What does it mean if my light fixture causes light bulbs to blow frequently?

Question

What are the possible reasons and what do I do about it?

Answer 1

My first suspicion would be a short circuit in the fixture.

Also, while this doesn't happen often, you might want to check for leaks and make sure water isn't getting into your fixture.

Good luck!

Answer 2

A few things may be at work here. First, are you sure the bulb is burnt out? Today most fixtures have a heat sensor that will shut off the power to the light if the unit gets too hot, especially recessed lighting fixtures. After about 5 minutes the sensor will click back on its own and allow power back to the bulb. If that is the problem you need to either put a smaller bulb in the fixture or go to compact floresent bulb which is more expensive initially, but cheaper to use and stays cold to the touch. If it is not a sensor, it still may be due to too much heat. Was the fixture rated for use only with a compact florsent? Are you using a wattage that exceeds the fixture's recommendation? If rated for floresent, you cannot use an incandescent bulb in that fixture. If the wattage is higher thatn the fixture is rated for you need to use a smaller wattage bulb. In both these cases the heat will build up and eventually cause the bulb to fail prematurally. The next most common reason is due to powe spikes and dips. If you see a lot of bright and dim changes in your lights around the house then you have a condition that will be hard on all of your electrical appliances. You may want to contact an electrician to see if something can be done to correct that. At a minimum I would put all of my expensive plug in type equipment on a power regulator that protects sensitive equipment from power spikes and dips. They are expensive, costing about $25-$40 each, so getting the problem fixed may be expensive up front but worth it over time. They "green plugs" simply plug into the wall socket and then you plug one item into it. Finally, if a short is present then it too will cause a power spike and dip resulting in premature bulb failure. What happens here is that when the power is not being used, the wire is cool and makes contact with the electrical fixture (a recessed light, plug, switch, etc.) But when the power is turned on the wire heats up, causing it to expand a bit and lose its connection. Depending on the type of fixture you are talking about it can be a relatively easy fix or a big expensive one. Good luck!

Answer 3

There are only a few reasons that cause light bulbs to fail prematurely. You could have a loose wire in the fixture. This will cause arcing which causes a high amperage draw through the filament.

If you are using can lights, where the heat of the bulb cannot dissipate well, light bulbs will fail sooner than most.

You may be buying cheap, low quality bulbs?

Consider using the compact fluorescent bulbs now available. The energy savings and longevity of the bulbs is worth it.

Answer 4

This happens frequently in my 50 year-old home. I've measured the voltage to be 126V, which is high. I also notice lights getting brighter for a moment when the AC kicks in, which of course means even higher voltage. Constant higher voltage means shorter life, especially with the spikes. This has caused some of my home theater equipment to fail, even with the use of a "surge protector."

The 130V bulbs sound like a good plan.

For electronics, one of the best solutions are the Uninteruptable Power Supplies (UPS). They accept all kinds of wacky voltage - high and low, spikes and complete blackouts, and put out a constant 120V. They have batteries to provide the short term power during a blackout so you can shut down the computer without data loss, etc.

There are voltage regulators (basically a huge UPS) available for the entire house, but those cost a fortune.

Answer 5

1st make sure there is nothing in the socket like hair or any other debris.
2nd check the fuse panel that the fixture is connected to,
If that fuse is too large (ie more than 20 amp), it could be
a over loaded circuit, and the lamp will act as a fuse on that circuit since the fuse is too big to blow.
3rd Are you sure the bulbs are blowing, or could it be that the bulb is not making a good connection in the socket?

Answer 6

it means you are using bulbs of a higher wattage than the fixture was made for. some fixtures will have a little sticker that tell you that 40 watts maximum. If you put 60 + watts they will blow quicker.

Answer 7

Get rough service bulbs 130v as it is the lower voltage 120 rated is why they burn out sooner the reason is most incoming voltage is between 122 and 126 volts. 120 bulbs bam they blow is has to do with the 'inrush' current/voltage florsantents can handle the varying voltage cause of the transformer in them

Answer 8

The light bub you by today ant any good .
they don't last . We were having the same problem
so we have went the new tipe bub they are call save alot
bub you can by them at Wal-Mart for about $7.00
for two They supposed to last for 7 Years. you save money
by getting them. we have not had any problem sents
There is not any thing wrong with your light fixtures it is
just the bubs.

Answer 9

I live in an older house, and I had my bil check it out..He's an electrician...There was nothing wrong, but he said to switch to 120 VOLT, not watt, but volt bulbs..I have only found them at Home Depot and it has worked great!

Answer 10

One of the reasons may be the loose contact somewhere in the circuit... either in the switch or in the holder or anywhere in the wire