Types of Lights

Types of Lights

Revision: 0.5 (Draft)
Author: Ernest Horning

Introduction

Holiday lighting has evolved from traditional incandescent strings to modern addressable RGB pixels. This page introduces the major lighting technologies used in today's holiday displays.

576x384px

432x288pxIncandescent Lights

Traditional warm lights with higher power consumption.

LED String Lights

Efficient replacements are available in many styles.

347x231pxDumb RGB Lighting

Entire strip changes to one color together.

Smart RGB (Addressable) Pixels

Each pixel contains its own controller for independent color control.

COB LED Strips

Produce a nearly continuous line of light.

5-Volt vs 12-Volt Pixels

Both are common; 5V is efficient while 12V allows longer runs.

432x288px

Common Pixel Types

Type	Typical Use	Notes
Bullet	Outdoor props	Most common
Square	Coroplast	Square holes
Seed	Wireframes / 3D prints	Small & flexible
Pebble	Decorative props	Diffused
Pixel Strip	Matrices	Flexible PCB
RGBW	High quality white	Dedicated white LED

Color Temperature

Color temperature describes the appearance of white light and is measured in Kelvin (K). It describes the color of the light, not how hot the bulb becomes.

Type	Typical (K)	Appearance	Common Uses
Warm White	2700–3000	Soft yellow-white	Traditional Christmas displays
Neutral White	3500–4500	Balanced white	General decorative lighting
Cool White	5000–6500	Bright blue-white	Modern displays and accent lighting

Tip: Choose Warm White LEDs if you want the traditional incandescent look.

432x288px

Choosing the Right Lights

Application	Recommended	Why
Roofline	LED Strings	Classic appearance
Building accents	Dumb RGB / COB	Uniform lighting
Animated props	Smart RGB Pixels	Individual control
Matrices	Smart RGB Pixels	Images and animation

Revision Notes

Revision 0.5 restores and expands the Color Temperature section with a comparison table and practical guidance.