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If your lights are shorting out during rain storms or other winter events, you should probably replace them. These shorts indicate electrical issues that could cause serious hazards. Look for outdoor-rated lights with connectors made for rainy conditions to replace them. But if your Christmas lights are new and you want further protection, you can find weatherproof covers to add to the male-end connectors of your Christmas light strings. These can minimize the risk of shorts.

If half of a string of Christmas lights is out, it is likely because of a single burned-out, loose, or broken bulb within that section. Long strands of lights often contain more than one circuit, so when one bulb fails, it can cause the entire circuit (or half the strand) to go dark. To fix this, inspect the unlit section and test each bulb to ensure it is tight and functioning properly. Replacing the faulty bulb or repairing a damaged shunt will typically solve the problem.

Installations include new light fixtures, upgraded panels, fixed outlets, and tracked wiring continuity.

Modern outdoor light fixtures are waterproof and weather resistant, and, provided they’re installed correctly and by a professional, the fixture and wiring can last for 20 to 30 years or more. The lifespan will depend largely on the quality of the fixture. The lifespan of the bulb will depend on the type of light you install:

• CFL bulb (for sustained use): 15,000 hours

• Halogen bulb (mostly for security): 2,000 hours

• HID bulbs (for security): 12,000 hours

• Incandescent bulb: 1,000 hours

• LED bulb: 50,000 hours