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Electrical Wiring

What causes bulbs to blow

16 years ago

The lightbulbs in my basement tend to go bad more often than it should - 3-5 months. Sometimes it happens when I just turn them on, they go *pfft* and I know the bulbs just blews. Other times, I don't notice it, but when I go to turn on the lights, they are bad...

They are recessed Lightolier cans on Lutron Vareo Dimmers.

Any suggestions on where to start troubleshooting.

I swear.....in this basement of 8 recessed cans, I have gone through at least 8-10 bulbs this year alone !

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Comments (4)

davidandkasie
16 years ago
sockets are worn out in the fixtures. i put CFL's in mine and pretty much stopped the issue. my 4 lights int eh den would blow a bulb a week, now the same CFL's have been in there for 2 years.
a1an
Original Author
16 years ago
Housings are not that old. The cans were put in about 6-7 years ago when it was finished...
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davidandkasie
16 years ago
then it may be vibrations. try some heavy duty drop light bulbs. they have a thicker filament and don't blow as easily.

also, buy 130 v bulbs, NOT 120 v. they will last longer.
DavidR
16 years ago
Premature incandescent lamp failures are usually cheap bulbs, excessive vibration, or high line voltage.

You have control of #1.

No. 2 can be kids jumping on the floor above the lights, doors being slammed, an air duct vibrating, a washer or dryer or its vent, the dishwasher, the water pump or sump pump, and on and on. Sometimes you can feel this vibration.

No. 3 is usually caused by a loose neutral and you will see other symptoms (notably, some lights brighten when 120 volt large motorized appliances start).

After ruling out #3, replace with good quality screw-in compact fluorescents for longer life. (Note, good CFs typically cost $10-15 each. The $3 cheapies often have a high infant mortality rate.)

Or replace with 130 volt incandescent lamps instead of 120v (note - they will produce somewhat less light per kWh of electricity used).

Or use ceiling fan or rough service lamps.

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