What can make this happen? Burning out bulbs.

[JohnBoy45]

Hi, All my light bulbs in my house burn out at the same time. What is making this happen? Bad main meter ground or what. All the bulbs are not on one circuit.

Thanks, Terry

 

[billbill1]

Terry, do you have a way that you can check what your voltage is? It sounds to me like you have a voltage fluctuation. You need to get this corrected ASAP, you'll start losing electronics next.

 

[Egon]

I'd suggest calling the utillity supplier about your problem.

Egon

 

[BB_TX]

I assume it is only the ones that are on at the time that burn out. Are you there when it happens? Do they get very bright just before burning out? The only thing I can think to cause that would be a severe voltage spike. Anything else fail such as display on microwave, clocks, etc.? Sounds as though it has happened more than once. Definitely call the power company.

 

[SnowRidge]

Yep, call the power company. Right away!

 

[heehaw]

it could depend on where you are buying your light bulbs: some of the elcheapos have a rating of 115 to 120 volts, which is lower than i have ever seen anywhere: make sure the bulbs you use are rated at 130 volts; plus if you have access to a digital voltmeter, check your voltage. i have never had any luck calling the power company, except when i told them the voltage is ??? volts, i don't remember what it was exactly, but it was above 130, and they where out there within an hour and replaced the transformer.
heehaw

 

[JohnBoy45]

Hi, Yes the bulbs get real bright before burning out. And also I have found a tree limb hanging on my service drop and have called and they said they think it's the limb doing this. So the limb will be cut and then I will find out if this is the cure of problem. It's a pine tree limb.

Thanks, Terry.

 

[Junkman]

Give the tree trimmer a $20 bill and ask him to remove the entire tree. Pine trees cause all sorts of problems since the branches snap off under strong winds. Every problem that I ever had with overhead electrical wires were caused by pine trees. I have eliminated every pine tree that is remotely close to the overhead wires and haven't had a problem since.

 

[Marine1]

Terry,
I'm having a hard time believing that the tree limb itself is causing all the trouble. The symptoms you describe are classic transformer failure. I would not wait for the tree to be removed. Call the power company NOW! and be persistant that they come over and check the system, especially the transformer and meter connections. This is an extremely dangerous house fire potential.
Good luck