External Pool Spot Lights - High Voltage or Low Voltage?

[CJDahl]

I have a 28x 45 lagoon with a waterfall. Opposite the waterfall (about 20' away) I have a garden cut out with electric which was prewired for 120 volts ac power (not hooked up yet). I also have another garden cut out adjacent to pool stairs again prewired for 120 V ac (again not hooked up). I was wondering if it would be better to utilize the wires for 12 V with a 50 watts spot facing water fall versus 120 volts spot light due to proximity to pool (about 2 feet away). I want to light up waterfall at night , and i think 50 watts at 12 volts would do fine (not sure??). Also I am concerned about safety factor with the gardens being just a few feet from pool. so I am leaning to 12v. Any drawback going with 12v versus 120 volts , other than underutilizing prewire? any code issues with 120v that close to water. thanks for any advice.

[mmcguire]

I was told I could not have 120v within 6 feet of my pool by my county inspector.

I too want to light up my waterfall, but I will probably do it from a spot light on the house, so I can use 120 or 12v. I just need to find a spot that is pretty tight and does not allow the light to flood out too much.

[CarlD]

120volts around a pool is scary, very scary.

12volts is far, far safer.