Excludes Giant Everest trees and commercial decorations. (Other than an extra couple of plugs!). Step 1: If your budget allows, opt for lights that are designed to be cut to a customizable length. Make sure the ribbed wire is laying on the tooth that's connected to the side of the socket. We'll reach out to you shortly to discuss your project and answer any questions you may have. Shop Ace to buy Christmas tree lights and other seasonal lighting options to add festive flair to your home. Were here to give you the installers secret to perfect lengths of Christmas light without the need to pre-measure and order to fit. Again, make sure your Christmas lights are unplugged and spread out. Maybe you need to finish a small section on your roof or you would like to add lights to your fireplace mantle but dont need 30 feet to get the job done. Step 6: Once everything is safely cut and the ends are taped over, plug the lights in to make sure they work. Select 2 or more products for side-by-side feature comparison. These will be used to secure the ends of your shortened LED Christmas lights. It can also reduce the need for extra extension cords or leaving live open sockets in areas of the display you don't want bulbs to be seen. Make sure nothing is plugged in while youre cutting and repairing the lights, and dont plug them in until youre sure the hazard is minimal and all the wires are properly covered.
See more about these cords. Here are the tips you should follow: The holiday season doesnt feel complete without the presence of Christmas lights. With the lights unplugged, cut the two wires that enter the last light in the series strand with wire cutters.
Each colored line represents a different wire. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Theyre also available online. When trimming your lights to fit a particular space, the most ideal scenario would be cutting outdoor hanging lights that are designed to be customized. Thanks for the great diagrams.
One wire has a slightly raised "rib" along one side (you may have to feel for it). Bend the wire over and lay it into the channel that runs the length of your plug. 8) Slide the backing onto the plug again. Follow the simple steps and the second diagram below and you will be able to shorten string Christmas lights in no time. Cut the remaining wire the same length as the other two. Heres how you can remove an entire section: Shortening LED Christmas lights can be done safely with the right tools and steps. Hi Jean, That is a great idea for another video. 3. Make sure no loose wire strands are sticking out. Are Christmas lights in series or parallel? You can usually find their safety rating stamped on the cords themselves. This will lay the electrical cord across the vampire teeth (again, make sure the ribbed wire is laying on the tooth that's connected to the wide blade or receptacle). Ive found 2 strand but againOCD. Lastly, cover the wire with a wire nut connector and secure with electrical tape so it doesnt fall off. Good news! Anyone able to help with this? The lights I have are icicles so the strand has either 3 wires or 4 wires between each icicle. Unplug anything you are going to be working with. It will connect to the vampire tooth that's connected to the metal tab on the side of your socket and maintain the polarization of the electrical current. Behind the tree, they're the most important aspect of creating a merry, seasonal environment for your friends and family. This is important. Thank you for signing up! This will lay the electrical cord across the vampire teeth. Note that these teeth are not aligned. At the back of the socket you'll see two "vampire teeth" set down into the channel.These teeth bite into the wire when the socket is assembled to connect to electric current. This maintains the polarization of the electrical current. Handyman Service is currently not available in your area. The yellow and red wires are both connected to the blue line on either side of the light bulbs. Thanks! Wire cutters again, a pair can be purchased in any hardware or electrical supply store. The latter, however, is trickier as removing only a few bulbs may end up burning out the remaining lights because of the uneven distribution of electricity. 2022 Ace Hardware. Im a bit OCD and it drives me nuts to see the empty sockets running across my roof. Now that you know how to shorten string Christmas lights, you can fill in any small gaps of lights on your roof or create custom length string lights to decorate with in your home. Their thicker insulation makes them better for withstanding weather conditions. These teeth bite into the cord when the plug is assembled to connect to electric current. With the lights unplugged cut wires with wire cutters between the bulbs and cap each end with wire connectors. Learn more tips at KRM Light+. Retro Christmas Bulbs Bring Back Memories - Christmas Light Source, Size of socket to match the bulb E26, E12 (used for C7), and E17 (commonly used for C9), Distance between sockets bigger the project, wider the spacing, Total length of cord determined by number of sockets and the space between them, Color of Cord white, green, black, and brown, Use liquid electrical tape available at local hardware stores, just follow the directions. Your email address will not be published. Id like to extend the distance between bulbs to go from one section of the house to another without having to unscrew bulbs. Enjoy your new shortened LED Christmas lights. You may want to use pliers, or set the socket down and press the backing on with a hard, flat item like a piece of wood. You must switch the wire coming from the light bulb to connect to the other loose wire. That said, if you have any questions, dont hesitate to research further! (or Do you sell custom cords? This will be a great way to improve our light display. 