So it's just a string of filament lamps in series is it? Well there's a bit more to it than that. This video covers the science behind the series strings, fuse lamp, dead-lamp bypass feature and why your lights sometimes seem to pulse really brightly when first powered up.

14 thoughts on “Everything you didn’t need to know about tungsten christmas lights.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pete ASMR says:

    Where’s the video where he put leds in and added a rectifier mentioned at the end of the video?

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars LightBulbGoneWild says:

    I have these in my school but the bulbs, they all died 😢

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Quinn Lawrence-Sanderson says:

    oh no, mains voltage got to his mic

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars UnrealVideoDuke says:

    Horrible fuzz noise in the audio clipping…. Not enjoyable. Might want to re-do this one.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars fanplant says:

    In the US the "fuse" bulb you speak of is the flasher bulb. Or that's what I always thought it was. oh on further research i'm wrong, Clive is right, the flasher bulb is identified by a bi metallic innards and maybe a red tip.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Shmeh Fleh says:

    Oh man, I learned the hard way that Christmas lights can pack a hell of a wallop. I was swapping out a broken bulb on a set attached to a switched outlet in my carport. Turn out the butthole who installed the outlet switched the neutral side, not the live. When I grabbed the filament leads on that broken bulb, I got a nice healthy 125v jumpstart.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Anthony Chopra says:

    wow the lights that was flickering was scary spooky . ghost electric

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Peckelhaze says:

    Very, very educational.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nathaniel says:

    I know this is an old video, but I'd love your input on this. I had an electronics teacher who said that lightbulbs ONLY burn out when being switched, and said a friend's of his had a bulb in his barn run for several years before burning out when somebody toggled the switch. How true is this?

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars freddyzdead1 says:

    Hey, congratulations on a thorough go-round on xmas lights. You are the only person I've ever encountered who knew about the little wire-wrap at the base of the filament, never mind what it's for and how it works.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Patricia Brooks says:

    Interesting details of lamp construction.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars mark layton says:

    I miss the old days  of screw in  bulbs – when it was a lot easier to get spare bulbs ….20 lights in a string made sense 20 x 12v volts = 240 …..then the manufacturers realised that consumers often needed more than 1 set for a tree – so they made the larger 40 light sets …….and then to confuse everyone PIFCO started making sets of 35 meaning the voltages of the spare bulbs all varied . ….. then push in bulbs started and so many different types of fitting – impossible to get the right bulbs ……. I do like the new LED warm white bulbs but LED lights are very plain when you compare them to pretty light holders in the old style screw-in sets …. incandescent bulbs give a much more magical Christmassy atmosphere than led …just my opinion .

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars P Chips says:

    "death…." that echoes in my soul….

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars L4RRY says:

    Very interesting. Can't wait to break out this new knowledge next Christmas.

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