The backbone wire that your C7 and C9 bulbs plug into. From 25-foot pre-cut stringers ready to install out of the box, to 1000-foot bulk spools for cutting custom lengths on site. Available in SPT-1 and SPT-2 gauges, multiple socket spacings, and green or white wire to match every install location — from residential rooflines and pathways to large commercial properties.
C7 vs C9 — Which Wire Do You Need?
Your wire choice follows your bulb choice. C7 and C9 socket wire are not interchangeable — the sockets are sized for different bulb bases.
C7 socket wire uses E12 candelabra sockets. Smaller bulbs, smaller wire, lower wattage per run. The standard for pathway lighting, railings, garland, wreaths, porches, and residential detail work where you want defined points of light without overwhelming smaller features.
C9 socket wire uses E17 intermediate sockets. Larger bulbs, heavier wire, more visual punch from the street. The standard for residential rooflines, ridges, large trees, and commercial properties where the install needs to read clearly from a distance.
Most pro installers stock both. C9 for the roofline, C7 for everything closer to eye level.
SPT-1 vs SPT-2 — Pick the Gauge for the Job
Both gauges are UL-rated for outdoor use. The difference is insulation thickness and how much abuse the wire can take.
SPT-1 is the standard gauge for most residential roofline and pathway runs. Lighter weight, easier to handle on ladders, lower cost per foot. The right call for the majority of seasonal installs.
SPT-2 has thicker insulation for heavy-duty applications — long commercial runs, year-round installs, rough surfaces, and any job where the wire needs to survive multiple seasons of takedown and reinstall. Slightly higher cost per foot, dramatically longer service life on tough jobs.
Pick the gauge that matches your job size, run length, and how long the wire needs to stay up.
Pre-Cut Stringers vs Bulk Spools
Pre-cut stringers in 25-foot, 50-foot, and 100-foot lengths are ready to install right out of the box. Plugs already attached, sockets already spaced. The fastest path from truck to roofline for standard residential jobs.
Bulk spools up to 1000 feet let you cut custom lengths on site. Most high-volume installers buy bulk and cut to fit — it eliminates waste, gives exact measurements for every roofline, and dramatically lowers per-foot cost on big jobs. Pair with Gilbert plugs and a crimping tool to build your own runs.
Socket Spacing Options
C9 socket wire spacing:
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12" spacing — Premium residential rooflines and peaks where customers want a fuller, more luminous appearance
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15" spacing — The contractor standard for most C9 rooflines and long commercial runs
C7 socket wire spacing:
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12" spacing — Maximum density for high-impact pathway and railing runs
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18" spacing — The contractor standard for most residential detail work
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36" spacing — Long runs where you want accent points without overwhelming smaller features
Match the spacing to the install. Tighter spacing for high-end feature areas. Wider spacing for long runs and accent work.
Wire Color Options
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Green — Disappears into trees, landscaping, wreaths, garland, and shrubs. The default for tree installs and natural daytime curb appeal.
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White — Blends into white fascia, soffit, gutters, and trim on light-colored homes.
Build Your Custom Setup
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Pick your gauge — SPT-1 for most residential, SPT-2 for commercial and year-round installs
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Pick your spacing — based on the install location and the look you're going for
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Cut to length — measure the run, cut the wire, no waste
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Terminate with Gilbert plugs — clean, weatherproof connections
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Pop in your bulbs — your choice of C7 LED bulbs or C9 LED bulbs
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Mount and power up — secure with clips and run to your power source
Need everything pre-matched in one order? Grab a C7 Pro Light Kit or C9 Pro Light Kit with bulbs, wire, clips, and plugs ready to go.
Contractor-Tested Wire
Jason Geiman specs this socket wire across his entire contractor network. SPT-rated for outdoor commercial use. Thousands of professional installers in our 40,000+ contractor community run it on residential and commercial jobs every season — rooflines, pathways, ridges, wreaths, garland, trees, and everything in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use C7 wire with C9 bulbs (or vice versa)? No. The sockets are sized for different bulb bases — C7 wire uses E12 candelabra sockets, C9 wire uses E17 intermediate sockets. The bulbs are not interchangeable, and neither is the wire.
What gauge and spacing should I run for roofline work? For most residential rooflines, C9 in SPT-1 with 15" spacing is the contractor standard. Step up to SPT-2 for commercial properties or year-round installs. Tighten to 12" spacing for premium high-end jobs where the customer wants maximum density.
What spacing should I run for pathway work? For C7 pathway and railing runs, 18" spacing is the standard. Tighten to 12" for high-density feature areas. Open up to 36" for long runs where you want accent points without too much density.
Pre-cut or bulk — which is right for me? Pre-cut is faster on standard residential jobs where the run lengths line up with 25/50/100 ft. Bulk is the right call for high-volume installers, commercial accounts, and any job where you're cutting custom lengths to avoid waste.
Do I need a crimping tool for bulk spools? Yes — to attach Gilbert plugs to your custom-cut runs, you'll need a crimping tool sized to your wire gauge (SPT-1 or SPT-2). It's a one-time investment that pays for itself on your first job.
