How to prevent Christmas lights from going off when they're not supposed to. What to do when your outdoor lights go off.
You are not alone if you love stringing Christmas lights all over your house.The tradition of stringing Christmas lights occasionally trips the circuit breaker.If you want to stay safe this holiday season, you should follow our tips for how to avoid blowing a fuse or tripping a circuit breaker.
Flat River Electric's East Grand Rapids electricians can help you understand why circuit breakers trip.
Many homeowners are confused when they throw the switch for their Christmas light displays only to see their home go dark.Understanding how circuit breakers work will help you understand why Christmas lights trip.
The circuit breaker protects circuits from being overload with electricity and start fires.When you demand more electricity than is safe, the circuit breaker will stop the power for your home.The circuit breaker serves an important purpose by preventing electrical fires.
It is not a big deal when the breaker trips.You just need to rearrange your plugs, move a few things around, and flip the switches in your fuse box.If you need help locating your home's fuse box, our best tip is to look for the grey control panel on the wall.It is usually two feet by one foot and can be found in the basement.
Sometimes people plug too many things into one wall.You will probably trip the circuit if you have ten appliances in your kitchen.It's the same for your Christmas lights.
It doesn't mean your home is immune to tripping the breaker if you have all your lights plugged in.You have to distribute the power draw across the panels.Think about it as if it were a raft.It will top over if there is too much weight on one side of the raft.If you have too much power in one part of your home, it's a problem.Distribute it to your friends and family.
When you are in the store, pay attention to what type of Christmas lights you pick.Some of the Christmas lights will be marked for interior use.
Some of it has to do with the level of light offered.Outside a brighter light shines well when contrasted against the dark night, which is what people like to create a more welcoming aesthetic for interiors.The circuit breaker may trip if the indoor Christmas lights are not designed to resist the elements.
You will need to buy outdoor extension cords that will be able to endure rain, snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures in Michigan.The outdoor Christmas light displays are not recommended for indoor extension cords.Failure to adhere to extension cords usage capabilities could result in a blown fuse, tripped circuit, or even an electrical fire!
Special safety equipment is required to change a fuse if you blow it.
To determine how many strings you can safely attach end-to-end, you need to check the instructions that came with your Christmas lights.Residential electricians don't recommend attaching more than three strings end-to-end.
Each strand of lights has a rating.The ratings will be based on the box's optimal output and the type of light you use.Compared to traditional lights, LEDs require less power and offer a lot more light.Depending on your lighting needs, there are Christmas light wattage calculations.
If you have big plans for your Christmas light display this year, you may want to buy some outdoor outlet stakes.The power stakes are similar to surge protectors in that they have a lot of outlets and overload protection options.
Most power outlet stakes have timers so you can program your lights.This is a great option for people who want the lights to come on when the sun is setting.The outlets are protected by water, so you won't have to worry about tripping the breaker.
A synchronized system will add to your power output and you will want to watch it.Still, outdoor stakes will help.Most light displays require LEDs, so things are not as crazy as one might think.Proper planning, placement and the right song are all required.
If you are still tripping the circuit breaker after following our tips, we recommend contacting one of our licensed electrical contractors online or by phone.One of the most common reasons for circuit breakers tripping is over loaded circuits.We will help set it straight if you are having a hard time.Flat River Electric wants you to be safe this holiday season.We have a lot of electrical tips and tricks on our website.