2020 Stylemotivation.com, Those Texas Summers Are Bound To Get Worse Heres How To Survive Them. Note that both the socket and the backing have a matching "hump" on one side. Choose a few times that work best for you: Simply choose date & time option(s) that fit your schedule. retrofit As long as everything is done neatly and the proper tools are used, youll be able to hang these lights outdoors with no problem. Customizable lights do not come with attached plugs like standard outdoor lights do. Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice. Moreover, you need to decide how long you want your new string of Christmas lights to be. Some pressure will be needed to slide the plug in place and you may even need to use pliers. Only problem is then fixing a place for the blacked out lights. Well done! Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Lay your electrical cord into the channel on the back of the socket. It also eliminates any excess wiring at the end of your runs. ), Get This Look: Romantic Edison Bulbs Light a Tucson Patio, 5-Minute Project: 4th of July Glass Block, Quick and easy backyard fence lighting project. Now look closely at your electrical cord. Thank you. Zip sockets arrive in two pieces, a socket and a backing, which you connect to attach to your electrical wire. Then you'll add either a male or female zip plug to the cut end to finish it off. Look for the 2 wires entering the last bulb where you want the strand to end. *Shipping outside the continental 48 United States and over-sized items requiring truck shipping will incur additional shipping fees. Note that these teeth are not aligned. They both figuratively and literally brighten ones home and makes one feel more cheerful during those dreary winter months. So to identify each section on the strand, simply remove a bulb and mark the beginnings and ends of where the lights go out. Rest assured, we'll call to confirm. Electrical tape this is optional, but if you want to make sure that your wire nuts are secured, then its best to purchase a roll as well. Consult an electrician if attempting to fix or customize wiring like this because it is not advisable. Have you ever found yourself in a situation while decorating for Christmas where you need a shorter string of Christmas lights? One of them is connected (through the plug) to the wide blade or receptacle; the other to the narrow. The blue line connects all the lights together in series and supplies power to the light bulbs. Most folks asking this question are interested in Christmas light strings that will be the exact length of the sides of their rooflines and driveways. When you only take away a few lights instead of a whole section, the voltage thats sent to the remaining bulbs increases and will prematurely blow out the strand. strand where there are only two wires and cap each cut wire with an outdoor/waterproof wire connector. Look for the part of your lights where it tapers off into 2 wires. Apply gentle force so as not to damage the socket, and make sure the backing is seated firmly all the way around. Our delivery program lets you get the qualifying items delivered from the store to your door by a helpful Ace associate. Although this is fairly easy to do, the risk lies in the possibility of overloading the remaining bulbs in the section. A good rule of thumb is that most rope lights, lights that are labeled as patio lights, and Christmas lights are usually safe to be used outdoors because theyre made with durable materials. 3) Now look closely at your electrical cord. See Details. This diagram shows how Christmas lights wired in series are wired. With zip plugs, zip cord and electrical accessories you can create custom lighting configurations tailored to your home's unique design. This is important. In theory, you can cut any type of outdoor hanging lights as long as you know how to do so safely; however, there are companies that sell string lights specifically designed for being cut to a desired length. Christmas lights are a major part of decorating your home for the holiday season. Not a member? Basic electrical wiring can often be cut. Christmas Lights, EtcWholesale and Retail Christmas Lights and Trees - Wholesale & Commercial Sales. Before you decide which method to use, we recommend drawing a basic sketch of your house or the area you plan to light and adding exact measurements to the sketch. You may have to press it in a bit with your finger. As long as you cut it in the middle as Was instructed there should only be Two cut wires on the strand with out a male plug. As you shop, the bulbs are separated into two main categories: C7 and C9 bulbs most traditionally used for Christmas but great used all year on patios and for parties, Bigger, brighter party lights these come in a wider variety of shapes and colors. Prints from our s, I made all of our ornaments out of wood this year, say hello to our sea turtle fam, the latest set of, Oh hey.
