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[Electrical] Light bulb keeps burning out in hallway.Incandescent light bulb keeps burning out in my apartment hallway right after it is turned on. Works for a couple weeks and then burns out. Lighting fixture looks like this: » www.homedepot.com/p/Hamp ··· ?N=c7p5#It is for 3x60W light bulbs but I only put in one. No other fixtures in my apartment have light bulbs burn out that often. Do you think this is a problem with a fixture or light switch? Would CCFL bulb with compatible mount be less susceptible to burn out? |
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John97Over The Hills And Far Away Premium Member join:2000-11-14 Spring Hill, FL |
John97
Premium Member
2014-Jan-4 4:48 pm
My first suspicion would be that vibration from the apartment upstairs is the cause. Perhaps you want to try rough-service bulbs.
After all, there's probably a hallway directly above your hallway. |
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to JoeSchmoe007
Put a edison base to 2 prong converter in, measure voltage with meter. Make sure its 120v and not a multiwire circuit with open neutral with 2 devices wired in series on 208/240v. |
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to John97
said by John97:My first suspicion would be that vibration from the apartment upstairs is the cause. Perhaps you want to try rough-service bulbs.
After all, there's probably a hallway directly above your hallway. 1) I am on the top floor. There is no apartment above. 2) Even if there was apartment above - the light bulb only burns out immediately after it was turned on (but only after it was in service for a while, not all the time). Can't see how vibration could be relevant. It seems like sometimes there is an electricity spike, but I have no idea where it can come from. |
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JoeSchmoe007 |
to patcat88
said by patcat88:Put a edison base to 2 prong converter in, measure voltage with meter. Make sure its 120v and not a multiwire circuit with open neutral with 2 devices wired in series on 208/240v. I don't have an edison base to 2 prong converter (whatever it is ) . But if it was wired for 208/240V - wouldn't light bulb burn out immediately all the time? |
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SparkChaser Premium Member join:2000-06-06 Downingtown, PA |
he means this
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pike Premium Member join:2001-02-01 Washington, DC |
to JoeSchmoe007
said by JoeSchmoe007:edison base to 2 prong converter (whatever it is ) |
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nunyaLXI 483 MVM join:2000-12-23 O Fallon, MO ·Charter
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to JoeSchmoe007
Almost all (normal) light bulbs burn out the second they are turned on, not while they are on. Explanation here: » www.techlinea.com/wp/?p=397Probably just crap bulbs. Since the light bulb (as we know it) has been banned, you should probably just go to Lowe's Depot Menard's and get one of those 60W equivalent LED bulbs. They are less than $10 now. Save the warranty. |
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j1349705 Premium Member join:2006-04-15 Holly Springs, NC
1 recommendation |
to JoeSchmoe007
said by JoeSchmoe007:Do you think this is a problem with a fixture or light switch? Would CCFL bulb with compatible mount be less susceptible to burn out? I would not recommend a CFL (or even an LED) with an enclosed fixture like the one you posted. These bulbs have electronic components that will overheat in this kind of fixture, leading to short service life. Rough service incandescents, which have not been banned, are your best bet for this kind of fixture. |
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shdesignsPowered By Infinite Improbabilty Drive Premium Member join:2000-12-01 Stone Mountain, GA (Software) pfSense ARRIS SB6121
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My hallways have enclosed lights; those 6" globes.
I have no problem with 13w CFL's; they barely get warm and last 6-7 years there. I have another enlcosed in my laundy room that takes two bulbs and I cant even remember when i last replaced one of the CFL's. |
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nunyaLXI 483 MVM join:2000-12-23 O Fallon, MO ·Charter
2 recommendations |
to JoeSchmoe007
I hate CFLs as much as the next guy, but I think you are getting a lot of FOD in this thread. CFLs produce much less heat than standard bulbs. LEDs make even less than CFLs. Most CFLs are cheap crap and quite often do not last any longer than a standard incandescent bulb. I think that's where some of the FOD may be emanating from. Unless the lamp (bulb) packaging says not to use it in an enclosed fixture, you should be fine. |
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to JoeSchmoe007
If you use these same make and model of bulbs successfully elsewhere, I would think you have an underlying wiring or fixture problem. Changing the type of bulb will not fix the real issue. I would use the suggested Edison to two prong converter for a test, or call in an electrician to test the wiring. |
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to j1349705
said by j1349705:I would not recommend a CFL (or even an LED) with an enclosed fixture like the one you posted. Simply select CFLs (or LEDs) that are rated for use in enclosed fixtures. |
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Eyeballs Premium Member join:2000-04-25 Worcester, MA |
to JoeSchmoe007
Was having the same problem at a 3 family property. A sheltered Unheated hallway Light bulb was burning out every month. Even in the summer. Switched to a CFL and it's been in there for a few years now, no issue.
The only thing I hate is how long it takes to warm up. |
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Lurch77 Premium Member join:2001-11-22 Green Bay, WI |
to j1349705
said by j1349705:I would not recommend a CFL (or even an LED) with an enclosed fixture like the one you posted. These bulbs have electronic components that will overheat in this kind of fixture, leading to short service life. We have 7 fixtures like this thoughout our home. We built it in 2010 and installed off the shelf CFLs in them on day one. It's only been about 4 years. That's not a lot of time, I know, but so far so good. The few incadescents we had have been getting replaced with LED as they burn out. As of now the only incadescents in the entire home are in the decorative fixtures above the mirrors in the bathrooms. |
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said by Lurch77:We have 7 fixtures like this thoughout our home ... installed off the shelf CFLs ... so far so good. Ditto! I've been running CFLs in a very similar Home Depot fixture for many years with no unusual burnouts or overheating. Bulbs last a few years. Much better than getting up on the ladder every few months for incandescents. |
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Msradell Premium Member join:2008-12-25 Louisville, KY |
to Eyeballs
said by Eyeballs: Switched to a CFL and it's been in there for a few years now, no issue.
The only thing I hate is how long it takes to warm up This problem is easily avoided by using LED bulbs instead of CFL. That's one of the biggest advantages of LED bulbs. |
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Lurch77 Premium Member join:2001-11-22 Green Bay, WI |
Lurch77
Premium Member
2014-Jan-5 12:47 pm
I installed LED bulbs in my outside fixtures. Love them. Instant on, even with temps at -15F. |
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to JoeSchmoe007
Also don't forget to check your line voltage to make sure it is within spec.
About 30 years ago I used to burn out 6146B's like crazy, then I tested the line voltage and it was 135 volts. Electric company had to reset the buss.
A few weeks ago a friend was having horrible problems with his pellet stove. Line voltage check was 144 volts. After a transformer replacement, all is now well and the line voltage is within spec. |
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to JoeSchmoe007
The very first thing to check is voltage -- preferably several times during a day. If all readings are within spec, you probably got a bad batch of light bulbs.
To test the bad batch theory, replace them with different bulbs -- rough service, long life, halogen, CFL, LED, or 130V rated bulbs. (not sure if the latter is still available) |
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udit4
Member
2014-Jan-7 11:24 pm
I totally agree with you, it might be you probably got a bad batch of light bulbs. LEDs are almost 85% more efficient than these incandescent lights. |
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