Track lighting bulbs blowing

[Jan]

I have Wac "L" track installed in a cafe and the Par 20 bulbs are blowing at a very high rate. (This the first time I've installed WAC track so I'm not familiar with it). Has anyone had this happen and what could be the cause. The track is run on strutt which is suspended from the ceiling with treaded rod. It is fed by 12/2 w/gnd EMT. The track heads rotate into the track and appear to fit well. Any Ideas?

 

[brian john]

1. Cheap bulbs.
2. Improper voltage.
3. Heat disapation.

 

[LarryFine]

Any Ideas?

I'd try 130v bulbs. Make sure you're within the fixture wattage ratings.

 

[mxslick]

Alos check carefully for any loose connections or a defective switch.

A loose connection will act like turning the switch on and off very rapidly, and will kill the lamps fast.

A quick test (that will work ONLY if the lights are not on a dimmer) is to use a portable AM radio. Tune it to a spot with no station and run it along the track and near each lamp. If it picks up the standard "60cycle" hum, things are o.k. Any arcing anywhere in the circuit will cause a raspy buzz or static.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I have Wac "L" track installed in a cafe and the Par 20 bulbs are blowing at a very high rate. (This the first time I've installed WAC track so I'm not familiar with it). Has anyone had this happen and what could be the cause. The track is run on strutt which is suspended from the ceiling with treaded rod. It is fed by 12/2 w/gnd EMT. The track heads rotate into the track and appear to fit well. Any Ideas?

This issue has come up many times. I have always found that changing bulbs, as Larry has suggested, will solve the problem. A 120 Volt bulb will not last long if the power is coming in at 125 volts. A 130 volt bulb will handle the situation.

It will make a big difference trust me. You should be able to get 130 volt bulbs from your supplier but probably not from the superstores.

 

[480sparky]

Another thing to check is the little brass tab in the middle of the socket.

Has it been pressed down so it's flat? If so, you need to shut off the power and get in there and bend it back up. If it's flattened and won't 'spring' back up, you may just be getting a bad connection between it and the base of the bulb.

Then, when you install the bulb, do it with the power on. Turn the bulb until it lights, then ? turn more. This keeps that tab from getting flattened out.

 

[stickboy1375]

What do you consider a high rate of failure? Is this cafe open 12+ hours a day?

 

[sguinn]

I recommend 130v bulbs to everyone I know. Like steve martins mom said in "the jerk" , "Lord loves a workin man, don't trust whitey, and always use 130v bulbs":grin:

 

[480sparky]

What do you consider a high rate of failure? Is this cafe open 12+ hours a day?

Also, is there anyone one the second floor? Maybe a Tumbling & Cheer studio?

 

[Jan]

Track Lighting bulbs blowing

Track Lighting bulbs blowing

Thanks for the responses. This cafe is open 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. The lights are on dimmers. I wish there were a dance studio or something like that on the floor above. I suspect it is the bulbs, they are cheap ones ordered online. The track heads were also purchased by the owner online and they are suspect too. I will go back and check the connections and let you know what I find. Thanks again! Jan

 

[coulter]

Stickboy had a pretty good point. 12 hours/day, 7 days/week = 4380hr/year. If the bulbs are 800hour rated, each bulb will average 5.5 replacements per year. That's each bulb every other month. So if there are 60 fixtures, your averaging 1 per day.

So 1100hour bulbs, 30 fixtures ~ 2/week

Somebody please check my math.

carl

 

[charlie tuna]

look at the lamp life--probibly 750 hours or 2 months

look at the lamp life--probibly 750 hours or 2 months

check the rated lamps life --- another thing besides ordering 130 lamps is to put them on a dimmer and keep them at 90 per cent......