Ok, so here's the deal, I live in a rented townhouse that does not have
an outdoor outlet. I used to run an extension chord in through the
kitchen window to a surge protector but that means my window is not
locked and also lets in cold air. Last year I bought a light socket to
outlet converter and put it in my porch light which I then ran my
extension chord to. I was considering doing it again but I'm concerned
that there is too much electricity running through my setup for it to
be safe. The wiring coming out of the light is just two small black
and white wires and I'm afraid that I might overload them and start a
fire. Does anyone have any advice on this? I usually string 3 or 4
sets into the outlet.

Thanks!!

PM wrote:

Ok, so here's the deal, I live in a rented townhouse that does not have
an outdoor outlet. I used to run an extension chord in through the
kitchen window to a surge protector but that means my window is not
locked and also lets in cold air. Last year I bought a light socket to
outlet converter and put it in my porch light which I then ran my
extension chord to. I was considering doing it again but I'm concerned
that there is too much electricity running through my setup for it to
be safe. The wiring coming out of the light is just two small black
and white wires and I'm afraid that I might overload them and start a
fire. Does anyone have any advice on this? I usually string 3 or 4
sets into the outlet.

Thanks!!

3 or 4 sets of what? C7 bulbs take a hell of a lot more power than the
little miniature bulbs which take a lot more power than the new LED
bulbs. Sets also vary in bulb count.

The actual wire in your porch fixture is almost certainly capable of
safely supporting about 600W of load (5A). The fixture likely has a
label limiting the bulb selection to far less, but that is a function of
heat buildup from the bulb in the fixture, not wire sizes.

Any string of lights should have a wattage or amperage rating on it
though you may have to look at the label next to the plug. The plugs in
the light strings are fused at something like 3A or 5A so if you string
the lights in series (end to end) aren't blowing the fuse in the first
light string plug you're fine.

Pete C.

On 15 Dec 2006 12:31:27 -0800, "PM" wrote:

Ok, so here's the deal, I live in a rented townhouse that does not have
an outdoor outlet. I used to run an extension chord in through the
kitchen window to a surge protector but that means my window is not
locked and also lets in cold air.

Do these windows have wood frames, or aluminum? I have aluminum frames
and they bend enough to lock over cords. I currently have cords going
out 4 windows, and they're all locked.

Last year I bought a light socket to
outlet converter and put it in my porch light which I then ran my
extension chord to.

This also gives you an indoor switch, so you don't have to go outside
(even when it's raining) to control your lights.

I was considering doing it again but I'm concerned
that there is too much electricity running through my setup for it to
be safe.
The wiring coming out of the light is just two small black
and white wires and I'm afraid that I might overload them and start a
fire. Does anyone have any advice on this? I usually string 3 or 4
sets into the outlet.


Of what size bulbs, and how many per set? There's a big difference in
electrical consumption. Like 6A (720W) for 100 C9 bulbs, .2A (24W)
for 50 miniature lights, and .015A (2W) for 70 LED lights.

Like the other posted said, a good socket should be able to supply 5A.
Don't try it with any more, and use fused light strings for safety.

Thanks!!

BTW, If you like colored lights, those LED strings have much better
colors.
--
10 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"How could you ask be to believe in God when there's
absolutely no evidence that I can see?" -- Jodie Foster

On 15 Dec 2006 12:31:27 -0800, "PM" wrote:

Ok, so here's the deal, I live in a rented townhouse that does not have
an outdoor outlet. I used to run an extension chord in through the
kitchen window to a surge protector but that means my window is not
locked and also lets in cold air. Last year I bought a light socket to
outlet converter and put it in my porch light which I then ran my
extension chord to. I was considering doing it again but I'm concerned
that there is too much electricity running through my setup for it to
be safe. The wiring coming out of the light is just two small black
and white wires and I'm afraid that I might overload them and start a
fire. Does anyone have any advice on this? I usually string 3 or 4
sets into the outlet.

Thanks!!

3 or 4 strings of the mini lights are not a problem, but if they are
C7 or C9, or floodlights etc. that is too much. If u dont want to put
an outlet outside, leave heavy duty cord in window. Put foam to seal
window and place sticks above the window so it cant be opened from
outside (security).

Do the numbers. Each light string would have some labels
that provides number of watts. Total that wattage for all three
strings.

At minimum, building wire would be rated for 15 amps or 1800 watts.
Derate that maximum to something like 1000 watts (since fixture really

is for lower currents). Still, that electric source from a light
fixture
should be well above what your light string would consume. Again,
don't take anyone's word for it. Do the numbers. That is why a label
must be adjacent to every appliance connection to mains - so that you
will read those numbers.

Meanwhile, code demands that there be at least one outside
receptacle. Code even says how high from the ground, etc that
receptacle must be located. What year was this townhouse
constructed?

PM wrote:
Ok, so here's the deal, I live in a rented townhouse that does not have
an outdoor outlet. I used to run an extension chord in through the
kitchen window to a surge protector but that means my window is not
locked and also lets in cold air. Last year I bought a light socket to
outlet converter and put it in my porch light which I then ran my
extension chord to. I was considering doing it again but I'm concerned
that there is too much electricity running through my setup for it to
be safe. The wiring coming out of the light is just two small black
and white wires and I'm afraid that I might overload them and start a
fire. Does anyone have any advice on this? I usually string 3 or 4
sets into the outlet.

On 16 Dec 2006 16:57:36 -0800, "w_tom" wrote:

Do the numbers. Each light string would have some labels
that provides number of watts. Total that wattage for all three
strings.

At minimum, building wire would be rated for 15 amps or 1800 watts.
Derate that maximum to something like 1000 watts (since fixture really


The rating for a socket is often 660W.

is for lower currents). Still, that electric source from a light
fixture
should be well above what your light string would consume. Again,
don't take anyone's word for it. Do the numbers. That is why a label
must be adjacent to every appliance connection to mains - so that you
will read those numbers.

Meanwhile, code demands that there be at least one outside
receptacle.

BTW, When I was putting in some GFCIs for a relative, I noticed she
had outside receptacles just behind inside receptacles in two places.
These were wired so I could replace the INSIDE receptacle with a GFCI
had have it control the outside receptacle. This provided a way to
control the lights without having to go outside.

Code even says how high from the ground, etc that
receptacle must be located. What year was this townhouse
constructed?

PM wrote:
Ok, so here's the deal, I live in a rented townhouse that does not have
an outdoor outlet. I used to run an extension chord in through the
kitchen window to a surge protector but that means my window is not
locked and also lets in cold air. Last year I bought a light socket to
outlet converter and put it in my porch light which I then ran my
extension chord to. I was considering doing it again but I'm concerned
that there is too much electricity running through my setup for it to
be safe. The wiring coming out of the light is just two small black
and white wires and I'm afraid that I might overload them and start a
fire. Does anyone have any advice on this? I usually string 3 or 4
sets into the outlet.
--
9 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"How could you ask be to believe in God when there's
absolutely no evidence that I can see?" -- Jodie Foster