Light Bulbs Keep Pinging

tikka1951

We moved into our house 10 months ago. In the lounge, there is wall lighting, and spot lights in the ceiling. The 4 wall lamps provide the main lighting in the room.

The spot lights are fine, but the bulbs in the 4 wall lamps ping and die after only a few days each.

Any suggestions as to why this is happening would be appreciated.

sillygoose

It can depend on the type of bulb and fitting, some fittings use types of bulbs at angles those particular bulb types don't like! (poor design) - in which case 'cheap' bulbs can exasperate the situation. Better quality branded bulbs may have better supported filaments. alternatively there are a vast range of low energy styles now, even dimmable ones. As filament bulbs are gradually becoming illegal! now may be the time to look at alternatives.

fluffpot

You don't say what type of bulbs they are but make sure that they are well secured in the light fittings as any looseness can cause arcing and bulb death. If they are screw if, tighten them as much as you dare. If push in or bayonet, again check they are fully locked in
Agree also with post above - and esp if from the same batch which might have been chucked around by the warehouse staff!

Fluff

Inactive

Also, do not touch the glass when changing bulbs, the oil from your skin will leave a hotspot on the bulb, reducing it's lifespan, use a piece of kitchen roll or similar.

Norman_Castle

If they are on the same curcuit there may be a loose wire or connection.

muckybutt

Norman_Castle wrote: »

If they are on the same curcuit there may be a loose wire or connection.

Loose wires do not blow lamps. As said above depends on angles of lamps and very much to do with quality, personally id go with low energy or the new type halogen filament replacement ones.

BTW you only need to protect certain halogen lamps G9 - G4 and some open type MR16 from finger grease, bayonnet - low energy - eddison screw - fluorescent - GU10 and some MR16 need no protection from finger grease.

Norman_Castle

I had low energy bulbs on a circuit that failed regularly. Since finding and tightening a loose connection in the switch no bulbs have failed.

tartanterra

muckybutt wrote: »

Loose wires do not blow lamps.

I think you will find that they do.

tartanterra

tikka1951 wrote: »

We moved into our house 10 months ago. In the lounge, there is wall lighting, and spot lights in the ceiling. The 4 wall lamps provide the main lighting in the room.

The spot lights are fine, but the bulbs in the 4 wall lamps ping and die after only a few days each.

Any suggestions as to why this is happening would be appreciated.

It is definitely worth having the lighting circuit checked out. A reputable and qualified electrician will be able to fully test your circuit and let you know if there are any problems associated with it.
If the circuit is degraded, a proper periodic inspection will identify the problem.
If the problem persists after you have received a clean bill of health on this particular lighting circuit (you will receive a Periodic Inspection Report detailing all test values and recommendations), then I would suggest that your fittings are not fit for purpose.

I assume as you have just moved in, you have not modified or altered the circuit in any way, but as a cationary tale, I have at least one call out every week as an electrician to sort out problems with lighting circuits due to problems with "amateur enthusiasts" who seem drawn to lighting circuits like moths to a flame! If you think the previous owner has been fiddling with the electrics, then you should definitely have it checked out.

Hope you find this helpful.:)

tikka1951

I would like to thank everyone for the advice given. The bulbs we were using were cheap 60w ones.(trying to save money!) I purchased some good quality 11w energy saving bulbs, screwed them in as tightly as I dared (as advised), and they haven't pinged yet! So I think the problem may be solved.:T

muckybutt

tartanterra wrote: »

I think you will find that they do.

I can honestly say that in 20+ years of being a sparks I have never come across loose wiring being the cause for lamps blowing. Might make your lights flicker but not blow ?