It seems that more and more homeowners are switching to LED light bulbs due to the decrease in price. LED bulbs are extremely long-lasting and energy-efficient and do not suffer from the same durability problems as their filament predecessors. For instance, they are less prone to blow out under certain conditions.
If you are still using older types of bulbs and experiencing sudden and premature blowouts, upgrading to LEDs may solve the problem. However, it is worth considering the reasons for the problem, doing a little investigation, and perhaps even calling your local electrician if there are signs of underlying issues.
Here are some of the most common reasons why this can occur:
Cheap Bulbs
Low-quality bulbs not only tend to burn out faster under normal conditions, but they can also be especially susceptible to failure under any of the less than ideal conditions that could otherwise cause a bulb to blow. When a filament bulb blows, for instance, the filament breaks at its weakest point, and cheaper bulbs usually have thinner filaments to begin with. Using higher quality bulbs, ideally LEDs, will generally prevent these problems.
Arcing Electricity
When the bottom of a light bulb doesn’t make a snug connection with the hardware in the light socket, it can cause electricity to arc between the socket and the bulb. You may not know this is happening just by looking at the bulb, but arcing electricity can generate excess heat, leading to a blowout. If you think this may be happening, remove the bulb and check the bottom for dark spots or pitting — the telltale signs of arcing electricity.
For safety’s sake, you may want to call an electrician to investigate and repair this issue. But there is one common, simple problem that you can easily fix on your own. Look into the problematic light bulb socket — you should see a small brass tab that is slightly raised. If a light bulb is screwed in too tightly, this tab can be flattened, which can lead to arcing. You can bend this tab upwards again with your fingers or a pair of pliers, but only if the fixture is completely disconnected from electricity. If it’s a table lamp, simply unplug it. If it’s a wired fixture, shut off the corresponding circuit breaker and use a fresh bulb to confirm that the socket is disconnected.
High Voltage
It only takes a small amount of excessive voltage to dramatically reduce the lifespan of an ordinary light bulb. Just like the example of electrical arcing above, this is primarily due to the excess heat generated. Overvoltage that is too high or sustained over a long enough period of time can cause bulbs to blow. Consult an electrician to confirm instances of overvoltage and to correct the causes, which can originate from either in your local electrical grid or your own home electrical system.
Vibration
Filament light bulbs are often very delicate, especially if they’re cheaply made. Mechanical vibrations over a long-enough period of time can contribute to sudden blowouts by causing the filament to snap. These vibrations can come from nearby appliances, sound waves, second-floor foot traffic, and many other sources. When the vibration is the culprit, switching to an LED bulb is a surefire fix.
Are you having trouble with light bulbs blowing out in your home? Let the expert electricians at O’Hagan Electric track down the cause and put an end to the inconvenience and waste.
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