Luckily, there's a much faster way of creating custom Christmas lights using zip plugs, zip cord and zip sockets. Thank you. After twisting the wires together secure with a wires connector. As long as you do everything safely and properly, youll be able to cut standard string lights to a desired length and still be able to enjoy a nice outdoor atmosphere. America's most shopped online Christmas lights store!
Shop the products we used for this project in one place. When it comes to light wires, there are two options for customization. If you connect the wires this way the light bulbs are only connected to one side of the power and they will not turn on. They do seem to have a very slight flicker, but better than dangling lights under the eave. As you can see, removing a few bulbs isnt a huge deal but remove too many and risk burning out all the lights. Make sure your Christmas lights are unplugged and spread out. FREE for Ace Rewards Members on Orders $50+ Sign In/Join Now. Celebrations LED Mini Clear/Warm White 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.75 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Clear/Warm White 100 ct Net Christmas Lights 6 ft. Celebrations Incandescent Mini Clear/Warm White 300 ct String Christmas Lights 62 ft. Celebrations LED C9 Multicolored 75 ct String Christmas Lights 49.3 ft. Celebrations LED C9 Clear/Warm White 75 ct String Christmas Lights 49 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Multicolored 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.5 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Clear/Warm White 100 ct Icicle Christmas Lights 5.67 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Multicolored 100 ct Net Christmas Lights 6 ft. Celebrations Incandescent Mini Multicolored 300 ct String Christmas Lights 62 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Clear/Warm White 300 ct String Christmas Lights 74.5 ft. Celebrations Incandescent C9 Multicolored 25 ct String Christmas Lights 24 ft. Celebrations Incandescent Mini Clear/Warm White 300 ct Icicle Christmas Lights 17.34 ft. Celebrations LED C6 Clear/Warm White 300 ct String Christmas Lights 74.5 ft. Celebrations Incandescent Mini Clear/Warm White 150 ct Net Christmas Lights 6 ft. Celebrations LED C6 Multicolored 300 ct String Christmas Lights 74.5 ft. Celebrations LED C9 Cool White 75 ct String Christmas Lights 49 ft. Celebrations Platinum LED C7 White 50 ct String Christmas Lights 24.5 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Green 100 ct Net Christmas Lights 6 ft. Celebrations LED C6 Cool White 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.75 ft. Celebrations Platinum LED C7 Multicolored 50 ct String Christmas Lights 24.5 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Red 100 ct Net Christmas Lights 6 ft. Celebrations Platinum LED C9 Multicolored 25 ct String Christmas Lights 24 ft. Celebrations Platinum LED T5 Warm White 100 ct Icicle Christmas Lights 9.5 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Green 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.75 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Cool White 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.75 ft. Celebrations LED Micro/5mm Clear/Warm White 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.75 ft. Celebrations Gold LED Mini Clear/Warm White 100 ct String Christmas Lights 33 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Multicolored 300 ct String Christmas Lights 74.5 ft. Celebrations Gold LED C6 Multicolored 100 ct String Christmas Lights 33 ft. Step 1: Look at the safety ratings on lights you're interested in purchasing to ensure they are rated for outdoor use. Blue (22-870) or Gray (22-871) wire nuts are the two that work the best for small gauge (22-16 AWG) wires. Do grow lights really work? Note that the ones designed to be cut are far more expensive than standard strands because they come with a large amount of lights to accommodate more customizable lengths. How do I put a plug end to the other 1/2 of the string? 205 Curie Dr, Alpharetta, GA 30005 - All rights reserved. Shop Ace to find a variety of outdoor Christmas lights to make this season merry. frontlit liangtong 
See more about these cords. Here are the tips you should follow: The holiday season doesnt feel complete without the presence of Christmas lights. With the lights unplugged, cut the two wires that enter the last light in the series strand with wire cutters.
