Frequent burn out of light bulbs

[eejacky]

My friend had a problem that the lighting system of his home always burn out every two months. The lighting system include six light bulbs (I think it is in parallel arrangement) of which two light bulbs always burned out even after replacing a new one. It is the same case when using either energy saving one or typical one. It was informed by him that all power cables and lighting switch had been replaced in the past six years. Also, the lighting fixture had been the second new one. Any expert has the idea on this.

 

[pennpoint]

eejacky
Is there a motor (fan) in the circuit also?

 

[busbar]

There are a number of contributors, but incandescent-lamp life varies with the 12th power of terminal-voltage ratio according to

http://www.lumex.com/tech_notes

Actual Life/Rated Life = (Rated Volts/Actual Volts)^13 per

http://www.replacementlightbulbs.com/

 

[pennpoint]

eejacky
Sorry! for not being more explicit with my previous post. Years ago I became aware of a phenomenon regarding light bulbs burning out sooner than they should. Not being a electrical type, I ask around and was told about “reluctance” or something to do with reluctance when a motor such as a fan is also in the incandescent lighting circuit. Like when you turn on a light in the bathroom and the fan comes on too.
Anyway the cure was to replace the incandescent lamps with fluorescent tubes or place a transformer between the lights and fan motor.
Regardless your in the right place to get your answer, there are many experts who can advise you here.

Best of luck
pennpoint

 

[jghrist]

Your voltage may be high. Maybe there was enough voltage drop before upgrading the wiring that the voltage at the lighting fixtures was normal. Measure the voltage; if it is more than 5% above the nominal (120 or 220, depending on where you are), contact the utility.

I experienced a high rate of light bulbs burning out when I lived in Bangladesh. I blamed it on cheap bulbs until I decided to mark the base of the bulbs when I replaced them. Turns out that my housekeeper was replacing them with burned out bulbs and selling the old ones on the market. I'd end up buying my old bulbs (or someone else's) at the store to replace them.

 

[TRANS311KAMIL]

Hi ,may be the voltage is a littel bit high i have expierianced the same were bulbs and chalks kept burning ,then i found out that my hous is the nearest to the local transformer at where I'm staying ,simpaly I called the loclal electricity baord thay came and change the taping on the local transformer . broblem solved

 

[advidana]

It a common problem I think you have lost your neutral to the 120 v system therefore you are get 220v across your lamps. Check your voltage. If so then reconnect the open neutral and your problem is solved.

If that is not the problem just plug a 12Ov trans surpressor strip anywhere on the same phase or leg. That will clip any spikes on the line. cheap but effective.

 

[advidana]

oh. my last posting is for usa installations

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: There seem to be several causes possible, e.g. high voltage because of the Utility, neutral, close by motor load starting/stopping as mentioned above.
Also, there may be voltage spikes, voltage surges, voltage swells, etc.
It may pay off to hire an experienced Electrical Contractor to look into the matter.

 

[CarlPugh]

Let me add my $0.25 worth.

Vibration or shock will also cause a light bulb to fail.
Is there any source of vibration, (Motors or whatever) or shock. (Just tapping on an energized standard 115 volt light bulb will cause it to fail)