The lights are in a series. Sometimes two series to a string.

Lamps today have a shunt in them so they may go out and the rest of the
lamps stay on. That works only if the light burns out, as often as not they
don't burn out but they come loose and that will kill the rest of the
series.

Note, often they include one clear lamp, usually near the plug. It acts
as a fuse and it will cause the rest of them to go out if it burns out.

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math


"Hybyd2" wrote in message
ink.net...
For one who has the time but is low on funds ... how does one fix those
strings of Christmas tree / colored lights that have the bulbs in series -
presumably, if one bulb blows they all get knocked out? I have a
multimeter and several non-working strings (so hopefully there are plenty
of spare light bulbs).

Suggestions?

Thanks,

Henry