safe to put lower watt bulb in socket?

Question

Gotta change the lightbulb- is it safe to put a 60 W bulb in a 75 W socket? I don't want to start an electrical fire.
Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi er_watch!

Here's a general rule. It is always okay to substitute a LOWER wattage bulb. That way you know you aren't going to overload anything.

The only time you need to avoid bulb substitution is if you have a HIGHER wattage bulb than the fixture is equipped to handle. If you do this, you could overload a circuit and possibly start a fire.

Thus, using a 60 W in a 75 W socket should be perfectly fine.

Hope this helps!
searcher

Answer 2

Yes, Go with a 75 watt fluorescent bulb, uses less electricity and save you money. Do not put a higher watt bulb in a socket that requires a 60 watt, light bulbs produce heat, upwards of 300-400 degrees, that is a fire waiting to happen.

Answer 3

There are 2 separate subject concerns in play right here. First is wattage. A 23 watt CFL (a hundred watt equivalent) poses no risk in a 60 watt max fixture whilst purely wattage is taken under consideration. the 2d concern is then the determining ingredient - warmth technology. maximum lamp sockets are extremely limited in wattage simply by warmth generated by technique of a properly-known incandescent bulb and the wear that warmth might desire to do to the wiring (maximum lamp cord isn't rated for top temperatures). mutually as a CFL generates much less warmth usual than an equivalent incandescent, the warmth in a CFL is focused on the ballast it fairly is located close to the socket. based on the variety of the CFL bulb, the integrated ballast might desire to extremely generate extra warmth on the socket than a 60 watt bulb. additionally, the ballast is warmth comfortable itself. If the warmth can't expend quickly adequate, the ballast can overheat and shorten the existence of the CFL appreciably. With that throughout concepts, a CFL put in in an open fixture with sturdy air bypass around the socket wouldn't have a topic with the better CFL equivalent. Enclosed furniture are a various remember. simply by insufficient air bypass, CFLs might desire to be limited to their incandescent equivalent in such furniture. Many CFLs even have warnings stating to not use them in enclosed furniture. As to the widespread question: Use at your own risk.

Answer 4

Absolutely safe. Those ratings are about the light's ability to dissipate heat. Lower wattage bulbs generate less heat and so the light will not overheat and be damaged.

The other way around - a 75w bulb in a 60w socket can overheat the fixture and cause a fire.

Answer 5

You can put a lower wattage bulb in your light fixture. The light may not be as bright. The maximum wattage for a light fixture is usually listed someplace on the lamp or fixture. The higher the wattage of bulb, the more heat it generates. That is why there is a maximum wattage for light fixtures. If the bulb gets to hot, it could melt parts of the fixture. There are several brands of light bulbs made now, that replicate natural light, they are a bit more expensive, but they emit a whiter light instead of the yellow tint of regular bulbs.

Answer 6

Wattage is a measurement of energy usage. The rating you see on the light fixture is maximum safe watts. If you go higher you can melt the insulation off the wires and start a fire. Going lower is never a problem.

Answer 7

yes it is a better choice would be a compact floresent bulb though a 16 watt cfl buld uses 16 watts of electricity but gives light of 85 watt regular bulb. saving you money and helping environment too. (and they last 10 years)

Answer 8

Check out the new flourescent bulbs on the market. They are making these to fit in regular sockets but a whole lot less energy drain.

Answer 9

Absolutely.
Danger arises only when installing a HIGHER than recommended wattage bulb.

Answer 10

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