Christmas Lights Guide - Part Three

12. Can I get Christmas lights with a different color wire?

Lights usually come on either a green, brown, or white wire. Green wires are best for use in artificial Christmas trees. White wires are best for houses, while the brown wires are inteded for use on bare-branch trees. The color should be specified on the packaging or the advertisement.

13. How can my lights blink?

The packaging or advertising for the product should specify whether or not the lights blink. However, it is possible to convert a regular strand of lights with the help of either a blinker bulb (one for every string of fifty bulbs) or a multi-function controller.

Batteries aren't capable of powering long strings of lights, so they generally come with only 10 bulbs apiece. Because of their limitations, battery powered light sets are not recommended for large decorating jobs, such as trees.

The longest string of mini lights commonly available has 140 bulbs and is approximately 40.5 feet long. Connecting more than two strands of these lights or more than three of the more common 25 foot, 100 bulb set together is simply dangerous, as they were not designed for such heavy-duty decorating.

Commercial grade mini-lights are recommended for cases like these, as their wires are thicker, making it possible to connect up to 6 strands together.

16. The Christmas lights I bought carry a lead warning. Are they dangerous?

The amount of lead contained in the electrical cords of Christmas lights is negligible and poses no immediate threat. Lead is mostly used as a fixative to hold the paint onto the wires. There is no more lead in Christmas lights today than there was fifty years ago. It is still recommended that everyone, especially children and the elderly, wash their hands after handling the lights to avoid accidentally ingesting small amounts of lead, because it can accumulate over time.

The reason why lights now come with a lead warning is because the California state legislature requires all products which contains even insignificant amounts of lead to say so.

17. What does the UL symbol on my box of lights represent?

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, an independent organization that tests products, such as Christmas lights, for safety.

If the product passes UL inspection, it can bear the logo and is covered by insurance companies. Submitting products for UL testing is done voluntarily by the manufacturer and its absence should not necessarily be seen a reflection on the safety of the product.

Most tree toppers, angels, novelty lights, and sets of 10 mini lights require 12 volt replacement bulbs to light up properly. Sets of 20 require 6 volt bulbs. Most net lights, icicle lights, and sets of 35 and up used to require 3.5 volt bulbs, but can now operate with 2.5 volts. Commercial grade, micro-mini, globe lights, and illuminated sculptures often require set-specific bulbs.

19. How should I store my lights after Christmas?

First of all, it is important that you do not simply bunch them up and throw them in a bag or box until next year.

Doing so weakens the contacts inside and will result in some breakage.

It is strongly recommended that you neatly wrap your lights by holding the plug in one hand with your arm bent at a right angle. With the other hand, loop the strand down around your elbow and up between your thumb and index finger.

Place the neat coil someplace where it can remain flat and untangled. Additionally, the lights can be wrapped around some wide, flat object, such as a piece of cardboard or wood.