Miniature Light Stumper
#1
12-01-07, 02:53 PM
Miniature Light Stumper
Each year when stringing the miniature lights on my Christmas tree, I experience the same, strange thing. I'll have burned out bulbs on a string and when I go to replace the bulb (with the correct voltage) the bulb will light for one second and then blow out immediately. Can anyone tell me why? It's not a bad replacement bulb either... I'll try more than one and experience the same result.
Thanks.
Thanks.
#2
12-01-07, 03:04 PM
Super Moderator
You are using the wrong bulb.
Miniature lamps for series circuit bulbs have a rated operating voltage.
In a simple series connected string you would count the number of bulbs and then divide this number into 120 volts to get the bulbs approximate operating voltage.
You need to watch because there are multiple series wired strings where the bulbs operate at a different voltage.
You can't buy a replacement lamp for an X number of lamp string for a multiple series set.
If you had a voltmeter and only one bulb was blown you could measure the voltage to get the operating voltage.
Miniature lamps for series circuit bulbs have a rated operating voltage.
In a simple series connected string you would count the number of bulbs and then divide this number into 120 volts to get the bulbs approximate operating voltage.
You need to watch because there are multiple series wired strings where the bulbs operate at a different voltage.
You can't buy a replacement lamp for an X number of lamp string for a multiple series set.
If you had a voltmeter and only one bulb was blown you could measure the voltage to get the operating voltage.
#3
12-01-07, 04:44 PM
No, you cannot measure the voltage when a bulb is blown.
When a miniature bulb blows, the bulb creates a short circuit (that is how the string stays lit). When you remove the bulb, the string goes out. If you tried to measure the voltage you would NOT get a reading that made sense.
The box that the string came in tells you what size replacement bulbs to get. You did keep the box right? Most people foolishly throw it away.
I recommend that when you buy a string of lights that you buy an extra string and use that extra string for replacement bulbs.
When a miniature bulb blows, the bulb creates a short circuit (that is how the string stays lit). When you remove the bulb, the string goes out. If you tried to measure the voltage you would NOT get a reading that made sense.
The box that the string came in tells you what size replacement bulbs to get. You did keep the box right? Most people foolishly throw it away.
I recommend that when you buy a string of lights that you buy an extra string and use that extra string for replacement bulbs.
