How do high voltage surges affect lightbulbs?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of high voltage surges on lightbulbs, including how bulb brightness is influenced by voltage levels and the potential for bulb failure during power surges. The scope includes theoretical considerations and practical implications related to electrical engineering and lighting technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that a bulb connected to the input of a step-up transformer is less bright than one connected to the output, suggesting that brightness correlates with supply voltage.
  • Another participant asserts that lamp brightness increases with voltage, implying that higher output voltage from the transformer results in greater brightness.
  • A participant poses a hypothetical scenario regarding a fictional story, questioning whether a power surge could cause light bulbs to explode or if there are bulbs designed to withstand such surges.
  • Some participants share anecdotal observations about electronics failures due to high voltage surges but express uncertainty about whether light bulbs are similarly affected.
  • There is mention of 'country-rated' lightbulbs that are claimed to withstand surges, raising questions about the reliability of such claims and the actual risks involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the effects of high voltage surges on lightbulbs, with some expressing skepticism about bulbs being affected while others raise concerns about potential failures.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes varying assumptions about the resilience of light bulbs to voltage surges and the definitions of terms like "industrial strength." There is also a lack of empirical data presented to support claims about bulb performance under surge conditions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring electrical engineering concepts, those writing fiction involving electrical phenomena, and anyone curious about the practical implications of voltage surges on lighting technology.

labview1958
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The bulb connected to the input of a step-up transformer is less bright than a similar bulb connected to its output. Why?
 
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Because there is more voltage at the output of a step-up transformer than at the input.

Lamp brightness depends on supply voltage. It gets brighter as the voltage increases.
 
I have a question regarding bulb brightness but it is not particularly scientific as it is fictional for a humorous short story I'm writing. The main character is fooling around with electricity when I huge power surge spike runs into his lab wiring. Would that explode the light bulbs or is there some kind of bulb, industrial strength, whatever, that could withstand a gigantic power surge spike and getting blinding bright for a second or so?

Thanx for your help. :)
 
funops,

You better start a new thread.

I have seen a lot of times electronics equipment failiures attributed to high voltage surges by the vendor. I have never heared a bulb or light becoming victim of that surge.
 
mabs239 said:
funops,

You better start a new thread.

I have seen a lot of times electronics equipment failiures attributed to high voltage surges by the vendor. I have never heared a bulb or light becoming victim of that surge.

I've seen 'country-rated' lightbulbs (manufactured by Philips, so I assume it's legit) that indicated they'd withstand the surges and sags seen after kilometers of transmission lines. However as a city-slicker, I have no idea of how serious of an issue this actually is.
 

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