When you flip on the light as you head downstairs to do some laundry, the light bulb that you recently installed burns out again! It’s inconvenient and expensive to keep buying new bulbs. Even worse, the circumstance may occasionally point to a potential fire hazard. That’s why it’s so important to troubleshoot and determine why your light bulbs keep burning out.
Expected lifespan of incandescent bulbs is a thousand hours. Compact fluorescent (CFL) and LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs typically have much longer lifespans, reaching up to 10,000 and 25, 000 usage hours, respectively. No matter the type of bulb, if your light bulbs keep going out before they should, it’s time to look into it. A light bulb could burn out too quickly for a variety of reasons, including the following:
In North American homes, 120-volt electrical outlets are standard. The light bulb will burn brighter and go out much more quickly if the outlet is providing too much voltage for it. Make sure the light is plugged into a regular outlet and not a 220-volt one, which is typically used for high-voltage appliances like stoves and dryers.
Use a multimeter to inspect the outlet if the light is connected to a regular outlet. Get in touch with a certified electrician right away to check for problems with the electrical supply if the reading is higher than 120 volts.
Because of the fluctuating voltage, a lightbulb that is loose or connected incorrectly will burn out more quickly. You may notice flickering if this is the case. Verify that the bulb is properly screwed into the socket; if it isn’t, turn the bulb until it is.
On the other hand, overly tightened lightbulb screws can corrode the socket tab, a tiny metal tab at the base of the socket that supplies power to the bulb. In order to connect with the bulb’s base, make sure the tab is angled up. Use a plastic or wooden object to gently bend the tab up so it can make full contact with the bulb after unplugging or turning off the unit’s power.
Some bulb brands don’t have enough solder at the base to connect to the socket tab completely, which can lead to arcing and shorten the lifespan of the bulb. The tab and bulb solder should ideally be about the same size to ensure a strong connection between the two. If this isn’t the case, try switching light bulb brands.
Incandescent bulbs can burn out earlier due to broken filaments when exposed to excessive vibration or jarring from things like ceiling fans or automatic garage doors. The light may also flicker due to loosened connections. Consider switching to an LED bulb (which has no filament) or installing “rough service” bulbs, which are made to better withstand vibrations, if the problematic bulb is placed close to an entrance, installed in a ceiling with a lot of upstairs foot traffic, or situated in other locations where vibrations are unavoidable.
Perhaps you don’t have the right kind of bulb for that fixture. For instance, using a 120-watt bulb in a 60-watt lamp will produce too much heat, shorten the bulb’s life, and may even start a fire. Always check that the bulb’s wattage does not exceed the fixture’s wattage recommendation to prevent this. Consider switching to LED bulbs to enjoy brighter, more effective lighting since they consume significantly less power than other bulb types.
Another problem that might exist is that the bulb you are using is inappropriate for the location. For instance, LED bulbs are better suited to lighting fixtures that are frequently turned on and off throughout the day, such as those in bathrooms or motion sensors. Being repeatedly turned on and off damages the electrodes in CFLs, making them especially susceptible to this type of usage and drastically reducing the lifespan of the bulb.
Can lights, also known as recessed lighting fixtures, are typically installed inside the ceiling. Older recessed lighting fixtures can overheat if insulation is too close to the housing, even though newer models may be intended to be in contact with insulation (IC-rated). Some fixtures are designed to automatically shut off if overheated. In other instances, the bulbs might flicker and prematurely burn out. This situation also poses a fire risk. Installing IC-rated fixtures is the best option to prevent them from overheating when in contact with insulation.
Dimmer switches from the past were designed to work with incandescent bulbs. They may harm the bulb or circuitry when used with CFL or LED bulbs. Additionally, not all modern light bulbs work with dimmer switches. Make sure your light bulb and dimmer switch are compatible with one another.
Lightbulbs may burn out more quickly if the circuit and the fixture have loose connections. Another potential problem is corroded contacts on the socket itself. It is essentially the same as repeatedly turning the switch on and off because power to the bulb is intermittent in both situations. Check to make sure wires are firmly fastened to the screw terminals and turn off the unit’s power. Replace the socket or the fixture if the contacts in the socket are broken.
A light bulb that burns out frequently could be more than just an inconvenience; it might also pose a safety hazard that needs immediate professional attention. Don’t wait to call Mr. Smith if your light bulbs keep burning out despite attempts to fix the problem. Electric®. Call us at (844) 866-1367 today. Our friendly experts are prepared to respond to your inquiries and handle all of your electrical needs.
You can trust our friends at Mr. Solar, who are a member of the Neighborly family of home services, if you’re interested in alternative lighting options or have thought about solar tubes. Handyman to deliver expert solar tube installation at your home. Find my local Mr. Electric Categories.
Light bulbs frequently burn out as soon as you turn them on because turning them on sends a jolt of electricity through the filaments that is more likely to break it than a steady current. Lights that are frequently turned on and off likely have a shorter lifespan.
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In reality, incandescent light bulbs have a lifespan of about 1,000 hours because light bulbs can’t last indefinitely. A bulb should last roughly four months if used for eight hours per day. Although compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) should last a lot longer, this isn’t always the case. If you recently changed the bulbs but the lifespan doesn’t seem to be as long as it should be, there may be a problem with the fixture or somewhere else in the circuit.
I could see where the oven was connected to the house wiring after partially pulling out the oven. I could see that twist connectors were used to join the wires, and then electrical tape was applied to the connector’s bottom.
I conducted a Google search of websites and newsgroups, and it turned up a few threads, including one about frequently burning-out lightbulbs in the house and another about oven lights. Both threads recommended confirming that the neutral line’s impedance issue wasn’t the source of the uneven voltage on either side of the neutral. Evidently, a high voltage reading in the socket would be the symptom.
>Also, is there anything I should specifically look or test for when I >have the oven out? Is there a way to tell if the wire or socket is at >fault?.
I dont understand. The voltage across the socket was 118 when I measured it. 2V. Wouldn’t I be able to measure that higher voltage if the bulb were burning out as a result of a poor connection to the neutral that caused high voltage?
Obviously, this is just a guess, but if I were to be correct, I would be concerned about more than just the oven lights.
Yes, oven lights can blow or burn out just like any other type of light source. The harsh environment, specifically their extended exposure to high temperatures while using the oven, puts them at a higher risk of blowing out. Appliance bulbs in both gas and electric ranges are affected by this.
You probably already know that the oven light blows the fastest among the various components if you’ve been using an oven for years (or decades). Can you use an oven without a bulb cover? is a common question from people who don’t want to replace their oven lights frequently.
The most dangerous cause of your light bulbs frequently burning out is an excessively high voltage in your home. It may be a sign that the voltage in your home is too high for your electrical wiring to handle if you notice that several light bulbs in various parts of your house are going out at once.
To replace an oven bulb, we advise using a reliable brand like Samsung, Osram, or Crompton Lamps because you’ll know you’re getting a high-quality item. Due to the high temperature produced inside a range, a halogen or incandescent light bulb can be counted on to function up to 300°C and fit many different brands of home ovens and rotisseries.
Incandescent bulbs have a lifespan of approximately 900 hours. Light bulbs don’t last forever. A bulb should last about four months if used for eight hours per day. Despite the bulbs’ longer lifespan being intended, this is not always the case. A bulb should last about four months if used for eight hours per day.