The 5 main causes of light bulbs burning out
Lighting any home or apartment involves the presence of light bulbs. Due to various circumstances, the elements can burn out, which becomes a reason to replace them. Here are the main causes of breakdowns and what to do if light bulbs often burn out.
Why a bulb burns out
It happens for a number of reasons. It is worth breaking down the common cases caused by various mains or environmental factors.
Elevated line voltage
For any household bulb to work properly, it needs a stable voltage of 220 V. However, the network does not always maintain this value. Even the regulations allow a 10% deviation from the norm in either direction. Light bulbs can not cope with such fluctuations, which leads to accelerated degradation of the lighting element.
Even a 1% deviation from the normal voltage leads to a 14% reduction in the overall life of the device.
Determining an incandescent bulb malfunction can be determined simply by physically inspecting the device. Voltage spikes or exceeding set points will cause the filament to overheat and break. This is due to evaporation of the tungsten filament.
You will see a dark coating on the bulb bulb bulb bulb. To check, screw the bulb into a functioning socket of another light fixture.
You can solve the problem by installing a new bulb with a higher voltage limit. You can also use protection units which ensure Smooth switching of the bulb. An additional voltage regulator in the electrical circuit will also help to smooth out surges and ensure an even power supply to the light source. Do not dismiss the possibility at any time to switch to another type of lamp, devoid of such disadvantages.
When a lamp burns out all the time, the socket can be upgraded with two easy moves of pliers
Plugging in too often
In some cases, lamps burn unstably or fail due to frequent switching on and off. The filament is at room temperature before it is switched on, and immediately after the circuit is closed, a current is applied that quickly heats the element to high temperatures. Frequent changes in temperature inevitably lead to material degradation and failure.
Additional soft-start devices can help with this problem. Devices gradually increase the voltage applied to the filament, preventing sudden spikes.
Problematic socket contacts.
A socket is used to transmit electricity from the mains to the bulb. Any malfunctions cause contact failure and unstable operation of the light fixture. It may start with a slight buzzing or crackling, indicating a breach of the insulation.
Inspect the cartridge, perhaps the contacts are covered with soot. It will need to be cleaned. The contacts should be squeezed with an insulated tool to ensure that the components are properly connected. If the cartridge is severely damaged or deformed, it is wise to replace the entire cartridge.
Most modern plastic and ceramic sockets are designed for continuous operation with a maximum power of 60 W. This means that the lighting elements must be chosen with the appropriate values. Exceeding will lead to unpleasant consequences.
Switch malfunctioning
Prolonged use of the circuit can lead to wear and tear not only the luminaire, but also the switch. In this case, the contacts inside the switch will periodically burn out and cause the lamp to flicker. Subsequently, the flickering will cause the element to burn out completely.
If the light bulb burns out when you turn it on, there is a high probability that the problem is in the switch. It is recommended that it be disassembled, carefully examined, and replaced if necessary. To prevent the problem from recurring, it is advisable to integrate a dimmer in the electrical circuit.
Poor connection of wires
The fault may also lie in the wiring of the apartment. In this case it will be necessary to carry out a complete diagnosis of the connections in the panelboard. It is best to entrust the procedure to professionals, as it is quite dangerous and requires certain skills.
It is not superfluous to make a calculation of the power of all electrical appliances connected to the network. If the allowable power turns out to be insufficient, it is necessary to either reduce the number of connections, or replace the wiring.
What to do if light bulbs burn out quickly
In most cases, light bulbs burn out because users violate the rules of operation of the network. Also any mechanical influences shorten the life of the light source.
The best solution is to replace conventional sources with modern LED lights that are more resistant to voltage fluctuations, vibrations, and temperature conditions.
If there is high humidity or specific temperature in the room with a lamp, you need to select a device with the appropriate level of protection against such influences. Usually this information is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.
Preventive measures
To avoid the premature failure of the lamp, it is necessary to carry out the connection of the device according to all the rules, equip the network with stabilizers, as well as comply with the recommendations for use. Techniques for extending the life of light bulbs deserve a separate consideration.
Extending the life of a light bulb
If the cause of burnout is excessive supply voltage, it is necessary to measure the corresponding indicators in the network. It is desirable to carry out the diagnostics three times a day with the detection of the highest value. This is what should be taken as the working value for a particular apartment. The value of the lamp indicated on the bulb should correspond to this voltage. On sale you can find elements with a range of 215-235 V, 220-230 V and 230-240 V.
Minimizing vibrations and shocks will help increase the life of the product. If you do have to move the lamp from one place to another frequently, it is better to choose a low-voltage bulb with a short filament filament.
The presence in a chandelier for several bulbs of one constantly burning source indicates a malfunction in the socket. You need to carefully check the device for loose contacts. They need to be cleaned of fouling and tightened.
Increasingly, electricians are installing special diodes in the circuit in front of the lamp, which increase the life of the system without reducing the quality of lighting. If you also connect a resistor in series with the diode, the light source will last for many years.
