| Author |
Message |
    
zeitghost
Frequent Contributor
Username: zeitghost
Post Number: 1434
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, 08 February, 2010 - 08:21 am: | 
|
Very impressed with the detonation of a Tesco 100W lightbulb (the proper Real Man's type).
Went off like a small bomb distributing bits all over the kitchen.
Took out the fuse in the fuse box, so all the lights went out.
It didn't have a fuse built into it, which must have saved Tesco a fortune.
Didn't do my nerves a lot of good though. |
perro
Frequent Contributor
Username: perro
Post Number: 90
Registered: 10-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, 08 February, 2010 - 10:13 am: |
|
quote:It didn't have a fuse built into it
??
This is an incandescent lamp, we're talking about?
BTW: I hope you nerves have recovered. |
ant
Frequent Contributor
Username: ant
Post Number: 577
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, 08 February, 2010 - 10:48 am: |
|
Hello Perro,
Bulbs should have a fuse in one of the leadout wires, a Ballotini fuse. The problem is that when the filament blows an arc forms which takes more current than the original bulb, hence the external fuse blowing. While checking the name I found these, fascinating! Might also explain ARW's ballistic lightbulb problems too:
http://www.burnyourbonus.info/alt.engineering.electrical/thread263.html
http://www.lamptech.co.uk/Documents/IN%20Fusing.htm
They're not alone in this, one of those wretched CFLs failed - only three weeks in use, probably five or six hours burning in total, but it blew the circuit breaker so I had to grope my way to the consumer unit...
Regards Ant |
perro
Frequent Contributor
Username: perro
Post Number: 91
Registered: 10-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, 08 February, 2010 - 11:22 am: |
|
Thanks, ant.
I like it when I learn something new. I'd never heard of a Ballotini fuse, until today.
I took a look at the links you posted - neat idea!
I also checked the few bulbs we have left (we're mostly CFL now) and most just use a two-wire fuse, but a couple of "clear" bulbs do use the Ballotini type.
Thanks, again |
arw
Board Administrator
Username: arw
Post Number: 826
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, 08 February, 2010 - 04:03 pm: |
|
If it helps I just returned a pack of 10 Tesco branded 60W bulbs, they lasted no more than 4 hours (and no there weren't used in our haunted hallway!), so I dumped a carrier bag full of them on the service desk at my local Tescopoly. Bought a coffee with the refund.
Seems to be the Hungarian factory again, small glass envelope same as Wilko/ B&Q style, and Dave will be along soon to tell us who makes them ;-)
No I hadn't heard of a Ballotini fuse either!
Alan Winstanley
Visit EPE Online at http://www.epemag3.com
|
dave_g
Frequent Contributor
Username: dave_g
Post Number: 606
Registered: 05-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, 08 February, 2010 - 07:21 pm: |
|
Alan,
Sorry to disappoint! Loads of factories in the Balkans.
However, as I tell my professional customers, never, never, never buy own branded product, at least not for electrical products.
Anyway, buy 42w Osram or Philips Tungsten Halogen. Homebase do them, £1.99 each. Seems expensive, now work out the energy and replacement costs of "cheap" lamps.
They look better too - I've put some Philips "EcoClassic" (Eco + "classic" appearance) in my sons room where he has a dimmer switch, so any kind of CFL is unsuitable. Far nicer, and I won't be changing them for a long time. |
zeitghost
Frequent Contributor
Username: zeitghost
Post Number: 1435
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, 09 February, 2010 - 08:27 am: |
|
But by buying non Tesco light bulbs, think of the excitement you're missing.
It really did go off with a bang, followed by a cascade of glass.
Fortunately I was wearing slippers.
Getting the bayonet cap out was another joy I could happily have done without. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page
