Dielectric grease - Christmas light connections

[larjoranj]

I put a lot of outdoor Christmas lights up and occasionally have my gfi kicked off during rain. I've read on a Christmas forum that you can put a glob of dielectric grease between the male and female connections when stringing light sets together and it will keep water out. Anyone try this? Or maybe an electrician that knows? I can see where it might help to keep moisture out - but would it interfere with the current? Can you have too much globbed into the receptacle so that the current won't flow between the 2 connected light sets?

 

[Wireless1]

What you are doing is sealing the joint between the male plug and the female so that moisture doesn’t create a path between the prongs. You want to put the grease in the base of the male plug so you don’t get it on the prong go in g into the female sockets. Or you can glob it around the joint but that would be messy. You don’t need a lot just enough to create a seal against water. The dielectric grease won’t conduct so you don’t have to worry about getting a little at the base of the prong

BTW I never thought about using it on Christmas lights, just used it on off road stuff

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Great question and answer!

 

[kiddiedoc]

I feel like my net lights cause my GFI to kick, but maybe it is the connections. Better explanation what to seal?

 

[Wireless1]

I feel like my net lights cause my GFI to kick, but maybe it is the connections. Better explanation what to seal?

You need to look at all the "open" connections. Empty sockets in the extension cords, female socket on the back of oyu male plug (where you can add more lights to an existing string) as well as the male to extension cord to power the net lights. We just built a new house and everything is on GFI (except dedicated appliance circuits like refrigerators, and washers) The "soupy" foggy conditions this week have brought to our attention a couple of circuits with "exposed" connections. These things are much more sensitive than our old ones.

 

[davethevol]

I feel like my net lights cause my GFI to kick, but maybe it is the connections. Better explanation what to seal?

How many of the net lights are connected to each other? I found that with many light sets, having more than 3 sets connected causes an overload and trips my GFI, which is a pain to run more cords.

 

[kiddiedoc]

How many of the net lights are connected to each other? I found that with many light sets, having more than 3 sets connected causes an overload and trips my GFI, which is a pain to run more cords.

I have 5 where it keeps tripping. It only happens when it rains. I'll seal the female ends and get some grease once things dry up.

 

[woodpusher]

I put a lot of outdoor Christmas lights up and occasionally have my gfi kicked off during rain. I've read on a Christmas forum that you can put a glob of dielectric grease between the male and female connections when stringing light sets together and it will keep water out. Anyone try this? Or maybe an electrician that knows? I can see where it might help to keep moisture out - but would it interfere with the current? Can you have too much globbed into the receptacle so that the current won't flow between the 2 connected light sets?

Would electrical tape be better?