The Daily Pulse.

Your source for accurate, unbiased news and insightful analysis

politics

Why do my lamps keep burning out?

By Rachel Hill |

Why do my lamps keep burning out?

The most dangerous reason why your light bulbs keep burning out is that the voltage in your home is too high. If you notice multiple light bulbs in different rooms of your home are burning out frequently or at similar times, that could be a sign that your home’s voltage is too high for your electrical wiring to handle.

How do you fix a light that keeps burning out?

To remedy this, unplug the lamp or turn off the power to the fixture, then use a wooden Popsicle stick to bend the tab up about 1/8 inch. Then screw the bulb back in and see if it works. This repair may not be possible with old sockets, where the metal tab is brittle or has lost is spring entirely.

Can bedside lamps cause fires?

Yes, it can! Any kind of light bulbs, from fluorescent to incandescent to halogen, can cause fires if they are not used correctly.

Is leaving a lamp on all night dangerous?

It’s a common feature in most homes. But, Is it safe? Low wattage LED bulbs are safe to leave on all night without the risk of overheating or fire. While this will result in a minor increase in electricity consumption, leaving some lights on can help with fear of the dark, easier navigation, and security.

Can LED catch fire?

LED lights do not emit light from a vacuum as most other bulb types do. Overheating is one of the reasons a bulb could start a fire, but that is highly unlikely to happen with LED lights. They may feel hot to touch, but they produce light at a significantly lower temperature than other bulbs.

Why does my light bulb keep burning out?

When you screw a light bulb in too tight it can bend the brass tab so that it is too far down in the light socket. This makes it so the brass tab does not fully make contact with the bottom of the light bulb. If this happens you may get electrical arcing between the brass tab and the light bulb. When this happens the light bulb can burn out faster.

What should I do if my light fixture keeps burning out?

If you suspect an electrical issue, use a multi-meter to test the light fixture. If the meter shows over 120 volts, then this may be the issue. You could try using 130 volt light bulbs for that light fixture. 130 volt light bulbs use a thicker filament that places less resistance on the current. This is so the current flows easier.

Why does my lamp keep touching the wall?

It’s possible there is a slight fluctuation in the current of the bedroom outlet that’s causing the problem. Either that or something with a current is touching the metal part of the lamp. If there is nothing touching the metal of the lamp I’d suggest replacing the bedroom wall outlet.

How can I troubleshoot my light bulb buzzing?

For simple light stitches, make sure that the switch itself is used for non-dimming bulbs. If you’re using dimming bulbs, the buzzing problems can stop if you switch them to non-dimming for rooms that only have regular light switches. You can also troubleshoot each bulb my listening for their buzz individually.

When you screw a light bulb in too tight it can bend the brass tab so that it is too far down in the light socket. This makes it so the brass tab does not fully make contact with the bottom of the light bulb. If this happens you may get electrical arcing between the brass tab and the light bulb. When this happens the light bulb can burn out faster.

If you suspect an electrical issue, use a multi-meter to test the light fixture. If the meter shows over 120 volts, then this may be the issue. You could try using 130 volt light bulbs for that light fixture. 130 volt light bulbs use a thicker filament that places less resistance on the current. This is so the current flows easier.

For simple light stitches, make sure that the switch itself is used for non-dimming bulbs. If you’re using dimming bulbs, the buzzing problems can stop if you switch them to non-dimming for rooms that only have regular light switches. You can also troubleshoot each bulb my listening for their buzz individually.

Why does my LED light not work in my incandescent lamp?

All LED bulbs that are meant for use inside incandescent lamps might not work well because of heat issues. They can get too hot and turn off unexpectedly. Your fixture should be able to breathe and get enough cool air so it won’t burn-out.