Posted: 12/9/2014 10:13:04 PM EDT
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I have two separate circuits of can lights that have had a problem burning out 65w indoor flood bulbs from the time my house was new(2009). Probably 20 bulbs in varying individual fixtures among each 4- can set up. Some of the lights are 13' high and a real booger to reach.
One circuit is a series of 4 cans on 2 three-way switches. The other is a series of 4 cans on a single pole switch, For reference, I have 2 other 4 can circuits in my house that I have never(jinx) changed a bulb in that are used just as frequently. Am I just imagining this situation? Strange coincidence? Or could there be something wrong with those 2 circuits? I was planning on replacing bulbs with LED, but I am leery of putting expensive bulbs in these sockets. Thanks |
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Quoted:
If one switch has to be on for the other to work, it's wired wrong. If one just has zero function, it's a $.50 switch and put the new one in same as old one came out. This. Have you replaced the bad 3 way switch with a new one and it still doesn't work? |
The bad switch worked properly as a 3way until it stopped working. The bad switch is located at a place that it is unlikely to be used nearly as often as the other switch so I have just dealt with it and never replaced it. My intent was to put a dimmer on that set of lights, but I just have never got around to installing it. I used to be able to completely wire a house, but now I am a little unsure of doing this since I didn't wire the house and don't know exactly how the switches were wired . Kind of a use it or lose it situation and apparently I have lost it.
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Quoted:
Or could there be something wrong with those 2 circuits? If you have a voltmeter (DMM or something similar), you might try removing one of the problem bulbs, and measuring the AC voltage coming out of that bulb socket. It shouldn't be higher than 130 volts. Most homes are fed with 240 volt AC power, which is split inside the home among pairs of 120 volt circuits ("legs"). If the voltage on one of those 120 volt legs is actually lower than 120 volts (due to a heavy load or poor connection), the voltage on the other leg can be forced higher (so that both sides still add up to 240 volts). Occasionally, you'll notice lights on one leg getting much brighter when the heavy load on the other leg is turned on. You might also consider replacing the bad 3-way switch - A switch that is making poor connection can shorten the life of bulbs. |
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There is nothing wrong with your wiring.
The light bulb industry will never admit this but they are making the incandescent bulbs lower quality these days in an effort to push people into LED and florescents. Do I have proof of this? No I do not but having a company that replaces 1,000's of bulbs per year I can definitely see a trend emerging. The current production incandescent lamps cannot take the like they could in years past. IMHO you should replace them with LED and be done. |