I Was Today Many Years Old When I Found Out What The Extra Red Tipped Christmas Light Was For

Christmas lights are a beloved holiday tradition, and the inclusion of an extra red-tipped light can add a fun and festive touch to any string of lights. But have you ever wondered why the extra red light is included with a string of Christmas lights?

The answer lies in the way that Christmas lights are wired. Most strings of Christmas lights use a series circuit, in which the electricity flows through each individual light in a continuous loop. This means that if one light goes out, the entire string of lights will go out as well.

But the red bulb is not just a spare – it also serves as a “flasher” bulb. When the red bulb is inserted into the circuit, it creates a break in the flow of electricity. This causes the lights to briefly turn off and on, creating a flashing effect. An extra piece of metal at the top of the bulb called a bi-metallic strip gets hot from the light current and bends the strip which causes the lights to go out. The strip then cools down and straightens out, reconnecting and lighting the filament. The lights then turn back on.

So the next time you see a string of flashing Christmas lights, you’ll know that the extra red-tipped light is responsible for the fun and festive display. And if one of the bulbs in your own Christmas lights burns out, you can use the red bulb as a replacement and enjoy the added bonus of a flashing light display.