Lightbulbs constantly going out

[AndyL]

So new place - were having an odd issue...

I have 5-6 lightbulbs that keep going out - like don't last a week and are burnt out... Kitchen, garage and bonus room. Just regular incandescent bulbs.

Anyone have a guess as to what I'm looking for as a problem? My gut says under voltage issue - but haven't thrown a meter on it to check...

[Kloubek]

You are certain you are putting in properly rated bulbs?

[rage2]

Voltage. Vibrations. Heat.

Throw a meter on to check, typically it's high voltage that kills it faster.

[danno]

I'd say it's most likely vibrations. Switch to led and you will be fine.

[speedog]

Originally posted by Kloubek
You are certain you are putting in properly rated bulbs?

Please clarify?

[jwslam]

Originally posted by speedog
Please clarify?

There are certain ballasts that would overheat on a 100W bulb if rated lower i.e. 40W

Not sure how that would burn out the bulb faster... more so a fire hazard if anything.

[AndyL]

These are incandescents - no ballast. Straight up builder grade fixtures. All standard lightbulbs.

I can't see vibrations, I can't see heat being the issue especially in the garage... Definitely not in bonus room (single bulb hanging fixture - on like a 10' cord).

Kitchen same thing just replaced 4 bulbs last week, now have one lit...

[jwslam]

Originally posted by AndyL
These are incandescents - no ballast.

Derp I meant socket. Haha.

[speedog]

And they're probably on different breakers?

I would be suspect of spikes - electricity can do weird things, when we had lightning strike our house a few years ago, it only blew out things on the east side of our home. Our TV, which was very close to the strike point, survived (on a south wall) while light bulbs less than 8 feet away in the same room on the east side were blown. Every room on the east side of the house on a different breaker yet all were affected, didn't make any sense.

Are you noticing any other weird things happening?

[RealJimmyJames]

ghosts.

[rx7_turbo2]

When they go off they're off for good? As in they won't work in any other fixture they're completely toast? Lots of fixtures have a bi-metal strip that acts as a overload, opening when it's too hot, once it cools down the strip closes and the light turns back on.

Under voltage unlikely, over voltage could certainly cause an issue. You can buy 130v "rough service" bulbs that would address both over voltage and vibration. However best to get to the bottom of what's causing the issue in the first place.

Brand name bulbs or dollar store?

[revelations]

Are all on the same circuit?

You might have to leave a multimeter data logger on for a while, if the electrical transient is intermittent.

Also, check here:

http://blog.1000bulbs.com/home/why-d...ep-burning-out

[HomespunLobster]

Do what I do, saves a boat load of money.
If a bulb dies, don't replace it. Just learn your house when the sun is out, and stagger around in the dark later on. You'll save money on bulbs and money on electricity. As well, you get a solid resistance to stubbed toes and smashed shins.

[suntan]

Dad?

[JRSC00LUDE]

Originally posted by RealJimmyJames
ghosts.

This.

[revelations]

Originally posted by RealJimmyJames
ghosts.

That usually happens in one or two rooms. Also, not too often in newer homes.

[AndyL]

Originally posted by rx7_turbo2
When they go off they're off for good? As in they won't work in any other fixture they're completely toast? Lots of fixtures have a bi-metal strip that acts as a overload, opening when it's too hot, once it cools down the strip closes and the light turns back on.

Under voltage unlikely, over voltage could certainly cause an issue. You can buy 130v "rough service" bulbs that would address both over voltage and vibration. However best to get to the bottom of what's causing the issue in the first place.

Brand name bulbs or dollar store?

Yup, burnt and jingly - not a let it cool and try later scenario or it works in a different fixture.

Bulbs have been a mixture, actually did do rough service ones last time in the garage (they're like 15' up) didn't help. Phillips, great value and yes dollar store was last ones in the kitchen.

Hesitant to try LED - last thing I need is 10$ bulbs frying at this rate. And I won't do CFLs - the noise and flicker kills me.

All these are on different circuits, what confuses me is bonus room shares with upstairs hall circuit and the upstairs hall haven't burned a bulb.

Only oddity is a couple cell chargers that seem to fuck up phone digitizers (plug it in, phone starts doing wild things) - still charges, but if screens active it'll start opening apps dialling etc

[rx7_turbo2]

Originally posted by AndyL
Only oddity is a couple cell chargers that seem to fuck up phone digitizers (plug it in, phone starts doing wild things) - still charges, but if screens active it'll start opening apps dialling etc

Wow, ok, that's bizarre. You're probably going to have to log your electrical service for awhile to see what's going on. That's super strange. New house, renoed? Any alum wiring in the house?

[suntan]

Was your house built over a Native Indian gravesite?

[AndyL]

Originally posted by rx7_turbo2


Wow, ok, that's bizarre. You're probably going to have to log your electrical service for awhile to see what's going on. That's super strange. New house, renoed? Any alum wiring in the house?

10ish yrs old, so not aluminum era...

Ok how does one log their electrical service?