rearranging holiday light wiring


  #1  
Old 01-11-19, 03:36 PM
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rearranging holiday light wiring

The question is regarding possibly revising the wiring of our holiday lights .

We have four strings of lights/Garland. Each has a plug (male end) on one end, and a receptacle (female end) on the other. (I’ll refer to the string of lights as A, B, C, and D)
This year we plugged A into B, and B into the outside wall receptacle. We also plugged C into D, and D into the outside wall receptacle. (A→B→ wall receptacle; C→D→ wall receptacle)
The wall receptacle is on a dedicated 20 amp circuit.

My question: would there be any problem/things to be worried about, if I linked all 4 strings of lights together? In other words A plugs into B, B plugs into C, C plugs into D, and D plugs into the receptacle. (A→B→C→D→ wall receptacle).

As always, thanks in advance.
 
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Old 01-11-19, 06:05 PM
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String D might not be able to carry the current of A, B, and C as well as its own.

The wiring of Christmas light strings is much thnner than the wire of extension cords or Romex cable. Thus the manufacturer states on the box how mant strings may be connected end to end.
 
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Old 01-11-19, 08:52 PM
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Should be fine but the strings may have limit as to how many can be combined. Check the manufacturer web site.
 
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Old 01-12-19, 05:09 AM
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How much current do your strings draw? Are they incandescent or LED? How long are the strings?

Plugging four strings of LED's together will likely be OK. Incandescents will depend on how long the strings are. If they are long you might blow the fuse on the first string or see some dimming in the last string. Giving it a try is the best way to know.
 
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Old 01-12-19, 09:18 AM
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Those were my concerns, but since "you don't know what you don't know", I figured it was best to ask.
If I can't get confirmation from the mfg., I'll leave things as is .
Thanks to all.
 
 

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