How to Find the Best Commercial Grade Outdoor Christmas Lights
Homes and businesses sparkling with lights are one of the true joys of the holiday season. They give long, cold winter nights charm. If you decorate privately or professionally, you may enjoy the effect of the completed project but be irritated by the difficulties of working with fragile and unreliable strands of lights. An alternative to an annual bout of frustration is the purchase of commercial-grade outdoor lights. Commercial grade lights are made to last for years of extreme wear and are designed to handle larger decorating projects. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Understand the differences between commercial and standard Christmas lights. Commercial grade lights are designed to be more durable and more flexible to work with. Commercial grade lights are strung on heavier wire, making them stronger and allowing a larger number of strands to be connected together. Commercial grade lights also have "lamp locks." Unlike standard light strings, whose bulbs can easily, and accidentally, be removed, commercial grade light strings are locked into place. They cannot be removed and, subsequently, are less likely to be accidentally damaged.
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Choose between standard incandescent bulbs and LED light strings. LED, or light emitting diode, light strings are the best lights currently available. They are significantly more energy efficient than standard bulbs and last much longer. Commercial-grade incandescent light strings are rated for approximately 3000 hours. LED light strings can last as long as 200,000 hours. LED lights are made of durable plastic and are unlikely to be broken in normal usage. They are better suited to survive harsh weather conditions or other hazards. Commercial-grade standard light strings can connect with up to six other strings. Commercial LED lights can connect to as many as 125 other strings. However, it should be noted that commercial LED lights do not end in a standard plug. They must be plugged into an adapter purchased separately.
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Consider costs. Commercial-grade lights are more expensive than standard lights. This cost difference is acceptable over the long run, but if you anticipate your lighting needs are for a single use, standard lights may be a better choice. LED lights are currently as much as 40 percent more than standard lights; however, their energy consumption is lower.
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Feel free to use commercial light strings at home. Although commercial light strings allow you to connect multiple strands of lights, they are still safe to use at home. Their energy consumption, even in large quantities is not too much of a demand to cause a power shortage in a home with a properly functioning electrical system.
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Buy your lights from a company specializing in outdoor lighting. A company such as Christmas Lights Etc. (see Resources) has many years of experience providing commercial lighting products to consumers and businesses. They also have a large selection of incandescent and standard commercial grade lights.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a timer with your outdoor light displays to save on energy costs.
Before using outdoor lights carefully read the manufacturer's instructions.
