How to Troubleshoot Lamps When Light Bulbs Keep Breaking

When a light bulb keeps going out, it can be frustrating. Whether it’s the lamp in your kitchen or the one in your bedroom, the last thing you want is to have to keep changing bulbs. The good news is that there are some steps you can take to troubleshoot your lamps.

First, turn off the power to your fixture. This will help you prevent a short circuit, which can cause your lights to flicker and burn out quickly. Loose connections are another common cause of a faulty bulb. This can be caused by not tightening the bulb enough or by a loose wire leading to the socket. The socket itself can also have corroded contacts, which will lead to a lack of proper current flow. Disconnect the power to the fixture and check all of the connections to make sure they are firmly attached to the screw terminals. If there are any issues, you may need to replace the socket or the fixture.

The wrong bulb type can also be the culprit. If you’re using a 60-watt bulb in a fixture that calls for 120 watts, it will create excess heat and burn out the filament more quickly. This can lead to an explosion of the filament or even a fire. It’s always best to use bulbs that are recommended for a specific fixture.

A blown light bulb often causes your lighting circuit to trip, which is especially true if you have an older home with a fuse box. This can be a sign that the wiring is getting weaker and won’t hold a connection anymore, so it’s important to have it looked at by an electrician.

The last thing you want is to have your house or office flooded with mercury vapor, which can occur if a broken bulb explodes indoors. This is because mercury is a poisonous substance that can cause severe health problems, including lung damage and brain damage. To minimize the risk of this, you should only handle shattered bulbs outside or in a well-ventilated area. If you do have to handle a shattered bulb inside, make sure to open windows and stay out of the room for at least 15 minutes.

If the light bulb is in a fixture or ceiling fan that’s constantly moving, it could be due to vibration. This is particularly common with filament bulbs, which are very fragile. The vibration can break the filament and lead to a sudden loss of power. This can be easily fixed by switching to rough service bulbs that are designed to withstand more movement.

If your lamp is a recessed can light (also known as a “can light”), it may be overheating from being too close to the insulation in your home. This can be a problem in newer homes as well as older ones. Fortunately, the sensor on these types of fixtures should detect the overheating and shut off the bulb before it damages your home’s electrical system.