1. Proposal for House Brand
Christmas Lights
( Decorative Light Strings) by Mike Singh
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2. Types of Christmas Lights
(Decorative Light Strings)
For Indoor use only
- Incandescent
- LED
For Outdoor use
- Incandescent
- LED
- LED (solar powered)
Indoor-use only;
Light Strings are marked with UL's GREEN holographic label.
Indoor or outdoor-use; Light Strings are marked with UL's RED holographic label.
Click here, for more information.
Features that may be desired by customers:
- Automatic Dusk to Dawn
- Low Wattage
- Multiple colors
- Moving Lights
- Moving Lights; Different Speeds
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3. Performance Comparison
Incandescent Bulbs Vs LEDs
Traditional
Incandescent
Bulbs
Low-Wattage
Incandescent Bulbs
LEDs
20%
Approximately
30%
Approximately
100%
Approximately
High
(0.3 to 6.7 watts)
Lower
(0.15 to 0.23 watts)
Lowest
(0.006 to 0.320
watts)
Short
Short
Very Long
Hassles of
replacement of bad
light source
Yes
Yes
No
Initial Cost
Low
Higher
Highest
Aesthetics
Warm Colors
Warm Colors
Colors are not so
warm.
Power Savings;
% of Energy
converted to Light
Running Cost
(Energy
Consumption)
Life
Some of the data has been obtained from PGE.
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4. Performance Comparison
Energy savings for LEDs vs Incandescent Bulbs
Actual numbers for regular wattage light sources.
Similar comparison could be made for Decorative String Light sources.
Incandescent
LEDs
Life Span
1,500 hours
50,000 hours
Cost
Low ($0.50)
High ($20)
High (60 watts)
Low (6 watts)
Price of Electricity / hour (at $0.10/kwh)
$0.006
$.0006
Electricity cost, used over 50,000 hours
$300
$30
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Replacement cost of Light Source
$17.00
$0
Total Lighting cost; over 50,000 hours
$317
$50
Total Lighting cost; over 1,000 hours;
$6.50
$20.06
$32.00
$23.00
Wattage
Bulbs needed , for 50,000 hours
(Numbers are more in line with usage o f Decorative String Lights)
Total Lighting cost; over 5,000 hours; (5 seasons)
(Numbers are more in line with usage o f Decorative String Lights)
This table is based on data from http://phillihp.com/2013/04/11/an-even-more-efficient-light-created-by-philips/
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5. Performance Comparison
Energy savings for LEDs vs Incandescent Bulbs
The graph below represents the last 2 rows in the table on the previous page.
cost of 60 watt incandescent bulbs + electricity
cost of 6 watt LED light source + electricty
$40.00
$35.00
$30.00
$25.00
$20.00
$15.00
$10.00
$5.00
$0.00
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
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6. Safety, Regulatory & Performance
Standards
 UL 588; Standard for Seasonal and Holiday Decorative Products. These
requirements cover temporary-use, seasonal decorative-lighting products and
accessories with a maximum input voltage rating of 120 V to be used in
accordance with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70. Temporary-use
is considered to be a period of installation and use not exceeding 90 days.
 Click here, to see/purchase the UL588 standard.
 C22.2 NO. 37-M1989 (R2013) . CSA standard for Christmas Tree and Other
Decorative Lighting Outfits. This Standard applies to Christmas tree and other
decorative lighting outfits, intended for connection to circuits of 125 V or less
between conductors by means of an attachment plug cap, and designed to be
used in accordance with the rules of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.
 Click here, to see/purchase the CSA standard.
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7. California Proposition 65:
 In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address their growing concerns about
exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative became the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic
Enforcement Act of 1986, better known by its original name of Proposition 65. Proposition
65 requires the State to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or
other reproductive harm. This list, which must be updated at least once a year, has grown to
include approximately 800 chemicals since it was first published in 1987.
 Most likely, like other electrical products sold at Home Depot, it will need the warning label
for California Proposition 65.
 Click here to learn more about California Proposition 65.
 Click here to see the California Proposition 65 List, dated January 31, 2014.
 Click here to learn more about Clear and Reasonable Warning for California Proposition 65.
 Click here to see an image of a warning label.
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8. Energy Star
 Energy Star (trademarked ENERGY STAR) is an international standard
for energy efficient consumer products. It originated in the USA.
It was created in 1992 by the EPA and the Department of Energy. Since
then, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European
Union have adopted the program.
Devices carrying the Energy Star service mark, generally use 20–30%
less energy than required by federal standards.
In the USA, the Energy Star label is also shown on Energy Guide
appliance label of qualifying products.
 Click here, to know more about the
Energy Star Program Requirements for ‘Decorative Light Strings’, and
Test Procedure and Eligibility Criteria.
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9. List of Testing Companies
The following companies can test the Christmas Lights
(Decorative Light Strings) to the required
Safety, Regulatory & Performance Standards.
 Bureau Veritas
 Intertek.
 SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance)
 TÜV (Technical Inspection Association)
 UL
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10. List of UL Certified Manufacturers
UL's Decorative Light String - No Strike Lists
 No Strike List -1 - Consists of applicants with manufacturers that
have had samples selected during the Market Survey program and
have not had a strike under the UL 588 Two Strike Program for a minimum
of three consecutive years.
 No Strike List -2 - Consists of applicants with manufacturers that
have not had a strike under the UL 588 Two Strike Program for a minimum
of three consecutive years
but did not have samples selected during the Market Survey program.
 Click here to see the list of UL Certified Manufacturers.
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11. Bibliography
 California, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
http://oehha.ca.gov/index.html
 Energy Star. http://www.energyStar.gov
 Intertek. Click here to see the list of Global Lighting Standards that Intertek can test
products to.
 PGE. Click here for Analysis of Standards Options for Decorative String Lighting.
 Phillips. http://phillihp.com/2013/04/11/an-even-more-efficient-light-created-by-philips/
 Underwriters Laboratories. http://www.ul.com
 Vance Brand. www.loveChristmasLights.com
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