How Many Holiday String Lights Can I Plug Together

At Inlightech, one of the most common holiday questions we get from concerned homeowners is, “How many holiday string lights can I put together?” It depends on considering the vast differences in power consumption between LED and incandescent string lights. Here are some useful tips to make this process easier for you.

LED Holiday String Lights

Light-emitting diode (LED) for holiday string lights last longer and save your wallet from being burned out from all the electricity usage during the holiday season. Did you know that LEDs use only 1/10 the wattage of incandescents and also last 10-times longer. A whopping 265-feet of strands of LEDs strung together would use just 38-watts, it can be plugged into a single outlet and cost only a little over $1 in electricity for the season.

Incandescent Holiday String Lights

If you think incandescent holiday string lights are going to save your money, you’re wrong! A comparable length worth of incandescent string lights would consume a whopping 1,925-watts and don’t forget each individual string requiring its own outlet. Approx estimation of the electricity bills comes over $50 worth for a season of festive flair.

How Many Christmas Lights Can I Plug Together?

With help of Inlightech Holiday string light tips, Know how many strands of Christmas lights you can safely string together no matter your light bulbs style

Determine Maximum Load

Decide which circuit(s), whether it is a 15 or 20-amp circuit. Remember, no matter which light style you string, you should never exceed more than 80% of circuit capacity. This helps you prevent breakers from tripping frequently and also helps you to avoid overheating wires and fire danger.15-amp circuit: Max 1,440 watts (80% of 1800 is 1,440).A 15-amp circuit can handle 1800 watts (15 amps x 120 volts).20-amp circuit: Max 1,920 watts (80% of 2,400 is 1,920).A 20-amp circuit can handle 2,400 watts (20 amps x 120 volts).

Figure Out What Other Home Items are Running on that Circuit

It is always best to have a separate, dedicated circuit for holiday lights so that you don’t have to worry about other regular household appliances running on the same circuit and exceeding over the 80% of max circuit load. A separate circuit for holiday lights in your outdoor lighting system also allows you to put outlets exactly where you need them, with fewer extension cords.

Look for the Wattage of Each String of Lights

Look for it on the tag on your string lights or on the box, which will also often indicate the number of lights that can be safely strung together.

Grab a Calculator

If you love doing the holiday math by yourself then grab a calculator and divide 210 by the number of watts each string uses which will give you your number of strings you can successfully connect per outlet. For a 20-watt strand, it’s 10.5 string lights connected in series. Sum the wattage you’re plugging into each outlet on the circuit and make sure not to exceed maximum wattage.Call Inlightech (08) 6383 8016 or schedule an online  appointment or you can reach us here at Inlightech Electrical SolutionsWe also provide other services such as

• Electrical appliance Installation
• Power Upgrades in Perth
• Hard Wired Smoke and Fire Detector Installation in and around Perth
• Stove Install & Oven Elements
• Emergency lighting works in Perth
• Powerpoint Installs and Repairs
• Cabling Upgrades
• Air conditioning installation in Perth
• Office fit-outs in and around Perth
• Kitchen makeovers Perth
• Down-Lights & LED Lighting Installation & Upgrades
• Safety Inspections
• Switchboard upgrade in Perth
• 24/7 Emergency Electrician
• Outdoor power point installation Perth
• Ceiling Fan Installation
• Range Hood Installation
• Stove, Range and Oven Installation
• Perth Fan Installation
• Dimmer Light Switch Installations
• Exhaust Fans & Extractor Installation
• Electrical Outlet and GPO Installs
• RCD & Safety Switches Installation
• Fuse Box Install, Repair, Upgrades
• Rewiring
• Cheap kitchen renovations Perth
• Electrical fault finding
• LAN, Phone and TV Cable Installs