Light bulbs !?

Question

The light bulbs in my basement are constantly burning out ! I am forever changing them ! Could it be an electrical issue ? It's a new home !

These are lights that are in the ceiling.

Answer 1

It could be an electrical problem. Does it flicker or dim when it is burning? The socket itself could be the problem, or it could be in the fixture or wiring. Test the voltage at the socket and see if you have a steady 120v. Often basements create a moist, corrosive atmosphere that could cause electrical shorting.
joe is right about high voltage shortening your bulb life.
if this is the only location where there is a problem, and you are using these bulbs elsewhere, then there is some reason that only the basement goes out too frequently. Maybe it is left on and you dopn't know it? Maybe it is turned on and off more than your other bulbs? Maybe it is bumped somehow - by stomping on the ceiling and the filaments are breaking? Maybe it gets condensation on the bulb surface - many things potentially could be the cause of premature bulb failure

Answer 2

Sometimes the center contact in the bulb base gets bent so that only marginal contact is made with the bulb. With the power off and using a non metallic object such as a tongue depressor, a bamboo skewer or a piece cut from a wood paint stirring stick, bend the contact up a bit more to make a better contact. Another thing you could try is using a long life bulb. If this doesn't make a difference, either check your available voltage with a meter or have some else do it. It should be in the 110 to 120 range. If not, it may indeed be an electrical issue that you need to take up with the builder for resolution.

Answer 3

You say the lights are in the ceiling which leads me to think recessed. If such is the case, there will be a sticker inside indicating the maximum wattage bulb to use. The additional heat a higher wattage bulb creates causes the life expectancy of the bulb to decrease, not to mention it creates a fire hazard. The average life expectancy of a 100 watt bulb is somewhere around 750 hours and that of a 60 watt is around 1,200 hours. That information is on the packaging. I cant imagine that you would have an electrical problem with a single light fixture in your home.

Answer 4

I highly recommend the new "curly" fluorescent bulbs, they use less power, and last MUCH longer. If you still have trouble, try a "rough duty" bulb, they take a little more abuse than a standard bulb. The "curly" bulbs cost more, but are worth it.

Answer 5

go to a lighting center and ask for rough service lamps. your present lamps are rated at 115-120 volts. house voltage run as high as 125 volt. rough service lamps are good up to 130 volts.

Answer 6

yes - definately - and dangerous