Rebel1 wrote:
This apartment has strange problems. Incandescent bulbs burn out too
fast, usually when a switch is turned on. I monitored line voltage
with a plug-in meter that displays voltages in the range of 90 to
130. The needle stays pointing in the green zone (110 to 125 volts).
I don't live there, but I left the meter there and the renter says it
stays in the green zone.

Aside from that problem, the kitchen has a ceiling fan with three
light bulbs (standard base). The bulb in one position burns out,
again when power is switched on, much more often than the other two.

I've tried using bulbs rated at 130V. Seem to give better life, but
there is still a definite problem that I can't blame on simple high
voltage. There is no flicker that could indicate that the bulb isn't
fully screwed into the socket.

This is an "illegal" apartment, which means that there can be many
code violations.

Thanks for you suggestions/comments.


Replace the switch(es) with dimmer(s). The half-second or so to twist a
dimmer to full power should put less strain on the filaments.