Is it important to use the right wattage for a lamp?
Question:i just bought a new lamp that states max wattage is 60. all i have are 100 watt bulbs. i used 1 just to see if the lamp works. it works, which made me wonder if i can i just use the 100 watt bulb or is there a reason i should go get 60 watt bulbs? is there a drawback? i don't want to risk breaking the lamp. thx.
Answers:
The heat given off by a 100 watt bulb is almost twice the heat given off by a 60 watt bulb. You run the risk of damaging the fixture especially if it's plastic you could melt it or burn it. Testing with a 100 watt bulb is OK just follow the manufacturer's rated UL listing for the bulb. If an incandescent bulb isn't bright enough try a compact fluorescent, you'll save energy too!
If you do use a higher watt bulb, you run the risk of melting the cord which could be a fire hazard.
Yes,very important,exceeding the max wattage stated can over heat or cause the lamp to burn. Some lamps have wiring the if too much current is drawn they flash fire in a very short time. Rule of thumb..follow manufactures suggestions as they test under various conditions to include overloading a product and seeing what happens .george
The fixtures are rated for a 60 watt lamp because of the heat generated. a 100 watt lamp over time will cause heat damage. To get more light out of the lamp without risk of damage see if a compact fluorescent lamp will fit in the socket. A 100 watt equivalent only draws about 23 watts and runs MUCH cooler than a standard bulb. The color quality from compact fluorescents has improved drastically over the years. The added benefit of saving electricity is nice also.
A higher wattage than recommended can generate enough heat to damage the lamp or even set it on fire.
A 25 to 30 watt Compact Florescent bulb will give you as much light as an ordinary 100 watt bulb without risking meltdown, fire, or damaging the lamp. It will also save you money on electricity. Check your local power company's website, many of them have exchange programs to swap Compact Florescents for incandescent bulbs for free.
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