A light bulb is an item that is used by everyone. Nowadays, it's easy to take these gadgets for granted because of how widespread they are. That is, until it is time to change the light bulb. You should know if you're buying the perfect bulb for your needs before going out to replace that burned-out light bulb in your house, office, or appliance. Buying the wrong bulb might result in an improperly fitting bulb, increased energy usage, and even safety hazards. To be more explicit, it's unsafe and could pose a threat to your family's well-being if you use a light bulb that has a higher wattage than you're allowed to.
So, What Happens If You Replace That Light Bulb With One That Has More Watts?
The vast majority of cases in which a customer returns an incorrectly purchased light bulb are caused by customers purchasing bulbs with a higher power than they required. Your light socket's maximum wattage is indicated by its watt rating. Changing to a lower wattage bulb is fine, however using a greater wattage bulb could cause overlamping, which is dangerous for the home's inhabitants.
Just what is “Overlamping”?
Overlamping is the practise of using a light bulb whose wattage is higher than the one's intended for use in a given lighting fixture. Lighting fixtures have a maximum safe wattage range that should be adhered to; exceeding this range can cause the bulbs to overheat and possibly even explode. Inadequate lighting can cause a variety of issues, and the longer it goes unchecked, the more at risk you and your home are.
The Risks of Excessive Lighting
The following are some risks that might arise from excessive lighting:
Overheating
Burning out light bulb
Overheating can occur if a light bulb with a high wattage is used. The lamp socket itself and the wire insulation could melt with this kind of heat. If it happens, arc faults are possible, which could result in damage or possibly a fire.
Your Light Fixture Will Be Ruined For Good
Placement of Lights in a Line
If you overlamp, you'll ruin your light fixture for good. It may be too late to rectify the situation if, for example, you use a light bulb of a higher wattage than is recommended. In all likelihood, you may have already had to cope with irreparable damage to your lamp. This is why checking the wattage of your old bulb and the wattage of the replacement bulb is so crucial.
Lamps with Bulbs Inside of Their Housings
Light Bulbs Enclosed In Glass Lamp Posts
It is especially important to purchase the right lightbulb if your light bulb is contained in a fixture. Overheating occurs more frequently in enclosed fixtures. This means that the potential for a fire to ignite is increased.
Solution to the Problem of Excessive Lighting
The wattage of most newer fixtures is clearly labelled on the fixture or can be found by disassembling the fixture. Find out how many watts your light fixture can handle, and then go shopping for a bulb with the same or lower wattage. As long as you stick to the manufacturer's suggested wattage, you should be fine. Choose bulbs with a wattage of 60 or less as a general guideline if your fixture doesn't specify a maximum wattage.
Better safety can be achieved by having an electrician check for overlamping damage in the electrical system. Furthermore, a licenced electrician may be able to advise you on the most suitable lights to use in their place.
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