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Rope Light Basics

Choose the right rope light for any occasion

By Kathryn Keep
Rope lights offer many exciting decorating options for holidays and year round. They are versatile and economical. You can use an outdoor rope light to light a path, accent a patio or wrap around a tree. Indoors, they can accent kitchen cabinets or provide night-time light in a child's room. Commercial rope lights draw attention to window displays or even light up dance floors.

Rope lighting comes in different voltages. Twelve volt uses less energy and is therefore safer to work with, but it requires a transformer to convert high-volt energy to low-volt energy. Rope lights that use120 volts do not require a transformer, but these are not as energy efficient as 12 volt ropes. While the term "rope light" can refer to any type of small accent light manufactured in a tube, here are a few rope light basics:

1. Steady-burn rope lights provide continuous accent lighting.

2. Chasing rope lights put light in motion with controlled chasing or flashing effects.

3. Light emitting diode (LED) rope lights last longer than non-LED lights, and some can also provide effects.

4. Solar rope lights are LED rope lights that use power from the sun.

 

Save energy with a long-lasting LED rope light

LED rope lighting uses less energy and emits almost no heat. Depending on the voltage, you can cut the tubing at varying lengths (usually already marked by the manufacturer) with kitchen shears or scissors and secure the tube with an end cap.
Try: Check out Birddog Distributing for a large variety of LED rope lights cut to length or in bulk spools. LED Rope Lights and More.com has LED rope light kits as well as a great calculator tool to help you determine how much rope light you need for your project. IT takes into account cutting intervals.

Choose environmentally friendly solar rope lights

Solar rope lights not only save energy, but they also offer flexibility; you don't need to plug them in or hard-wire them to your electrical system. You can also use them inside with the solar panel installed outside.
Try: My Solar Shop carries solar LED rope lights in four colors. Find out more about the uses and advantages of solar rope lights at Outdoor-Solar-Lights.com.

Look for wholesale rope lights

If you need large quantities, consider the best way to buy rope lights. Wholesale vendors offer lower prices than retail vendors and may have a better selection.
Try: Christmas Lights, Etc. offers spools of LED rope lights for large projects. Also, check out Novelty Lights’ online catalogue of wholesale rope lights, mini rope lights and accessories.

 

  • When putting rope lights around corners, stick with a gentle "U" curve rather than a sharp "V" curve. Otherwise, you may inadvertently break the lights.
  • Using a splice or t-connector, it's possible to put more than one color in a single run of rope lights for added decorating possibilities.

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