Changing light bulbs
Topic :Changing a lightbulb
Today’s tip is about changing light bulbs. Don’t laugh! It’s something that everybody does at some point, but many people don’t do it correctly.
Every light fixture has a maximum wattage rating (usually found inside the fixture or on the socket). I have literally replaced dozens of fixtures and had to run hundreds of feet of new wire because somebody used a bulb that was too many watts for the fixture.
Fixtures that use regular incandesent light bulbs are always rated 25, 40, 60, 75, 100 or any of the above x2, 3, or 4. The reason behind this, is that light bulbs throw a lot of heat. Ceiling fixtures that are mounted tight to the ceiling are almost always sealed by the globe. The globe traps heat (up to 400 degrees), bakes the socket and wires within the fixture. For example: If a fixture is rated for 60 watts and you install a 100 watt bulb for more light, you are actually almost doubling the amount of heat that fixture was designed to handle. This will make the socket and wires very brittle in a short time. If the wires are too brittle, the insulation could flake right off (and often does) causing a short circuit or worse, a fire.
If you need more light than the fixture can provide, consider replacing it with a new one of the desired wattage. Fixture prices start under $10 and go up from there. There are many very nice fixtures priced under $25.
Remember that the wattage rating of a fixture is not a suggestion…it’s a fact! Keep you and your family safe by using the proper size bulbs.
