Holiday lighting technology
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Holiday lighting technology has been subject to considerable development and variation since the replacement of candles by electric lights.[citation needed] While originally used during the Christmas holidays as Christmas lights, modern electric light arrays have become popular around the world in many cultures and are used both during religious festivals and for other purposes unconnected to any festivities.
Incandescent lights
Glow discharge lights
Glow discharge light bulbs also can be used as holiday lights. The most common are neon, argon and mercury fluorescent lamps. They can glow in different colors, depending on the gas filling or the chemical composition of the phosphor. Neon lamps have a characteristic orange color, argon glow purple. Mercury lamps have most of the spectrum in the UV range, so their inner part of the bulb is covered with a phosphor, which converts invisible UV radiation into blue, green, yellow or other-colored light.
LEDs
Light-emitting diode (LED) holiday lights are quickly gaining popularity in many places due to their low energy usage, long lifetime, and associated low maintenance. Colored LEDs are far more efficient at producing light than their colored incandescent counterparts.
There are two types of LEDs: colored LEDs and white LEDs. Colored LEDs emit a specific color light (
White LEDs are similar in most respects such as power and durability, but utilize a two-stage process to create the white (polychromatic, or broad spectrum) light. In the first stage, the LED produces one color of light, similar to any other LED. In the second stage, some of the blue or violet-blue is absorbed by a phosphor, which fluoresces yellow, imitating the broad spectrum of colors which the eye perceives as "white". This is essentially the same process used in fluorescent lamps, except for the use of an LED to create blue light rather than excited gas plasma to create ultraviolet.
White LEDs can be used as white holiday lights or to create any other color through the use of colored refractors and lenses similar to those used with incandescent bulbs. Color fading may occur due to the exposure of colored plastics to
LEDs use much less electricity (only 4 watts for a 70-light string) and have a much greater lifespan than incandescent lamps. Since they are constructed from solid state materials and have no metallic filaments to burn out or break, LEDs are much less susceptible to breakage from impact or rough handling.[2][citation needed]
Although LEDs are long-life devices, older or lower-quality strands of LED-based holiday lights can suffer from early failure. This is particularly so with blue ones, which are the newest and most expensive, and therefore prone to cost-cutting.[citation needed] Most LED-based holiday lights use copper wire which connects to the plated, copper-alloy leads of the LEDs. Having dissimilar metals in contact can result in galvanic corrosion inside of the lamps' sockets, causing them to stop working. Some older sets of LED holiday lights have each LED permanently mounted in a non-removable weathertight base to keep out moisture, helping to prevent such corrosion. However, this prevents the user from replacing defective lamps.[citation needed]
Many mini sets use standard 3 mm dome-shaped LEDs, and have a plastic cover over them to provide
In the modern age, LEDs have emerged with RGB technology to allow Christmas lights to display a possible range of around 4.6 billion colors. One alternative is the use of RGBW technology which also adds the ability for lights to allow display a range of whites from warmer to cooler. RGB technology allows for far more animation then standard electronic light controls including the ability to smoothly fade through different colors.
One drawback to this technology for outdoor lighting, at least in North America, has been that squirrels have been found damaging them. The species must wear down their continually-growing incisors by gnawing on hard objects. They apparently find the diode's durable plastic construction useful for this, while its low power consumption means a minimal chance of electrical shocks to discourage them. Animal experts have suggested leaving edible hard nuts on the ground around lighting fixtures to distract the rodents with food that can serve the same dental needs.[3]
Fiber optic lights
Bubble lights
Bubble lights are a type of incandescent novelty light that acquired some popularity during the 1950s.[citation needed] Their main feature is a sealed glass tube with a colored bubbling liquid inside, created by the heat from the incandescent light. The fluid within the vial was originally a lightweight oil, but now is methylene chloride for a more consistent bubble effect. While the idea was first demonstrated by Benjamin Franklin, the idea was adapted for use in Christmas lights. They were invented by Carl Otis in 1935, who sold the patents to the NOMA Electric Corporation. There is a long story involving patent fights.[5] Bubble lights can still be purchased online and in stores to this day.
