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Don Y[_3_]

On 12/2/2015 7:54 PM, wrote:

I think you can pretty definitevly rule out tripping from the load of
the lights - cold surge or not.
How old are the light strings? Or the extension cords?

The strings are varying ages. It's not like we made note of when
we got each set. Cords are probably 10 years old. They stay
indoors except for this time of year.

My strong suspicion is you have electrical leagage somewhere - the
lights are shorting to ground (very high resistance),

Lights can't short to "ground" cuz they're only two wire devices
(tree isn't a very good conductor when you consider the wires
tend to lay on leaves)

the cord is
leaking to ground (very high resistance)

Possible as its a 3 conductor extension.

or you have a leakage
somewhere in the house wiring/outlets.

Also possible. However, I don't consider any of those to be
LIKELY!

I.e., why would it "leak" then NOT leak a second later
(when power applied from the breaker).

And, when *hot*, not leak for 8 hours of continuous use;
not leak after being disconnected for 1 second; not leak
after being disconnected for 10 seconds; then "leak"
when disconnected for 2 minutes??

I.e., what -- other than the temperature/resistance of the
tungsten filaments -- is going to exhibit changes on the
order of "many seconds" (something greater than 10 and less
than 120)?

I wish I still had my Hi-Pot tester! :