Bathroom light bulb keeps blowing

[AKMild]

I have a spotlight in my bathroom and recently the bulb blew as I switched it on. No big deal since it had been in there for at least five years, if not more. The new bulb worked for a day, maybe and then blew as well. The next one blew the first time I used it.

The lampholder (a screw-type) is built into the bathroom ceiling and used to be attached to a white box located on the floor of the loft above (a transformer or capacitor maybe?). However, the white box, whilst still there, is now below the floor boards of the loft conversion, which we had done about four years ago, so is pretty inaccesible. The lamp itself is protected against steam by the usual bathroom-type translucent enclosed glass lampshade

I'm reluctant to keep replacing the bulb and wonder if I'm likely to be getting current surges. I'll end up consulting an electrician, but if there are any obvious things I should be considering first I'd be pleased to hear suggestions.

[HowardKennitby]

Have you been fitting branded bulbs or cheap compatibles?

[AKMild]

Cheap compatibles, if that's what Tesco's own brand are.

[HowardKennitby]

I would try a recognised brand and see how that goes.
Also, possibly a silly question, are you sure you have been fitting bulbs with the correct voltage rating?

[dzug2]

The fitment may need cleaning - if the old bulb left some debris it could be shorting. A paintbrush (with the power turned off of course) may do it.

[AKMild]

Good point, Howard - I asked the wife to buy them and I didn't actually check the packet, although I've disposed on the old one now. The other thing to mention is that there are little insects breeding in the space between the floors which often drop down and incinerate themselves in the lampshade. All the more reason to clean the contacts, I guess.

[Old_Geezer]

In my recent experience, incandescent bulbs are not the quality they used to be. Still I'd be interested in what suggestions are made as the lamp outside my woman's front door keep blowing too. Although the last one totally shattered !

I'd have thought screw types wouldn't have much of an issue with insects, after all, once in place the centre contact isn't accessible anyway.

[The Builder]

As it's a screw type bulb, it's likely to be mains voltage, but I'm wondering what the white box is.
I've never come across screw types that need a transformer, but I may be wrong.

[AKMild]

Well I've found the instruction sheet for the white box and it is a transformer, but I think it might be attached to the light over the shower, which is much smaller (but just as bright) as the main light and which might be a 12v halogen lamp.

So, I guess the white box is a red herring, if that makes sense, and I've got either a batch of iffy bulbs from Tesco or some short-circuiting insects.

[vignon]

Lamps aren't what they used to be, Chinese! nuff said.Mine keep blowing all the time.
Since this b*!*dy EEC ruling on the environment.