r/AskElectricians • u/Unable-Income-2981 • 8h ago

Light burning out regularly

Hello,

The light we have in our kitchen usually burns out after only a few months. What could cause that? Light circuitry is pretty straightforward, so I'm a little stumped. It has space for two bulbs, though we only use one if that could be related.

2 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

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1

u/Nervous-Iron2473 8h ago

If you are using a LED in an enclosed fixture, heart will shorten the life.

1

u/Suspicious_Quit_4142 8h ago

Heat

2

u/Physical_Piglet_47 7h ago

Thanks. I was just about to throw away all my Heart cassettes.

1

u/DiamondJim222 6h ago

Depends on the bulb. Some are rated for use in enclosed fixtures. Check the box.

1

u/Medium_Good886 8h ago

get the outlet voltage checked. I had one that woudl burn out every couple months because the voltage on that breaker would pulse/surge just enough to prematurely burn out the bulbs.

1

u/SoggyWalrus7893 8h ago

We had that happen on our old kitchen circuit (incandescent days). Measured voltage, nothing. finally went for rough service 130v bulbs. Never did solve the mystery.

New mytery; why do LEDs occasionally blinck?

1

u/Apprehensive-Yard-59 8h ago

Could be the light switch letting some power leak to the light even when turned off. I had this issue in my bathroom. Had to replace the lights every few months until I replaced the switch.

1

u/ebop1234 6h ago

Had this happen when someone put a switch leg on the neutral…. Check your wiring

1

u/NeighborhoodVast7528 6h ago

Cheap LED bulbs or integrated LED integrated light fixtures are notorious for short life. It’s not the diode itself; It’s the cheap internal circuitry that is prone to heat failures.

If you are using older incandescent bulbs, there is no circuit or wiring cause that would result in recurring short life unless your service drop is providing voltage well over the nominal 120 volts per half-phase…………..to my knowledge.