Analyzing Data Sources: Electric Currents Conquer It Fill-in-the-Blank Activity

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woman struggling with tangled christmas lights

1. Excerpt 1
So now that we understand the mechanics of holiday lights, let's address some common problems we run into and how to remedy them.

If only one section of your lights become extinguished, this means that the circuit is open on that particular series. If this happens, there are a few things that could be going on. First off, you could simply have a loose bulb. This is a common problem, and the most easy to identify and fix, by simply screwing back in the bulb. Second, it could mean that one or more lights have blown out but that the shunt is defective, possibly from the insulating substance remaining intact. Finally, there could be something defective in the wiring, causing the series to become an open circuit. Unfortunately there's not a lot you can do if that's the case.

2. Excerpt 2
If only one light goes out, it almost certainly means that individual light is defective and needs to be replaced. This is the most common problem and the easiest to identify and fix. If this happens it is important to replace the bulbs quickly. When the filament of a bulb burns out and the shunt takes over, it has a lower resistance than the filament. As a result, each remaining bulb gets slightly brighter, burns a little hotter and burns out more quickly. As each bulb burns out, and the 120 volts from the power source is distributed to fewer and fewer bulbs, this process happens faster and faster. The last few bulbs will burn out very quickly. So it is best to replace burnt-out bulbs quickly when they go out.

3. Excerpt 3
If all of your lights go out, it is probably because you have too great a current coming from the power source and have blown a fuse. If, after replacing the fuse, fuses continue to blow, it could be because you have too many bulbs burned out or too many strands of lights connected to the same socket. This is called overloading a circuit. You could continue to replace fuses -- but a blown fuse is typically a sign that some issue is causing too great of a current to pass through the fuse. Disconnecting one of the strands of lights could solve the problem. It is a good idea to have no more than three strands of lights connected together.

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