I have a light fixture that has 2 sockets. Each socket has a sticker stating a maximum of 60 watts per.

What is the risk of pushing that with 2 75w bulbs or 2 100w bulbs?

I am pretty sure that there is significant margin in their specification, I just don't want to push it too much!

By the way, the shade is a tiffany style (glass) so that is not a hazard.

The fixture has been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories with 60 watts max in each socket.

Damage to the sockets, terminals, and wiring is what is the hazard if subjected to the heat of a lamp greater than 60 watts.

The risk is of course fire and burning your house down, and your insurance company seeing you put in too high a watt bulb and declining any payment of insurance.

Will it happen, most likely not, but you did say what is the risk

I remember in my parents house growing up, in each room we had fixtures that held two 60 watt bulbs under a glass shade. Whenever my dad tried to use a bulb that was a wattage higher than 60 watts, it would instantly burn out. Ergo, my dad taught me, if you put a bulb in a fixture higher than it is rated for it will burn out.

To this day that does not make sense to me, and has not proven itself to be true in any fixtures other than his.

The risk is of course fire and buring your house down, and your insurance company seeing you put in too high a watt bulb and declining any payment of insurnace.



Long time lurker, first time posting. And I hate to get off on the wrong foot... especially with a mod... but that statement is just false. Your insurance company will not deny coverage for something like this... unless they can prove you did that with the intent of burning the house down (arson). You are insured against bonehead mistakes. Not against malicious intent. However, if they deem you really are an idiot that is too high a risk, they can cancel your coverage. But that is after they pay.

If they fit, and you don't mind the looks, check out some of the compact fluorescent bulbs. With some of them, you can get more light than a 60 watt incandescent bulb, while using less than 60 watts. I find Home Depot has a good selection and good prices. No, I don't work for them or own stock.

Before doing some electrical work at my church, I discussed my lack of an electrician's license with another board member who is an insurance agent. He said stupidity is a covered peril. Note, his company doesn't carry the church's policy. I never heard of anybody being denied payment except in cases of arson or fraud.

What if the auto insurers refused to pay off if you were speeding?

I think it is so the lamp manufacturer can not be liable if larger bulb is used. Intentional or not.
60 watts is safe, 75 is questionable, possibly? Could be safe.

They also make LED bulbs, Very Cool.

OK, I have installed the 2 new lamps with 60w bulbs. It is providing enough light so I will not need to consider higher wattage bulbs.

Thanks for all of your responses.

Good Solution.