondering how many pool lights do I need? The number of lights you need depends on the size of your swimming pool. 15’ x 30’ pools only require one light. 20’ x 40’ pools require two lights. 20’ x 42’ pools and up require three or more lights.

How do I install a pool light?

Your lighting needs and options will depend largely on whether you have an inground or above-ground swimming pool: 1 If you need above ground pool lights, you have several options including magnetic lighting kits, wall-mounted kits, and kits that allow you to install lights via your pool’s vented return line. 2 If your pool is inground, you’ll likely be looking at built-in, wall-mounted options. If your in-ground pool has features like stairs, ledges, or tanning shelves, you might want to add specially designed accent lighting in addition to your main pool lighting.

What is a floating solar pool light?

Floating solar lights are a fun, easy way to add a playful splash of color to your next pool party. Unlike their LED and halogen counterparts, solar swimming pool lights aren’t meant to light up your whole pool – but they are a great option if you’re just looking for a little something extra.

Why do I need a fiber optic pool light?

Fiberoptic pool lights. Fiberoptic pool lights offer an easy solution to one of the most common headaches associated with pool lights: changing the bulb (s). This is because the power source and even the light bulbs are housed out of the water – and far away from the swimming pool in a dry power box.

What is LED pool lighting?

LED swimming pool lights are, hands-down, our most-requested type of pool lighting. Most pool owners give LED lighting high marks for the combination of bright light and high efficiency (fun fact: LED swimming pool lights are around 80 percent more efficient than other types of pool lighting).

What color light should I use for a pool?

But if your pool uses a darker finish, your best choice is to go with a white light.

Is halogen pool light better than LED?

Halogen swimming pool lights are brighter than LED lights, and they also cost less upfront than LEDs, which is good news if you want a lot of light for a wallet-friendly price. Before LEDs began to take over, halogen was the top choice for pool and landscape lighting.

Do you need to add lights to a pool?

If your pool is correctly lit, you do not need to add other lights directly around the pool. Stylish and convenient, we recommend the creation of a light path to access your swimming pool. Recessed lights are ideal to create an external atmosphere.

Can you put too many lights in a pool?

Wanting to put too many lights in your pool. A swimming pool illuminated with a thousand and one spotlights is a fantastic idea on paper. In practice, the result could prove disappointing. In addition to the complexity of the work, it is preferable to choose a suitable spotlight.

How many screws are there around a pool light?

Depending on the model, it may have three locating screws around the light. In some pools, the light is much lower in the water and will require you to actually get into the pool. Tip: Do not forget goggles if you do have to get in the pool and go underwater so that you can see the screw.

What is LED pool lighting?

LED pool lighting has become an industry standard . Aside from being energy efficient and economical, the lights have been known to be positive mood enhancers. With the flip of a switch, pool owners can set the tone for their tropical backyard oases.

How do LED pool lights work?

LED pool lights come in a variety of colors that are easily changed by the flick of a switch, the press of a remote, or by pre-programmed settings. LED lights are three to five times more energy efficient than traditional halogen lights. They also produce around 90% less heat and have an average lifespan of around 50,000 hours, ...

Do halogen pool lights last longer?

Halogen pool lights are still around, though losing favour to new LED options. Halogen lights can cost up to $1 a day to run if used daily, and do not have the same brightness or effect compared to LED lights. Halogen lights also have a much shorter lifespan. This is due to the rubber O-ring around the light deteriorating and needing replacement.

Can you replace halogen pool lights with LED lights?

Replacing old halogen pool lighting with LED lights is much easier than you think! Their bright, glowing colours create an impressive underwater light show and you can change up the colors to fit the mood with a single click on the remote!

Can you use LED lights in a pool?

Some LED lights come with universal brackets that have numerous hole configurations in them. The beauty of these is that you can use the existing holes in the pool wall. Some existing brackets will also fit with the new retro lights, depending on what was previously used.

Is LED pool lighting better than halogen?

LED pool lighting is much more energy efficient than halogen lighting. In fact, LED lights save about 80% more energy than halogen lights do - a serious reduction that pool owners eventually see on their energy bills. Halogen pool lights are still around, though losing favour to new LED options. Halogen lights can cost up to $1 a day to run ...

Where to place pool light niche?

There is a special wall panel that has a hole cut-out, be sure to place this panel in the deep center wall of the pool, or wherever the light (s) will be located.

Why do you need to ground a pool light?

The electrician has to ground the pool light, to protect against any stray voltage. Inside the pool niche there is a grounding connector that must have a bare copper wire connected to it, normally this a continuous ground around the entire pool.

How to tie a light cord to a fish tape?

Tie and tape the end of the light cord to a fish tape, or to a wire that you have pushed from the junction box into the light niche. Then pull the fish tape back out of the junction box, so that it pulls the cord of the light with it, through the conduit and into the junction box. Q: Lamp, Niche, Conduit and J-Box?

Where is the junction box for pool lights?

I would recommend having the conduit about 2-3 feet down inside the trench.

Can you put lights on the sides of a pool?

A: You can do either. Larger pools can use lights at each end, or two lights on the sides. When you order your inground pool kit, let us know, and we can include a second pre-cut wall panel, and add in another niche and light to your pool package.

Can an electrician wire a pool light?

A: If your pool has the liner installed and is half full of water, your electrician can wire the light for you, but in most cases of pool construction, that may require another trip back to the job site. It’s easy enough for most DIY pool builders to handle; here’s how it’s done.

How deep should I swim in a pool?

Recommended depth: 4 to 6 feet. If you want a pool strictly for relaxing, light swimming, or lap swimming, a depth of anywhere between 4 and 6 feet will do just fine. This allows you a carefree swim, without worrying about whether or not you’ve floated into the deep end.

How deep should a pool be for diving?

Regardless of using a board or not, pools need to have a minimum depth of 8 feet for diving purposes. In some cases, up to 16 feet will be needed for commercial pools that have a high-dive platform. The pool will also need to be built out so there’s adequate room for diving, ensuring safety is a top priority.

What is the nicest thing about swimming pools?

Swimming pools come in all sorts of shapes and sizes . One of the nice things about today’s pools is that they’re highly customizable, right down to the floor – literally! It used to be that a pool’s depth was set in stone, but modern pools allow you to build them as deep or shallow as you’d like. Skip to:

What is an L shape pool?

L-shaped pools are popular for their varying depth, as you can have a shallow portion at 4 feet, and a deep part of the pool for swimming laps. Having a pool with varied depths allows for a more multifunctional swimming experience, as you can play games, exercise, or relax all at the same time.

How deep should you play water polo?

If you wanted to play water polo at a 4 foot depth, you could do that, but you wouldn’t be sticking hard and fast by the rules.

What is the least expensive pool?

A perfect example would be a vinyl liner pool , which is the least expensive type of pool, and uses wall panels that are 4 feet in height. This means spending less on installation fees, as there won’t be as much excavation work to be done.

How old do you have to be to drown in a pool?

Statistically speaking, however, it’s kids under the age of 4 that are most at risk of falling into a residential pool and ultimately drowning, so anyone with particularly young children may need to consider an even shallower pool.

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