# 60 Watt max. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 4, 2006, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047 "2006-02-04T23:49:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RunSilent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@RunSilent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RunSilent)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/1 "2006-02-04T23:49:14Z")
So, what will happen if I use a 75 watt bulb or a 100 watt bulb in a light fixture that says, ‘use 60 watt bulb max.’ ? Will there be a fire? Will my electrical system short out? Will I experience a visit from the Dept. of Energy SWAT Team? Does anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/2 "2006-02-04T23:52:08Z")
> [@RunSilent](#): > > So, what will happen if I use a 75 watt bulb or a 100 watt bulb in a light fixture that says, ‘use 60 watt bulb max.’ ? Will there be a fire? Will my electrical system short out? Will I experience a visit from the Dept. of Energy SWAT Team? Does anyone know? The bulb will get hotter than the fixture was designed for and present an increased fire hazard. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2006, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/3 "2006-02-04T23:54:48Z")
Dude, you can get a fire, trip your circut breakers, blow a fuse, wreck your lamp, _et al_. Do yourself a favor–if you want more light from a lower-wattage socket, get screw-in fluorencent bulbs. They use a tiny fraction of 60 watts, last up to 7 years, generate less heat, & give more light. They are pricey, but given the long life, well worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2006, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/4 "2006-02-05T00:02:05Z")
Even if it never actually starts a fire, it might [stink](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=356955) pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![Arjuna34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Arjuna34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arjuna34)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2006, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/5 "2006-02-05T01:36:44Z")
I could be wrong, but my understanding is that technically, your home-owner’s insurance might not cover you in a fire if they can show that it was related to not following the manufacturer’s specs. I had a 300W incandescent bulb in cheap 60W lamp in college. It worked fine for months, until one day the bulb exploded. It was pretty spectacular since the lamp was mounted with a C-clamp over the dining table, and showered the entire area with pieces of glass and fiery debris. Naturally the college crowd around during the event thought it was pretty cool, but I wouldn’t recommend it! Arjuna34 ---
**Author:** ![PlughPlover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@PlughPlover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlughPlover)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2006, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/6 "2006-02-05T01:43:32Z")
It didn’t start a fire, but the lampshade, which I think was partly paper, overheated and developed a big brown spot on it. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2006, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/7 "2006-02-05T01:49:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Do yourself a favor–if you want more light from a lower-wattage socket, get screw-in fluorencent bulbs Another option is that you can use a 60W halogen bulb, which might give you the equal of 75W standard bulbs. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2006, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/8 "2006-02-05T05:19:44Z")
> [@Arjuna34](#): > > I could be wrong, but my understanding is that technically, your home-owner’s insurance might not cover you in a fire if they can show that it was related to not following the manufacturer’s specs. You are. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2006, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/9 "2006-02-05T06:27:47Z")
I didn’t follow the link, but in my experience, 60 watt sockets have thinner metal connectors, which will get very hot when used with too much current, and they’re made of plastic, which will then melt. Higher wattage sockets have beefier connectors and are made of ceramic. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2006, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/10 "2006-02-05T13:07:44Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Another option is that you can use a 60W halogen bulb, which might give you the equal of 75W standard bulbs. Halogen bulbs are priceier, & I think they are only meant to be used in lamps designed for them. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2006, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-watt-max/343047/11 "2006-02-05T13:57:46Z")
A 12w long life flourescent replaces a 60w incandescent. From memory last time I bought any I paid about $12 for 3. I first started using them in my stairwell where it is a big production to change the bulb and have gradually replaced every bulb with them as they blow. I have been doing this for about 4 years and have not replaced one of the flourescents yet.