Imagine this: A summer thunderstorm rolls through, and by morning, your beautiful outdoor lighting system is on the fritz. Some lights work, some don’t—and there’s a burnt smell in the air. Unfortunately, this is something we’ve seen before.
Power surges and lightning strikes can wreak havoc on low-voltage landscape lighting systems—even when the rest of your home seems unaffected.
So what actually happens during a surge, what should you do next, and how do you protect your investment moving forward?
Let’s break it down.
What Happens During a Power Surge or Lightning Strike?
Landscape lighting systems rely on low-voltage components: LED fixtures, transformers, copper wiring, and waterproof connections. They’re built for performance—but not for high voltage events like lightning or utility surges.
Here’s what we typically find after a surge:
- Multiple non-working fixtures or inconsistent performance
- Charred or discolored LED components
- A strong burnt or “electrical fire” smell coming from sealed fixtures
- Damage to the transformer, buried wiring, and other hidden parts
Lightning doesn’t follow a neat path—it finds the easiest one. And copper wire used in outdoor lighting is incredibly conductive. So even if lightning didn’t hit your house directly, it could’ve struck a tree, the ground nearby, or even entered through another circuit, damaging your landscape lighting from the outside in.
Why Partial Repairs Aren’t Always the Best Fix
It might be tempting to just replace the non-functioning lights—but here’s the hard truth:
What still works today might fail tomorrow.
A power surge can weaken internal components without immediately killing them. Things like ICs, suppression diodes, and voltage regulators can degrade and fail days, weeks, or even months later.
Here’s why we often recommend a full system replacement:
- Fire risk: Damaged wiring or connections can overheat and arc, especially in underground or sealed environments.
- Warranty void: Surge damage voids manufacturer warranties—even for parts that appear to still work.
- Hidden damage: You can’t see what’s happening inside sealed fixtures, buried wire, or a transformer casing.
- System integrity: Mixing damaged and new components usually leads to more service calls and more headaches.
We don’t say this lightly. A full replacement is about safety, long-term performance, and protecting your investment—not about upselling.
Is This Covered by Insurance? (Usually, Yes)
The good news? If your home insurance covers storm damage (and most do), your outdoor lighting system is likely covered under your personal property or outdoor systems section.
You may be eligible to file a claim if:
- The damage was caused by lightning or a power surge
- You experienced other storm-related electrical damage (indoors or out)
- A technician can provide documentation, notes, and photos
We’re happy to help you through the process with a formal estimate, inspection photos, and everything your insurer needs.
What If You Can’t Replace Everything Right Now?
We get it—sometimes a full replacement isn’t feasible right away. That’s why we also offer time and materials repair.
This budget-conscious approach involves:
- Replacing only the visibly failed components
- Leaving currently operational wiring and fixtures in place
- Important Note: These repairs come without warranty or liability coverage. The remaining parts may still fail due to internal damage from the surge.
It’s not a long-term solution—but it can get your system working again while you consider the next steps.
How Southern Lights Can Help—Today and Long-Term
If you’ve experienced a storm, lightning event, or even just suspicious fixture behavior, don’t ignore it.
We offer:
- System Inspections to identify hidden damage and risk
- Surge-related Repairs with documentation for insurance
- Full Replacements that meet safety and warranty standards
- Ongoing Lighting Maintenance plans to help you stay ahead of issues
- Emergency Service Calls to get your system up and running quickly
Whether you need a one-time repair or want to stay protected year-round, we’re here to help protect your investment—and your peace of mind.
Think Your System May Be Damaged? Let’s Take a Look.
If something feels off after a storm—or you’re just not sure—let’s get eyes on it before a small issue becomes a big one. Schedule a free lighting system evaluation or call us directly to talk with our team about service and maintenance options.
