How to Test & Fix Christmas Light Sets
Once they are up, Christmas lights can be a delightful holiday decoration. They are not nearly as much fun to test and prepare for use, however. The U.S. Fire Administration advises that lights should be thoroughly examined each year before hanging to ensure that strands do not pose a fire risk. Lights with cracked sockets, exposed wires, worn insulation, extreme kinking or general wear should be disposed of and replaced. If your light set is in good shape but fails to illuminate, there are a few simple steps that you can take to identify and correct the problem. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Unwind the string of lights on the floor and check each socket one by one, going from one end of the light set to the other. Confirm that every socket has a bulb and that each is securely locked into place. While testing the sockets, closely examine the bulbs to make sure that none are cracked or broken.
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Plug the light set into an electrical outlet to see if it will light. Test the outlet with another electrical appliance to confirm that it is functioning normally.
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Locate replacement bulbs for the light set. Most Christmas lights come with a small packet of five or six extra bulbs. Additional replacement bulbs usually can be purchased in stores that carry Christmas light sets.
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Confirm that the replacement bulbs are the same wattage and type as the bulbs in the strand. Inserting lights of a different design or wattage could turn a light set into a safety hazard.
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Remove and replace each bulb in the strand, one by one. Light sets that use a series circuit type will not function if one bulb burns out. Each time you replace a bulb, plug the set back into the outlet to see if it works.
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Replace the fuse in the light set. It will be located in the plug, either under a removable cover or between the tines of the plug head. Extra fuses are commonly included with light sets and may be purchased separately.
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Tips & Warnings
Fuses can burn out if too many strands of lights are connected. To avoid melting fuses and risking a fire, do not link more than three strands.
References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Digital Vision/Getty Images
