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How Do Your Electrons Flow?

Electricity is the flow of electrons. This sounds rather complex, and in some ways, it really is. But many years of innovation have made it fairly simple for the average person to have and use electricity in their home. An electrician can run wires from the public electric lines to your home. They can then set up a panel box with multiple circuits to power all of your appliances, lights, and other electronics. All you have to do is plug things in and maybe flip a few switches. That's pretty awesome, and we decided to write more about it on this blog about electricians.

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How Do Your Electrons Flow?

Why Are Your Light Bulbs Burning Out Too Soon?

by Kaylee Rodriquez

If a light bulb in your home burns out too quickly, then you might have to keep replacing it. This is a sign that you have a problem. Light bulbs don't work forever, but they should last some time.

If this keeps happening, then check that the bulbs you use have the right wattage for the socket. If a bulb's wattage is higher than the socket can handle, then the socket will make the bulb too hot. Its filament will then burn out fast.

If you are using the right bulbs, then you might have a more complex problem. Read on to learn more about why bulbs don't last long enough.

Your Socket Has a Problem

Bulbs shine once they are connected to their sockets and get a charge. While a faulty socket sometimes prevents bulbs from working at all, it can also make them burn out faster.

For example, if a socket's connector tab is damaged or faulty, then it might not make a complete connection with a bulb. An internal loose wire can also have the same effect. If a bulb's connection is intermittent, then it can flicker repeatedly rather than burn constantly.

This flickering wears out the bulb too soon. It will burn out faster.

Your Home's Voltage Is Too High

Your home's electrical system has a voltage limit. This limit should match your electrical usage needs. If your voltage is too high, then you can have problems with fast-burning bulbs.

A higher voltage makes bulbs burn more brightly. This shortens their lifespan, and they will burn out more quickly.

If you do have this problem, then you're more likely to have to change bulbs in multiple places around your home rather than in one socket. Sometimes, bulbs also blow at similar times.

Your Dimmer Switches Aren't Compatible With Your Bulbs

Dimmer switches sometimes have compatibility problems with light bulbs. For example, if your dimmer switches have been in place for a few years, and you have suddenly started using energy-saving bulbs such as LED products, then the switches might make your bulbs burn out too fast.

Older dimmer switches were designed to work with older incandescent bulbs. They might affect the circuity of modern energy-saving bulbs. This damage can quickly burn out a bulb. If you want to fix the problem, you might need to install new switches that work with the bulbs you want to use.

If you have one or more problem light bulbs, then contact an electrician. They can diagnose the fault and fix it for you. 

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