It seems that I go through a rediculous amount of light bulbs in my house. I turn on lights and they bulbs just die. Probably I lose at least one light bulb per week and every bulb in my house is less than 4 months old. What is going on and how can I fix it without it costing an arm and a leg.
electrical problem in my house.
- Thread starter gigapet
- Start date
The same thing happens at my parents house, go through bulbs like crazy, they have had the power company out multiple times to check for surges and what not but no one can find anything, another suggestion was a bad ground in the breaker box but they were all good, so now with you having the same issue I know they aren't crazy.
kranky
Elite Member
- Oct 9, 1999
- 21,019
- 156
- 106
I asked a couple electrical engineers at work and they suggested checking the line coming into the house to make sure it's at the correct voltage (and not too high), and check for a bad neutral somewhere in the house.
Check the voltage at all different places in the house and all readings should be within about 3 volts. If there's a bigger variation, have an electrician track down why.
If your lights are flickering, other than very briefly when the fridge or furnace kicks on, have an electrician inspect your house wiring.
Check the voltage at all different places in the house and all readings should be within about 3 volts. If there's a bigger variation, have an electrician track down why.
If your lights are flickering, other than very briefly when the fridge or furnace kicks on, have an electrician inspect your house wiring.
all this voltage breaker neutral bus talk has got me confused. Can I just call the power company and make them check on it?
bulbs? doesnt seem to matter what we use low watts high watt they all burn out
Fuse box ? couldn't tell ya
measuring volts? wouldn't knwo where to begin
I know that a dirty socket can kill bulbs.
WITH THE BREAKEROFF, you can use a car battery brush to clean them up.
WITH THE BREAKEROFF, you can use a car battery brush to clean them up.
iamwiz82
Lifer
- Jan 10, 2001
- 30,772
- 13
- 81
Do you have access to a Voltmeter??
To be honest, it sounds as if you shouldn't be playing with it at all
Demon-Xanth
Lifer
- Feb 15, 2000
- 20,551
- 2
- 81
rhino56
Platinum Member
- Oct 6, 2004
- 2,325
- 1
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If you have to ask the question about voltmeters please consult with a licensed electrician. Mains voltage should not be messed with by those without sufficient training and experience.
In the meantime, here is something you can do with all those expired bulbs! -M
In the meantime, here is something you can do with all those expired bulbs!
-MThanks for all the input guys. Whats a typical average hourly rate for a electrician. I dont want to be taken for a ride.
How much are you paying for these light bulbs? I have a similar problem when I buy cheap bulbs. They don't last. Try buying a few expensive bulbs (GE, etc.), and mark down the date you replaced them. When one of them goes, see how old it is, and how long it lasted. Also, try a few compact flourescents. Since they are not resistive filimant based, they have better shielding from line surges.
The problem was really bad for my exterior lights. I would replace every bulb at least twice a year. A few years ago, I bought "ruggedized" light bulbs (with a rubber coating) for ~$4 a bulb. None of them have failed yet. I would have spent at least $3-$4 per bulb by now.
The problem was really bad for my exterior lights. I would replace every bulb at least twice a year. A few years ago, I bought "ruggedized" light bulbs (with a rubber coating) for ~$4 a bulb. None of them have failed yet. I would have spent at least $3-$4 per bulb by now.
jupiter57
Diamond Member
- Nov 18, 2001
- 4,600
- 3
- 71
Could be higher than normal voltage coming into the house.
I had the same problem in a house several years ago, bulbs blowing at an unheard of rate, then, all my appliances started "biting the dust", noticed that the oven temp. was higher than indicated on the knob.
Got my trusty voltmeter, the voltage at the plugs and sockets was running 138 to 140 volts!
Called the power co., they wouldn't even come out. They told me that they KNEW their lines were good, it had to be a problem on my end!
I'm no Electrician, but I do know that you cannot INCREASE the voltage without having in inverter, though you can decrease it with a transformer.
Sold the house within 2 years of buying it, so we just accepted it because it was temporary housing until we got the other house habitable.
I had the same problem in a house several years ago, bulbs blowing at an unheard of rate, then, all my appliances started "biting the dust", noticed that the oven temp. was higher than indicated on the knob.
Got my trusty voltmeter, the voltage at the plugs and sockets was running 138 to 140 volts!
Called the power co., they wouldn't even come out. They told me that they KNEW their lines were good, it had to be a problem on my end!
I'm no Electrician, but I do know that you cannot INCREASE the voltage without having in inverter, though you can decrease it with a transformer.
Sold the house within 2 years of buying it, so we just accepted it because it was temporary housing until we got the other house habitable.
LOL.....
Transformers can raise voltage btw......
They can bestep up or step down
Inverter changes voltage from DC to AC
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