• Brokkr
    link
    13
    edit-2
    4 days ago

    It is either a 30 60 or 60 120 Hz flicker, depending on how they built the electronics. It is 30 60 Hz if they didn’t include an inverter and 60 120 Hz if they did.

    Without an inverter, it will be off for 50% of the time. With an inverter, it will always be on, but sometimes dim.

    With better electronics, it will be steady on, but that’s not common in christmas lights.

    • @9point6
      link
      84 days ago

      Not strictly always true, if the lights have any kind of dimming capability (like many of the ones with automated patterns) you’ll likely be dealing with PWM which means the time spent lit can vary significantly

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      44 days ago

      Wouldn’t that be 60 Hz without a rectifier, and 120 Hz with one? If the voltage crosses zero twice per cycle, but goes negative only once.

      • Brokkr
        link
        44 days ago

        Yep, you’re right. Had the 2 on the wrong side. Fixing.