Milliamp (Milliampheres):  One one – thousandth of an ampere. Determines the brightness of the Christmas light bulb. For example, GKI/Bethlehem commercial Christmas bulbs are 200 milliamp and are significantly brighter than competition. Most competitors will use either a 120 or 150 milliamp Chrismtas bulb. Cost is significantly less.

OHM:  Unit of electrical resistance, equal to the resistance of a circuit in which electromotive force on one volt maintains a current.

Photoelectric: An electronic devise that has an electrical sensor that is effected by illumination or light. Once light is picked up by the sensor it switches the electric current off. Lack of light causes the electric sensor to switch on.

Reflector:  Device, usually plastic, which fits over miniature Christmas tree light bulbs and husks. This device reflects light from the Christmas light bulb in different direction, creating the illusion of more light. It is used for decorative reasons and is found predominantly on GKI/Bethlehem commercial Christmas Light Spheres and commercial Christmas light Stakes.

Shunt: That part of a Christmas tree light bulb that protects the light set from burning out, if and when the filament of the Christmas tree light bulb fails. The shunt diverts the electric current through the Christmas light set and is a safety device against Christmas light set failure.

Socket:  That part of the Christmas light set that receives the bulb and husk. The GKI/ Perm – O- snap miniature Christmas light set socket has a Patented design. When the husk and bulb are placed into the socket you will hear it snap, thus giving it its name, Perm-o-snap.

Tail Cord: Cord with female plug that extends from the last bulb of the Christmas tree light set. GKI uses Balanced design, which means if the commercial Christmas light set has 6” spacing the tail cord is 3” and the lead cord is 3”. Bethlehem commercial Christmas lights are not equally distributed. Bethlehem commercial Christmas lights use a 5.5” lead cord and 5.5” tail cord.

UL: “ United Laboratories”: A government agency that controls, sets safety regulations, governing rules and approves  all electrical applications throughout the USA. The majority of GKI/Bethlehem Commercial Christmas Lighting are UL Listed.

Wire Gauge:  A measurement of the weight and consistency of wire used in electrical cords. Wire consistency gets heavier as it descends in unit measure. The majority of miniature Christmas lights are made with 22 gauge wire. There are two standards of wire “indoor” and “outdoor” application. All GKI/Bethlehem commercial Christmas lights are indoor/outdoor.  The outdoor wire is specially coated to protect against the elements. Wire twist is two times per inch and hand twisted, which far surpasses UL requirements of 22 lbs per square inch pull resistance.

Volts:   “ A measurement of constant electrical pressure or power.”

This is what is generated by the local power plant and is what is directed into home or commercial building as a constant power source. The amount of power for a building or home can vary by the home or building demand. Most homes are provided with a constant electrical flow of anywhere from 120 to 240. Commercial buildings can far exceed this amount of constant power. Think of in terms of water pressure. The water company supplies a constant pressure of to the Home or building. It is always there and ready for when you turn on the faucet as is your amps or amperage control.

AMPS or Amperage: measurement of controlled electrical pressure or power This is what controls the flow of electricity from the main electrical box within a house or commercial building. In the electrical box, usually located in the basement or garage of a home or building, are designated fuses for different locations of the building. There will be a designated Amperage fuse, in the electrical control panel, that will divert electrical flow to the kitchen wall plugs. In most cases this Amperage fuse will be either a 15 Amps or 20 Amps. Think of amperage in terms of a water faucet. The water faucet controls the amount of water flow that will be driven to a specific location. The faucet, amps, controls how much electrical force will be applied to a given electrical appliance.

WATTS:   “ the demand measurement of electrical power for a specific appliance.” This is the amount of electrical current that is required for a specific electrical product, IE. Light sets, household appliances, electrical tools, etc... Example: A household toaster requires 1600 watts in order to run. 50 light set requires 24 watts of power to run, with 1.05 amps as the electrical demand.

 

Note: GKI  & Bethlehem Christmas light bulbs are identical in construction – The major difference in the two Christmas light bulbs is the Husks and light lock, each capable of fitting its own appropriate Christmas light set.

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