Exceeding Maximum Wattage Light Fixture

This requires you to inspect the light socket itself to identify its maximum wattage rating and choose a light bulb that is equal to or less than this rating.

Exceeding maximum wattage light fixture.

The critical factor is to make sure that the light bulb or bulbs inserted into a light fixture or lamp does not exceed the maximum wattage rating of the fixture. The simple formula to calculate the maximum wattage of a light fixture is. Installing a bulb or group of bulbs that exceeds either individual or combined socket wattage ratings can have detrimental effects. And if it s an older fixture that may not have modern wiring be even more conservative.

For example this fixture from lowes calls for a maximum bulb wattage of 60. What would happen if i used y splitters and had 4x 23 watt cfls going through each socket. That s 92 watts in something that has maximum of 60. All light fixtures have a maximum wattage rating and yes you should follow it unless you like to risk house fires.

If you re lucky enough to avoid a fire you risk damaging your fixture s sockets or wiring. From the insulation on the wire to the insulation in the fixture and the materials that make up the socket installing a light bulb that exceeds the maximum wattage can cause excessive heating that can ultimately damage the fixture. It is okay however to put a bulb with lower wattage in that fixture drawing less than the wire s maximum load isn t a problem some specialty lamps or other fixtures may have even lower watt ratings for other safety reasons. So you can make use of this formula.

If it doesn t have a rating err on the conservative side. When it comes to fluorescents you re only using a quarter of the energy. The simple answer is yes as long as the led bulb uses less wattage than your fixture. That s what it s rated for and you can t put more than that.

If a fixture is rated for a maximum of 60 watts then it s dangerous to exceed that. A 100 watt bulb is going to emit a certain amount of heat and the fixture is rated to take that heat. Wattage w voltage v x current draw i however it is important to take into account the resistance factor as well when you want to calculate the maximum wattage of a light fixture. If your socket says not to exceed 60 watts it is referring the dangers of high heat output associated with incandescent bulbs.

Every light fixture is constructed to handle a certain maximum wattage.