Light bulbs have a pre-determined lifespan, depending on the technology used in light production. Traditional halogen bulbs have a lifespan of around 1,000 to 4,000 hours, while high-quality LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours. Thus, if your bulbs are burning out after a short period, something could be wrong with your electrical system. It's imperative to fix the problem to lower the cost of bulb replacement and avert potential electrical hazards. With this in mind, here are four reasons your light bulbs are burning out frequently.
Worn or dirty connections
If you have old electrical wiring in your home, there's a chance that your lighting connections are dirty, worn or corroded. When the contact points inside the light socket are worn due to old age, they cause a faulty connection. The contacts disrupt the flow of current to the bulb, causing it to flicker. If your bulbs start to flicker before burning out, you need to check the wiring inside the light socket. Replace the faulty lightbulb socket to extend the lifespan of your bulbs.
Voltage fluctuations
Voltage fluctuations can be attributed to a problem in your home or the power lines. However, the most common problem is one with the home's electrical wiring. Poor wiring or loose or damaged electrical wires can cause voltage fluctuations in all the circuits. If too much voltage flows into a lightbulb, it can burn out the filament. You can identify this problem by observing your lights. If some lightbulbs dim multiple times when switched on, you may have faulty electrical wiring.
Overloaded circuit
Lightbulbs don't require a strong current; therefore, their circuit breakers have a low amperage. If you overload the lighting circuit, the breaker will trip, causing the bulbs to go off. For example, some outlets for bedside lamps and accent lights are wired to the lighting circuit. If you plug in a power-hungry device, such as a hairdryer, the circuit breaker may trip.
Regularly overloading the circuit can cause voltage fluctuations, which can burn out your bulbs. Avoid plugging in other power appliances into lighting outlets. However, if your lighting breaker trips without plugging in a device, get the circuit checked for wiring problems.
Poor quality fixtures
Poor-quality fixtures can shorten the lifespan of your lightbulbs. For example, poor-quality light sockets are prone to get damaged quickly, which increases the risk of voltage fluctuations. Similarly, low-quality bulbs may have a weak filament that will blow out before the end of their usable life. Therefore, replace poor-quality fixtures with high-quality brands. Also, switch from halogen lightbulbs to LED ones, which have a longer lifespan and better performance.
Lightbulbs should live up to their projected lifespan. If your bulbs are burning out often, contact an electrician for electrical system repairs and upgrades.
Share