If you seem to be regularly changing bulbs around your home it could be a clue that there is an underlying electrical problem that is causing frequent burn-outs.
Here is a look at some of the common issues that can cause this problem and some suggestions on how to get it fixed so that you don’t have to keep reaching for the ladder and a new pack of light bulbs.
A normal lifespan
Some lights in your home will be switched on for much longer periods than others so it is understandable that some will seem to burn out quicker than others.
A typical incandescent bulb should give you about 900 hours of service before calling it a day, which means that you should be able to enjoy the light from that bulb for approximately four months with about eight hours of use each day.
If that is nowhere near the sort of performance you are getting the problem could be with your wiring and not the type and quality of the bulb you are using.
Check for the cause of the problem as much as you are able to, but if you feel like you are entering hazardous territory, then it might be best to call in an electrician. There are plenty of services that provide electrical repair in Olympia, WA, or in an area closer to you, and they could root out and fix the problem for you.
Start with the voltage
A good starting point in your quest for a solution to the problem of regular burn-outs would be to see whether you are suffering from high voltage issues in your home.
If the supply voltage is greater than it should be you will burn out your bulbs at a quicker rate.
A good clue would be to see if the bulbs are burning brighter than you would expect them to. You can check the voltage using a volt-meter on an outlet or by going to your service panel.
The reading you are looking for is somewhere between 115-125 volts. If the reading is higher than that you should contact your service provider and seek some professional help to resolve the issue.
Not good vibrations
If you have noticed that some light fixtures and fittings are a bit loose you might need these to sort the problem, and it could also be a reason why your bulbs are failing so often.
Excessive fixture vibration will cause undue stress on the filament in the bulb and if your ceiling fan is looking like it might take off around the room at any moment and is vibrating, that is going to impact on the lifespan of your bulb.
Work on securing the fixture so that it doesn’t shake or vibrate and see if that improves the performance of your bulbs.
Listen to what your circuit breaker is telling
If you change the bulb that has blown and switch the power back on you should be good to go, but if the circuit breaker trips when you flick the switch or the fuse blows, that is a clue that something is wrong with the wiring and not the bulb.
It could be defective plug, socket or a cord that is frayed and shorting.
You can use a process of elimination to work out what the issue is but the main point to remember is that your circuit breaker is intervening for a reason, and you have to find out what that reason is.
If you are suffering regular bulb burn-outs, take action to fix the problem rather than keep reaching for a replacement.
