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what happens if you put a higher wattage lightbulb in...
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Jan 12th, 2009 10:52 pm
#1
Spongeg [OP] Sr. Member Dec 18, 2008 949 posts 26 upvotes
Jan 12th, 2009 10:52 pm
what happens if you put a higher wattage lightbulb in...
like say the fixture says use 40W but you put in a 60W bulb - would it cause the 60W bulb to burn out faster? I have a fixture and I don't know what the maximum wattage is - can't find the usual sticker that says use XXw bulbs only... I think its is 60W but not sure - could be 40W - there are 3 lights to the fixture... anyway the story is I replaced the bulb and it burned out within a couple months - replaced it and it burned out within 2 days - a 3rd bulb in there now - still seems to be working - have bought some 40w in case it burns again so is that what happens if you use the wrong wattage? it will burn out quicker?
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10 replies Jan 13th, 2009 1:15 am
#2
sketchED Member Jul 31, 2005 383 posts 52 upvotes
Jan 13th, 2009 1:15 am
It can be a fire hazard, sometimes the plastic/components in a fixture are meant for a certain wattage ... if it goes above that wattage then the plastic components / wire insulation may melt due to the heat which in turn could cause a fire... If you are unsure of the maximum wattage why not try a compact floresent light bulb, the maximum wattage for CFL's are about 26 -30 watts and they last a really long time
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Jan 13th, 2009 11:14 am
#3
jm1 Deal Fanatic Jan 5, 2003 5293 posts 5319 upvotes Toronto
Jan 13th, 2009 11:14 am
Higher wattage alone doesn't make the bulb burn out faster, but the rating partially has to do with heat/fire. For example, the fixture may only be designed to handle the heat of a 40W. Put in a 60W and the heat increases, there's not enough ventilation, and the bulb prematurely fails due to the higher heat. Maybe your new 60W was turned on for a while, allowing heat to build up so it failed after only a couple of days. Either switch to 40W or CFL or don't leave it on as often. If you want a brighter light than a 40W, then use CFL. There's lots of CFLs that are smaller nowadays (I'm guessing a 40W fixture is pretty small).
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Jan 13th, 2009 12:39 pm
#4
loudsubz Deal Addict Dec 1, 2003 1291 posts 10 upvotes
Jan 13th, 2009 12:39 pm
more wattage = more current = more heat buildup in wire = fire hazard
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Jan 13th, 2009 4:38 pm
#5
Prankster Deal Addict Nov 26, 2001 1049 posts 1 upvote
Jan 13th, 2009 4:38 pm
Compare the cost of a new fixture to a cost of a possible fire. Just buy a new fixture and bulbs, be done with it!
jm1 wrote: ↑Higher wattage alone doesn't make the bulb burn out faster, but the rating partially has to do with heat/fire. For example, the fixture may only be designed to handle the heat of a 40W. Put in a 60W and the heat increases, there's not enough ventilation, and the bulb prematurely fails due to the higher heat. Maybe your new 60W was turned on for a while, allowing heat to build up so it failed after only a couple of days. Either switch to 40W or CFL or don't leave it on as often. If you want a brighter light than a 40W, then use CFL. There's lots of CFLs that are smaller nowadays (I'm guessing a 40W fixture is pretty small).
Hmm, the tungsten element inside a conventional light bulb operates around 2200 degrees Celsius. I don't think heat buildup inside the fixture is an issue. Typical light bulb fixtures don't require ventilation, except to keep the fixture itself from overheating. Perhaps you're buying cheap bulbs? Or turning the fixture off and on a lot? That would certainly shorten a bulb's lifespan.
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Jan 13th, 2009 7:43 pm
#8
Spongeg [OP] Sr. Member Dec 18, 2008 949 posts 26 upvotes
Jan 13th, 2009 7:43 pm
thanks for the replies its just odd that the bulb burned out so quickly never had problems before - maybe it was a bad batch of bulbs the other two bulbs in the fixture have been in it for years
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Jan 13th, 2009 9:24 pm
#9
thebuilder Jr. Member Aug 2, 2008 179 posts 1 upvote
Jan 13th, 2009 9:24 pm
the old 1's were made in canada the new 1 came from china
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Jan 14th, 2009 12:12 am
#10
Spongeg [OP] Sr. Member Dec 18, 2008 949 posts 26 upvotes
Jan 14th, 2009 12:12 am
no idea they were all GE Reveal bulbs - i like the pure white light they cast
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Jan 6th, 2020 2:32 pm
#11
TheRedDevils Newbie Jan 5, 2020 1 posts
Jan 6th, 2020 2:32 pm
I have a 40w max sticker on my fan light and have bought bulbs that say 1180 lumen and then 70w = 91w
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