How does a light bulb actually work?
A regular light bulb, or an incandescent light bulb, is a simple device - just a tungsten wire sealed in a glass tube. The electric current passing through the wire heats it to incandescence, and the wire produces light.
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Why are incandescent light bulbs so hot?
An incandescent light bulb gives off 90% heat and 10% light, therefore the amount of heat radiated is substantial, and the bulbs get hot.
Is voltage important?
For best operation, it is very important that the designated voltage marked on your bulb correspond to the circuit voltage on your electric line or outlet. Thus, a 240-volt bulb should be used on a 240-volt current. Any appreciable variation from this will cause wide variation in the life and efficiency of the bulb.
Why do my bulbs seem to burn out quickly?
Light bulbs can burn out quickly for a number of reasons. The first thing to do if a bulb seems to burn out quickly is check the fixture it's in. Light fixtures can wear out over time and develop wiring problems that blow out bulbs. If bulbs are repeatedly burning out quickly in the same light fixture, it's likely that the problem lies with the fixture. It's very important to follow the fixture manufacturer's specifications for light bulb wattage, voltage, and bulb shape.
The second thing to consider is the type of bulb you're buying. Some new bulb types have a longer bulb life than regular incandescent light bulbs you're used to. Some bulbs come with manufacturers' warranties. If you want your bulb to have a longer life than usual, you may choose such bulbs.
How long should light bulbs last?
Light bulb manufacturers adhere to a standard industry rating for light bulb life called "average rated hours." This means that in a test, half of the bulbs will last longer than the stated hours, while the other half will not. For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb may have a rated life of 1,000 hours. However, not all bulbs of this type will last exactly that long. That rated life is the median - the point in lab testing when 50% of the test samples have burned out and 50% are still burning. Check your light bulb package to see the rated hours of life for your particular bulb.
