Light bulb

[topdog1957]

Hello, I've been reading about why bulbs blow so often and I was wondering if most all bulbs blow at the point of being turned on?? And if so, do you know why??Thanks Randy

[Loosehead]

Yes turning on time is a common time for them to blow, this is because the filament goes from cool to white hot in a very short time and that puts a lot of stress on in.

[Robinia]

Mmm and always when it's dark.

[qapmoc]

Hi topdog,  The actual reason is that when the filament is cold the electrical resistance is low and at switch on time the current taken will be very high for a few milliseconds until the filament heats up and its resistance increases,  this places very large stresses on the wire which is most likely to break at this time.  Note also that if the voltage on the lamp is even slightly higher than its rated voltage the life will be reduced by a lot,  if you live close to the transformer in your area this might be a problem.  

[SteveD]

LOL, Robinia.  And if you lose something, you always find it in the last place you look!

[landie]

That's because you stop looking when you've found it!!!