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broadgage · 10th Dec 2019, 10:21 am

Any common silicon power diode of suitable rating may be used in series with Christmas lights.
The voltage rating needs to be greater than the peak of the AC mains, and preferably by a good margin. 1000 volt PIV diodes provide a good safety margin and are cheap and widely sold.
The current rating of the diode needs to be greater than the load current, again preferably by a good margin. 1 amp diodes are cheap and sold everywhere. The actual load current is unlikely to exceed a small fraction of an amp.

10th Dec 2019, 10:21 am	#477
broadgage Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,130	Re: Vintage Christmas Tree lights Any common silicon power diode of suitable rating may be used in series with Christmas lights. The voltage rating needs to be greater than the peak of the AC mains, and preferably by a good margin. 1000 volt PIV diodes provide a good safety margin and are cheap and widely sold. The current rating of the diode needs to be greater than the load current, again preferably by a good margin. 1 amp diodes are cheap and sold everywhere. The actual load current is unlikely to exceed a small fraction of an amp.