{"product_id":"500ft-landscape-wire-12-2-low-voltage-direct-burial","title":"500ft Landscape Wire - 12\/2 Low Voltage Direct Burial","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLightkiwi's 12\/2 pure copper landscape wire in a 500ft spool — the right choice for whole-system installs, large properties, and anyone who wants to complete their landscape lighting project from a single spool without re-ordering. 100% pure bare copper, ETL listed, and rated for direct burial without conduit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike cheaper CCA (copper-clad aluminum) wire, Lightkiwi uses 100% pure bare copper for stronger signal, better conductivity, and longer lifespan. The difference shows up most on longer runs — pure copper keeps all your fixtures at consistent brightness from the first to the last, while CCA wire causes noticeable dimming at the far end of the run.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy 12\/2?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e12\/2 is the most popular gauge for residential landscape lighting — and for good reason. The 12 AWG conductor is thick enough to carry sufficient wattage over long runs with minimal voltage drop, yet flexible enough for easy installation around corners and through soil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChoose 12\/2 when:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Your wire runs exceed 100ft from the transformer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e You're running multiple fixtures off a single run\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e You have a 150W, 300W, or 600W transformer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e You want to future-proof your system for expansion\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFor shorter runs under 50ft with fewer fixtures, 14\/2 or 16\/2 may be sufficient. See our [\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lightkiwi.com\/collections\/14-2-wire-gauge\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e14\/2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e](\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehttps:\/\/www.lightkiwi.com\/collections\/14-2-wire-gauge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) and [\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lightkiwi.com\/collections\/16-2-wire-gauge\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e16\/2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e](\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehttps:\/\/www.lightkiwi.com\/collections\/16-2-wire-gauge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) collections for lighter-gauge options.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow Much Does 500ft Cover?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e500ft is enough for most residential landscape lighting installs. Quick estimates based on a star (home-run) wiring pattern from the transformer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e**5 spotlights, runs averaging 60ft each**\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e → ~300ft total (500ft spool covers with significant spare)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e**10 path lights, runs averaging 40ft each**\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e → ~400ft total (500ft spool covers with spare)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e**Large front and back yard combo, 12 fixtures**\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e → ~450–500ft total (500ft spool covers, tight)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e**Very large property or loop wiring**\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e → may need two 500ft spools\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlways add 10–15% to your estimate for slack at each fixture connection, depth allowance when burying, and adjustments during installation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eNeed a shorter spool for a smaller project or add-on run? See our 12\/2 wire in [\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lightkiwi.com\/products\/n2126-12awg-direct-burial-cable-low-voltage-landscape-lighting-50ft\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e50ft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e](\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehttps:\/\/www.lightkiwi.com\/products\/n2126-12awg-direct-burial-cable-low-voltage-landscape-lighting-50ft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), [\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lightkiwi.com\/products\/12awg-direct-burial-cable-for-low-voltage-landscape-lighting-100ft\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100ft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e](\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehttps:\/\/www.lightkiwi.com\/products\/12awg-direct-burial-cable-for-low-voltage-landscape-lighting-100ft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), and [\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lightkiwi.com\/products\/12awg-direct-burial-cable-low-voltage-landscape-lighting-250ft\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e250ft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e](\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehttps:\/\/www.lightkiwi.com\/products\/12awg-direct-burial-cable-low-voltage-landscape-lighting-250ft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) lengths.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGauge:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 12 AWG (2-conductor)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConductor: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100% pure bare copper stranded\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacket:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e UV-resistant, weatherproof PVC\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRating:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Direct burial, 30V low voltage\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFire safety:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e FT-2 rated\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 500ft spool\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e-\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertifications: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eETL Listed, cETL Listed\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow deep do I need to bury landscape lighting wire?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe NEC recommends burying low voltage (under 30V) landscape wire at least 6 inches deep. For added protection in areas with regular lawn maintenance, foot traffic, or wildlife activity, 12 inches is better. In areas with digging animals (gophers, dogs), consider running the wire through conduit for extra protection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need conduit for direct burial wire?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo. Lightkiwi 12\/2 wire is rated and designed for direct burial without conduit. The UV-resistant, weatherproof jacket is built for underground installation. Conduit is optional but recommended in high-risk areas (heavy traffic, wildlife, or areas where future digging is likely).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between pure copper and CCA wire?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePure copper wire uses solid or stranded copper conductors throughout. CCA (copper-clad aluminum) wire has an aluminum core with only a thin copper coating — it looks identical but has significantly higher resistance, causing more voltage drop over long runs and dimmer fixtures at the far end of the system. All Lightkiwi wire is 100% pure copper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I splice 12\/2 wire mid-run?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYes, using waterproof wire connectors. Lightkiwi snap connectors are compatible with 12\/2 wire and require no stripping or crimping tools. However, minimizing splices is recommended — each splice is a potential failure point. The 500ft spool allows most installs to run continuous wire from transformer to fixture without splicing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs 12\/2 compatible with all Lightkiwi transformers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYes. 12\/2 wire works with all Lightkiwi 75W, 150W, 300W, and 600W transformers. The terminal blocks on all models accept 12 AWG wire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I mix 12\/2 and 14\/2 wire in the same system?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYes. It's common to use 12\/2 for the main run from the transformer and 14\/2 for shorter branch runs to individual fixtures. Total fixture wattage must remain within your transformer's rated capacity regardless of wire gauge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long will this wire last underground?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith proper burial depth and a quality UV-resistant jacket, pure copper direct burial wire is designed to last 20–30 years under normal conditions. Avoid areas with extreme soil acidity or chemical exposure, which can degrade the jacket over time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Lightkiwi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43027770572897,"sku":"E6618","price":279.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0583\/0990\/2433\/files\/E6618-1.jpg?v=1769745258","url":"https:\/\/snapgoshop.com\/products\/500ft-landscape-wire-12-2-low-voltage-direct-burial","provider":"SnapGoShop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}