Laser projectors
Laser projector systems became a prominent phenomenon in 2015; the devices are typically installed on a stake in front of a house, projecting colored dots resembling stars. The devices are marketed as being safer and easier to install than traditional string lights. The concept was popularized by Telebrands, which launched a brand of low-cost laser projectors known as Star Shower Laser Light in July 2015. Star Shower saw a considerably high demand, with stores quickly running out of stock, and reports of the devices being stolen right out of front yards; The New York Times compared the phenomenon to those of Teletubbies and Cabbage Patch Kids toys. In 2016, Star Shower introduced an updated version of their product with motion effects.[6][7]
While the popularity of Star Shower and its imitators have been credited to their ease of use, laser projectors have received mixed reception from professional holiday lighting designers; one called them the "lazy way" to decorate a house, and another argued that "there's nothing more aesthetically pleasing and magical than a fully decorated house and landscape." Curbed also acknowledged that the devices can "throw a smattering of errant green measles upon your neighbor's garage. Or your parked car.", and that Star Shower had put out warnings stating that they were not to be used within 10 miles of an airport lest they interfere with pilots' vision.[7][6]
Light sculptures
Lights are sometimes mounted on frames—typically metal for large lights and plastic for miniature ones. These were first used for public displays on
On a smaller scale, one of the most popular light sculptures is the
Sizes
- Note that the following may be particular to North America, and may vary in countries with mains other than 120 volts.
Christmas lighting began with small C6 bulbs — where the C means "
Later bulbs called C7+1⁄2, have diameters of seven and a half 1/8th inches (15⁄16 in, or 24 mm) using an E12
Outdoor-only bulbs are designated C9+1⁄4 (1+5⁄32 in, or 29 mm), and have a similar blunt shape as the C7+1⁄2, but use an E17 "intermediate" base. Some modern versions of these strings are now listed for indoor and outdoor use. These bulbs are rated at about seven watts each, and are available in a globe shape, designated G40 (40 mm, or 1+9⁄16 in). Some of the blunt-shape bulbs now come painted with designs, or swirled in more than one color. It is now very difficult to find twinkle bulbs in this size.
Standard mini lights are T1+3⁄4, indicating that they are a tube shape 7⁄32 inches (5.5 mm) in diameter. Larger mini bulbs, which began appearing around 2004, are about twice this size, but are still very uncommon. Both types, along with most of the candle-shaped ones, are pinched-off at the tip rather than the base during manufacturing. Most contemporary miniature light bulbs have an internal shunt that is intended to activate when the bulb's filament burns out. The shunt closes the circuit across the bad filament, restoring continuity, which allows the rest of the string to remain lit. However, if one shunt fails to close properly, the whole string will fail to light.[9]
Other miniature types include globe-shaped "
LED lights, which are encased in solid plastic rather than a hollow glass bulb, may be molded into any shape. Because the LED casts light in only one direction, the most common way LED lights are designed, even "plain" sets having some sort of crystal pattern to create refraction.
Many bargain brands have dome-shaped LEDs which focus the light so that it's sharply visible when viewed head-on, but almost invisible from a perpendicular direction. This has both advantages and disadvantages, depending on one's decorating needs.
If a small LED bulb size with wider viewing angle is desired, wide-angle LEDs are available. The body is cylindrical with a concave conical depression, instead of a dome-shaped lens at the tip, to cause wider distribution of light.
All miniature bulbs, including some LED sets, have a
Light sets
Traditional C6 bulbs were typically 15 volts, and used in series strings of eight bulbs, or multiples of 8. The use of eight bulbs (120 volts for 8 lamps equals 15 volts per lamp) gives each lamp the rated voltage for proper brightness. Later sets used nine bulbs on a string to increase the life of the bulbs by reducing the voltage each lamp received (120 volts divided by 9 lamps = 13 volts per bulb) but not significantly reducing the light output of the bulbs.
Large C7+1⁄2 and C9+1⁄4 bulbs typically come in sets of 25, though
Miniature lights first came in sets of 35 (3.5 volts per bulb), and sometimes smaller sets of 20 (6 volts per bulb). For a short time, these early miniature lights were manufactured using E5 screw bases, rather than the current
Incandescent miniatures now usually come in sets of 50 or 100 (which contains two circuits of 50) 2.5 V 170 mA bulbs, though decorative sets with larger bulbs (C6 or pearl style) typically come in sets of 35 or 70. Several "extra-bright" sets also use 70 or 105 bulbs, keeping the per-bulb voltage at 3.5 instead of 2.5.
LED sets can vary greatly. Common is a set of 60 (2 volts per bulb), but white LED sets use two circuits of 30 (4 volts per bulb). Multicolor sets may have special wiring, because red and yellow require less voltage than the newer blue-based ones (blue, emerald green and fluorescent white), but typically come in sets with a multiple of 35.
Battery-powered sets typically come in 10 or 12, and can use standard 2.5 to 3.5-volt bulbs because they run two batteries, totaling three volts or less. LEDs are becoming increasingly common as they greatly prolong battery life, but because they also last longer they are often soldered directly to the wires, making up for some of the increased cost of the newer LEDs. "Rice lights" are often made this way as well, and likewise may also have more bulbs per set, as they draw somewhat less power per bulb than other incandescent lamps.
