Spots & Built-in · March 2026 · 6 min reading

How to choose a powerful outdoor spot?

Lumens, IP, lighting angle, power supply: the 4 criteria that decide whether your spot survives in winter.

Team Lumihome

Published on 12 March 2026

A good outdoor spot is not just an eye-catching one. Four technical criteria determine whether it will really last in time, resist the seasons and deliver the light you need.

1. Lumens, not watts

The wattage indicates the consumption, not the brightness. For the actual brightness, it is the lumen which counts:

10 – 80 lumens: decorative tags, atmosphere
100 – 300 lumens: terminals and aisle appliqués
500 – 1,500 lumens: entrance, garage, parking
2000+ lumens: projectors, large facades, safety

2. The IP index, the only guarantee of waterproofness

The IP is a two-digit code: dust, then water. For external use in France, aim at a minimum IP44. For ground lighting near a gutter or swimming pool, IP65 or more.

Lumihome publishes the exact IP on each product sheet. No marketing round.

3. Solar, 230V or 12V?

Three solutions, three cases of use. The solar is unbeatable for flexibility and zero cost but depends on the sun. The 230V guarantees constant power but requires a connection (and often an electrician). The 12V low voltage is ideal around the swimming pools and for secure self-installation.

4. Manufacturing quality

Failures do not come from LEDs — they come from joints, motion sensor (UV ageing), battery (12 to 24 months on cheap models) and foot (rust). stainless steel or heat-lapped aluminium, with replaceable lithium battery.

Spot outdoor LED picket DEC–GL5BC

230V · 300 lumens · IP65 · Hot white 3500K

View product →

In summary

For an outdoor spot that lasts: lumens adapted to your use, IP44 minimum (65 if direct exposure), consistent power supply with your project, and quality materials. Lumihome masteres the 4 criteria on the entire range.

Eclairage Exterieur

Installing built-in spots on a composite terrace: instructions for use

Lumihome Tips · 6 min reading

Your terrace is ready, your garden furniture is installed... but when the night falls, everything disappears in the dark? It's time to fix it. Installing recessable spots on a composite terrace is the assurance of elegant lightingfunctional and perfectly integrated.

But be careful: who says exterior lighting, says also electrical standards, precautions of installation and choice of the right products. No panic: here is the way to use it, step by step, to do things according to the rules of art (and electricity).

Why opt for embedded spots on a composite terrace?

The outdoor led spots They are both sober and sophisticated in their rendering. They integrate directly into the blades of your composite terrace, visible wireless or visual overload. Result: low, discreet, but fearlessly effective lighting.

In addition to a very neat aesthetic effect, they improve the security around the terrace, especially near the steps, the passage areas or around a swimming pool.

And on the maintenance side, if you choose a nice brand, it's a big one! For example, at Lumihome, our models are designed to withstand moisture, temperature variations and even people's passages.

Choose the right type of spot: 12V or 230V?

Before you even pierce the first terrace blade, you have to stop on a fundamental question: which voltage to choose? 12V or 230V? This decision will not only determine the type of equipment to be used, but also the precautions to be taken to ensure your safety and the durability of the installation.

12V: the safe and easy-to-live solution

Very low voltage (12 volts) lighting systems are preferred for outdoor installations near a pond.

Why? Because they are much safer in case of accidental contact with moisture, water projections or a failed connection. The voltage is low enough to present no danger to the user, making them perfectly suited to sensitive environments such as:

Terraces near a pool or a pool
Poorly drained areas

The other advantage of an outdoor spot 12V, it is its simplicity of maintenance: in case of failure or change of spot, you do not need a licensed electrician.

But there's a setback:

A transformer is needed to convert the 230V current of the network to 12V
The number of spots is limited by the power of the transformer
Cable lengths must be controlled: beyond 10 to 15 meters, there may be a noticeable drop in voltage

Tip: At Lumihome, our transformers are designed to integrate discreetly into the layout, and several models offer waterproof versions, to be installed directly near the terrace.

