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Christmas mini lights (filament/incandescent, not LED) - question about voltages
SolderSucker:
I have some Christmas mini lights (filament), the type on a wire loop that plug directly into the mains with no transformer or control box with assorted settings. They're either on or they're off. The bulbs are the push-in type that look like this:
https://www.thechristmasshop.co.uk/p/coloured-bulbs-for-140-konstsmide-lights
Because I'm in the UK the mains voltage is 240 volts - as the string of lights plugs straight into the mains that of course doesn't mean the bulbs are each capable of handling 240 volts. I always thought that they were usually rated at around 9 volts (but now see from looking online that some even start at 1.5 volts). Because they are wired in series on a string that means that the voltage is 'evened out' between the bulbs (there's 100 on a string). Therefore in series that's 100 mini lights and a mains voltage of 240, meaning each bulb is rated at 2.4 volts? Is that correct?
I also note that if I bend out the wires on the base I can test them individually with a small 9 volt PP3 battery and the light seems as bright as it is when they are on the string powered from the mains. However if they really are only 2.4 volts each then I need to be careful to only very quickly check any suspect ones at 9 volts .......
In addition to the above does anyone know if there's a list anywhere of the different sizes and voltages of filament mini lights? I've tried Googling but to no avail. I know that some have a slightly wider base for example and they don't plug into some light strings with push-in holders that are designed for a slightly narrower base, other have a slightly different shaped base. It would be useful to be able to look at a table when ordering spare bulbs to ensure that the right size and voltage is purchased. Unfortunately these mini lights of different sizes don't seem to have any markings, I guess there's no industry standards then?
mendip_discovery:
Why bother with them. They regularly use different/proprietary bulbs so it's always been a pain to use them. They also had a nasty habbit of catching trees on fire etc.
This is one of those times were it's really nice to have LED.
SolderSucker:
I really hate LED Christmas bulbs - the colours are usually slightly off/unnatural and the light is overly bright and harsh. Blue light in particular is the worst.
Filament bulbs are a lot better (for me at least) as they give off a far nicer, softer glow.
But if you prefer LED bulbs then that's fine, we all have different preferences.
mendip_discovery:
I am quite lucky to find a set that is a lot like the old lights so not that far off. I will admit some of the lights I see now have horrible glare so I find them distracting. Don't get me started on all those people with the blue lights on outdoor trees/hedges set to flash blue light drives me potty.
Gyro:
There are a few different types base moldings... and voltages, 100 is a long string, most are / were 24, 36 etc. The voltages aren't necessarily matched to the bases - I remember for years the family had strings with a mixture of dim and bright bulbs. The reason that you have similar brightness on battery is that the PP3 battery probably has limited current availability. Either that or there is more than one string in parallel - but in that case, there would be more wires than a simple loop.
Flilament lamp strings are (were) cheap disposable items, supplied with a few spare bulbs (including a couple of spare white topped fuse bulbs). By the time one bulb blows, all the others have reached the far end of the bathtub curve.
I agree that traditional filament lamp strings look better (well, more traditional) but theyt are really at EOL from the safety perspective, cheap single insulated wire and no strain relief in the holders, a definite young kid and pet risk, they wouldn't pass a safety inspection these days. There are at least plenty of LED sets that default to power up in steady illumination rather than brain-frying psychedelic mode.
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