On 09/16/2013 08:43 AM, Naomi Cezana wrote:
Hi,

I am a little confused. If someone with electrical experience can
answer, I would appreciate it.

I have a ceiling light fixture that has space for two bulbs. It
states that the wattage limit is 60W per bulb. Now with everyone
using Halogen bulbs, can I place 2x 53W Halogen Bulbs - which produce
the same lumens as a 75W incandescent bulb, or do I need to ensure
that the lumen output does not exceed that of the 60W incandescent,
which would mean a 43W Halogen bulb?

I hope the question makes sense. I know that halogens produce more
heat than incandescent, so I am not sure what the Wattage limit is
about - is the the heat that is produced, or is it about the energy
that is drawn?

I would appreciate a response - dont want to take any risks, but
would love to maximise the lumen output.

Please note, only Halogen or Incandescent bulbs can be used in this
specific fitting.

Thank you in advance.


The wattage limit is for heat concerns - one, the heat produced by the
bulb in the fixture, and two, the heat produced by the resistance of the
wiring/sockets in the fixture as the current flows through it (hopefully
negligable at rated power.)

I would consider the 60W/bulb limit to be a limit for any type of bulb
no matter what (BTW halogen is a subset of incandescent) if you want to
make sure that your setup is safe check temp with 2x 75W incandescents
and then check again with 2x 53W halogens, if the temp with the halogens
is the same as or lower than the temp with the incans you are not
outside the design parameters of the light.

In this case I think you are probably quite safe; there have been some
concerns about heating with CFLs due to their producing more heat in
their bases and trapping it there as opposed to in the globe of the bulb
as in an incandescent, but since incan and halogen are essentially the
same thing and operate the same way I really don't see how the fixture
would get hotter with a lower wattage halogen.

good luck,

nate

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