FUNDAMENTALS OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTING

by
Richard Knox, GKI / Bethlehem Lighting

Glossary Of Terms

Add – On Connector Plug: One plug ( Male) which goes into the electrical outlet This plug allows the ability to stack as many plugs of any similar Christmas tree light set into its receptacle, as long as the combination of Christmas light sets does not exceed the fuse amp requirement at the original source of power.

AC Power: (Alternating Current) Electricity using both positive and negative voltage, constantly changing from one to another. This type of power cannot accept high voltage levels and is primarily used in USA electrical wiring.

 

Ampere:  Standard unit for measuring the strength of an electrical current.

 

Ballast Bulb: Bulb used in Christmas twinkle set lights, which does not twinkle but carries a constant voltage to the Christmas light set.

 

Bulb: Vacuum tube with two dumet wires connected with a holding bead, Shunt and tungsten filament.

 

Cascade Test:  A test applied to Christmas tree lights by UL, (see UL). This test crushes each bulb from the end of the set till the second to last remaining bulb, at which time that last bulb must still remain lit. This test is what creates the sell line, “ If one bulbin the Christmas light set goes out the rest of the Christmas light bulbs remain lit”

 

Dumet Wires: Thin wire filament that goes through the husk into the Christmas tree light bulb, bead , shunt and filament.

 

DC Power -Direct Current- ( 12 Volt): Electricity using only a positive voltage, maintaining a constant level. This type of power accepts higher voltage levels, and is used in batteries recreational vehicles, boats, generators, and European wiring.

 

End- to- End connector: Add on plug for Christmas light sets, Male, is positioned at beginning of set of Christmas lights.  Female plug at the other end of Christmas lights. This type of end-to-end connector allows Christmas tree light sets of the same bulb count to be connected. Note* No more than 2 Christmas light sets may be connected.

 

Extension Cord: Different lengths of cords, both outdoor, or indoor. Cords are in varying number of feet and are supplied with a 7 amp fuse. Extension cords are used for a myriad of Christmas lighting solutions.

 

Fader Box:  The fader Box is used to alter the lighted Christmas light sets. It will turn one Christmas light set on, then fade the Christmas light set off while turning another set on, etc.. The fader box can be regulated to change the sequence of fading from fast to slow, for the desired holiday visual effect. Best use, is to use two different colors of Christmas lights on a tree, alternating the holiday colors.

 

Flasher Bulb: A red Tipped, 200 milliamp bulb, which when inserted into an empty socket of a Christmas light set, causes the Christmas tree light set to flash on and off creating a dazzling holiday effect.

 

Filament: Tungsten wire that crosses from the dumet wires of the Christmas light bulb creating the arc of power which translates into the actual light.

 

Fuse Plug  3 amp fuse located inside the male plug of a Christmas light set.

 

Husk:  Plastic mold that fits around the base of Christmas light bulb. The husk has two holes in the base to allow dumet wires to come through and make contact with the Christmas tree light set sockets. Serves as a protection for bulb wires and also for the Christmas light bulb to snap into the socket.

 

Lead Cord: Cord with plug that begins at the male plug and extends to the first bulb on set. GKI uses a Balanced design, which means if the commercial Christmas light set has 6” spacing the lead cord is 3” and the tail cord is 3”. Bethlehem commercial Christmas lights are not equally distributed. Bethlehem uses a 5.5” lead cord and 5.5” tail cord.

 

Light Tester: Also known as “Buzz Box” The best tool for fixing Christmas tree lights: If a Christmas light set is not functioning properly, you can plug one set of either 50 Christmas lights, or 100 Christmas lights into the plug receptacle on the buzz box. After plugging Christmas tree lights into buzz box , push the red button. The bulb that is burnt out or the fuse in the male plug will buzz. Locate the Christmas bulb or fuse and replace with new fuse or Christmas bulb. This is the most expedient way to repair a set of  Christmas lights. Should always check plug fuse first.

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