Exploding lightbulbs

[Mike]

I have recently had the same light bulb explode twice inside an exterior
light fixture. I have never seen lightbulbs explode like this before, it was
just as if the top blew off (only a small piece on one and most of the top
of the other light). Another interesting thing was that one of the bulbs
that had exploded was filled with ice which might indicate that water can
get into the light fixture. Is it possible that I am getting water into the
light fixture and this cold water onto the hot lightbulb surface dont mix
very well. I dont really see where the water can get into the fixture
though. Do I have some other high/low voltage problems that could cause
this?
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Mike]

"...one of the bulbs that had exploded was filled with ice..."

You're kidding, right?

Actually no, not kidding... I had to turn off the circuit breaker once I saw
it because it scared me a little. It wasn't completely full, just enough so
that you could see it inside of the bulb.

 

[I-zheet M'drurz]

Actually no, not kidding... I had to turn off the circuit
breaker once I saw it because it scared me a little. It wasn't
completely full, just enough so that you could see it inside of
the bulb.

You've been watching too many old Three Stooges shorts.
"A Plumbing We Will Go" comes immediately to mind...

"No wonder these pipes won't work...they're filled
with wires!" ($1 Curly)

 

[Bob]

I have recently had the same light bulb explode twice inside an exterior
light fixture. ... Another interesting thing was that one of the bulbs
that had exploded was filled with ice which might indicate that water can
get into the light fixture.

If a drop of water hits a hot bulb - it will explode. Find the
water source.

Bob

 

[TURTLE]

"...one of the bulbs that had exploded was filled with ice..."

You're kidding, right?

This is Turtle.

Yea, You never heard of Icicle lites. They have been out for years now.

TURTLE

 

[Dan Hartung]

Mike wrote:
"...one of the bulbs that had exploded was filled with ice..."

You're kidding, right?

Drip 1: Explosion.
Drip 2: Inside the light bulb with its top exploded off. You see where
this is going?

 

[Lee Bray]

I had the same problem with my bulbs in an exterior light post
I was using the yellow bulbs the help keep the bug count down.
After about 2 or 3 popped in a very short time I took the time
to write the manufacturer. Received a reply asking for details
and how much the damages were.

I replied I was just passing it on as information and that the
bulbs had not caused any damages. They asked that I send them
a sample of a blown bulb, told them I had just trashed them and
they said they would send me a box to return one if it happened
again (which it did). Also they sent me a box of bulbs later on
and these have had zero problems with being used outside.

Still don't know why or what happened but yes it was the tops
that blew out, they were bug lights, but once the manufacturer
found out about it, they resolved the problem immediately
and far above my expectations. Just tossing in my 2 cents!

 

[George E. Cawthon]

I have recently had the same light bulb explode twice inside an exterior
light fixture. I have never seen lightbulbs explode like this before, it was
just as if the top blew off (only a small piece on one and most of the top
of the other light). Another interesting thing was that one of the bulbs
that had exploded was filled with ice which might indicate that water can
get into the light fixture. Is it possible that I am getting water into the
light fixture and this cold water onto the hot lightbulb surface dont mix
very well. I dont really see where the water can get into the fixture
though. Do I have some other high/low voltage problems that could cause
this?
Thanks for any suggestions.

Water drips on to the light bulb and it shatters the glass
and burns out, then water drips in the bulb and since there
is no light to warm anything it freezes. Fix the fixture.

 

[MaxAluminum]

One can get bulbs, usually intended for food service applications, that
are covered with a plastic coating, such that if the bulb breaks,it
doesn't shatter.

Yes, you should fix the problem with water coming into the fixture, but
this will make it safer and easier to replace the bulbs in the mean
time.

You did say "water inside the bulb" itself, right? For that to happen
you had to have water in the fixture first. And how the bulb could get
water into it is a puzzle. Were both the fixture and bulb made in
China? I suppose the slight vacuum in the bulb could suck in moisture,
especially when it cooled. This would require multiple defects, which
is very possible with Chinese sourcing.

 

[natasrof1]

I have recently had the same light bulb explode twice inside an
exterior

light fixture.

Ya' know what? if you have had the same light bulb blow twice, that
means you have fixed it once!
nataS