Witched Lamp

[Menticol]

Hi!

I know a lamp doesn't qualify as a Consumer Electronic, but still is an interesting electric case. In the building where I live, there is a lighting fixture consisting of 2 incandescent bulbs in parallel.

In Colombia, mains are 120VAC, 60Hz

Curiously, one of the bulbs keeps burning out. Lifespan ranges from 1 week to 24 hours. Overvoltages, heavy duty cycle or defective bulb lots are ruled out, because the other bulb keeps OK. Spares from every brand, diferent lots, incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, every type fails.

Another fixture presents the same failure, but its in another circuit and has only one bulb.

Can defective wiring, o another anormality cause this condition?

PS: Building wiring is 5 years old

 

[Mr RB]

Clean and re-tension the socket terminals.

 

[Menticol]

Thank you Mr. RB! I'll follow your advice. Nothing that the allmighty WD-40 cannot do

Does anyone has another case of bewitched household appliances to share?

 

[mneary]

The most common causes of mystery lamp failures are intermittent/high resistance center terminals in the socket and vibration.

 

[Hero999]

What's a witched lamp?

Does it have a broomstick?

 

[mneary]

A broomstick would be too obvious. It's a stealth witch.

 

[HiTech]

Oh please do not use WD-40 as an electrical cleaner!!! Buy specific use contact cleaner. You can even burnish the socket contacts using #1200 sandpaper or a small, brass wirebrush. WD-40 can cause real electrical problems!

 

[Menticol]

Oh please do not use WD-40 as an electrical cleaner!!! Buy specific use contact cleaner. You can even burnish the socket contacts using #1200 sandpaper or a small, brass wirebrush. WD-40 can cause real electrical problems!

Really? I always use WD-40 to clean old potenciometers

A broomstick would be too obvious. It's a stealth witch.

Hahahahahaha

 

[trebor3683]

I agree! The problem is with the socket and if cleaning proves ineffective there may be a manufacturing problem (I know it's hard to believe) with the metal parts. Just get a new socket which is usually available from any hardware store and replace it. This will certainly be less expensive than all the bulbs you are throwing away. So, let there be Light!!

 

[mneary]

A socket that has poor connections and overheats bulb bases has also overheated itself. The spring contact in the center may have lost its hardness and springiness (temper). It must be replaced.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Really? I always use WD-40 to clean old potenciometers

Don't worry yourself, I've been using it professionally for 30 years or so, it's FAR better than so called 'contact cleaners', particularly on poentiometers.

 

[HiTech]

I've personally witnessed two incidences of further failures using WD-40 as electrical contact cleaner. My friend's dad sprayed it in a wall switch to control a ceiling fan. It burst into flames and smoke! The other case involved a motor armature which smoked, arced and burned up. De-Oxit is by far the best solution for contacts and potentiometers. The mil-spec stuff is absolutely superb. It works so well it's amazing how it brings back proper operation of controls and leaves them lasting that way.

 

[Menticol]

I've personally witnessed two incidences of further failures using WD-40 as electrical contact cleaner

Well, Nigel and you are both right. I use WD-40 even as workbench insect killer, but never caused electrical fires to me. Maybe I'm just lucky, or the formula varies.

On mechanical devices WD-40 removes the dirt, but also takes away desirable lubricants.

For submerged cellphones and cleaning delicate devices I use Isopropyl alcohol, letting it dry.

Maybe the product that Hitech recommends is better, but I guess I should import it. Instead WD-40 is easier to get than air

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I've personally witnessed two incidences of further failures using WD-40 as electrical contact cleaner. My friend's dad sprayed it in a wall switch to control a ceiling fan. It burst into flames and smoke! The other case involved a motor armature which smoked, arced and burned up. De-Oxit is by far the best solution for contacts and potentiometers. The mil-spec stuff is absolutely superb. It works so well it's amazing how it brings back proper operation of controls and leaves them lasting that way.

Spray a propane propelled aerosol on to a live light switch - what a shock when it burst in to flames

You shouldn't spray ANYTHING on to a live circuit -considering almost all modern aerosols are highly flammable.

ELECTROMASTER: Edited comment to keep peace.