My Christmas Light keep tripping my breakers what can I do?

Question

I've never had this problem before but added c-9 lights this year which i assume is the problem. But, I have since distributed the power load throughout my house which causes the breakers to trip after a longer period of time. Any ideas? Can I replace the breaker box with a stronger one?

Answer 1

I had the same problem. You can read about it here: http://www.donnyspi.com/blog/entry,448

Each c-9 light is 7 watts. Do some math and see how much power you're sucking. (7 watts x number of lights) / 120volts = number of amps. You should only put an 80% load on your circuits.

You can't just replace a 15 amp breaker with a 20amp one. The guage wiring in your walls corresponds with the amp breaker you have. You'd need bigger guage wire for a larger breaker.

Make sure you don't connect more than 60 c-9 lights in one string. Further divide the lights on different *circuits* (not just different wall receptacles!) if you need to.

Answer 2

Your breakers are likely tripping over time due to the heat. not the outside temperature mind you, but the heat generated by all those little lights, the heat from the connections, and the heat from all those amps of electrons flowing through those skinny wires.

I am guessing that you are running these though standard 30 amp breakers, and since you mentioned your load being spread through the house, then your guess about the c-9 lights may be correct.

the fix? well you can have an electrician come to your house and install a larger breaker (you could do it yourself but i don't reccommend it.) he could give you a special plug designated only for christmas lights. the plus would be it takes more current to blow the breaker, the minus would be the same. all that current through those skinny little wires could cause a serious fire hazard. Your electrician will tell you this also.

knowing the fire danger for christmas deorations anyway your best bet would be to use less lights, but your second best bet, would be to discus the problem with an electrician, or two.


-steve

Answer 3

I am an electrician
if all you do is replace your 20amp breaker with a 30 amp you will eventually burn down your house (so this is not recommended)
to up grade your electrical service can cost 1500 to 2500 dollars when you probably have more than enough power to run your house with the lights you problem is distribution most new houses only have have one circuit for the outside of the house which is sometimes combined with the garage and the back porch older houses 30 years or more Will have one or circuits tied in with everything lights kitchen bathroom etc.

What you need to do is have 4 or 5 Dedicated 20 - 30 amp circuits installed on the outside of your house which depending on how old your house house is this should not over load your current electrical service and each new dedicated receptacle will cost 100 - 200 dollars per receptacle depending on the electrician
Happy lighting

Answer 4

Chances are, the breaker to your outdoor outlets is a 15amp breaker. You need to change it out to a 20amp or 25 amp. It really is not that hard to do. And new breakers aren't expensive.

First, look in your breaker box and find the circuit that keeps tripping. Look at the amperage on the breaker. 15amps is standard for outdoor outlets when electricians wire a house and that's probably what you have. After you locate the breaker, turn off the power main to your entire house. Remove the cover to your electric box by undoing the four screws in the corners You should now be able to use a pair of channel locks or pliers to pull the breaker out. Take the breaker to your local hardware store and match it up with a breaker of 5 or 10 more amps.

I had the same problem you're having with my own lights last year. I changed my 15amp breaker to a 25amp. I never had a problem through the rest of the holiday season.

If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, hire an electrician.

Good Luck & Happy Holidays!

Answer 5

I had this happen to me before and it was because I had too many strings of lights connected end to end. I think I found out I could use up to 3 sets end to end. Basically to get the power all the way to the end it draws too much current and trips the breaker.

Answer 6

Question for the group - - I've upgraded my electrical system and the lights work fine until it rains. What light type or outdoor brand would you recommend?

Answer 7

Replacing the box is long, hard and expensive. I suggest you switch to newer LED lights which use much less power, are quicker to do and cheaper than a new box.

Answer 8

Be thankful that it is tripping. It is designed to do so when increasing your amperage beyond the capability of your breakers.

Consider ramping down on the ornamental lights. It is not all about how many string of lights that you can add its about conservation as well and still able to share your enjoyment with others.

Happy Holidays!

Answer 9

1.install bigger breakers

or

2.use less lights

or

3. distibute the lights evenly to other sockets that use different breakers so as to take stress off of the breakers that keep tripping

Answer 10

How many strings do you have hooked together? Last year our lights did this and we found out it was because we had more than 3 strands hooked together. When we took them apart and put them on seperate plugs it worked great!