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What Are Causes of Light Bulb Burns Out Quickly

Light Bulb Burns Out | Electrician Service Team

A common electrical problem many homeowners face is when light bulbs burn out. Light bulbs provide a lot of advantages. It allows us to see through the night or enhance the overall look of your room or the entire house. You can find different sizes, shapes, and designs of light bulbs, and you can choose according to your preference. The dimming and flickering of the light bulb can be related to one of the issues, such as a sudden power surge or downed electrical wire due to a strong storm. 

Read also 7 Reasons of Your LED Light Flickering >>>

But, experiencing this kind of issue when you notice your light bulb burning out can be an indication of much more serious electrical issues. The lifespan of incandescent light bulbs can last about 900 hours, which is equivalent to 4 months and depends on the frequency of the usage. By contrast, LED lights can last about 50,000 hours. If you are using LED light bulbs that keep burning out every few weeks or even months, that strongly indicates something is wrong with your home’s electrical system. 

So, “why does a light bulb burn out?”

The following are common reasons:

    • High Wattage: Using a higher wattage light bulb recommended for a certain light fixture damages the light bulb and can create a serious fire hazard. If the wattage of the light bulb exceeds the maximum recommended wattage for the device or the fixture, the bulb will generate too much heat and cause the filament to burn out. In a worst-case scenario, the excess heat will start to cause a fire. 

Read also Wattage vs Voltage >>>

    • Light Bulb Motion: When the light bulb moves around too much, like in the ceiling fan fixture or the garage door light, the shaking can cause damage to the light bulb’s filaments and shortens the bulb’s life span. This is a more common concern with incandescent bulbs. You may try to switch to LED light bulbs in fixtures that experience motion or shaking. 
    • Light Fixture Problems: If you are screwing in a light bulb too tight, it can cause a loose connection. The excess pressure from screwing in a light bulb too tight can warp the metal connection tab at the bottom of the fixture’s socket, creating a loose connection over time and causing the light bulb to flicker. This will ultimately cause the light bulb to burn more quickly. 
    • Excess Voltage: The most dangerous cause for light bulbs burning out is the voltage in your home is too high. If you notice several light bulbs in different rooms of your home are burning out frequently, that could indicate that your home’s voltage is too high for the electrical wiring to handle. This issue requires immediate attention from a professional and licensed electrician. You can always call Electrician Service Team to have this checked and do the necessary repairs. 
    • Wrong Type of Light Bulb: You may use the wrong bulb for your fixture. An example is a lamp for 60 watts, and placing a 120-watt bulb in the fixture can create excess heat shortening the bulb’s life and may also cause a fire hazard. To avoid this, ensure the bulb’s wattage doesn’t exceed the fixture’s wattage recommendation.
    • Depressed Socket Tab: The little metal tab at the bottom of the light bulb is the “hot” connection that helps deliver the electrical current to the bulb. If the socket gets pushed down too far, it can cause it to fail to contact the bulb. To fix this issue, unplug the lamp or turn off the power to the fixture. You can use a wooden popsicle stick to bend the tab up about ⅛ inch, turn the power back on, and do the test. 
    • Tripped Circuit Breaker or A Blown Fuse: A tripped breaker or blown fuse can be a major cause for the bulb’s not working. The fixture cord may be shorted, a plug can be defective, or the light socket may be shorted or defective. It is best to replace the defective parts before resetting the breaker or replacing the fuse.

Read also Bad circuit breaker >>>

Is It Possible Faulty Wiring Can Cause Light Bulbs To Burn Out?

Putting the blame on faulty wiring that results in the light bulbs burn out can’t help to save the problem. Faulty wiring is vague and undescriptive. To say that faulty wiring can be a reason for the light bulbs to blow isn’t more helpful than to blame the bad weather. To help fix the issue, you need to know where the faulty wiring is for it to be fixed. 

Suppose you have already hired an electrician to check on the problem and were told that the faulty wiring was the problem. Still, the electrician could not inform you where the wiring problem is. Chances are the problem is not caused by the wiring at all. There are some instances the reason for light bulbs burning out quickly can be simple. 

Other times it might need some investigation to get to the root of your issues. Regardless, don’t assume that the light bulbs burn out immediately due to faulty wiring. Don’t leave the problem. If faulty wiring is the main cause, it might pose a serious risk. 

To understand if it is time to replace the home’s electrical wiring to prevent possible issues that can trigger light bulbs burning out early, here are some indications to help you know that the electrical wiring is already outdated.

  • Circuit breakers frequently trip.
  • Vibration or tingling when touching the wall switch, appliance, or receptacle.
  • Dimming and flickering lights.
  • A burning smell in a particular room or from one of your appliances.
  • Discolored outlets and switches that are warm to the touch.
  • Ungrounded outlets throughout the house.
  • Lack of ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in the bathroom, kitchen, and other areas exposed to moisture. 

Other than finding or noticing that your light bulb burned out and smoked, it is best to cut off the electrical power and let a professional and licensed electrician check the condition for your safety. Electricians Service Team are expertly trained, licensed, and with years of experience in handling any electrical concerns and service that you may need for your home. We ensure your safety and that all electrical parts and components are in good condition.


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