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A rope light is a rope of lights that are used to accent storefront outlines or home outlines. They can also be wrapped around railings, garages, patio decks, walkways or pillars. Bars and clubs use them to illuminate specific areas like dance floors or stages where people sing or do comedy routines. Signs can be made using them, landscaping, gardens, furniture, vehicle and watercraft lighting, attracting attention, or skyscraper buildings. Outdoors for pool parties or barbeque get-togethers are perfect places for the rope light to make its entrance.
The rope light comes in different wire gauges, or thickness. Depending on this gauge, different wires carry up to a certain amount of electrical current or amps. The max run is 150 ft. and the rope light should not be beyond that certain recommended length. For light strings, a max run is given in watts per circuit. What this means is one light string in the rope light, or several strings hooked end-to-end, should contain only a certain amount of wattage. Individual recommendations for the rope light need to be followed, as the wire may overheat and a fire will occur. The rope light comes in ½ inch diameter, which is thicker and less flexible than the 3.8-inch diameter rope light. The average life runs 25,000 hours and works in temperature ranges of –30 degrees to 80 degrees. They are sold in 150 ft spools, and come with rope light accessories. These accessories are: 3 pcs. of power cord; 3 pcs. of power connection; 3 pcs of splice connector; 3 pcs of end cap; and assembly instructions. By purchasing extra rope light, you can add to your décor or functionality. A rope light may come in colors of red, pink, frosted, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple and clear. They come in multi-colors also: red/green, green/yellow, red/clear, and red/yellow. When connecting them to power cord connections, they will either glow or chase, depending on how they are hooked up. When cutting to fit a specific size, be careful and cut only where it is marked. The bulbs are highly durable PVC tubes with a series of .46-watt miniature bulbs placed about 1” apart. Pricing usually comes with lights, one power connector and the end cap. The purchase of a chasing controller to makes the lights chase is additional. The lights come in 3’ to 150’ lengths. The rope light needs to be warmed up before shaping when it arrives, and do not plug it in while on the spool for more than one minute. |
Lighting Types and Bulbs