How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

wrote in message
ups.com...
How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?


Depends on how much current the lights sets use, and if any extension cords
are involved, and what the circuit the outlet is on is rated for.

wrote in news:1165804439.699713.204460
@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?




Need more info. Is no fire a groundrule?

if you have a kill-a-watt meter or ammeter, use it. otherwise: place a
lighted flashlight at your circuit breaker panel. turn off the computer
and extra house lights, epecially those known to be on the gfi. plug a
power strip with resettable breaker into your gfi outlet like in the
bathroom. plug each string into the strip, one at a time. if any string
pops the bath gfi discard it. read any limits on labels and boxes and
plug and its plug's fuse. if you can plug all strings in, and not pop
the 15 amp strip or house breaker, you should be ready to continue your
project, subject to the christmas outlet's limits.

wrote:
How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

On 10 Dec 2006 18:33:59 -0800, wrote:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

There is considerable variation between strings, so there is no simple
answer to such a vague question.

25 C9 lights use about 1.5A (180W).
25 C7 lights use about 1.3A (156W)
100 miniature lights use about .4A (48W)
LED light strings use about .015A (2W)

As to the outlet, consider what else is in use on that circuit. Most
outlets are limited to 15A (1800W) (or less if the circuit is already
heavily loaded).

When using extension cords, consider their current limits too. Usually
10A will be OK, less for very long cords.

Also, don't forget GFCIs for all outside outlets (including those
having cords going out through windows).
--
15 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

wrote:
How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

Plug them all into a six-outlet strip that has a
breaker in it.

Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 10 Dec 2006 18:33:59 -0800, wrote:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

There is considerable variation between strings, so there is no simple
answer to such a vague question.

25 C9 lights use about 1.5A (180W).
25 C7 lights use about 1.3A (156W)
100 miniature lights use about .4A (48W)
LED light strings use about .015A (2W)

As to the outlet, consider what else is in use on that circuit. Most
outlets are limited to 15A (1800W) (or less if the circuit is already
heavily loaded).

When using extension cords, consider their current limits too. Usually
10A will be OK, less for very long cords.

Also, don't forget GFCIs for all outside outlets (including those
having cords going out through windows).

So, based on your wattage estimate for lights, one
should be able to plug at least 10 strings into
the outlet (assuming nothing else is plugged into
the circuit. (Who uses C9 lights, besides me?)
But most likely 6 strings, no matter what else is
plugged in, would not trip the breaker.

On 10 Dec 2006 18:33:59 -0800, wrote:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?


Many christmas lights say they cannont be stringed together more than
3. Also have internal fuses to pop if the plug(usually the closes to
the outlet) is overloaded.

Read directions,

tom @ www.IRantAndRave.com

"Al Bundy" wrote in message Need more info. Is no
fire a groundrule?


LOL!

On Mon, 11 Dec 2006 06:00:37 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 10 Dec 2006 18:33:59 -0800, wrote:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

There is considerable variation between strings, so there is no simple
answer to such a vague question.

25 C9 lights use about 1.5A (180W).
25 C7 lights use about 1.3A (156W)
100 miniature lights use about .4A (48W)
LED light strings use about .015A (2W)

As to the outlet, consider what else is in use on that circuit. Most
outlets are limited to 15A (1800W) (or less if the circuit is already
heavily loaded).

When using extension cords, consider their current limits too. Usually
10A will be OK, less for very long cords.

Also, don't forget GFCIs for all outside outlets (including those
having cords going out through windows).

So, based on your wattage estimate for lights,

They're somewhat better than estimates. They're actual measurements.
However, I did add a bit for safety.

one
should be able to plug at least 10 strings into
the outlet (assuming nothing else is plugged into
the circuit. (Who uses C9 lights, besides me?)

Some people do put out C9 strings around the yard (right where they
get stepped on a lot), but that's not as common as it used to be. At
one time everyone around here did, and the street looked like an
airport runway.

Also, too many people have boring all-white displays.

