What could cause the glue between the metal and glass in a light bulb to fail ?

Discussion in 'Public General Chat' started by Meemo, Nov 8, 2008.

  1. Meemo
    Guest

    Because that is exactly what has happen in my flat twice in the last week. Turn the light on at the wall, it flashes, then the glass bulb falls to the ground leaving the metal bit in the socket.

    For me both times it landed on carpet and didn't smash, and I've been able to remove the metal bit with pliers. But it is still a worrying issue.
     
  2. The Communist
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2008
    Messages:
    4,380
    Likes Received:
    9
    Occupation:
    Student
    Location:
    Texas
    My guess is it is just a manufacturers defect. That is strange.
     
  3. Lev
    Banned

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2008
    Messages:
    1,577
    Likes Received:
    5
    Occupation:
    Dancer
    Location:
    Vancouver BC
    Sounds like a crappy lightbulb or crappy wiring in the socket, replace the lightbulb first because it's cheaper, then the socket if it keeps happening.
     
  4. XShrike
    Guest

    If it happened once I would assume a defective item but, twice in a row sounds like another problem. The socket or the wiring could be bad and causing to much heat.
     
  5. Meemo
    Guest

    Both times it happened in different sockets, and we had an electrician check out the wiring a few months back because of another issue. Heat doesn't explain why both failed when the switch was flicked, because there wasn't time for it to heat up. So I'm ruling out a wiring fault for now.

    Which leaves it as a fault in the bulb.
     
  6. Grumble
    Guest

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2008
    Messages:
    580
    Likes Received:
    9
    Occupation:
    Graduate Student
    Location:
    Alberta
    Could be that both bulbs came from a bad batch - did you buy them together? Try a different brand?
     
  7. Roch The Shaman
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2008
    Messages:
    2,437
    Likes Received:
    6
    Occupation:
    Fix jets
    Location:
    Barksdale AFB
    wow thats crazy and kinda cool at the same time, you should call a paranormal person there to check it out
     
  8. EF2
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2008
    Messages:
    1,307
    Likes Received:
    5
    Occupation:
    Media Photographer
    Location:
    Pittsburgh
    Check your bulb wattage and what your wiring is capable of.
     
  9. Tribat
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2008
    Messages:
    366
    Likes Received:
    11
    Occupation:
    Geek Squad Supervisor (Best Buy)
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Sounds like a short is overheating the bulb and causing the epoxy attaching the bulb to its base to fail.
     
  10. Meemo
    Guest

    Wouldn't that cause the bulb to fail while it is on, not the instant it gets turned on ?
     
  11. sounds like a bad batch.

    If you can, go for one of those fluorescent mini-bulbs. Its cheaper and probably more stable than the incandescent you're putting in there.
     
  12. Valindria
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2008
    Messages:
    925
    Likes Received:
    8
    Occupation:
    Software Engineer
    Location:
    Iowa
    Ghosts
     
  13. Roch The Shaman
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2008
    Messages:
    2,437
    Likes Received:
    6
    Occupation:
    Fix jets
    Location:
    Barksdale AFB
    thats 2 for paranormal call a priest!!!!
     
  14. "The power of Christ compels you" to keep replacing your lightbulbs.
     
  15. mercsan
    Veteran Crowfall Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2008
    Messages:
    1,461
    Likes Received:
    0
    sledgehammer.... duh
     
  16. Gruune
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2008
    Messages:
    1,246
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    the question is .... how many people did it take to screw it back in ?
     
  17. dash
    Guest

    Assuming that the lightbulbs come from the same box ormanufacturer, It wold appear to be a bad batch. Go to where these were purchased and change them in. I would go with a different company this go around.

    If it continues to happen. Check your ground/neutral both at the light and at the switch. Make sure the light is off as I'm sure you did when taking the metal out in the first place.
     
  18. Roch The Shaman
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2008
    Messages:
    2,437
    Likes Received:
    6
    Occupation:
    Fix jets
    Location:
    Barksdale AFB
    make sure it is out? i was always told to stand in a bucket of water after taking a shower without drying off then changing it with the power on