# Lamp maximum wattage question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 12, 2002, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lamp-maximum-wattage-question/136470 "2002-11-12T20:12:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lamp-maximum-wattage-question/136470/21 "2002-11-13T15:50:56Z")
With clear, you could see the element rather brightly. With frosted, you could see the entire outline of the bulb. I strongly expressed my preference for clear, which pretty much ensures the missus will go frosted! You know, when I was a kid - or even a single guy, I couldn’t have imagined the amount of mental effort I’d be expending on household lighting… Next up, mica! Thanks again, folk. I’m further rationalizing going with 25s as my opportunity to live life on the edge! Just about as reckless as this old fart gets. Pretty soon I’ll be tearing tags off of mattresses. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lamp-maximum-wattage-question/136470/22 "2002-11-13T15:55:27Z")
I strongly urge _against_ go over the recommended voltage. Going over can be a _serious fire hazard_. The most likely problem is the type (or lack of) “insulation” around the base. A good lamp has a ceramic base. A cheap lamp has a metal base sometimes with a _cardboard_ tube around it to “protect it”. I have taken apart many a lamp and found the cardboard significantly charred. I have also seen a lot of lamps where the insulation on the wires at the ends where they connect to the base to is melted or charred. Going over the rec. voltage is a “Darwin Award” action. Do **not** go over and please, please, please do **not** recommend to others that they do so. This is flat out **stupid**. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lamp-maximum-wattage-question/136470/23 "2002-11-13T16:38:02Z")
Have a fire protection contractor come in and install a sprinkler system with one head directly over the lamp. That way when the scorching flames reach the head the blaze will be put out. Or you could build a seperately enclosed room for the lamp with a Halon fire suppression system installed. Either way you should be safe. Then you can put 1000w. bulbs in each socket. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lamp-maximum-wattage-question/136470/24 "2002-11-13T21:10:23Z")
FTG - We were not suggesting DINSDALE goes over the recommended “voltage” as you claim. The wattage of the bulbs was in question not the voltage. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lamp-maximum-wattage-question/136470/25 "2002-11-13T21:50:10Z")
So now I read THIS on-line. \*Beware of “decorator” bulbs of all types, including candle-flame shapes. Most are made (and marked) for use in “tips up” position only. Never install candle-type bulbs with the tips down. Besides being counter-intuitive (flames going down?), antique fixtures with exposed down-pointed sockets were designed to use the globe-shaped bulbs we sell. \* Stupid lamp. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2002, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lamp-maximum-wattage-question/136470/26 "2002-11-13T22:36:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dinsdale \* > \*\*So now I read THIS on-line. > > \*Beware of “decorator” bulbs of all types, including candle-flame shapes. Most are made (and marked) for use in “tips up” position only. Never install candle-type bulbs with the tips down. Besides being counter-intuitive (flames going down?), antique fixtures with exposed down-pointed sockets were designed to use the globe-shaped bulbs we sell. \*\*\* But what’s the reason? Is it because the sharp point might jab somebody? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2002, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lamp-maximum-wattage-question/136470/27 "2002-11-14T12:04:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crafter\_Man \* > \*\*If it were _me_, I would use 25 W bulbs. Trust me on this, _nothing bad is going to happen_. > > Think about it: if using 25 W bulbs constituted a serious hazard, then 15 W would be “right on the edge.” If _that_ were the case, there would be no way in hell they’d rate it for even 15 W.\*\* This is pretty much what I told the police last night; “Look Mr Police Officer,” I said, “If driving at 90mph on the motorway is such a serious hazard, then the posted speed limit of 70mph would be ‘right on the edge’ - there’s no way in hell you’d let me drive at even 70mph if 90mph wasn’t completely safe, anyway, shouldn’t you be trying to catch some real criminals?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lamp-maximum-wattage-question/136470.md?page=1)