Hi all
Just a quick question for my curiosity.
I keep replacing the light bulb in my mother-in-laws bathroom fixture.
It’s a standard type of fixture, light and fan all in one unit in the ceiling.
The bulb lasts maybe a month or 2.
They have the same unit in another bath and I haven’t had to change it in 2 years.
I’ve looked the unit over, tested it, and kept the bulb lower wattage then rated.
It’s not used anymore then the other, yet the bulb still dies rather quick.
Any thoughts as to why this might be happening?
Jeff
Replies
The most common problem with short bulb life is a bad connection in the socket.
The socket it'self might be made. But commonly the spring tab that forms the center contact gets smashed down. When it does not make good contact it gets hot and shorts bulb life.
You can try bending it out. But turn of the breaker first, just in case some wired with with a switched neutral instead of switched hot.
While these don't seen to apply in this case I will list other causes of short bulb live.
Vibration
High line voltage - will affect all of the lights in the house.
Bad neutral - Light will flicker to BRIGHTER from time to time.
My guess is that the one bathroom gets used a lot more than the other. Secondly, the fan may be causing a vibration that shortens the life. Thirdly the bulbs may not be the best, or the sockets as Bill said.
Next time try a garage opener lightbulb, ceiling fan lightbulb, rough service lightbulb, or commercial 130v bulb. Avoid Feit, Phillips and generic bulbs, as I have had very poor luck with any of them.