how do i calculate the voltage of christmas tree light bulbs?

Question

i have a 200 set and a 40 set that both have the same voltage bulbs and what is the signifisence of the amperage and wattage

Answer 1

Get a gadget from Wickes

Answer 2

The voltage across the bulbs will all be the same. To calculate this, divide 120 volts by the number of bulbs, assuming they are all in series, this will give you the amperage per bulb. However, many large strings use multiple single strings, but the result is the same. You can't just use any old VOM (volt Ohm Meter) because you are dealing with AC and the VOM's usually don't measure AC current. Better question is why do you care in the first place?

Answer 3

IF all of the 40 lamp set are alight at the same time, i.e no controller for chasing effects etc. then the lamp voltage is 240/40 = 6 volts. The 200 lamp set will have a chasing controller and will be wired as 6 separate circuits of (40) 6 volt lamps or more likely 2 parallel sets of 3 circuits of (40) 6 volt lamps. The lamps are series connected, you will have to measure to find the wattage per circuit or find it on the lamp. Example 40 x 2 watt 6 volt lamps in series = 80 watts load @ 240 volts.

If you have a transformer on the supply lead or in the plug, that's another story!!

NONE of the bulbs are 240 volts.

Answer 4

You don't calculate the voltage. Its always 240 volts AC unless its its been 'transformed' down to say 12 volts DC, or, if you bought the lights in USA (which is 110 volts). I think what you are asking is, how much power am I drawing from my mains?... which is measured in AMPS. I assume this is so you can work out which fuse should be in your plug. As a rule of thumb, the fuse installed with whatever appliance you are plugging in has to conform to regulations and therefore if there is, say, a 13AMP fuse in the plug...then it requires a 13 AMP fuse!.

The calculation to find out can be found on the web. But, in the meantime think of this. If your 200 set has 10watt bulbs in then it totals 2000 watts (2Kw) which requires a 13amp fuse. If it only has 5 watt bulbs in then it totals 1000 watts (1Kw) and requires only a 5amp fuse. If your 40 set has 10 watt bulbs in then that totals 400 watts and requires a 3 amp fuse. The permutations are immense. Just leave the original fuse in and if it blows, replace it with a similar one or get it seen to by a qualified electrician as theres probably a problem.

Answer 5

Power = Voltage x Current (VI)
Any two of the above Specification should be given/stated on the bulb. Usually for DC bulbs, voltage and current will be given/stated and for AC bulbs, power and voltage will be given/stated. Example for DC bulbs 24Vdc, 0.5A, the power will be 24VdcX0.5A=12W. If u have 10 pieces of such bulbs connected in series or parrellel, your converter's power must be more than 120W (series 240VdcX0.5A=120W) (parrellel 24VdcX 5A=120W).Kirchoff's Voltage and Current Law.

Answer 6

The voltage is set by your mains supply. Both sets will be the same voltage as they use the same supply. The resistance of the 2 sets will be different however. Ohms law states that Voltage is equal to current times resistance. (V=IR).

Answer 7

All your bulbs are 240volts to calculate what the wattage of each bulb is, just divide 240 by the number of bulbs on the length of cable. this will also be printed on each bulb i.e. 240v x 6w
or 240v x 1.2w

Answer 8

your voltage is the supply coming in to the house. the amps are what you are using and the whats are the strength of lamps. your fuse on your plug top is about 3 amps I'm guessing your using about 1.7 amps.

Answer 9

Purchase a multimeter from a hardware store...it measures voltage, resistance, etc.

Answer 10

They usually have some but it's a website. Not sure if you mind shopping online.