How to Test Xmas Tree Lights & Find Burned Out Bulb (s)

This article will describe a method of finding that burned out bulb in a string a Xmas lights without having to test each individual bulb. It's frustrating when the whole string of lights won't work because of one single bad bulb. This method will find that one easily and quickly then it's just a matter of replacing the bulb.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electrical sniffer see: http://www.ehow.com/how_5193111_use-electrical-sniffer.html

1. 
   Package unlit and lit.

   Plug in the string of lights before you put them on the tree to make sure they light up. Matter of fact plug them in even before you totally remove them from the package. If the string doesn't work possibly you can return them. If they light up, fine. If they don't light up see the next step.

2. 
   Goes Chirp Chirp Chirp

   To do this test you will need the electrical sniffer pointed out in "Things You'll Need" at the beginning of this article. Plug in the string and touch the wire with the sniffer. It will light up and chirp to show that there is electricity in the wire.

3. 
   Pull out the bulb

   Move on down the string and the thing will be chirping all the way until you get to the bad bulb, then it will stop chirping indicating that the bulb at that spot is no good. Then it' a matter of pulling out the bulb and replacing it. The bulb just pulls straight out, no twisting necessary. They are tight so it might take a little tugging to get it out. Most lights strings come with extra bulbs.

4. 
   Bulb replaced and under another test.

   After you get the first bulb replaced, plug the lights in again and hopefully they work. If not, there is no doubt another bulb burnt out further on down the line so do the procedure in step 3 again to find the next bad bulb. Keep doing this until either the string lights up or you get to the end. If you get to the end and it still won't light up you must discard that particular string because there is a wire failure which will be almost impossible to find.

Tips & Warnings

• The electrical sensing device (sniffer) is available at any home center or hardware store.
• Always be careful when handling electricity.