Keeping your electrical system safe is an effective preventive measure against fires and accidents. While many people know some of the basic techniques to maintain electrical safety, one of the most commonly disregarded conditions is known as overlamping.

What You Need To Know About Overlamping

In a nutshell, overlamping is a situation when a light bulb has a higher wattage requirement than the load capacity of the lighting fixture. Most light fixtures have a capacity of 60 watts, which can handle a wide variety of light bulbs designed for home use.

However, modern and more complex lamps may require as much as 100 watts. When you install this high-wattage bulb in a 60-watt fixture, the likelihood of arc faults may increase and result to a heat-up of the socket or melting of electrical wires.

One of the leading factors behind the increasing risk of overlamping is technological upgrades. As devices and gadgets become more complicated, wattage has been steadily increasing over time. Old electrical systems may not be able to handle the intensive wattage requirement of some appliances – including light bulbs and lamps – thereby leading to overlamping.

Tips To Prevent Overlamping

Fortunately, you can do something about it. Here are some tips to make sure that your electrical system doesn’t suffer from overlamping:

Check the wattage rating of fixtures

Most modern lighting fixtures are labelled with wattage rating. That way, you can be certain about the limits of your system. Once you see the label, make sure that you install light bulbs whose wattage requirements don’t exceed the fixture’s capacity.

Stick to bulbs lower than 60 watts

If you don’t see a wattage requirement label on your light fixtures, keep it safe by buying bulbs below 60 watts. That’s because old fixtures were built to withstand this wattage requirement.

Consider upgrading your electrical system

Consult an electrician or electrical company about changing your outlets and fixtures to handle higher wattage requirements. You may want to consider replacing them with newer and higher-wattage variants. It’s also a good idea to install surge protectors and other safety devices for your electrical system.

These things may incur higher costs. At least you’re sure that your home is safe from accidental fires caused by overlamping.

Final Word

Have you electrical system assessed for potential overlamping issues?  Do you have other electricity-related concerns?

Call us at Wire Craft Electric, so that you can rest assured that your home is electrically safe.