Installing permanent outdoor lights can be an amazing feature for your house. But if you want to install them yourself you’ll come to a point on your house where you must ask yourself “Can permanent outdoor lights be cut”? The short answer is yes, but there are several things to check to ensure yours can be cut.
Style
The biggest determining factor on whether your lights can be cut is if they are spotlight style (like the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights), or strip style.
Typically, as in the case with Govee, spotlight-style lights can be cut. Inside are 3 wires. You can cut the wire, run the 3 wires inside into a jumper, go where you need with the section without the lights, and then tie it back in at the end.
Strip-style lights are a bit more complicated and depend greatly on the type of light you get. Some strips can be cut after every light and still work. Others can only be cut at certain sections. Others still can’t be cut at all. For strip-style lights, looking for a solder joint is the easiest way to tell. Typically the solder joint is where the strips can be cut and continue to function
An example of how permanent outdoor lights can be cut at a solder joint on the lineBrand
Another factor when determining if you can cut permanent outdoor lights is the brand. It is important to check with the manufacturer of your lights to see if they support the cutting of their lights.
As an example, the Govee “Pro” Permanent Outdoor Lights not only can be cut and spliced, but come with the necessary equipment in the box to do the cutting and splicing. However, the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 will have their warranty voided if you splice them. While it will physically work, if you ever need your warranty you may regret putting the splice in.
Length
Next, the largest consideration to make when determining if your permanent outdoor lights can be cut is the length. Both before and after the cut. Many lights will use power injection along the length of the wire to boost the voltage as it goes down the line. Because of this, it is important to know how far you can go without a light in the line.
For many brands, this works out to approximately 12 feet. So every 12 feet you will need to put a line amplifier or covered light in the line. You can then go another 12 feet, add another light, etc.
Finally, the last thing to consider is the total length. Because you’re sending power down a line it can only go so far before the power doesn’t reach the end. So it is important to buy the right length for your lights and your extensions. So if you have 150 feet of lights, but 40 feet of splices or extensions, you will need to buy a power unit capable of 200 feet.
Overall Can You Cut Permanent Outdoor Lights?
Overall, yes, you can cut permanent outdoor lights. As long as you keep in mind the style of light, brand, and length needed. Balancing all three of those will leave you set up for success in your home light installation.
If you want outdoor lights but it all seems too daunting or complicated, contact us at ODon Technologies and we will get you installed and your house looking amazing for years to come!
