A Light Bulb Burned Out Again?

As you woke up in the middle of the night to get some water, you flipped the light switch in the kitchen, and a light bulb burned out again. You know it’s a new bulb because you replaced it a week ago, and now you wonder what can be causing this glitch. 

RG Electric will outline possible reasons your light bulbs could be burning too soon. 

Power Surges: A Light Bulb Burned Out

A sharp increase in voltage in the circuit can blow all LED bulbs that were turned on at the time of the power spike. To protect appliances and electronics, including light bulbs, from power surges in your home, consider installing the whole house surge protectors. 

Loose or Overly Tight Connection

A loose connection often leads not only to a burned-out bulb but, too often, it’s a reason for flickering lights. To fix the problem, you need to screw it correctly into the socket. 

On the flip side, when a bulb is screwed too tightly, it can cause issues too. Check that the tab is positioned in a way to connect with the base of the bulb; bend the tab up slightly from the socket with a screwdriver (don’t forget to switch off power from a circuit breaker!) so that it comes into contact with the solder when screwing it into the socket.

Unfortunately, not all bulb brands have enough solder at the light bulb to properly connect to the socket tab. If this is the root of the problem, try to find a light bulb brand that matches well with the light tab. 

The Type of Bulb is Wrong

Your bulbs may keep going dead because you are using the wrong type of bulb. To illustrate, a lamp rated for 60 watts using a 120-watt bulb generates excess heat. As a result, the bulb’s lifespan gets shorter. So always make sure you buy the right bulb for your lighting fixtures. 

Frequent Switching

Frequent switching on of the lamp also affects the bulb’s lifespan. Filaments rupture too soon due to the constant increase in the tungsten filament’s resistance and electric current. If you have to use lights often in a certain location, get LED bulbs as they are more resistant to frequent on/off usage.   

Mechanical Causes

Bulbs die quickly due to constant vibrations and other mechanical influences. The way out of this situation will be to replace conventional lights with LED products.

Wrong Dimmer Switch 

The problem might lie in the older dimmer switch designed for incandescent bulbs. So if you are using LED bulbs with incompatible dimmers, it will cause them to go out. By the way, this can also be a reason why your dimmable LED is flashing. Replace an old dimmer with a high-quality model to snuff out the problem. 

Recessed Lights Aren’t Insulated Properly

Recessed light fixtures like can or pot lights often go through the attic. Some downlights must be covered with attic insulation of at least 3 inches to prevent overheating. So if the fixture doesn’t have enough insulation, the overheating will cause flickering lights and early bulb burnout.    

Light Bulbs Keep Blowing Out? RG Electric Can Help!

A light bulb that burns out every two weeks or so can pose a serious safety hazard that requires a prompt solution. If you have to replace your light bulbs, again and again, contact RG Electric. Our Los Angeles electricians will inspect your home’s electrical system and identify and fix the issue.