2006-12-16 14:41:33 · 10 answers · asked by GMONEYB 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
yes that is why they are outdoor lights
2006-12-16 14:48:31 · answer #1 · answered by mongo_wood 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They aren't 'low voltage', they all run 110v just like the house they are plugged into. The cool thing about electricity is that it wants to follow the 'easiest path'. This is conductivity and here's why they work in the rain. In order for electricity to flow, it must have a complete circuit. In your home wiring there are three wires (hot, neutral and ground). The hot and neutral work together (flat prongs) to make the circuit and the ground wire is there in case there is a short in the device to route the electricity to the ground. The current "wants to run" between hot and neutral and will prefer to make that route.. depending upon the resistance (level of conductivity) in the multiple routes. So... you plug the lights in and there is good conductivity through the wires and only a small amount of resistance as the lights don't use that much amperage and the current runs between the hot and neutral as it 'wants to'. Then it rains and the water (which we know DOES conduct electricity) gets down into plugs / lights / etc. Not the electricity has two routes to go.. through the lights (hot and neutral wires and low resistance) or through the water (higher resistance) through you (even higher resistance) throught the ground (even higher resistance) to the grounding stake of your electrical box (which could be a long ways away and therefore a VERY high resistance). Thus the electricty flows as we want it to .. through the lights. Hope the helps and MERRY CHRISTMAS! Disclaimer: When dealing with electricity there is ALWAYS danger... never work with electricty when it's raining. While the chances of a shock is minimul.. why take the chance!
2016-05-23 01:12:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lights themselves will be alright, it's the extention cord you have to watch out for. I always turn my outdoor lights off if it's raining, just in case. I have so many that I'm afraid of all the cords. They can probably see my house from the space shuttle. LOL
2006-12-16 14:51:11 · answer #3 · answered by b_friskey 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because I am a cautious fellow, I use electrical tape and tape up all the plugs between the light strings. I have had several very heavy downpours since I put up the lights out side - no problems at all.
Word to the wise - do not handle the wires if they are on, and wet - a safety precaution against shock hazard.
2006-12-16 14:51:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the package said outdoor they should be water tight, after all, lots of people have them out in the snow which turns to water later !
2006-12-16 14:52:14 · answer #5 · answered by kate 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes- as long as you use outdoor lights and an outdoor extension cord.
2006-12-16 14:48:14 · answer #6 · answered by CattGirl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes,it is safe ....however use common sense by protecting the plug in ends by either wrapping them in plastic as a rain shield and making sure they are not totally immeresed water. also use only UL approved light sets and extension cords.
2006-12-16 14:56:11 · answer #7 · answered by jhat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, Outdoor x-mas lights are made for snow- frozen rain.
2006-12-16 14:49:13 · answer #8 · answered by babiibrownie818 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, as long as they are the outdoor type and not the indoor type.
2006-12-16 14:49:32 · answer #9 · answered by Mariposa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO U duck(i call everyone that!)
2006-12-16 14:49:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