light bulbs and wattage...

[RayB]

Hey. Can someone confirm this:

I put in a light fixture in the bathroom. It came with 3 35watt bulbs (little G9 type bulbs). I find this way too dim. But I am assuming that it is not safe to add higher wattage bulbs. Is this correct?

3 x 35watts = 105watts

I found some 45 watt G9 bulbs, but that would add up to 135 watts. Probably too high of a draw on current??

[menace]

your existing setup is 135W--assuming standard household volts of 120V and using ohm's law:

W=VxI
I=.875A

at 135W your ampergae goes to 1.125A--assuming the fixture can handle that I feel confident the wiring is more than up to the task so I would think it was ok--Again this all depends on the fixture--its bound to be the weakest link so you should see if there are any restrictions on it.

[shardian]

your existing setup is 135W--assuming standard household volts of 120V and using ohm's law:

W=VxI
I=.875A

at 135W your ampergae goes to 1.125A--assuming the fixture can handle that I feel confident the wiring is more than up to the task so I would think it was ok--Again this all depends on the fixture--its bound to be the weakest link so you should see if there are any restrictions on it.

Actually, your Ohm's law example only works for DC circuits. Ohm's law is different (and more difficult) for AC circuitry.

Either on the box or on the fixture itself, there should be a label that tells you the maximum wattage of the fixture. Once you have this, just make sure the wattage of your bulbs added up is equal to or less than the maximum wattage of the fixture. No fancy mathematics neccessary.
The problem with overloading fixtures is that the wiring can get hot and even catch on fire. We don't want that now do we?

[menace]

hmm good point--I had forgotten that for the purposes of learning the laws they had made the lights pure resistors making the impedance =resistance.

guess it all comes back to trying the new bulbs with a fire extinguisher handy 

(and I know you know that i'm just kidding)

[RayB]

The problem with overloading fixtures is that the wiring can get hot and even catch on fire. We don't want that now do we?

That's what I figured... so I thought I'd get a second opinion.

Gonna have to fine the manual. There's no sticker on the exterior of the fixture...

[shardian]

Did you take it off the wall and look on the back where the wiring is?

[RayB]

Did you take it off the wall and look on the back where the wiring is?

Now that would take effort! 

[RayB]

Found the sticker. Says 35watt bulbs maximum. :-/

[BobA]

If 35 W bulbs are the max on the sticker DO NOT EXCEED the rating.  You cannot guess what the heat buildup due to exceeding the max will be and you should not take the chance.  Insurance companies are nit pickers and you don't want to give them a reason to whine and ---smurfette---.

If you need more light you might consider a new fixture with higher wattage.