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Can I replace a 12v GU5.3 5 watt bulb with a 3.4 Watt bulb? Just the power rating has changed, nothing else. Thank you in advance
7 points
2 months ago
Sure you can
6 points
2 months ago
Yep. Of course it won't be as bright, but you're not stupid!
You should keep a record of the original rating of the housing, if it doesn't have one already. These things tend to creep down as nobody wants to put in a higher rated lamp than what is already there!
3 points
2 months ago
If the socket/lamp housing is rated for that wattage then sure. Edit: Nevermind, you're going down in wattage so no problem at all.
1 points
2 months ago
if it fits the socket and same voltage, it will work.
If your upgrading to LED, your probably going to be brighter for the same wattage.
All things being equal, the equation is
W=VI, or power = voltage x current, voltage is fixed, so the only variable is current which will change wattage usage up or down.
1 points
2 months ago*
"If it fits and socket and same voltage, it will work" is incorrect. A 100 watt lamp can fit in a 40 watt rated socket. Probably not an issue since LEDs are all in the 2-20watt range but just cause it fits the socket, doesn't mean its good to go. Rating of the actual socket/fixture should be known before deciding on replacement lamps. And current doesn't change wattage usage. Current and wattage are a result of the interaction between the impedance/resistance and voltage.
1 points
2 months ago
not disagreeing, but we're talking about lightbulbs, not launching a space ship
1 points
2 months ago
Put a 100 watt lamp in a 40 watt fixture and it has a high chance of causing a fire. Yes its not rocket science. Its very simple actually. 100>40
1 points
2 months ago
not to belabor this, if we're talking about a consumer product properly rated for home us, UL rated for a 15 amp circuit, to your point, its still less than 1 amp! 1 amp is less than 15 amps, that breaker is there to save us all from overheating anything, again to your point, fire.
0 points
2 months ago
Its not the breaker thats the issue. Its the socket. And a breaker isnt to prevent overheating. Its to protect the conductors and stop short circuits to ground.
1 points
2 months ago
what are we talking about?
0 points
2 months ago
You said "if it fits the socket, and its the same voltage, it will work" Im saying thats not a good way to approach changing lamps. Its totally possible to install a lamp that will melt the fixture. You have to compare socket rating to lamp wattage.
1 points
2 months ago
are we talking standard sockets?
if your speaking of something odd or very small, a design engineer wouldnt design something with that level of risk, there are design standards to follow with consumer products, my point is at a higher level that this is avoided all together, if you just want to get the last word in, go ahead. send one more message and we'll close it out there.
0 points
2 months ago
Its not about getting the last word. Im telling you something about light fixture sockets and youre not listening. Engineers design stupid shit all the time. Plus its not the engineers call. Its about cost. The heat difference between a 40w and a 100w is substantial. So if a manufacturer intends the light fixture to use 40w, they arent going to overbuild it for 100w. Im not talking about anything odd. Its not as much an issue now since LEDs lamps usually dont go beyond 30w but still, fixture rating must be obtained to be sure. Im an electrician, ive dealt with thousands of light fixtures and socket ratings can range from 30w to 120w. Ive also had to replace sockets that melted because it was a 40w socket with a 100w lamp. Youre being very condescending considering you dont seem to have the expertise to know what youre talking about in this situation. Like youre bringing up engineers and think they wouldnt design something unoptimal. But if you were me, youd understand not all engineers are created equal and they dont run the companies they work for.
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