Each colored line represents a different wire. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Theyre also available online. When trimming your lights to fit a particular space, the most ideal scenario would be cutting outdoor hanging lights that are designed to be customized. Thanks for the great diagrams.
One wire has a slightly raised "rib" along one side (you may have to feel for it). Bend the wire over and lay it into the channel that runs the length of your plug. 8) Slide the backing onto the plug again. Follow the simple steps and the second diagram below and you will be able to shorten string Christmas lights in no time. Cut the remaining wire the same length as the other two. Heres how you can remove an entire section: Shortening LED Christmas lights can be done safely with the right tools and steps. Hi Jean, That is a great idea for another video. 3. Make sure no loose wire strands are sticking out. Are Christmas lights in series or parallel? You can usually find their safety rating stamped on the cords themselves. This will lay the electrical cord across the vampire teeth (again, make sure the ribbed wire is laying on the tooth that's connected to the wide blade or receptacle). Ive found 2 strand but againOCD. Lastly, cover the wire with a wire nut connector and secure with electrical tape so it doesnt fall off. Good news! Anyone able to help with this? The lights I have are icicles so the strand has either 3 wires or 4 wires between each icicle. Unplug anything you are going to be working with. It will connect to the vampire tooth that's connected to the metal tab on the side of your socket and maintain the polarization of the electrical current. Behind the tree, they're the most important aspect of creating a merry, seasonal environment for your friends and family. This is important. Thank you for signing up! This will lay the electrical cord across the vampire teeth. Note that these teeth are not aligned. At the back of the socket you'll see two "vampire teeth" set down into the channel.These teeth bite into the wire when the socket is assembled to connect to electric current. This maintains the polarization of the electrical current. Handyman Service is currently not available in your area. The yellow and red wires are both connected to the blue line on either side of the light bulbs. Thanks! Wire cutters again, a pair can be purchased in any hardware or electrical supply store. The latter, however, is trickier as removing only a few bulbs may end up burning out the remaining lights because of the uneven distribution of electricity. 2022 Ace Hardware. Im a bit OCD and it drives me nuts to see the empty sockets running across my roof. Now that you know how to shorten string Christmas lights, you can fill in any small gaps of lights on your roof or create custom length string lights to decorate with in your home. Their thicker insulation makes them better for withstanding weather conditions. These teeth bite into the cord when the plug is assembled to connect to electric current. With the lights unplugged cut wires with wire cutters between the bulbs and cap each end with wire connectors. Learn more tips at KRM Light+. Retro Christmas Bulbs Bring Back Memories - Christmas Light Source, Size of socket to match the bulb E26, E12 (used for C7), and E17 (commonly used for C9), Distance between sockets bigger the project, wider the spacing, Total length of cord determined by number of sockets and the space between them, Color of Cord white, green, black, and brown, Use liquid electrical tape available at local hardware stores, just follow the directions. Your email address will not be published. Id like to extend the distance between bulbs to go from one section of the house to another without having to unscrew bulbs. Enjoy your new shortened LED Christmas lights. You may want to use pliers, or set the socket down and press the backing on with a hard, flat item like a piece of wood. You must switch the wire coming from the light bulb to connect to the other loose wire. That said, if you have any questions, dont hesitate to research further! (or Do you sell custom cords? This will be a great way to improve our light display. 2020 Stylemotivation.com, Those Texas Summers Are Bound To Get Worse Heres How To Survive Them. Note that both the socket and the backing have a matching "hump" on one side. Choose a few times that work best for you: Simply choose date & time option(s) that fit your schedule. retrofit As long as everything is done neatly and the proper tools are used, youll be able to hang these lights outdoors with no problem. Customizable lights do not come with attached plugs like standard outdoor lights do. Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice. Moreover, you need to decide how long you want your new string of Christmas lights to be. Some pressure will be needed to slide the plug in place and you may even need to use pliers. Only problem is then fixing a place for the blacked out lights. Well done! Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Lay your electrical cord into the channel on the back of the socket. It also eliminates any excess wiring at the end of your runs. ), Get This Look: Romantic Edison Bulbs Light a Tucson Patio, 5-Minute Project: 4th of July Glass Block, Quick and easy backyard fence lighting project. Now look closely at your electrical cord. Thank you. Zip sockets arrive in two pieces, a socket and a backing, which you connect to attach to your electrical wire. Then you'll add either a male or female zip plug to the cut end to finish it off. Look for the 2 wires entering the last bulb where you want the strand to end. *Shipping outside the continental 48 United States and over-sized items requiring truck shipping will incur additional shipping fees. Note that these teeth are not aligned. They both figuratively and literally brighten ones home and makes one feel more cheerful during those dreary winter months. So to identify each section on the strand, simply remove a bulb and mark the beginnings and ends of where the lights go out. Rest assured, we'll call to confirm. Electrical tape this is optional, but if you want to make sure that your wire nuts are secured, then its best to purchase a roll as well. Consult an electrician if attempting to fix or customize wiring like this because it is not advisable. Have you ever found yourself in a situation while decorating for Christmas where you need a shorter string of Christmas lights? One of them is connected (through the plug) to the wide blade or receptacle; the other to the narrow. The blue line connects all the lights together in series and supplies power to the light bulbs. Most folks asking this question are interested in Christmas light strings that will be the exact length of the sides of their rooflines and driveways. When you only take away a few lights instead of a whole section, the voltage thats sent to the remaining bulbs increases and will prematurely blow out the strand. strand where there are only two wires and cap each cut wire with an outdoor/waterproof wire connector. Look for the part of your lights where it tapers off into 2 wires. Apply gentle force so as not to damage the socket, and make sure the backing is seated firmly all the way around. Our delivery program lets you get the qualifying items delivered from the store to your door by a helpful Ace associate. Although this is fairly easy to do, the risk lies in the possibility of overloading the remaining bulbs in the section. A good rule of thumb is that most rope lights, lights that are labeled as patio lights, and Christmas lights are usually safe to be used outdoors because theyre made with durable materials. 3) Now look closely at your electrical cord. See Details. This diagram shows how Christmas lights wired in series are wired. With zip plugs, zip cord and electrical accessories you can create custom lighting configurations tailored to your home's unique design. This is important. In theory, you can cut any type of outdoor hanging lights as long as you know how to do so safely; however, there are companies that sell string lights specifically designed for being cut to a desired length. Christmas lights are a major part of decorating your home for the holiday season. Not a member? Basic electrical wiring can often be cut. Christmas Lights, EtcWholesale and Retail Christmas Lights and Trees - Wholesale & Commercial Sales. Before you decide which method to use, we recommend drawing a basic sketch of your house or the area you plan to light and adding exact measurements to the sketch. You may have to press it in a bit with your finger. As long as you cut it in the middle as Was instructed there should only be Two cut wires on the strand with out a male plug. As you shop, the bulbs are separated into two main categories: C7 and C9 bulbs most traditionally used for Christmas but great used all year on patios and for parties, Bigger, brighter party lights these come in a wider variety of shapes and colors. Prints from our s, I made all of our ornaments out of wood this year, say hello to our sea turtle fam, the latest set of, Oh hey.
