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denraman · Sep 17, 2008, 09:52 AM

Please help. We installed a new halogen ceiling light in our bathroom that had 4 bulbs on a 32" long fixture. Within the first day or so, both of the bulbs on each END of the fixture burned out. We didn't like the halogen lighting as it didn't illuminate the bathroom well at all, so the other day we installed a new different 3 bulb fixture that requires 60 watt max. incandescent chandelier bulbs. (We used the 60 watt bulbs.) Just minutes after installing and turning on the light, one of the end bulbs burned out. We replaced it and that evening as I was in the tub, it burned out again (same socket on the end). So the lights are not burning out immediately when flipping on the switch, but several minutes after turning it on. Someone mentioned that this might be an "open neutral". Is this the case? How big of a project is it to fix this problem, what ever it is? Also, because of the way the outlet box was installed by the previous owners of the house, it actually extends a bit too far out past the sheet rock making it impossible to tighten the fixture REALLY securely to the ceiling. (It isn't so loose that it risks coming undone, but never the less, if you wiggle it, it will move slightly.) We tried trimming some of the outlet box with a Dremmel tool. That helped, but didn't completely fix the problem. It just doesn't sit completely flush with the sheet rock. Could this be any part of the problem? Sorry, lots of questions, but at this point, I just can't afford to hire an electrician to fix the problem. Hopefully we can fix it ourselves. I really appreciate any helpful advice. Thanks very much!
Den

ballengerb1 · Sep 17, 2008, 10:50 AM

An open neutral would give you no light.t the power at the socket with a meter that will tell you the exact voltage. Where do you live?

denraman · Sep 17, 2008, 11:57 AM

I live in northern Minnesota.

ballengerb1 · Sep 17, 2008, 02:23 PM

Your residential voltage should be around 118, how did it test out?

denraman · Sep 17, 2008, 02:34 PM

Sorry, I've been at work all day. Won't have a chance to check until this w/end.

Stratmando · Sep 17, 2008, 03:17 PM

If a neutral opens up, or becomes loose on a multicircuit(red and black sharing a neutral), the voltage on either circuit could have anywhere from 0-240 volts. Whichever circuit has the greatest load will have the lower voltage.
Frige on 1 circuit and lights on other circuit would cause bulbs to blow, if a multi circuit,
Low voltage can be as dangerous or more so.
An open or loose neutral can happen anywhere fro Electric company to a wirenut in a box.
An electrician might open panel and see if that circuit is a multicircuit, if it is, turn off the other circuit and try a new bulb, Measuring voltage can only help from blowing a good bulb.
Halogen bulbs will fail early if touched with your fingers(the oils), will burn it up.
Good Luck