A Holiday Safety Guide from Branham by Suburban Electrical Services
As the holiday season quickly approaches, homes and businesses across St. Louis begin to sparkle with festive lights. Whether you’re decking the halls with twinkling Christmas lights or setting up a dazzling display for your storefront, it’s essential to prioritize safety when it comes to electricity. One of the most common questions we get is: “How many lights can I put on one extension cord?”
This question is especially important during the holidays when people are stringing up long rows of lights, and the potential for overloading circuits increases. Overloaded extension cords and outlets can cause electrical fires, short circuits, and even permanent damage to your home or business electrical system. Fortunately, with some basic knowledge and a few simple guidelines, you can safely enjoy your holiday lighting display without any electrical headaches.
Why This Question is Crucial During the Holidays
The holiday season brings joy, but it also brings a higher demand on your electrical system. From Christmas trees adorned with lights to the elaborate outdoor decorations that cover roofs and lawns, holiday lighting is often more than your electrical circuits can comfortably handle. The use of extension cords to power these displays can create significant risk if not done properly. In fact, improperly managed lighting setups are one of the top causes of electrical issues and fires during the winter months.
So, how do you know if you’re overloading your extension cord? Let’s break it down.
Understanding the Electrical Load
Before you plug in that next strand of lights, it’s essential to understand how much power your extension cord can handle. Each extension cord is rated for a specific electrical load, typically measured in amperes (amps). Similarly, each string of holiday lights has a power rating, which is usually listed on the box or the light strand itself in watts.
To safely determine how many lights you can connect to one extension cord, you’ll need to calculate the total power draw and ensure it doesn’t exceed the cord’s rating. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Check the Extension Cord Rating:
Most extension cords have a label that lists the maximum amperage (A) or wattage (W) they can safely handle. Standard extension cords can usually handle between 10 to 15 amps.
2. Calculate the Power Usage of Your Lights:
Look at the packaging or tags on your holiday lights to find out how many watts they consume. For example, a typical string of 100 incandescent Christmas lights might use about 40 watts, while a set of 100 LED lights could use as little as 5 watts.
3. Calculate the Maximum Wattage Your Extension Cord Can Handle:
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- To find the wattage, use the formula:
Wattage = Amperage x Voltage - Standard home voltage is 120 volts in the U.S.
- For example, if you’re using a 15-amp extension cord, the maximum wattage it can handle would be:
15 amps x 120 volts = 1,800 watts.
- To find the wattage, use the formula:
4. Determine How Many Strands of Lights You Can Safely Use:
Once you know how many watts your extension cord can safely handle, divide that number by the wattage of the lights.
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- For instance, if you have a 15-amp extension cord (1,800 watts) and are using 40-watt incandescent lights, you can safely use up to 45 strands of lights connected to that one extension cord (1,800 watts ÷ 40 watts per strand = 45 strands). However, if you’re using energy-efficient LED lights, you could potentially connect many more strands.
Important Tips to Keep in Mind
- Avoid Daisy-Chaining: Never connect multiple extension cords together to extend your reach. This can easily cause an overload and increase the risk of fires.
- Use a Heavy-Duty Extension Cord for Outdoor Lights: If you’re decorating your yard or outdoor spaces, make sure you use extension cords rated for outdoor use. These are designed to handle harsher conditions, such as wet or cold weather, without breaking down.
- Turn Off Lights When Not in Use: To reduce strain on your electrical system and save energy, always turn off your holiday lights when you’re not home or overnight.
- Don’t Overload Power Strips: While power strips can provide additional outlets, they are not designed to handle high electrical loads. Don’t plug too many light strands into one power strip. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
How Branham by Suburban Electrical Services Can Help
If you’re not sure about your home or business’s electrical capacity or if you’re planning a large lighting installation, Branham by Suburban Electrical Services is here to help. Our experienced electricians can perform an electrical audit to ensure that your circuits are up to the task, so you can decorate safely and with confidence.
Whether you’re lighting up a commercial storefront or installing a grand residential display, we can help ensure your electrical system is safe, efficient, and ready for the holidays.
Contact Us Today for Safe Holiday Lighting!
At Branham by Suburban Electrical Services, we specialize in commercial, industrial, and residential electrical services throughout St. Louis. From troubleshooting electrical issues to upgrading your circuits, we provide expert service to keep your holiday season shining bright.