How To Test Christmas Lights

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year!

And decorating the house for Christmas has been one of my favorite things to do since I was a kid. In fact, some of my best childhood memories are from the holiday season when I would set up the tree at home with my father.

One such memory that stands out to date was when he taught me how to test Christmas lights. And I remember teaching my kids the same, years back, as it’s something that requires attention.

Testing lights prior to decorating the house not only prevents mishaps but also helps you make the required replacements well ahead of the season. And as Christmas is just around the corner, I’ve decided to share the tips and tricks passed down by my father to all of you.

Hi there! I’m Stacy Smith. And today, I’ve carefully created this guide to help you learn how to test string lights for Christmas. To develop a better understanding, I’ve listed and explained the instructions that have to be followed for the testing process.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Tips On Testing Christmas Lights

Gearing up for the holidays means it is time to decorate the house for Christmas. Now, whether you plan on putting up an award-winning outdoor display or setting up a dazzling Christmas tree, faulty lights are always a bummer!

That’s why it’s crucial to take some time and test Christmas lights prior to putting them up. After all, you wouldn’t want your string lighting to fail right before the holiday season now, would you?

On that note, let’s go through a few testing tips and quick fixes, i.e., if they can be repaired.

1. Check The Circuit & Connections

Believe it or not, most of the time, it’s not the string lights that are at fault. Even if they appear dead, there’s a high chance of a tripped circuit breaker that isn’t providing an electrical current to the outlet.

So, whenever you’re testing lights, make sure they’re plugged into an outlet carrying power. Ensure that the circuit breaker is in the “on” position by checking the main service panel.

2. Check The String Light’s Fuse

Note that modern string lights come with a small cartridge fuse inside a small sliding door in their cord plug. Pry out the glass fuse by sliding the door and then examine it closely. That said, some lights may also come with two fuses; in such cases, make sure you check them both.

If the fuse has burnt out, you’ll be able to see a break in the small metal filament inside it. In that case, find a duplicate fuse of the same size and rating from any electronic or hardware store, and carry out the replacement.

You may also check the fuse for continuity using a common electrician’s tool referred to as the ohm-meter. It will show no resistance, provided it’s operating correctly.

3. Check The Individual Bulbs

The most common problem with string lights is faulty bulbs, so make sure you test them individually. Whenever individual bulbs go dark, remember there’s always a possibility of a loose connection, and pressing the sockets firmly in place might restore their function.

However, in older light strings, a single dead bulb may eventually cause the entire string of light to burnt out. And replacing individual bulbs is time-consuming and not feasible, to say the least.

What’s more, these lights generate a considerable amount of heat and pose a risk of fire. They’re also dangerous to decorate with a natural evergreen tree or pine boughs. So, if you find even a single faulty bulb in older Christmas lights during testing, it’s best to invest in new ones.

4. Using A Light Tester

If you ask me, the most convenient method of testing Christmas lights is through the use of an inexpensive tool known as the light tester. It looks for the point in the string where the voltage fluctuates or changes between a good bulb with optimal flow of current and a problematic area with minimal current.

The tool detects voltage in the string and notifies you by displaying indicator lights or through beeping sounds. Once the problem’s located, identified and fixed, the string should light up again.

5. Using The Lightkeeper Pro Tool

If the string refuses to light up even after you’ve tested the individual bulbs, the shunt wires bypassing each of the light bulb sockets in the strings are probably faulty. As a result, the entire string of lights will fail to operate successfully, even if a single bulb is burned out.

In such cases, it’s better to use the lightkeeper pro, which is a trigger-operated tool that sends a pulse of current through the string. This helps in identifying the faulty light bulb and repairing the shunt.

Summing It Up

No one likes having to invest in new lights for Christmas every year. And why should you, if they’re perfectly functional and safe to use?

But even if you’re not ready to throw them away and buy new ones, I strongly believe in the importance of having them tested prior to decorating the house. This helps in identifying faulty bulbs, loose connections, burnt-out fuses, and other such issues so that you can find suitable fixes.

Also, it is important to note that troubleshooting newer string lights is completely fine, but I don’t really see the point of fixing older Christmas lights. After a point, they'll need replacement, and the best time to do that is when you come across even a minor defect during testing.

On that note, I’ll now conclude my informative guide on the topic. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any other queries or concerns.

Till then, gear up for the holidays, folks!