Net Christmas lights are strings of lights held together in a square net pattern. They are designed to wrap around bushes and trees, making it easier to cover them with light in a uniform pattern. The main problems that occur with net lights are that the netting is prone to tangling and a few burnt-out bulbs can cause the entire strand to go dark. You can repair these problems using a few electrical tools.
Things You'll Need
- Replacement fuses (typically 3A)
- Hum tracing device
- Permanent marker
- Wire cutters
- Replacement bulbs
- Christmas light repair gun
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Untangle the net lights---if they are tangled---then move the bulbs and strings around each other, until the squares are untangled.
Plug the lights into an outlet plug. Note any bulbs that are burned out. If the net does not come on at all, you may need to replace the fuse. Remove the fuses inside the plug and replace them with new fuses. Check the light again to see if any of the bulbs work.
Remove the bulbs from the sockets to test them for connectivity. Place a hum-tracing device at the base of the wires coming off the bulb. If the wire hums, that bulb is still good. Make sure to press the bulb down tightly into the socket, so that it connects with the string of wires.
Mark any bad bulbs with a permanent marker. Use wire cutters to gently pull the light bulbs from the socket. Replace the bulb with a new bulb. Press it down firmly, so that it connects with the wires. After every replacement, plug the light string back in, then remove it. This not only test the lights, to ensure they are working, it also helps prevent the new bulbs from over-heating and going out.