Luckily, there's a much faster way of creating custom Christmas lights using zip plugs, zip cord and zip sockets. Thank you. After twisting the wires together secure with a wires connector. As long as you do everything safely and properly, youll be able to cut standard string lights to a desired length and still be able to enjoy a nice outdoor atmosphere. America's most shopped online Christmas lights store!
Shop the products we used for this project in one place. When it comes to light wires, there are two options for customization. If you connect the wires this way the light bulbs are only connected to one side of the power and they will not turn on. They do seem to have a very slight flicker, but better than dangling lights under the eave. As you can see, removing a few bulbs isnt a huge deal but remove too many and risk burning out all the lights. Make sure your Christmas lights are unplugged and spread out. FREE for Ace Rewards Members on Orders $50+ Sign In/Join Now. Celebrations LED Mini Clear/Warm White 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.75 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Clear/Warm White 100 ct Net Christmas Lights 6 ft. Celebrations Incandescent Mini Clear/Warm White 300 ct String Christmas Lights 62 ft. Celebrations LED C9 Multicolored 75 ct String Christmas Lights 49.3 ft. Celebrations LED C9 Clear/Warm White 75 ct String Christmas Lights 49 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Multicolored 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.5 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Clear/Warm White 100 ct Icicle Christmas Lights 5.67 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Multicolored 100 ct Net Christmas Lights 6 ft. Celebrations Incandescent Mini Multicolored 300 ct String Christmas Lights 62 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Clear/Warm White 300 ct String Christmas Lights 74.5 ft. Celebrations Incandescent C9 Multicolored 25 ct String Christmas Lights 24 ft. Celebrations Incandescent Mini Clear/Warm White 300 ct Icicle Christmas Lights 17.34 ft. Celebrations LED C6 Clear/Warm White 300 ct String Christmas Lights 74.5 ft. Celebrations Incandescent Mini Clear/Warm White 150 ct Net Christmas Lights 6 ft. Celebrations LED C6 Multicolored 300 ct String Christmas Lights 74.5 ft. Celebrations LED C9 Cool White 75 ct String Christmas Lights 49 ft. Celebrations Platinum LED C7 White 50 ct String Christmas Lights 24.5 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Green 100 ct Net Christmas Lights 6 ft. Celebrations LED C6 Cool White 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.75 ft. Celebrations Platinum LED C7 Multicolored 50 ct String Christmas Lights 24.5 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Red 100 ct Net Christmas Lights 6 ft. Celebrations Platinum LED C9 Multicolored 25 ct String Christmas Lights 24 ft. Celebrations Platinum LED T5 Warm White 100 ct Icicle Christmas Lights 9.5 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Green 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.75 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Cool White 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.75 ft. Celebrations LED Micro/5mm Clear/Warm White 100 ct String Christmas Lights 24.75 ft. Celebrations Gold LED Mini Clear/Warm White 100 ct String Christmas Lights 33 ft. Celebrations LED Mini Multicolored 300 ct String Christmas Lights 74.5 ft. Celebrations Gold LED C6 Multicolored 100 ct String Christmas Lights 33 ft. Step 1: Look at the safety ratings on lights you're interested in purchasing to ensure they are rated for outdoor use. Blue (22-870) or Gray (22-871) wire nuts are the two that work the best for small gauge (22-16 AWG) wires. Do grow lights really work? Note that the ones designed to be cut are far more expensive than standard strands because they come with a large amount of lights to accommodate more customizable lengths. How do I put a plug end to the other 1/2 of the string? 205 Curie Dr, Alpharetta, GA 30005 - All rights reserved. Shop Ace to find a variety of outdoor Christmas lights to make this season merry. frontlit liangtong 