How To Replace A Fuse On Christmas Tree Lights - EHow

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How to Replace a Fuse on Christmas Tree Lights By Terri Rawls Updated Dec 14, 2021 eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here. Getting your Christmas tree lit could be as simple as changing a fuse. Image Credit: Randy Faris/The Image Bank/GettyImages

Things You'll Need

• Small screwdriver

• Fuse tester

• Replacement fuses

It can be a huge disappointment to spend hours carefully attaching holiday lights to the interior or exterior of your home only to find that they don't come on when you plug them in. You might even spend hours checking and replacing the bulbs in light sets when, many times, the problem is as simple as a blown fuse. Fuses are a safety feature on Christmas lights, which protect against power surges, overloads and short circuits. If your Christmas lights aren't working, check the fuses. Replacing them is simple and can save you a lot of time and frustration.

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Step 1: Unplug the Christmas Tree Lights

Unplug the tree before you attempt to change a fuse in the Christmas lights. Locate the fuse panel. The fuse panel is located on the accessory plug with two prongs, commonly known as the male plug. There are a couple of different types of covers on fuse panels. One may have a plate covering the fuses, while the other may have a drawer that holds the fuses.

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Step 2: Open the Fuse Panel

Open the fuse panel on the Christmas light plug. Even though the fuse panel may appear as if does not open, it will. Use a small flat head screwdriver to slide the fuse panel cover open or to slide the fuse panel drawer out.

Step 3: Remove the Fuses

Turn the attachment plug over to remove and replace the Christmas light fuses. In most cases, the fuses just fall out into your hand. If they do not, tap the plug gently against your hand. If the fuses are stubborn and still won't come out, it may be necessary to gently pry them out with a small screwdriver.

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Step 4: Inspect the Fuses

Inspect the fuses by holding them up towards a light. If one or both of them appear to be dark or black, the fuse is probably blown. If you're just not certain, you can confirm with a fuse tester.

Step 5: Replace the Christmas Light Fuses

Replace the blown fuses with new fuses and insert them back into the fuse panel, securely closing the cover back in place. Plug in the Christmas lights to ensure they are working properly.

Tip

As a safety feature, most Christmas lights have pre-installed fuses which limit the amount of current allowed to pass through the lights.

Packages of spare Christmas light fuses are available at most discount stores. Just be sure to purchase the proper size.

Since most Christmas light sets come with replacement fuses, replacing both fuses at the same time ensures both fuses are good.

If replacing the fuse in the Christmas lights does not solve the problem, check for bulbs that may be broken or blown.

Warning

Always unplug the string of Christmas lights before installing or replacing the fuses.

Make sure that your replacement fuses have the same voltage and amp settings to avoid fire risk.

Remove the Christmas tree light fuses carefully. They are delicate and break easily.

Do not replace the Christmas light plug as this presents a fire risk.

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references

• Lowes: Checking Faulty Christmas Tree Lights
• YouTube – Balsam Hill: How to Replace the Fuses on Your Christmas Tree

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

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