How to Install Commercial LED Christmas Lights: A Step-by-Step Guide

LED lights are an ideal commercial Christmas display component. They light up your commercial space, offering various vibrant hues while saving money on electricity. But they will only look their best with proper installation.

A well-planned installation will enhance your display, ensuring all lights are optimally placed. The lights will be secure, demonstrating a confident appearance and utmost safety. This article will explain how to install commercial Christmas lights, providing all the required information.

A lighting installation plan is a necessary first step. Here is what your plan should entail. 

To install commercial LED Christmas lights, you must first determine where your lights will be installed. Will your installation be indoors or outdoors? 

If you plan a conventional outdoor display, your lights may run along your windows, doors, roof, eaves, and frame. An indoor display may include lights positioned along the corners and ceiling of your interior. You may also use your lights to decorate your tree and lamposts.

With a themed display, your lights may form specific shapes or highlight elements such as characters or images. 

LED lights come in various shapes, colors, and sizes. Here are some things to consider when choosing the lights that are right for you:

• Color: Choose a color that matches your display or brand image.
• Size: LED lights can be small to produce a subtle, glittery appearance or large and bold.
• Length: Ensure your strings are long enough to color your space.
• Shape: LEDs are available in various shapes, from conventional bulbs to unique imagery.
• Rating: Your lights should be rated for outdoor or indoor use, depending on your requirements. Outdoor lights are typically more durable but may be too powerful for indoor spaces.
• Functionality: Many displays require lights that blink on and off or move in a pattern. Ensure your lights meet your aesthetic needs.

Ensure you have enough power in your commercial space to operate your display. You can calculate your Christmas light power by:

1. Find the wattage of each light strand and add the wattage of each strand.
2. Multiply the wattage by how many hours you plan to run your display daily.
3. Divide the total by 1000 to get the power usage in kilowatt-hours.

If your Christmas display is going to exceed the power you have in your commercial space, you may: 

• Use extension cords to connect your lights to additional outlets- ensure the extension cords are rated for the required amperage.
• Enhance your display with solar-powered and battery-powered lights.

• Integrate lights that run on lower voltage.

• Consider installing a portable power station to provide the additional voltage.

Automation and timers make your lights easy to control. Timers for LED lights will turn your lights on and off, ensuring they are displayed during business hours while avoiding excessive energy use. Automation can set your lights on a specific pattern, ensuring they are perfectly timed to run to music or any other display needs.

LED light installation requires various tools and materials. Ensure you have the following on hand before getting started.

You will need the following tools for installation:

• LED lights
• Power cords and extension cords rated for the required amperage and for indoor/outdoor use
• A ladder
• A tape measure

• Scissors or wire cutters

• Outdoor-rated hooks and clips

• A power drill

• Zip ties or electrical tape

Ensure you have weatherproof connectors on hand to string lights together. Commercial-grade extension cords will help you access extra energy and hold up well to the elements. 

GFCIs are a necessary safety feature. They detect imbalances in circuits and will shut off power before an incident occurs. These electrical components are especially essential in outdoor spaces where hazards are more likely to happen. They will keep you, your business, your employees, and your customers safe. 

Safety is a major consideration for any business. Christmas light displays can be a huge liability. Keeping yourself, your stakeholders, and your business safe is imperative. 

The following safety precautions for lights will ensure a risk-free installation.

Conducts an LED light inspection to check for frayed wiring, blown bulbs, and other hazards. Some issues may be reparable, but it’s best to play it safe and discard any problematic components.

Accidents may also occur when climbing on ladders. Use a ladder that you know is stable and durable. You should also follow ladder safety rules such as maintaining three-point contact, facing the ladder when climbing and descending, and keeping your body inside the rail. 

You should also wear insulated gloves when installing lights or doing any electrical work. These gloves act as a barrier between the hands and electric components. They feature a non-conductive material that insulates against shocks.

The following tips will ensure you don’t overload circuits as per OSHA safety standards:

• Spread the load across multiple outlets
• Use surge-protected power strips to distribute the power further
• Check your Christmas light wattage, ensuring they don’t exceed capacity

• Inspect lights for damage and ensure they are securely plugged in

• If you are working on an outdoor display, ensure your components are rated for outdoor use and use outdoor GFCI outlets

• Consider using a dedicated server designed for Christmas lights

• Avoid running lights through doors and windows

• Don’t daisy chain power strips. 

Your installation methods will vary depending on the surface. The following sections will review how to approach different installations.

Buildings and storefronts are often made of concrete or another durable material, making installing lights on the surface challenging. You may drill into the surface to hang lights, but this is not always a feasible solution. 

It may be easier to hang hooks and hook your lights through them. Another option is purchasing mounting tape designed for these purposes. It is durable and designed to withstand the elements. 

Tension rods can also be used to hang lights and won’t require any drilling.

