What Are Sollos Lighting Ingrounds?

Sollos Lighting Ingrounds are 12V landscape lighting fixtures intended to be installed in or at grade for outdoor accent and architectural lighting. In practical trade use, an inground fixture is selected when a standard stake light would be too visible, too exposed to damage, or poorly positioned for the lighting effect required. These fixtures are commonly used to project light upward onto trunks, facades, columns, signs, and textured walls. Contractor-grade construction generally matters in this category because inground fixtures face moisture, soil movement, foot traffic, mulch, and maintenance equipment. That means the fixture body, lens assembly, seals, and wiring method all affect long-term performance.

Where Are Sollos Lighting Ingrounds Used?

These fixtures are typically used in residential and commercial landscape projects where the light source needs to stay discreet. Common applications include uplighting trees from planting beds, washing stone or masonry walls, highlighting entry columns, illuminating monument signs, and adding accent light around patios, walkways, and courtyards. Ingrounds are also used where surface-mounted fixtures would create a trip hazard or interfere with mowing and site maintenance. They are often a good fit in finished hardscape areas, but only when the installer has planned for drainage, access, and future servicing before the paving, concrete, or stonework is closed in.

How To Choose Sollos Lighting Ingrounds

Start with the lighting objective, not just the fixture style. For a narrow tree trunk or column, a tighter beam is often preferred. For broader walls or signage, a wider spread may be more suitable. Next, confirm the site conditions. An inground in open soil, mulch, or gravel may need a different installation approach than one set into pavers or concrete. Check whether the fixture location will see foot traffic, irrigation, snow clearing, or lawn equipment. On 12V systems, cable distance and connected load also matter because voltage drop can noticeably affect output. If the project includes multiple fixtures on one run, many contractors will choose heavier cable or shorten run lengths to keep light levels more consistent. Also consider service access. A fixture that looks clean on day one can become a maintenance problem if lamp or module access is blocked by finished surfaces.

Trade Rules Of Thumb

For low-voltage landscape lighting, a common rule of thumb is to size the transformer at total connected fixture wattage x 1.25 to leave reasonable headroom. Another common field target is to keep voltage drop below about 10 percent on the run, with tighter control preferred where even output matters. As a rough planning guide, 16 AWG cable is often used on shorter, lighter runs, 14 AWG on medium runs, and 12 AWG on longer runs or higher connected loads, but the actual choice depends on distance, fixture wattage, and layout. For inground uplighting, tighter beams are often used for tall narrow features, while wider beams are more suitable for broad facades and low textured surfaces. These are practical design rules only, not code requirements, and final selection should be based on the actual fixture load, cable length, manufacturer instructions, and site conditions.

Sizing Guidelines

On a 12V landscape lighting system, sizing usually starts with total fixture load and run length. Add the connected wattage of all fixtures on the transformer, then allow spare capacity for startup margin, future additions, and reduced transformer stress. For branch layout, many contractors avoid loading one long daisy-chained run if the project includes several ingrounds spaced far apart. Hub layouts, split runs, or heavier cable can help reduce uneven brightness. If the fixture is intended for a strong uplight effect on a tall feature, verify that the selected output and beam pattern are appropriate for the mounting distance and aiming angle. In hardscape applications, also size the installation space itself. The fixture body, sleeve, or housing needs enough room for proper seating, drainage media where required, and cable routing without crushing conductors. Always verify final loading, conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, and installation method to applicable Canadian Electrical Code requirements and the fixture manufacturer's instructions.

Common Installation Practices

Good inground installations usually begin with drainage planning. Contractors commonly avoid placing fixtures in low spots where water can collect around the lens or housing. In soil or planting beds, installers often prepare a stable base and drainage layer so the fixture remains level and does not sit in mud. In pavers or masonry, sleeves or housings are typically positioned before the finish surface is completed so the trim sits cleanly at grade. Cable splices should be made with connectors suitable for wet outdoor locations, and enough slack is usually left for future servicing without straining the conductors. Aiming should be checked at night, not only in daylight, because glare and beam placement can look very different after dark. On low-voltage systems, it is also common practice to test voltage at the fixture under load rather than assuming the transformer output tells the whole story.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is treating an inground like a standard accent light and ignoring drainage. Even a solid fixture can have a short service life if it is installed where water pools continuously. Another frequent issue is underestimating voltage drop on long 12V runs, which can leave distant fixtures visibly dimmer. Installers also run into problems when the beam spread is chosen by appearance instead of application, such as using a wide beam for a narrow column or a tight beam for a broad wall. In hardscape work, poor coordination between the electrical installer and the mason can leave the fixture misaligned, buried too deep, or impossible to service. A final mistake is placing the fixture where it will be hit by mower wheels, snow tools, or routine grounds maintenance without considering trim strength and location.

Brand Comparisons

For this page, the focus is Sollos Lighting. In practical buying terms, the main comparison is usually not brand prestige alone but whether the fixture suits the site, budget, and maintenance expectations. If a property already uses Sollos Lighting across other landscape zones, staying with the same brand may simplify appearance, lamping or module consistency, and replacement planning. If a contractor is matching an existing installed system from another manufacturer, staying with that established platform can also be the right decision where trim style, beam effect, or service parts need to remain consistent. Contractor-grade ingrounds are generally cross-shopped on housing quality, sealing approach, finish details, beam options, and ease of field service. Where the project is cost-sensitive, buyers often compare whether a simpler fixture can achieve the same lighting result without overbuilding the installation. Where access will be difficult after completion, many contractors place more value on serviceability and installation robustness than on initial fixture cost alone.

Related Products

Products commonly purchased alongside Sollos Lighting ingrounds include low-voltage landscape transformers, direct burial landscape cable, waterproof wire connectors, photocells, timers, mounting sleeves or housings where required, and other accent fixtures used on the same project. Depending on the layout, contractors may also pair ingrounds with spot lights, well lights, path lights, junction boxes, and control accessories for zoning and scheduling. On larger jobs, voltage drop planning often drives the need for heavier gauge cable, additional transformer capacity, or split circuits. If the project includes stone, pavers, or poured concrete, installation accessories and coordination materials are often just as important as the fixture itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sollos Lighting Ingrounds only for commercial jobs?

No. They are used on both residential and commercial landscape projects. The main reason to choose an inground is usually the lighting effect and the need for a low-visibility fixture, not the project type alone.

Can 12V inground lights be installed on long cable runs?

Yes, but long runs need proper voltage drop planning. Fixture wattage, conductor size, run length, and circuit layout all affect performance. On larger layouts, split runs or heavier cable are often used to keep output more even.

What is the difference between an inground light and a well light?

In trade use, the terms are sometimes used loosely and may overlap depending on the manufacturer. In general, both refer to fixtures installed at or below grade for upward or accent lighting. The exact construction, trim, and service method can vary by product line.

Do inground fixtures need special drainage?

In most outdoor installations, yes. Good drainage is one of the most important parts of a successful inground installation. The exact method depends on soil, hardscape construction, and the fixture design, so follow the product instructions and site requirements.

Are contractor-grade ingrounds worth it for residential work?

Often yes, especially where the fixture will be hard to access later or exposed to regular maintenance activity. Better construction and serviceability can reduce callbacks and replacement labour even on smaller residential jobs.

What should I verify before ordering Sollos Lighting Ingrounds?

Confirm voltage, beam intent, installation environment, trim style, cable routing plan, transformer capacity, and whether the site needs sleeves, housings, or specific connectors. It is also worth confirming how the fixture will be serviced after the landscape or hardscape is complete.