Control technology
Holiday lights can be animated using special "flasher" or
Controllers can be set up to change flashing or animation styles by pressing a button or turning a dial on the unit; others have only one pattern, but the speed of this pattern can usually be adjusted by turning a similar dial.
Most multi-function sets feature eight to sixteen moving light functions. Some very common functions are fading and chasing. More extravagant and less common functions are stepping on and two-channel flashing. These lights usually come in sets of 140 or 150. This is because to give the chasing effect, bulbs must be arranged in four circuits of 35 (sets of 140) or three circuits of 50 (sets of 150). These light sets use even less power than a regular set of 150, because the lights are not always on, and therefore the bulbs also do not get as hot.[citation needed]
Usually, computerized sets cannot be connected end-to-end. However, some newer sets contain special miniature plugs – a female jack is located at the end of the set, and a male plug is located between the control box and the beginning of the actual lights. By disconnecting the control box from one set, it can now be plugged into the end of an identical chasing set to produce a longer strand of chasing lights. These plugs generally have a twist-on locking feature similar to that found on garden hoses.[citation needed]
Computer-controlled holiday displays are becoming more and more common today. For instance, a display in Texas uses a
Many animated displays now use
A[when?] control technology being developed in Ottawa, Canada that enables multiple homes to link up over the Internet in-real time. A central Web site initiates the timing using Network Time Protocol to keep the local computers synchronized, and each location has a small Java program that controls a device which interfaces with the USB port to which one's holiday lights are connected.[13] In this way, anyone online can "plug in" to this network and at their discretion, working independently or synchronized, engage their holiday light display on a global level.
In the modern age, digital control of Christmas lights via Wifi or Bluetooth technology has emerged. The use of Wifi or Bluetooth allows the use of a
Power considerations
Incandescent (midget) or LED-based sets usually have each lamp connected in
Some incandescent or LED-based strings use a
A line-operated AC string with a male plug on one end and a female socket on the other end can be conveniently connected end-to-end with other similar strings. The gauge of wire used, current rating of the fuse (if present) and the power consumption of each string will determine how many strings can be safely daisy-chained this way, or whether the end string will have diminished voltage and brightness.[citation needed]
Safety
The number of strands of continuous light sets that may be safely daisy-chained in sequence varies based on whether the lights are LEDs, ordinary miniature light bulbs, or the larger C7/C9 type light bulbs. Other factors include the voltage of the set and the size of the wiring in the set. Those with questions should consult the manufacturer's instructions or an electrician.[citation needed]
Most light sets come with built in fuses to help protect against overheating and to prevent household fuses or circuit breakers from being tripped. If a fuse blows, the strand must be unplugged and the number of strands must be reduced. If the strand has nothing attached, or has blown repeatedly, it may contain a short circuit and should be repaired or discarded.[citation needed]
An episode of the Discovery Channel television show MythBusters covered the possible fire danger from holiday lights.[14]
References
- ^ Nelson, George. "The Evolution of the Series-Type Christmas Light Bulb". The Antique Christmas Lights Museum. Archived from the original on 2006-10-20. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- ^ EarthEasy (8 November 2016). "Choosing an LED lightbulb". EarthEasy. Eartheasy. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
- ^ "Squirrels go nuts for tasty Christmas lights". CBC News. 2008-12-04.
- ^ "How Fiber Optics Work". How Stuff Works. How Stuff Works. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
- ^ Nelson, George. "The History of Bubble Lights". The Antique Christmas Lights Museum. Archived from the original on 2006-11-24. Retrieved 2006-11-28.
- ^ a b Kurutz, Steven (13 December 2016). "Let It Glow! With Lasers, a Holiday Home Decorating Craze Takes Off". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ a b "The war on Christmas lights". Curbed. Vox Media. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "Life - Putting on the glitz". Archived from the original on 2006-04-05. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
- ^ "Minilights - shunts". Archived from the original on 2013-03-12.
- ^ "How Christmas Lights Work". How Stuff Works. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- ^ http://www.christmasinjasper.com Christmas In Jasper
- ^ "What are Christmas Light Pixels?". Learn Christmas Lighting. Retrieved 2021-10-16.
- ^ http://calico.whittaker.ca Archived 2008-12-06 at the Wayback Machine Lights On Calico
- ^ "Annotated Mythbusters: Episode 68: Christmas Tree Lights, Antigravity Device, Vodka Myths IV".