OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTING TIPS

Greet your guests with a seasonal style by adding lights to your front entrance. Getting a row of exterior lights evenly spaced and oriented in the same direction used to be a great achievement. As much as the exterior lights are a beauty to behold, they can be a bit difficult to install.

So ... Do not worry here we have come to the rescue with some advice.

Be careful when installing outdoor lighting

Use a good ladder when installing your lights. Secure with insulated brackets (never use tacks or nails). Do not install your lights on trees that come into contact with power lines. Before installing your Christmas lights, plug them in to make sure all the bulbs are working. Be sure to turn off the lights when you go or go to bed at night.

Use the appropriate output

For starters, safety comes first! Its power source must come from a power failure of the ground fault circuit breaker (GFCI). This type of outlet will turn off the circuit if there is an overcurrent. We want your lights to shine, not to throw sparks! If you don't have a GFCI outlet, a qualified electrician can permanently install it outdoors during the next vacation. Or, you can buy a portable outdoor unit at your local store for less than $ 10.

Keep extension cords out of the way

When using extension cords, make sure they are rated for outdoor use and keep the connections above ground, snow, and water. Try to avoid high traffic areas. Place masking tape in the aisles and use the correct length necessary for your lights. You don't want your cables to be too long, so they build up and create dangers when walking.

Always choose waterproof lights

There are a variety of lights to choose from. First, always use waterproof or waterproof lights with a label insurer (UL) laboratory. This means that the lights meet national industry standards with the American National Standards Institute. Also, when buying Christmas lights for outdoor use, make sure they are rated for outdoor use (just like extension cords). Never use indoor-outdoor Christmas lights.

Using C7 or C9 bulbs

For a more traditional party light, you'll want to use a C7 or C9. These are the cone-shaped lights that you will find most often in the home goods and convenience stores. The difference in these lights is the size and power, with C9 a little bigger and easier to see from a distance. Both come in frosted or clear bulbs and are excellent for lighting your house and trees.

You can buy them in filaments of 25 bulbs or in filaments larger than 100 bulbs. The strands of 25 bulbs can be connected to each other (in a chain) up to a maximum of three strands; The wires of 100 bulbs must be connected separately. Do not connect them together! The C7 and C9 strands use a standard screw-on candelabra base for easy bulb replacement. The threads are connected, so if a bulb fails, it only affects itself. Buying light cords with internal fuses is a great idea to avoid excess current in the cords.

Use of miniature bulbs

Another option for outdoor lighting is the "miniature", which costs less and consumes less energy than the classic exterior light chain. It can be used throughout the perimeter of your home, as well as in trees. In most cases, the miniature comes in 50 or 100 filaments. The strings run in series, which means that if a light bulb or socket fails, you can lose an entire section.

The positive is that most miniature bulbs have a branch inside them to keep the entire string of lights on if a bulb filament is burned. The key is to quickly replace the burned bulb. The bypass will allow the rest of the lights to remain on but will increase the voltage in the rest of the bulbs, reducing their life. With the thumbnails, you get what you pay for, so get a set of quality lights and don't connect more than three sets of strings.