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[Closed] any electricians out there?

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i seem to be almost constantly changing lightbulbs in the winter! sometimes they only last 2 weeks.

what the hell's going on? it's been like this since we moved in about 5 years ago!

any ideas?


 
Posted : 13/12/2009 9:11 pm
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What type of lamp and are you using the cheapest you can get?


 
Posted : 13/12/2009 9:17 pm
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Can tell oldgit's an electrician by the use of the word lamp. Bulbs grow in the ground.

If it's only when it's cold it could be due to a loose connection which is getting looser as the copper contracts. Causes high resistance, blah blah blah. I should know the physics of it really but my brain's switched off for today.


 
Posted : 13/12/2009 9:25 pm
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oldgit - Member
What type of lamp and are you using the cheapest you can get?

must admit to not buying the dearest.... so how much should i be looking at spending on say, a 60w bulb... oops ahem, err lamp?

benji_allen - Member
If it's only when it's cold it could be due to a loose connection which is getting looser as the copper contracts.

you may well have a point! i just assumed it happened more in the winter because we use the lights more than in summer!

thanks both, think i'll splash out on some fancy lamps.


 
Posted : 13/12/2009 9:38 pm
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Blimey 60W lamps, almost a thing of the past.
Cheap ones can be short lived, a pack of ten branded ones from a wholesaler might be worth getting.
The lampholder can be a problem as well, and a combination of badly made lamp and lampholder will give you issues.


 
Posted : 13/12/2009 9:43 pm
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Sometimes, i think these problems are caused by the lights overheating, normally due to bad design. I may be wrong, as this is one of those things where it can be very difficult to actually get to the cause of the problem in my experience...


 
Posted : 13/12/2009 9:49 pm
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I bet it's those halogen dichroic lamps sohala is having trouble with. They seem to pop every few weeks - useless!

CFL's are pretty good and cheap to run, but LEDs are the future as they last many time longer than anything else. The current silly prices make them uneconomic for now and have they limited output for current fitting replacements (such as GU10s).

Best go for a good quality branded lamp if you want longevity.


 
Posted : 13/12/2009 10:37 pm
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The current silly prices make them uneconomic for now

They make cost a reasonable amount to buy, they use a fifth of the power making them cheaper in the long run.


 
Posted : 13/12/2009 10:45 pm
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Think this is probably a one off, but my brother lost the use of his bathroom light (can't remember what time if year - autumn I think), so I had a look at it for him.

Found a massive, dead (presumably zapped), but still very slimy, slug, had totally f****d the cieling rose. Was all corroded. Frightened the life out of me when I pulled it out.


 
Posted : 14/12/2009 10:22 pm
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I can come around and have a look if you want...

... probably best not


 
Posted : 14/12/2009 11:06 pm
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what kind of lamps ? 230 volt or 12 volt


 
Posted : 14/12/2009 11:25 pm