Fudog
Active member
Good morning, Does it really matter if a 75 or 100 watt bulb is used in a standard 1 bulb fixture that usually has a 60 watt in it? Thanks
Light Bulbs
- Thread starter Fudog
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ForceFed70
Well-known member
You would probably get away with a higher-wattage CFL replacement. IE: A 100W CFL equivilent bulb in a 60W max fixture.
But like Norcal mentioned, you risk damage and fire by putting a higher wattage bulb than what the fixture is rated for.
But like Norcal mentioned, you risk damage and fire by putting a higher wattage bulb than what the fixture is rated for.
Yes it matters.
Heat from the wattage and amperage through the fixture's wiring. Exceed the rating, and you may have a fire (directly from the heat or semi-indirectly from the wiring melting/heating and starting a fire that way).
Check the rating on the fixture/device and use it within its limits.
re: CFL Don't use the 'wattage equivalent' to determine if the 'bulb' is safe for the fixture, just use the actual real watts.
But also check the rating/limits on the CFL itself, as some did/do limit/restrict usage to non-enclosed fixtures/devices and/or base-down orientation only.
So, it pretty much boils down to RTFM.
Heat from the wattage and amperage through the fixture's wiring. Exceed the rating, and you may have a fire (directly from the heat or semi-indirectly from the wiring melting/heating and starting a fire that way).
Check the rating on the fixture/device and use it within its limits.
re: CFL Don't use the 'wattage equivalent' to determine if the 'bulb' is safe for the fixture, just use the actual real watts.
But also check the rating/limits on the CFL itself, as some did/do limit/restrict usage to non-enclosed fixtures/devices and/or base-down orientation only.
So, it pretty much boils down to RTFM.
ddawg16
Well-known member
When using incandescent bulbs, it's easy to figure out how much heat your getting from the bulb.
A 60w bulb puts out about 60 watts of heat.
A 75w bulb puts out about 75 watts of heat.
A 100w bulb puts out about 100 watts of heat.
A fixture rated for 60w can not have anything in it that will generate more than 60 watts of heat.
A 60w bulb puts out about 60 watts of heat.
A 75w bulb puts out about 75 watts of heat.
A 100w bulb puts out about 100 watts of heat.
A fixture rated for 60w can not have anything in it that will generate more than 60 watts of heat.
sambelcher
Member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2011
- Messages
- 8
re: CFL Don't use the 'wattage equivalent' to determine if the 'bulb' is safe for the fixture, just use the actual real watts.
But also check the rating/limits on the CFL itself, as some did/do limit/restrict usage to non-enclosed fixtures/devices and/or base-down orientation only.
If you look at the "real watts" used by a CFL, and pay attention to other limits (base down, etc) then I think you'll be fine.
A CFL that draws 40-60 watts puts out a lot more light than a 60 watt incandescent, and considerably less heat.
ddawg16
Well-known member
To expand on that....a 23W CFL puts out the equiv of about 100w of light.
Highbeam
Well-known member
A regular single base fixture is seldom limited to 60 watts unless you have some sort of chinsy schminsy ghetto fixture.
Does it have a rating sticker?
Does it have a rating sticker?