Exceeding Maximum Wattage Light Fixture

For example this fixture from lowes calls for a maximum bulb wattage of 60.

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. So you can make use of this formula. That s what it s rated for and you can t put more than that. If your socket says not to exceed 60 watts it is referring the dangers of high heat output associated with incandescent bulbs.

The simple formula to calculate the maximum wattage of a light fixture is. All light fixtures have a maximum wattage rating and yes you should follow it unless you like to risk house fires. When you see a label say 100 watt led equivalent that does not mean that the bulb actually uses 100 watts it means that it produces an amount of light equivalent to a 100 watt incandescent bulb. First of all if your fixture has a maximum wattage rating only use bulbs in it that do not exceed that rating.

If it doesn t have a rating err on the conservative side. 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. Every light fixture is constructed to handle a certain maximum wattage. That s 92 watts in something that has maximum of 60.

A 100 watt bulb is going to emit a certain amount of heat and the fixture is rated to take that heat. If a fixture is rated for a maximum of 60 watts then it s dangerous to exceed that. What would happen if i used y splitters and had 4x 23 watt cfls going through each socket. 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.

The simple answer is yes as long as the led bulb uses less wattage than your fixture. And if it s an older fixture that may not have modern wiring be even more conservative. If you re lucky enough to avoid a fire you risk damaging your fixture s sockets or wiring. A 100 watt bulb will draw more power through the wires than they safely can handle.

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.