For tree light installation, ensure your lights will be long enough to wrap around the tree or shrub and adequately cover the surface. Then, follow this step-by-step process:

1. Start wrapping the lights at the bottom and move upward.
2. Wrap lights around the main branches, ensuring even distribution
3. If you want a more complete look, consider wrapping smaller branches
4. Use your hands and fingers to maintain consistent spacing
5. When you come to the end of a light strand, fasten it with a nearby branch or zip-tie
6. Use a ladder if necessary

Methods for installing walkway Christmas lights vary depending on the surface material. The following applications may be practical:

• Drilling holes
• Screwing in dedicated light fixtures
• Using cable or zip ties
• Using specialized fence post mounts
• Using nails or stables
• Applying adhesive clips

Regardless of the method you choose, you must:

• Plan placement carefully to ensure your display looks balanced.
• Use weatherproof materials for optimal safety
• Conceal wires to ensure an attractive aesthetic and minimize damage
• Comply with electrical safety standards

The following methods will produce effective results when you install lights onthe roof:

• Plastic Clips: These clips attach to the edge of the shingles or gutter without damaging the roof.

• Adhesive Clips: Adhesive clips stick directly to the gutter. They are moisture-resistant.

• S-shaped Gutter Hooks: These hooks attach to the top of the gutter. The lights hang from the opposite side.

• Flex Clips: These clips attach to the socket, ensuring the bulb locks into place.

• Zip Ties: Zip ties are often used to attach lights to structures. They are especially effective for intricate designs.

• Magnetic Clips: Magnetic clips are ideal for metal surfaces.

When decorating a commercial space, you must properly connect and secure Christmas lights to ensure an aesthetically pleasing and safe display. This section will outline the steps you should take. 

Test your light strands before hanging them to ensure all bulbs are light. Doing so will prevent the time-consuming process of removing lights that don’t function properly after installation.

Connecting lights in long strands increases the risk of tangling, especially if you hang them across sections like multiple walls or rooms. To prevent light tangling, use shorter strands and connect them in sections.

Weatherproof extension cords for outdoors feature a layer of protective insulation, a three-prong plug, and a higher amperage rating. They reduce the risk of electric shocks and are designed to withstand the elements.

Automating your display will increase efficiency and enhance your design. The following systems will ensure your systems run their best. 

Timers and smart LED controllers can turn lights on and off to ensure your display is on during business hours and shut off later in the evening to avoid wasting energy. They also program lights so they follow an attractive pattern.

Dimmable LED lights can make your display more dynamic. They may also be helpful if a neighbor complains that your display is too bright. Adjust the brightness to achieve the ideal aesthetic. 

Solar-powered Christmas lights further reduce your energy use and increase your cost savings. They often feature an individual solar panel that powers your system. Power them during the daytime, and they will run all night. 

LED light maintenance and troubleshooting ensure your lights are safe and look their best. Here are some tips to consider.

Burnt-out bulbs can make your display look unattractive and make your company seem less professional. Fortunately, many strands come with replacement bulbs that allow you to correct the issue without entirely replacing the strand. 

Even a system rated for outdoor use can be affected by rain, snow, or high winds. Check your connections after a storm to ensure they are still working. For optimal safety, ensure your components are dry and well-connected before you test. 

Proper storage will reduce issues and extend your LED lights’ lifespan. Here are some storage tips to consider.

• Prevent tangles by winding lights around a cardboard tube

• Store lights in a bin in a cool, dry area to prevent damage

• Ensure your lights are dry before storing them

Typical issues may cause your LED lights not to work correctly. If you experience flickering, blown fuses, or loose connections, try the following troubleshooting methods:

• Loose Connections: Ensure all components are well-connected

• Incompatible Dimmers: An incompatible dimmer rated for an incandescent bulb can cause lights to flicker

• Faulty Power Supply: Issues can occur due to a damaged or malfunctioning power supply

• Overloaded Circuits: Overloaded circuits can cause flickering or dimming

• Poor Wiring: Incorrectly installed wiring can cause inconsistent brightness

• Overheating: if your LED fixtures are not adequately ventilated, the bulbs performance may be impacted

LED light installation is not always straightforward. If you don’t feel confident about getting the job done safely or think your lights may not look your best, don’t hesitate to contact Dekra-Lite. We provide everything from high-quality decorations to complete installation, ensuring your property looks its best. 

LED lights are popular for professionals because they are durable, energy-efficient, and offer color varieties. Professional LED lights are typically commercial-grade and feature heavy-duty wiring and stronger bulbs. However, some professionals also integrate incandescent lights, known for their warm aesthetic. 

LED Christmas lights are typically connected with coaxial connectors, which are threaded male and female components that screw together tightly to form a weatherproof seal.

The price of professional Christmas light installation varies depending on the complexity of the design. However, most clients will pay between $2.50 and $7 per linear foot. The average cost is usually between $250 and $650 for a 1500-square-foot space. 

When considering C7 vs. C9 lights, the biggest difference is their size. C9 lights are much larger and fit into bigger sockets. They are typically 2 ⅞ “in height and 1 ⅛ “in width. C7 lights generally are 2 ⅛ “ in height and ⅞ “ in width.

SPT1 and SPT2 wires are electrical chords typically used for Christmas light installations. SPT2 has thicker insulation, making it better suited to withstand the elements. SPT1 is thinner and more pliable, making it suited to standard applications.