I have a lot of lights out, but only TWO (that's 2 bulbs) are C9. Most
are miniature or LED strings. BTW, I put one on an animated deer to
make it look like Rudolph.

But most likely 6 strings, no matter what else is
plugged in, would not trip the breaker.

Probably not.

Note that 6 strings all connected together will almost certainly blow
the fuse in the first string (as it's trying to carry the current for
all 6). Use both outlets, of one of those triple-outlet adapters if
necessary. 6 is the maximum for an extension cord, unless you have one
of those old ones that use #18 wire.
--
14 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 Mon, 11 Dec 2006 05:54:42 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

wrote:
How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

Plug them all into a six-outlet strip that has a
breaker in it.

You don't need to use more than 2 of those outlets. Three (or four
depending on the fuses) strings can be connected string-to-string.
--
14 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 Mon, 11 Dec 2006 09:14:14 -0500, Tom The Great
wrote:

On 10 Dec 2006 18:33:59 -0800, wrote:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?


Many christmas lights say they cannont be stringed together more than
3. Also have internal fuses to pop if the plug(usually the closes to
the outlet) is overloaded.


For miniature lights, I have used up to 550 lights strung together
with no problems. The limit of 3 strings is wrong there, although it's
good for C7 and C9 lights (although the older ones with 7A fuses would
work with 4).

Read directions,


Even better, consider actual current requirements.

tom @ www.IRantAndRave.com

--
14 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

Mark Lloyd wrote:
On Mon, 11 Dec 2006 06:00:37 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 10 Dec 2006 18:33:59 -0800, wrote:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?
There is considerable variation between strings, so there is no simple
answer to such a vague question.

25 C9 lights use about 1.5A (180W).
25 C7 lights use about 1.3A (156W)
100 miniature lights use about .4A (48W)
LED light strings use about .015A (2W)

As to the outlet, consider what else is in use on that circuit. Most
outlets are limited to 15A (1800W) (or less if the circuit is already
heavily loaded).

When using extension cords, consider their current limits too. Usually
10A will be OK, less for very long cords.

Also, don't forget GFCIs for all outside outlets (including those
having cords going out through windows).
So, based on your wattage estimate for lights,

They're somewhat better than estimates. They're actual measurements.
However, I did add a bit for safety.
Umm, "about" doesn't suggest an actual amount.


one
should be able to plug at least 10 strings into
the outlet (assuming nothing else is plugged into
the circuit. (Who uses C9 lights, besides me?)

But most likely 6 strings, no matter what else is
plugged in, would not trip the breaker.

Probably not.

Note that 6 strings all connected together will almost certainly blow
the fuse in the first string (as it's trying to carry the current for
all 6). Use both outlets, of one of those triple-outlet adapters if
necessary. 6 is the maximum for an extension cord, unless you have one
of those old ones that use #18 wire.

The OP asked how to connect 6 strings to one
outlet (like how to get that many places to plug
in). Doesn't sound like he intended to string
them end to end, which is an entirely different
concern.

Mark Lloyd wrote:
On Mon, 11 Dec 2006 05:54:42 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

wrote:
How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

Plug them all into a six-outlet strip that has a
breaker in it.

You don't need to use more than 2 of those outlets. Three (or four
depending on the fuses) strings can be connected string-to-string.

Since the OP hasn't responded, we will never know
what the real question is? Stringing end to end?
plugging in separately? other?

On Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:16:53 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

Mark Lloyd wrote:
On Mon, 11 Dec 2006 06:00:37 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 10 Dec 2006 18:33:59 -0800, wrote:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?
There is considerable variation between strings, so there is no simple
answer to such a vague question.

25 C9 lights use about 1.5A (180W).
25 C7 lights use about 1.3A (156W)
100 miniature lights use about .4A (48W)
LED light strings use about .015A (2W)

As to the outlet, consider what else is in use on that circuit. Most
outlets are limited to 15A (1800W) (or less if the circuit is already
heavily loaded).

