Patent ID: 7609006

Claim:
A string of lights for use with a source of alternating electrical current, comprising: plural light-emitting diodes arranged in a string having a first end and an opposing second end; a plug adapted for connection to a source of alternating electrical current and connected to said first end of said string; a receptacle opposing said plug and connected to said second end of said string, said plug adapted for providing a source of alternating electrical current when said plug is connected to said source of alternating electrical current; a pair of electrical conductors connecting said plug and said receptacle so that said alternating electrical current is conducted from said plug to said receptacle; a bridge rectifier having a first part and a second part, said first part of said bridge rectifier being located at said first end of said string, said second part of said bridge rectifier being located at said second end of said string, said first and said second ends of said bridge rectifier, upon receiving said alternating electrical current from said plug, rectifying said alternating electrical current to deliver direct electrical current for use by said plural light-emitting diodes, said pair of electrical conductors connecting said first and said second parts of said bridge rectifier; and a negative temperature coefficient thermistor in series with said plural light-emitting diodes of said string to prevent electrical current from flowing in said light string in the event in the event of a failure of a light-emitting diode of said series of light-emitting diodes while electrical current continues to flow in said pair of electrical conductors.