Log in

View Full Version : Blown bulbs


questionsbutno
Oct 25, 2009, 06:39 PM
I have 120v driveway lighting that keep blowing bulbs, six in the last two weeks?

ballengerb1
Oct 25, 2009, 07:41 PM
Same bulb each time or different locations each time? Have you checked your voltage, should be about 120 v if you are in the USA

JudyKayTee
Oct 25, 2009, 09:20 PM
I'm a little confused by the "too much electricity going to the bulb" comment.

Is that possible? If so, then what?

questionsbutno
Oct 26, 2009, 04:07 AM
Same bulb each time or different locations each time? have you checked your voltage, should be about 120 v if you are in the USA

Same and different ones, no have not checked the voltage. About 100 feet from panel to first light, #12 wire ran, 15 watt bulbs in each fixture.

questionsbutno
Oct 26, 2009, 04:09 AM
I'm a little confused by the "too much electricity going to the bulb" comment.

Is that possible? If so, then what?

Live in usa, should have 120 volts to each light, not low voltage. 100 feet from panel to first light, 15 watt bulbs in each light, #12 wire used.

Stratmando
Oct 26, 2009, 06:29 AM
If that circuit is a Multi Circuit(A circuit that 2 circuits on opposite phases share a common Neutral) and the Neutral is Loose, Voltage can go High. An Electrician may open panel and see where that circuit exits the panel and see what other circuit exits panel with that one, then tight all connections on those 2 circuits, may want to turn off the 2 breaker to see where power is lost, those are most likely locations. Once that is fixed, then maybe you could use 130 Volt Rough Service Bulbs.
What area of the Country do you Live(Extreme Cold)?

questionsbutno
Oct 26, 2009, 12:13 PM
If that circuit is a Multi Circuit(A circuit that 2 circuits on opposite phases share a common Neutral) and the Neutral is Loose, Voltage can go High. An Electrician may open panel and see where that circuit exits the panel and see what other circuit exits panel with that one, then tight all connections on those 2 circuits, may want to turn off the 2 breaker to see where power is lost, those are most likely locations. Once that is fixed, then maybe you could use 130 Volt Rough Service Bulbs.
What area of the Country do you Live(Extreme Cold)?

Florida. Lights only on one circuit. Will check the neutral, thanks

questionsbutno
Oct 26, 2009, 12:17 PM
If that circuit is a Multi Circuit(A circuit that 2 circuits on opposite phases share a common Neutral) and the Neutral is Loose, Voltage can go High. An Electrician may open panel and see where that circuit exits the panel and see what other circuit exits panel with that one, then tight all connections on those 2 circuits, may want to turn off the 2 breaker to see where power is lost, those are most likely locations. Once that is fixed, then maybe you could use 130 Volt Rough Service Bulbs.
What area of the Country do you Live(Extreme Cold)?

Also, bell boxes are under grade, if water is in them would that blow the bulbs, thanks

KISS
Oct 26, 2009, 12:31 PM
It's entireley possible that the manufacturer had a bad lot of bubs. Switch brands.

Stratmando
Oct 26, 2009, 02:36 PM
I know the lights are on 1 circuit, an Electrician can open Panel, Follow the Light circuit, then what ever other circuit(s) exits the Panel with That circuit.
If you can remove the Panel Cover Safely and Comfortably. Turn of the light Breaker, and follow it, is it a Red, black, white and Green Cable, a Black, whit and green cable, or a conduit, if conduit, what color and how many wires in it?

questionsbutno
Oct 26, 2009, 03:18 PM
I know the lights are on 1 circuit, an Electrician can open Panel, Follow the Light circuit, then what ever other circuit(s) exits the Panel with That circuit.
If you can remove the Panel Cover Safely and Comfortably. Turn of the light Breaker, and follow it, is it a Red, black, white and Green Cable, a Black, whit and green cable, or a conduit, if conduit, what color and how many wires in it?

One piece of 12-2 cable comes from the breaker to the switch by my front door and then about sixty feet to the first light. Lights are twenty feet apart.

Stratmando
Oct 26, 2009, 06:13 PM
That eleminates the Multi circuit. Try 130 Volt Rough Service Bulbs.
May still have a Neutral Problem, maybe not on your side. Does it happen at certain times?
Do any other lights go Bright/Dim when something is switched On?

questionsbutno
Oct 27, 2009, 04:07 AM
That eleminates the Multi circuit. Try 130 Volt Rough Service Bulbs.
May still have a Neutral Problem, maybe not on your side. Does it happen at certain times?
Do any other lights go Bright/Dim when something is switched On?

No other lights go dim or bright. I work out of town so I do not know when the bulbs blow. My wife turns them on at night time. If water was in the box that is just below grade would that do it also? Thank you

Stratmando
Oct 27, 2009, 05:50 AM
Maybe it is a bad batch of bulbs?

KISS
Oct 27, 2009, 06:36 AM
I said tat a while back. We have these discussions from time to time. Vibration, surges like from loose connections and bad bulb batches are the biggest problems. The bad bulb batches usually get overlooked by novices.