![]() ![]() If you’re serious about your Christmas display, there’s no reason not to make the switch over to empty socket light line with vampire plugs. It’s possible to get a lot more technical than that with amperage and all kinds of complex calculations - see our blog on the subject - but all you need to know is that as long as the vampire plugs you’re using match the SPT rating of the empty socket light line or zip cord, you’re good to go. Since SPT-2 is 50% thicker than its counterpart, it’s often used in areas where harsh weather becomes a problem or if it’ll be experiencing a lot of wear and tear. SPT primarily refers to the thickness of the insulation. There is a lot of confusion surrounding SPT ratings - and a lot of misinformation out there - but they’re actually pretty straightforward in practice. The one thing you need to keep in mind when buying vampire plugs is that they need to match the SPT rating of the cord or line you’ll be using them for. It’s been a technique used by professional installers for decades, one that’s remained pretty much unchanged for almost as long. See? It’s the easiest way to make perfectly-sized light lines and extension cords out there. To see the process in action, watch this quick tutorial video: Then, make sure the ribbed side of the cord lines up with the larger blade on the vampire plug, and slide a male and a female plug onto either end. To use them, you simply need to measure out the length of the empty socket light line or 18/2 zip cord you need and cut it to size. They’re easy to use, cost almost nothing, and enable almost anybody to build custom-length extension cords and Christmas light lines with minimal hassle. Vampire Plugs: The Unsung Heroes of the Christmas Light Industry Vampire plugs, sometimes called Gilbert plugs, are comprised of a small plastic housing, a slide-on piece designed to hold in the wire, and either a male or female plug end. Mistakes in choosing power inverter cable cigarette lighter plug will directly affect the quality and effectiveness when using. It requires nothing more than a pair of wire cutters, some C7/ C9 light line or zip cord, and a couple of minutes. ![]() Lucky for you, with the use of slide on vampire plugs, building your own light lines or extension cords is incredibly simple. The idea of cutting and fashioning your own custom lines of Christmas lights sounds more like a job for an electrician than a hobbyist. You want to get started crafting a truly professional-looking display, but you’re intimidated. You know that the key to clean a display with no trailing lines is measuring out the exact length of cord you need, and cutting it to size. Maybe you’ve done a little digging, and have discovered the open industry secret that is empty socket light line. If you’re a Christmas enthusiast looking to up the ante on your annual light display, it can be difficult to know where to start. ![]()
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