It would be ideal if light bulbs never burned out...though sadly, our world isn’t perfect. Despite their decline in popularity, incandescent bulbs have a life expectancy of approximately 900 hours. Based on an eight-hour usage, bulbs should last four months on average. In general, compact fluorescent bulbs are expected to last a lot longer, though this may not always be true.
All bulbs must eventually be replaced, even our favorite LED bulbs. There are times, however, when light bulbs seem to last longer than usual. If you have recently replaced bulbs and they do not seem to be performing as well as they should, the fixture itself may be at fault, or another problem may be present. Take a look at these things before you throw another bulb out.
Reasons Why Light Bulbs Burn Out
1.You May Have a High Power Supply Voltage.
Lighting bulbs burn out quickly due to high voltage. It can be problematic when the line voltage exceeds its normal range. Circuits in the average household are designed for 120 volts, they fluctuate from 110 to 125 volts, an acceptable range. A fluctuation between the above ranges is not detrimental to the household bulbs. However, at voltages above 125 volts, the light bulbs will burn out more quickly.
Fix: Monitor the voltage on the line. In case your voltage reading is in the range of 130 to 135 volts, contact your power company and have it fixed, or your electrical appliances may be damaged beyond repair.
2. There May Be a Loose Bulb or an Improper Connection.
Flickering bulbs in loose sockets are more likely to malfunction. Fix the problem by tightening the light bulb in the fixture. It is also possible for light bulbs to fail prematurely because of an exposed wire connection at the location where the circuit wires are attached to the lamp. Electrical resistance is created by loose connections, which allows the lamp's filament to conduct heat. An explosion or a fuse can result from this.
Fix: Disconnect the power and ensure the wires are properly connected and screw terminals are tightly secured before turning them back on. Ensure the bulb socket is in good condition, as having old or damaged contacts can cause connection issues that can cause the bulb to burn out quicker. Light fixtures or sockets can be replaced easily.
3. In Some Cases, Filaments Break Because of Extreme Vibrations.
It is possible to wear out a bulb as a result of vibration. These types of vibrations are more likely to occur in ceilings that move, or where the building vibrates, or where construction drilling is being done in a way that causes vibrations. Houses near rail tracks, for instance, are likely to experience vibrations from passing trains. A light bulb's delicate filaments can be shaken, leading to loose connections, and causing the bulb's life to be shortened.
Fix: If vibrations are an inevitable occurrence in your area, switch to a bulb that is made of heavier materials. The surfaces of this type of light bulb are coated with plastic, preventing them from exploding if they blow. Vibrations are not a problem for them either.
4. The Light Bulb You Are Using May Not Be the Right Type.
Fluorescent lights often go bad before they are supposed to. Even though they are generally advertised as being longer lasting, they usually don't last as long, resulting in a premature failure of the light bulb. To achieve the best results in your home, you should choose your bulbs carefully. Investing in fluorescent lights is not recommended if you have playful children who enjoy flicking the switches.
Fix: Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs. In addition to being more efficient, durable, and mercury-free, they are also more energy efficient.
5. Overheating May Be Caused by Recessed Lighting Insulation.
There may be wiring in the roof that runs from recessed lights or show lights. The roof insulation is sometimes used to cover lighting fixtures, although it is sometimes placed several inches away from the fixtures to avoid overheating them. A light fixture that overheats will shut down automatically, or the bulbs may blink or blow earlier than expected.
Fix: Buy IC-rated fixtures or don't cover them with insulation if they aren't. Provide enough space around the fixture by constructing a box.
6. Linked Dimmer Switches May Not Be Compatible With the Bulb.
A dimmer switch that burns out light bulbs quickly, the dimmer is likely not the right kind. Prior to the development of dimmer switches, incandescent bulbs were the only kinds of bulbs used. Fluorescent lights or LED bulbs are typically used in light fixtures, preventing the use of dimmer switches. Damage will be caused to the bulb's bottom circuitry, causing premature failure of the bulb.
Fix: You'll need dimmer switches that work with LED light bulbs, which you can find at your local hardware store. You only need to replace the old dimming switch with a LED-compatible one, and all is well!
7. Fixture Cannot Accommodate Bulbs
A light fixture's label will usually indicate the maximum bulb wattage that can be used. In case a particular lamp or light fixture burns out bulbs too quickly, remove the globe or cover of the fixture and make sure the bulb's wattage is within the fixture's specifications. CFLs and LEDs are unlikely to have this issue, since they consume relatively little energy, whereas traditional incandescent bulbs are prone to this issue, in which the light fixture rating can easily be exceeded by using an oversize bulb. As a result, too much heat is generated, shortening the bulb's lifespan and damaging the fixture's wiring insulation.
Fix: Keep the wattage of your bulbs within the fixture's wattage rating to prevent problems. The use of energy-efficient lights will also eliminate future problems related to high wattage ratings.
8. Depressed Socket Tab
A light bulb socket is connected to its light bulb by a metal tab located on the bottom. The socket tab needs to be pushed down to connect to the light bulb. If you end up pressing it too far, there will be no connection between the bulb and the socket. When it comes to this bulb, it’s not the burning out that prevents electricity from reaching the bulb but the weak connection.,
Fix: Turn off the fixture or unplug the lamp. A spoon end or something similar can be used to curve the tab upward about an eighth of an inch. Check to see if the light bulb works by screwing it back in.
9. The On/Off Switch is Overused
When you leave a room, you should turn the lights off to save some money. Switch-flipping can end up shortening your bulbs lifespan. If your kids constantly flip switches or if you are constantly turning lights on and off when you enter and exit a room, you may end up shortening the lifespan of your bulbs.
As soon as the light switch is turned on, the light bulb's filaments are shocked by electricity. With this surge, the filament is prone to wear and more likely to break immediately than after being left on for an extended period.
Fix: To prevent such damage, minimize playing with lights and add alternative lightings, like skylights, solar-powered nightlights, and windows to bathrooms that appear darker than others or are only used short term.
10. Poor Quality Bulbs
Cheap or low-quality bulbs are often the culprits for light bulbs that burn out fast. You may want to change your light bulbs if you find they burn out faster. Cheap bulbs are not made with quality materials and are not designed to last long at all.
Fix: Make sure you invest a little more in good-quality bulbs, so you won't have to replace them as often. Check the solder connection, and if the point is tiny and not designed in a half-moon shape, there isn't going to be a reliable connection to the socket tab connection to the light. This will result in constant burnt-out bulbs.
Closing
Burnt-out lightbulbs can be expensive and risky, so the guide above highlights the most common causes of failure in your home lights. You can prevent similar problems in the future by learning the basics, but hiring a professional electrician is always a better choice. If you have bulbs that are frequently blowing out, try a few of the above solutions and see if the problem goes away. If it persists, then the best call is to an electrician who can find the best solution for your problem.
