Various types of outdoor landscape lighting fixtures are known. Such fixtures typically serve both utilitarian and decorative purposes in that they aid in lighting outdoor lawns, decks, patios, parking lots, driveways, and other areas, as well as being of an attractive design to complement such areas. Such landscape lighting systems are required to be durable. A lighting system needs to be able to withstand years of variable weather, ranging from blistering heat to freezing cold, from high UV exposure from sunshine to moisture exposure from rain, snow and sleet. A quality lighting system cannot fail after only a few years due to materials. Landscape and outdoor lighting systems generally include one or more lighting fixtures which are connected to either a 12 V transformer or a standard 120 VAC line. The lighting fixtures generally include a housing, a reflector assembly having a halogen or conventional bulb, and a lens or window. Many configurations are known, each of which provides a different lighting effect. Buried lighting apparatus is often used for outdoor lighting, particularly landscape lighting. The appearance and other features of outdoor light fixtures are important, and manufacturers provide many different styles and models for residential and commercial use. Architectural and landscape lighting fixtures are often constructed with components which are molded, cast, extruded or stamped and often involve a relatively high degree of custom design.

In the field of landscape lighting, most lighting fixtures are located at or near ground level employing attractive fixtures which blend into the landscape. Some fixtures are designed to light walkways. Some are designed to provide accent lighting for the ground level plants and some are designed to project light toward buildings or taller landscaping such as bushes and trees. The landscape lighting fixtures mounted at or above ground level are generally considered to appear somewhat incongruous with the surrounding vegetation during daylight hours, when the illumination function is not in use. Because of the constant exposure to the elements, above ground lighting fixtures are generally required to be made of expensive, high quality materials in order to provide durability and a reasonable resistance to damage. As an alternative to the above-ground placement of landscape lighting fixtures, buried lighting fixtures, have gained widespread acceptance. In general, there are two types of buried lighting apparatus, namely the "well" type and the "in-ground" type. The well type includes an elongate housing extending into the earth with the top edge about in registry with the earth surface. Notably, the lamp-supporting fixture and lamp are mounted atop such housing. Landscape architects frequently use partially buried outdoor well lights for illuminating trees and shrubs, and for providing silhouettes and shadowing effects. In-ground lighting apparatus includes a housing that is sealed at the bottom and top, at least the latter by a removable cover. The lamp, lamp-supporting fixture, lamp-powering electrical components and the like are within the housing and the top cover includes a lens through which light projects upwardly from the housing to "uptight" trees, shrubs, and building walls.

Various lighting techniques are used for placement of a lamp fixture for lighting of buildings and garden areas, including downlighting, uplighting, and backlighting. Various styles of lamp fixtures are available, including fixtures with lamps having wide beams of light, narrow accent lights, flood lights for broad general illumination of areas, and spot lights for focusing attention to a feature for highlighting. One of the more popular and versatile lighting fixtures is the spot light, a spot light is typically configured as a cylindrical housing attached to a pivoting knuckle joint which allows the light to be directed at variable angles. A reflector assembly, which is generally parabolic, is typically fixed within the end of the cylindrical housing nearest the open end, so that the light is emitted at a fixed angle from the fixture. A second style of low voltage outdoor lighting is a deck light. Deck lights are designed to be mounted well above ground on such structures as decks or porches. Pathlights in landscape and outdoor lighting systems are placed along walkways and stairs to provide illumination for the safety of persons walking on the path in the dark. Typically, such lights will have a diffuser and/or reflector to prevent the light from shining directly upward into the pedestrian's eyes, and avoids the creation of shadow lines. Reflectors are used to spread and direct a wash of light down onto the pathway. There are specialized lighting systems that can be arranged to provide color-changing lighting effects. Some such systems may be arranged in network configurations to generate coordinated lighting effects. Hallucinating water lamps and landscape fountains are popular decoration goods in many households nowadays. They can produce amusing visual effect through their contextually motivated water features.

The landscape lighting arrangements are generally of low intensity and the various types of lights or bulbs comprising the arrangement are mounted upon stakes that are fixed into the ground at regularly spaced intervals for outlining and illuminating the walkways, sidewalks, and driveways. Fluorescent light bulbs generally are more energy-efficient than conventional incandescent light bulbs. However, incandescent light bulbs may have advantages over fluorescent light bulbs. Incandescent light bulbs tend to be less expensive than fluorescent bulbs and do not require a ballast, as fluorescent bulbs do. Accordingly, on some occasions fluorescent bulbs may be preferable to incandescent bulbs, on other occasions incandescent bulbs are preferable, and on other occasions, either will suffice. The shades or covers for the bulbs can come in various shapes and forms that correspond or relate to particular events or holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, etc. The shades or covers can be detachable so that one only needs to change the shades to correspond to the particular occasion while leaving the rest of the lighting arrangement infixed in the ground. Specialty light projectors are known for use in illuminating objects and scenes. Such light projectors may be used in lighting landscape features, architectural features, items displayed in cabinets or the like, art works, including pictures and sculpture, and scenes on a theatrical stage.

Outdoor lighting systems generally use of low-voltage lighting having a transformer that supplies electric current at about 12 volts direct current. Low voltage lighting systems are generally safer than high voltage systems. Wiring for low voltage systems can be placed on the ground, preferably buried at shallow depths, or looped through shrubbery and trees. In contrast, high voltage systems require closed conduits, and often require technical expertise to design and install. In low voltage systems, the transformer is typically housed in a weatherproof case and connects to an outdoor electrical socket. The transformer is a necessary component owing to the power input specifications of the various lighting elements which make up the landscaping lighting assembly. A cable having a pair of electrical wires attaches to the transformer. The cable is then laid on the ground along the areas to be illuminated, such as a walkway, stairs, garden areas, or side of a home. Various connectors are used to attach wires from the lighting fixtures to the cable. Passive infrared (PIR) motion detectors are commonly used in conjunction with outdoor light fixtures and indoor light switches to turn on a light in response to a person moving in the field of view monitored by the motion detector. The motion detector typically causes the light to remain on for a pre-set duration after motion has been detected.