When using extension cords, consider their current limits too. Usually
10A will be OK, less for very long cords.

Also, don't forget GFCIs for all outside outlets (including those
having cords going out through windows).
So, based on your wattage estimate for lights,

They're somewhat better than estimates. They're actual measurements.
However, I did add a bit for safety.
Umm, "about" doesn't suggest an actual amount.


The amount stated is somewhat higher than the exact measured value. As
I said, I added a little for safety reasons.


one
should be able to plug at least 10 strings into
the outlet (assuming nothing else is plugged into
the circuit. (Who uses C9 lights, besides me?)

But most likely 6 strings, no matter what else is
plugged in, would not trip the breaker.

Probably not.

Note that 6 strings all connected together will almost certainly blow
the fuse in the first string (as it's trying to carry the current for
all 6). Use both outlets, of one of those triple-outlet adapters if
necessary. 6 is the maximum for an extension cord, unless you have one
of those old ones that use #18 wire.

The OP asked how to connect 6 strings to one
outlet (like how to get that many places to plug
in). Doesn't sound like he intended to string
them end to end, which is an entirely different
concern.

And there is no reason I should LIMIT MYSELF to that. I'm providing
additional information which may be of use (people usually do string
them together).
--
14 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 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:20:11 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

Mark Lloyd wrote:
On Mon, 11 Dec 2006 05:54:42 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

wrote:
How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

Plug them all into a six-outlet strip that has a
breaker in it.

You don't need to use more than 2 of those outlets. Three (or four
depending on the fuses) strings can be connected string-to-string.

Since the OP hasn't responded, we will never know
what the real question is? Stringing end to end?
plugging in separately? other?

The original question was "How can i run about six sets of christmas
lights off of one outlet?". It does seem to have been answered.
--
14 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

In article ,
George E. Cawthon wrote:
Mark Lloyd wrote:
On Mon, 11 Dec 2006 06:00:37 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

Mark Lloyd wrote:
On 10 Dec 2006 18:33:59 -0800, wrote:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?
There is considerable variation between strings, so there is no simple
answer to such a vague question.

25 C9 lights use about 1.5A (180W).
25 C7 lights use about 1.3A (156W)
100 miniature lights use about .4A (48W)
LED light strings use about .015A (2W)

As to the outlet, consider what else is in use on that circuit. Most
outlets are limited to 15A (1800W) (or less if the circuit is already
heavily loaded).

When using extension cords, consider their current limits too. Usually
10A will be OK, less for very long cords.

Also, don't forget GFCIs for all outside outlets (including those
having cords going out through windows).
So, based on your wattage estimate for lights,

They're somewhat better than estimates. They're actual measurements.
However, I did add a bit for safety.
Umm, "about" doesn't suggest an actual amount.

Just a little thing I would like to add: If you measure current with a
non-true-RMS meter (one that does not boast about being "true RMS"), then
an LED string will normally have power consumption roughly 25% more than
the result of multiplying measured amps by the line voltage. Also, the
RMS current (which is what determines heating of wiring and fuses) is
often 30-90% more than that indicated by a non-true-RMS meter.

Of course, the true RMS current is still likely to be under 100 mA with
most, probably close to all 120V LED strings of up to 70 bulbs!

Another note: When the RMS current is more than 1.11 times the
average current, power factor will be less than 1. Even though power
consumption will in those cases be more than volts times 1.11 times
average current, it will still be less than volts times RMS current.

- Don Klipstein )

On 10 Dec 2006 18:33:59 -0800, wrote:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

Hire a professional decorator. You are not qualified to touch lights.

On Tue, 12 Dec 2006 05:50:33 -0600, wrote:

On 10 Dec 2006 18:33:59 -0800, wrote:

How can i run about six sets of christmas lights off of one outlet?

Hire a professional decorator. You are not qualified to touch lights.

If I had to do that sort of thing, I wouldn't have any lights.
Decorating is an emotional thing and is essentially meaningless when
done by professionals.
--
13 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