Series connected light string with filament shunting

A series-wired light string that operates on pulsating DC current, comprising:

• a plurality of light bulbs including a plurality of flasher light bulbs;
• a plurality of light sockets, each light socket of said plurality of light sockets adapted to receive at least one of said plurality of light bulbs;
• a plurality of voltage-responsive shunts, each shunt being electrically connected in parallel across a respective light socket to maintain the current passing through the light socket in the event that a light bulb is inoperative or is missing from the light socket;
• an AC plug electrically connected to the series-wired light string, said plug including a pair of terminals to be connected to a source of AC supply voltage;
• and
• a rectifier disposed between said AC supply voltage and said series-wired light string for rectifying the AC supply voltage to produce pulsating DC supply current at all times during operation of said series-wired light string, regardless of whether any of said light bulbs are inoperative or missing;
• wherein, during operation of said light string, said flasher light bulbs flash on and off at different rates and at different times to cause the light string to exhibit a twinkling effect.

A method of operating a series-wired light string on pulsating DC current, said series-wired light string comprising a plurality of light bulbs including a plurality of flasher light bulbs, a plurality of light sockets, each light socket adapted to receive at least one of said plurality of light bulbs, and a plurality of voltage-responsive shunts, each shunt being electrically connected in parallel across a respective light socket to maintain the current passing through the light socket in the event that a light bulb becomes inoperative or is missing from the light socket, the method comprising the steps of:

• rectifying an AC supply voltage to produce pulsating DC supply current;
• and
• applying said pulsating DC supply current to said series-wired light string, whereby the voltage-responsive shunts allow the series-wired light string to remain operative at all times regardless of whether any of said light bulbs are inoperative or missing;
• wherein, during operation of said light string, said flasher light bulbs flash on and off at different rates and at different times to cause the light string to exhibit a twinkling effect.