Landscape Lighting Wire Connectors: Types, Waterproofing and Common Mistakes
Short answer: use a connector made for direct burial, strip the wire the right amount, seat it fully, close the connector firmly and give each lead a gentle tug. Then power the system on and test before you bury anything. Most "half my lights are out" problems turn out to be a bad connection, not a bad light.
Four ways to connect low-voltage landscape wire
| Method | What it is | Best for | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof wire nuts | Twist-on caps pre-filled with silicone, made for direct burial | Joining a few wires at a spot where the wire sizes suit the nut | Not twisting tight enough, or using a nut that is too small for the number of wires |
| Hub-style connectors with locking clamps | A sealed connector that holds the main cable and fixture leads in locking clamps, filled with silicone grease | Connecting fixtures to a main cable run quickly | Not seating each wire fully before closing the clamp |
| Junction box | A weather-rated box where several runs meet | A spot where many lines come together | Using a box that is not rated for outdoor use or not sealing it |
| Crimp connector with heat shrink | A crimped splice covered with heat-shrink tubing | A permanent splice in a single wire | Under-crimping or not fully shrinking the tubing |
Whichever you use, check the packaging for what the manufacturer says about direct burial and the connector's rating.
What is in a QDot kit
- X Style 5-Line Wire Connector: hub-style, supports up to four fixtures plus a home-run wire back to the transformer, locking clamps, silicone-grease filled. Our kit listings rate it IP68 waterproof.
- X Style 8-Line Wire Connector: the same design, supports up to nine fixtures plus a home-run wire.
- Waterproof wire nuts: small and large packs, silicone filled, for direct burial. They take up to six #16 AWG, five #14 AWG, three #12 AWG or one #10 AWG.
- Wire Stripper: included in every QDot kit, for AWG and metric wire sizes.
- Cable: 16/2 direct burial cable comes in the kits. 12/2 direct burial cable is available for longer or heavier runs.
| Kit | Connectors included | Cable included |
|---|---|---|
| Starter, $299 | 2 × X Style 5-Line | 100 ft 16/2 |
| Pro, $549 | 4 × X Style 5-Line | 250 ft 16/2 |
| Ultimate, $699 | 4 × X Style 5-Line | 250 ft 16/2 |
Connect and test before you bury: 5 steps
- Dry run. Lay each fixture where it will go and unroll the cable past all of them without cutting it.
- Strip. Use the Wire Stripper to remove the outer jacket of the cable and the ends of the fixture leads. Follow the strip length in the connector's instructions.
- Seat and close. Push each wire fully into the connector, then close the clamp or cap firmly.
- Tug test. Give each wire a gentle pull. If it moves, open the connector and redo it.
- Power on and check. Connect the cable to the transformer, plug it in and test at night. Only then bury or cover the cable.
Common mistakes
- Wire not pushed all the way in, or jacket not stripped enough.
- A connector that is not closed firmly.
- Burying the cable before testing.
- Long runs where the last light looks dim. That is voltage drop, not a connector problem. A higher voltage tap, a split run or heavier 12/2 cable can help. See our transformer size guide.
Lights still not working? Read the troubleshooting checklist, the install guide or the landscape lighting FAQ, or email sales@qdotlife.com.
Warranty
QDot fixture bodies have a lifetime warranty and LED modules have a 5-year warranty. Fixtures are IP67 waterproof rated. See the warranty page for the full terms.
Frequently asked questions
How do you waterproof landscape lighting wire connections?
Use connectors made for direct burial, with silicone grease or silicone filling inside, and make sure the wire is fully seated and the connector is closed firmly. QDot X Style 5-Line and 8-Line connectors are silicone-grease filled with locking clamps, and QDot waterproof wire nuts are silicone filled.
How many fixtures does a QDot X Style 5-Line connector support?
The 5-Line connector supports up to four fixtures plus a home-run wire back to the transformer. The 8-Line connector supports up to nine fixtures plus a home-run wire.
What wire sizes do QDot waterproof wire nuts take?
Up to six #16 AWG, five #14 AWG, three #12 AWG or one #10 AWG, or combinations such as three #14 with two #12.
Should I test the lights before burying the wire?
Yes. Connect everything, plug in the transformer and test at night before you bury or cover the cable. Fixing a loose connector is much easier before the cable is covered.
What connectors come with QDot kits?
The Starter Kit includes 2 X Style 5-Line wire connectors. The Pro and Ultimate Kits include 4 each. Every kit also includes a Wire Stripper and direct burial 16/2 cable.