Exploding light bulbs

[Bigmuz7]

Right .. I got so sick of this I thought I'd post for the benefit of others

We have an overhead light cluster above our dining table in the kitchen, every so often, a bulb blows .. now when I say blows .. I mean it explodes, theres a big flash and a bang .. its like a bloody firework .... usually just as the light is turned on... finally ,.. another dinner was wrecked by shattered glass tonight, as you cant be sure where all the glass has gone, you just have to chuck it all out Piccy below shows the bulbs .. GEC bought from B&Q .. before you teckkie guys get on your high horse they are mounted in an inverted holder .. the kitchen designer didnt tell us this would be a problem .. but it obviously is .. these bulbs do not like being hung upside down .. so.. be aware

[codprawn]

Normally it's a vertically mounted bulb that causes problem - when the element goes it causes a short. When they hang downwards from the ceiling the broekn filament just falls to the bottom of the glass bulb.

[chewy]

Not good that mate, never had one explode on me.

[m chappelow]

we had same bulb type [mini explosion] with a globe lamp last year , we got the bulbs in a multi pack ,anyhow they seem to either last for ages or only a few days, but it certainly mad a bit of a bang ,cant remember but think it was ikea where we got them from

[jyasaki]

Might also make sure no water is hitting a hot bulb.

jky

[codprawn]

They will soon be banned anyway - mental - and yet they don't ban electric heating - it's the same thing!!!

[Bigmuz7]

Ok heres the latest firework today .. thankfully no one was under it and we didn't have any food on the table .. all are getting replaced with elfn'safety euro dim fluorescents .. feck me I sooner have a paraffin lamp Arrr you cant take the sea out of an old dog

*edit* oohh arr ye cant blow the piccie up for sum scurvy reason ??

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Ok heres the latest firework today .. thankfully no one was under it and we didn't have any food on the table .. all are getting replaced with elfn'safety euro dim fluorescents .. feck me I sooner have a paraffin lamp Arrr you cant take the sea out of an old dog

*edit* oohh arr ye cant blow the piccie up for sum scurvy reason ??

Can't you get a halogen bulb with that fitting?

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Can't you get a halogen bulb with that fitting?

Yeah thats the plan .. last nights was a spectacular it was more of a thunderflash actually, and triggered the fuse box at the same time and put the whole house in darkness ... it takes you all unawares when you are in the middle of a bit of telly

I just dont know what would make a bulb do something so spectacular .. its like they are full of methane or something and when you turn them on they go bang .. unlike my previous theory .. they are cold when they do it

[tinker]

Only me , Get a spark to check your external loop impedance, sounds like it could be a very low value, do you live near to the distribution transformer?

You also need to check your lighting protection as this fuse should have blown before the main breaker to the whole board went out. This could also be down to your external loop impedance value.

Any questions, please don't ask.