Reasons Light Bulbs Burn Out Too Fast

Electrical problems are unavoidable in every household, and one common issue that homeowners deal with is burning out of the light bulbs. While the simple solution to the problem is replacing the burnt-out bulb with a new one, when the light bulb does not last its lifespan and burns out more quickly than it should, it is a matter of concern. Generally, light bulbs are not made to burn out too fast, so there is always an underlying electrical reason behind it if they do. Most times, these reasons can be dealt with by the homeowners without requiring an electrician's assistance. 

Depending on the usage and wattage, an incandescent bulb can last anywhere between 900-2000 hours, and LED light bulbs between 25,000 to 50,000 hours. If you are frequently finding yourself replacing the same light bulbs, look into one of these possible reasons before throwing them out.

A faulty bulb

It can be a one-off instance. If multiple bulbs are fitted in different fixtures simultaneously, and all of them go bad, they might be faulty bulbs.

Wrong wattage

The bulb wattage and the light fixture wattage should always match each other. When you use a bulb with a higher wattage than is recommended for the given fixture can cause overheating, leading not only to early burning out of the bulb, but the excess heat can also lead to a fire. Always ensure that the light bulb matches the required fixture wattage.

Loose or improper connection or wiring

Loose wiring between the fixture and the bulb causes the bulb to flicker and eventually burn out. Corroded wiring can also lead to burning out. Screwing the light bulb too tightly into the fixture or an improperly connected bulb can cause a loose connection, and it will burn out quickly due to varying voltage. To rectify this issue, call an electrician. 

Excess vibration

Excessive vibrations can lead to premature bulb failures. A wobbly ceiling fan with a light fixture, a light bulb close to the garage door, or any area prone to frequent vibrations can cause filament breakage, leading to burn-out. To resolve the issue, ensure that the fixtures are fully secured, or switch to LED bulbs without filaments or rough service incandescent bulbs.  

High voltage

When the home's voltage is too high (more than 120-volts), it can lead to multiple bulbs burning out frequently or simultaneously. Check the voltage with a voltage checker or a multimeter to see if there is an uneven electric supply in the house. 

Dimmer switch Incompatibility

Homes with dimmer switches require light bulbs to be compatible with them. Using older dimmer switches meant for incandescent light bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs will most likely cause the light bulb to burn out faster. Consider replacing the dimmer switches to ensure compatibility between light bulbs and the dimmer switch.

Other reasons like a damaged socket, frequently turning the lights on and off, and insulation around recessed lights can also be behind faster-burning light bulbs. 

A light bulb that burns out too fast is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. If the light bulbs in the home flicker too much or burn out more quickly than they should, and no solution seems to work, call an experienced residential electrician for help.

When you need a licensed electrician for commercial or residential electrical needs, call Zimmerman Electric at 310-378-1323.