230V: power and simplicity... but to be handled with caution

The 230V (classic power supply) is tempting: you don't need transformers, you directly power your spots from a dedicated power line. It is usually the choice of professionals to:

The large terraces where we want to feed 10, 15, or even 20 spots
Sustainable facilities, cabled once and for all
Dry, well ventilated environments with easy access to the electrical panel

But This choice involves several regulatory obligationsBecause we're talking about potentially deadly current.

In accordance with the NF C 15-100 standard, section 7.702, any 230V installation outdoors shall respect the following points:

Use of cables suitable for outdoor use, protected in ducts
Implementation of a differential circuit breaker 30 mA dedicated to the outdoor circuit
All connections shall be made in leakproof bypass boxes
The spots shall be IP65 minimum, and resistant to crushing if installed in a passing area

And above all, no connection should be made to the open air, even temporarily.

Built-in spot with interchangeable bulb GU10 - 230V - Ø 10 cm - Lumihome

How do I choose between the two?

Here are some typical scenarios:

Situation	Recommended voltage	Why?
Small terrace < 10m2, no water point	12V	Simpler to pose, enough for a few spots
Terrace with pool or pool nearby	12V mandatory	For electrical safety reasons
Large terrace, powerful and extended lighting	230V	Less losses, no transformer required
Very wet or poorly ventilated environment	12V recommended	Less risk in condensation

Steps for installing recessable spots

1. Prepare for installation

Start by imagining the atmosphere you want to create: highlighting borders, lighting atmosphere, securing the areas of passage...

Then gather the material:

Recessable spots (IP65 minimum, crash resistant if placed in a passing area)
Bell saw adapted to the diameter of the spot
Electrical cables suitable for outdoor use
12V transformer (if necessary)
Watertight diversion boxes
Gains to protect cables
Quick connection terminals (Wago type, watertight)

2. Lay the sheaths and prepare the wiring

Before you fix your spots, you must first plan the passage of the cables under the terrace.

If your composite terrace is resting on ploughs, slip the sheaths between the blades.

Think about:

Provide a logical and accessible path for maintenance
Leave game at each spot to facilitate connections
Never use a bare cable without a protective sheath

3. Drilling the locations

Position your spots according to your plan. L-ideal? A regular spacing of 1.5 to 2 meters for a homogeneous rendering.

With a bell saw, drill the blades at the intended location. Clean the contours well so that the recess is clear.

Small tip: first test with a single hole before drilling the entire terrace. A small angle adjustment quickly arrived.

4. Reconnecting spots

Connect your spots to the circuit with respect to polarity.

Use watertight terminals or connectors for outdoor environments.

For 230V spots:

Connect the earth wires, phase and neutral in a waterproof box.
Close the bypass box carefully and attach it to the shelter of standing moisture.
Connect the circuit to your electrical board, on a dedicated differential circuit breaker.

5. Test lighting

Restore power supply, and turn on. If everything works perfectly, bravo: you have just installed a sustainable, aesthetic and standard lighting system.

If a spot does not turn on: check connections, polarity, and if you are in 12V, the maximum power supported by the transformer.

Practical advice

Ventilation: even if your spots are waterproof, provide a light ventilation under the terrace to avoid condensation
Drainage: Avoid bowls where water can stagnate. If necessary, drill drain holes near the spots
Maintenance: a small annual cleaning of the lenses guarantees you an optimal luminous rendering
Avoid the 230V / 12V mix in the same circuit: this complicates installation and can pose a problem in the protections

Your composite terrace deserves a light to its height

Installing recessable spots is not just a deco operation. It is a real technical approach that, well conducted, turns your terrace into a full-fledged living space, even at night.

With the right products, the right tools and a minimum of rigour, the result is spectacular. And if you have any doubt, it is better to call on a professional than to try a blind installation... especially with 230V!