You’re whipping up an omelet and *pop!* the can light overhead goes out. Again. You just replaced the bulb two weeks ago! What gives?
Light bulbs going out repeatedly is annoying and expensive. The fact that it’s happening, though, is an indication that something isn’t right. New lightbulbs shouldn’t have the lifespan of a butterfly. Incandescent bulbs should last approximately 1000 hours; fluorescent bulbs should last 10,000 usage hours; and LEDs 25,000 hours.
What’s Going On?
Here’s what could be happening:
- There’s a loose or improper connection to the bulb
- The wiring of the fixture is loose
- You’re using the wrong kind of bulb for the fixture
- The power supply voltage is too high for the bulb to accommodate
Let’s break down these points.
A Loose or Improper Connection to the Bulb
When connections between the circuit and the bulb are loose, it means that the power flow to the bulb is intermittent. Power flow that stops and starts repeatedly can cause your light bulb to burn out faster than normal. You might notice the lightbulb flickering. Try screwing the bulb securely into the socket so that it’s snug.
The Wiring of the Fixture is Loose
This is the same issue as above. When the fixture wiring is loose, it means the power is starting and stopping all the time. The bulb will burn out faster in this situation. Another possibility is that the contacts on the socket have corroded. This also makes power flow intermittently.
Wrong Kind of Bulb for the Fixture
Look at the fixture to see what the maximum recommended wattage is. If the max wattage is 60 watts, don’t put a higher watt bulb in the fixture. The higher-wattage bulb creates heat, and this reduces the lifespan of the bulb. Consider switching to an LED bulb, which uses less power than other types of bulbs.
The Lightbulb is Vibrating and the Filament Inside Keeps Breaking
A lightbulb subjected to repeated shaking–like from a ceiling fan that’s out of balance, a jerky garage door opening, or a ceiling vibrating under foot traffic on a second floor–can see its filament eventually break. The filament is the component that lights up, so when it’s broken, the bulb goes out. Try switching to an LED bulb that doesn’t have a filament or to a heavier duty bulb designed to withstand vibrations.
The Bulb is Incompatible with the Linked Dimmer Switch
Not all lightbulbs work with dimmer switches. Make sure your switch and bulb are compatible with each other.
The Power Supply Voltage is Too High for the Bulb
Homes in the United States are built with 120-volt electrical outlets. Some outlets, however, are 220-volt outlets, installed for appliances like dryers and stoves. Is your lightbulb plugged into a 220-volt outlet? If so, it’s getting too much power than it’s built to handle. That will cause it to blow.
Call the Best Electrician in Decatur
Electricity problems, including lightbulbs burning out too fast, can be a tricky thing to diagnose and solve. Call the Burney Electrical Services, the best electrical services contractor Decatur has. We’ll get the problem figured out. (404) 369-1063.
