Source of frequent house light bulb burn out?

Question

The light bulbs in my house seem to burn out at an accelerated rate. Is this due to power surges coming into the house or some other problem such as a my internal wiring? Most importantly, what can I do to fix it?

Answer 1

I was told one time to check for loose "neutral" connections all thru the house including INSIDE the power box. Be careful and if you are untrained, call an electrition.

PS

I never did the check but from what I am told, power needs to pass thru from positive to neutral at an "even" rate, free of spikes, A loose or jittery connection will affect this

Answer 2

It could very well have to do with the power surges.

Older homes often have a large number of outlets and lights on a single circuit. If you have high wattage items plugged into the same circuit, it can reduce the life of light bulbs.

Insuring things like hair dryers, washing machines/dryers, A/C units, irons and electric grills are not plugged into the same circuits can help. Rewiring with the addition of circuits can also help.

I had a light bulb that was on the same circuit with the washing machine. It burned out regularly, as in every couple of months. Putting the washing machine onto a different circuit solved the issue.

Answer 3

Hmmm.

Sounds like you might have a slightly higher than average supply voltage.

Transients (spikes) really don't have that much of an effect on a normal bulb - the spike is not sustained long enough to appreciably increase the temperature of the filament.

How a brownout (too many other things on the same circuit) would cause bulb failure is beyond me. Undervoltage to a lamp INCREASES not decreases life expectancy.

My suggestions are:-

1. if you know any friends whoare electrically minded and have a meter - ask them to see if you mains is runing a little high. Likely to be at its worst during early afternoon (little domestic load)

2. Fit dimmers - they make filament lamps last MUCH longer - and are nicer for mood lighting.

Answer 4

It can be caused buy power surges in which case you can put a whole house surge protector on your circuit panel. It can also be caused by buying cheap bulb such as GE or Philips. Purchase sulvania. or you can also change to compact florescent or halogen bulbs which have a longer life

Answer 5

ONe of the biggest causes of premature light bulb burn out, is the
cover over the light fixture.

Bulbs in fixtures with covers burn out almost 3 times a quickly as bulbs that are bare or just hooded, or shaded.

Answer 6

you ought to purchase an outlet voltage tester at places like Lowe's and different Hardware shops, (The training are notably undemanding to appreciate).Your retailers ought to selection between a hundred and fifteen and a hundred and twenty even though there are places that gets its electrical energy at a relentless 122 and 123 + i do no longer understand why yet i'm on a Co Op and that i'm getting 122 which burns out bulbs notably rapid. there is yet another ingredient and that's the grounding out of your place, in case you don't be attentive to approximately it then have somebody who knows to learn your floor twine, possibly the skill meter reader whilst they arrive to verify your month-to-month meter analyzing. they could desire to verify it for unfastened in case you ask them, plus your skill enterprise will inform you the main dazzling volts that could desire to verify on your out we could once you examine them with a meter. A low analyzing will additionally end a bulbs lifestyles speedier than regularly occurring.